7 Days in Sri Lanka: The Ultimate Itinerary (2026 Guide)

Sri Lanka in 2026 is South Asia's most rewarding island escape, where ancient Buddhist temples, misty tea plantations, wildlife-rich national parks, and golden beaches come together in a destination just a fraction of the size of India. With the economy stabilizing, tourism infrastructure improving rapidly, and an incredible diversity of experiences packed into one compact island, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean is firmly back on the global travel map.

Essential Travel Documentation & Planning

1. USA: Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) required. Apply online at eta.gov.lk. Cost: $20 USD for 30 days (extendable to 90 days). Passport valid 6 months. Travel insurance strongly recommended ($60-120 for 7 days).

2. Canada: ETA required. Apply online at eta.gov.lk. Cost: approximately US$50 for a 30-day tourist ETA (double entry, extendable). Passport valid 6 months beyond stay. Travel insurance strongly advised ($70–130).

3. UK: ETA required. Apply online at eta.gov.lk at least 48 hours before travel. Cost: approximately US$50 for a 30-day tourist ETA (double entry, extendable). Passport valid 6 months. Comprehensive travel insurance recommended ($50–110).

4. EU: ETA required for most EU nationalities. Apply online at eta.gov.lk prior to travel. Cost: approximately US$50 for a 30-day tourist ETA (double entry, extendable). Passport valid 6 months. Travel insurance essential ($55–110).

5. India: ETA required. Apply online at eta.gov.lk prior to travel. Cost: approximately US$20 for a 30-day tourist ETA (SAARC concessional rate, extendable). Passport valid 6 months. Travel insurance recommended ($40–80).

6. Australia: ETA required. Apply online at eta.gov.lk at least 48 hours before travel. Cost: approximately US$50 for a 30-day tourist ETA (double entry, extendable). Passport valid 6 months. Travel insurance recommended (AUD 90–170).

7. UAE: UAE passport holders: Visa-free entry for 30 days.
   Expat residents must follow visa rules based on their passport nationality (ETA usually required at approximately US$50). Passport valid 6 months. Travel insurance advised ($50–100).

8. Singapore: ETA required. Apply online at eta.gov.lk prior to travel. Cost: approximately US$50 for a 30-day tourist ETA (double entry, extendable). Passport valid 6 months beyond stay. Travel insurance recommended (SGD 80–150).

Your 7-Day Adventure

Day 1: Colombo — Vibrant Capital Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo. Check into hotel and explore Colombo Fort and Pettah Market — a chaotic, colourful bazaar full of spices, textiles, and street food. Visit the red-and-white striped Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque. Evening at Galle Face Green promenade for sunset snacks and ocean views. Dinner at a rooftop restaurant serving authentic Sri Lankan rice and curry.

Day 2: Sigiriya — Lion Rock Fortress Drive or take train to Sigiriya (4-5 hours). Climb the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage, $30 entry) — a 5th-century palace rising 200m above jungle plains. View ancient frescoes and mirror wall inscriptions. Afternoon visit Pidurangala Rock for sunset views of Sigiriya (cheaper and less crowded, $2). Overnight in Sigiriya or Dambulla.

Day 3: Dambulla Cave Temples & Polonnaruwa Morning visit Dambulla Golden Cave Temple (UNESCO, $10) — five caves filled with 153 Buddha statues and vivid ceiling murals. Drive to Polonnaruwa (1 hour), Sri Lanka's ancient medieval capital. Explore ruins by bicycle ($3/day rental) — Gal Vihara rock temple with enormous reclining Buddha is unmissable ($25 entry covers all Polonnaruwa ruins). Overnight Polonnaruwa or Habarana.

Day 4: Kandy — Cultural Heart Drive to Kandy (3 hours) through lush green landscapes. Visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist shrine, $10). Explore Kandy Lake and vibrant city market. Evening cultural show featuring traditional Kandyan drumming and fire dancing ($10, 5 PM). Stroll through Kandy's colourful streets for gem shops and spice stores. Overnight Kandy.

Day 5: Ella — Tea Country & Waterfalls Morning scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella (6 hours, $3-5 — one of Asia's most beautiful train journeys through tea estates and misty mountains — book seats in advance). Arrive in charming Ella village. Hike to Little Adam's Peak (1.5 hours, easy, free) for panoramic tea country views. Visit Nine Arches Bridge at golden hour — Sri Lanka's most photographed colonial railway viaduct. Overnight Ella.

Day 6: Ella to Yala — Wildlife Safari Morning hike to Ella Rock (3 hours, moderate difficulty). Drive to Yala National Park (3 hours). Afternoon jeep safari ($40-60 per vehicle) in Sri Lanka's most famous national park — highest leopard density in the world. Also spot elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and peacocks. Evening at beach resort in Tissamaharama or Yala border area. Overnight near Yala.

Day 7: Galle — Colonial Fort & Departure Drive to Galle (2 hours). Explore the magnificent Galle Fort (UNESCO World Heritage) — a 17th-century Dutch colonial fortress with ramparts, boutique shops, cafes, and churches. Walk the fort walls at sunset for Indian Ocean views. Afternoon beach time at nearby Unawatuna or Jungle Beach. Drive back to Colombo Airport (2 hours) for evening departure or extend stay along the south coast beaches.

Food: A Culinary Paradise

1. Rice and Curry: Sri Lanka's national dish — steamed red or white rice served with multiple small curries including dhal, coconut sambol, vegetable, fish or chicken curry, and papadum. Fiery, aromatic, and endlessly varied.

2. Kottu Roti: Shredded flatbread stir-fried on a hot griddle with vegetables, egg, and your choice of meat or cheese. The rhythmic clanging of metal blades is the soundtrack of Sri Lankan street nights.

3. Hoppers (Appam): Bowl-shaped crispy rice flour pancakes — plain, egg, or milk hoppers. Eaten for breakfast with coconut sambol and dhal. String hoppers (steamed rice noodle nests) are equally popular.

4. Fish Ambul Thiyal: Sour fish curry made with goraka (dried gamboge fruit), black pepper, and spices. A signature southern Sri Lankan dish with intense, tangy, dry flavours unlike any other curry.

5. Watalappan: Rich steamed coconut custard pudding made with jaggery (palm sugar), cardamom, and cashews — a Malay-influenced Sri Lankan dessert served at festive occasions and top restaurants alike.

Essential Items to Pack

• Lightweight, modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for temples and cultural sites

• White clothing (required to enter some temples — keep a white outfit ready)

• Comfortable trekking shoes for Ella Rock, Sigiriya, and jungle trails

• Sandals or slip-on shoes (removed frequently at temples and homes)

• High SPF sunscreen (50+) and strong insect repellent (dengue risk — use DEET-based)

• Rain jacket or poncho (tropical showers can appear suddenly year-round)

• Power adapter (Type D and G plugs; 230V)

• Reusable water bottle with filter (drink only bottled or filtered water)

• Small daypack for safaris, hikes, and day trips

• Binoculars for birdwatching and wildlife safari in Yala

• Cash in Sri Lankan Rupees (many guesthouses, rural areas, and markets cash-only)

• Stomach medication and basic first aid kit

Final Tips

Best Time to Visit: Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons affecting different coasts. December to March is ideal for the west and south coasts (Galle, Colombo) and cultural triangle. April to September is best for the east coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay). The cultural triangle and hill country (Kandy, Ella) are pleasant year-round. Avoid May-June (southwest monsoon peak) and November (northeast monsoon) if possible.

Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Exchange rate fluctuates significantly — check current rates before travel (LKR is volatile). Exchange at banks or licensed money changers (better rates than airports). Cards accepted in hotels, supermarkets, and major restaurants. Carry cash for local restaurants, tuk-tuks, and rural areas. Budget: $30-50/day (budget), $80-130/day (mid-range), $250+/day (luxury). Sri Lanka offers excellent value for money.

Safety: Generally safe for tourists. Petty theft in crowded areas — watch belongings. Tuk-tuk drivers may overcharge tourists — always negotiate price before getting in or use PickMe app. Ocean swimming: check flags and rip currents (several tourist drownings annually). Wildlife: maintain safe distance from wild elephants — do not approach roadside elephants. Emergency: 119 (police), 1990 (Suwa Seriya ambulance service), 118 (fire).

Local Etiquette: Remove shoes and sometimes hats at all temples. Never pose with your back to a Buddha statue for photos (considered highly disrespectful and can result in arrest). Dress modestly at religious sites — shoulders and knees covered. Accept food or gifts with both hands or right hand only. Left hand considered unclean. Tipping appreciated but not mandatory (10% at restaurants is generous).

Budget Tips: Eat at local "rice and curry" spots for $1.50-3 per meal. Use trains instead of private transfers (scenic and $1-5). Book Sigiriya and Dambulla tickets online to avoid queues. Stay in family-run guesthouses ($15-30/night) over large hotels. Use PickMe app for affordable tuk-tuks and taxis. Hire a local guide for cultural sites ($20-30/day) — worth every rupee for context and stories.

Transportation Tips

Public Transport: Sri Lanka's railway network is scenic, affordable, and connects Colombo to Kandy, Ella, Galle, and Jaffna. Trains cost $1-8 for most journeys. Book observation car seats (2nd class reserved, $3-5) well in advance for the Kandy-Ella route — among the world's most beautiful train journeys. Intercity buses cover routes trains don't — air-conditioned coaches $2-8. Local buses extremely cheap ($0.20-1) but crowded and slow.

Taxi/Rideshare: PickMe app (Sri Lanka's equivalent of Uber) is the safest, most affordable option — available in Colombo and major cities ($2-8 typical urban rides). Tuk-tuks are iconic and fun for short distances ($0.50-3) — always negotiate fare upfront or insist on meter. Avoid unmarked taxis at airports and tourist spots. Radio taxis available in Colombo (Kangaroo Cabs, YOYO Cabs).

Airport Transfers: Bandaranaike International Airport is 30km north of Colombo. No direct rail link — use PickMe app ($10-15 to Colombo city, 45-60 minutes), pre-booked hotel shuttle ($15-25), or airport taxi ($20-30). Avoid unofficial taxi touts inside arrivals hall — use official taxi counters or PickMe only.

Vehicle Rental: International Driving Permit required plus home country license. Car rental with driver strongly recommended over self-drive — Sri Lanka drives on the left, roads are narrow, and local driving is chaotic. Self-drive car rentals available at $25-45/day from Malkey Rent A Car, Sixt Colombo, and Budget Lanka. Driver-guided vehicles $50-80/day including fuel — excellent value for groups. Tuk-tuk rentals available in Ella and tourist areas ($15-25/day) for independent short-distance exploration — fun but wear a helmet.