Top Things to Do in the Ella | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Ella

Places To Visit In Ella

Bopath Falls

Bopath falls is located in Rathnapura district of Sri Lanka. The district by itself stands at an elevation of 130m. Water gushes forth from a mountain cliff, whose crevices appear so minute, it makes one wonder how the water flows at that velocity. Yet again nature surprises us and gives birth to the marvel that is the Bopath falls. The Bopath falls in Rathnapura is an absolute treat to the eyes. The falls derives its name from the fig tree or the sacred “bo tree”. The falls are shaped like the leaves of the Bo tree and hence the title. The Bo tree since early ages was a sign of wisdom, counsel, knowledge understanding and enlightenment; a visit to the Bopath is nothing short of this experience. The waters fall steeply at certain cuts and gradients, and then flows back again. The serenity of the falls is topped with the winds that strike at early dawn and the evenings. Water splashes out of the pool and onto the rocks, if you’re there it will shower you too. Bliss is guaranteed in Bopath! Legend has it that the Bopath falls hides a treasure trove which intensifies the eeriness of this place. The lush green climbers and creepers along the falls and the vast area surrounding trickling waters are ideal for a swim. The cold waters tickle the ribs making for a fun time with nature. Read More

The Demodara Loop is a spiral railway loop in Demodara and is a piece of cutting-edge civil engineering. The railway line runs underneath itself, snakes around the mountain, and appears from a tunnel below the Demodara Railway Station; this railway line is said to be the only one of its kind in the world. A trek along the loop is an opportunity to admire and photograph the rail line and beautiful landscape firsthand. Do check the train schedule before you plan a trek at this spot. In the 20th century, the steep hills of Demodara proved to be difficult for building the current rail line; consequently, a spiral loop, around 441 feet long, was constructed. The engineering aside, Demodara Loop and its verdant surroundings are indeed a sight to behold; experience the charm of the area by taking a train ride, preferably from Ella to Demodara. Read More

The Dhowa temple is located in the beautiful Uva province and is a popular tourist attraction. The Dhova rock temple is almost 2000 years old and was used as a sanctuary for King Walagamba. The king later converted the cave into a temple. The Dhowa rock temple is famous for its rock paintings and sculptures which are on the walls of the cave. It is said that King Walagamba himself had a great passion for art and has done most of the rock paintings himself. The Dhowa rock temple opens with a beautiful gateway which greets the devotees and the tourists. Another striking feature of the temple is the stunning 38 feet tall Buddha sculpture on the rock, which is an excellent example of the Mahayana style of Buddhist statues. Read More

Dunhinda Falls is at Badulla, approximately an hour away from Ella. The falls tumble down a narrow gap between rocks and expand to form a stunning smoky cascade—an appearance reminiscent of a bridal veil; no wonder it is also known as Bridal Falls. The falls finally crash into a pool at the bottom. Dunhinda Falls flows down from an altitude of 63 metres, and a stream named Badulu Oya forms the waterfall. After a hike of more than a kilometre from the entrance gate, comprising muddy trails, a suspension bridge and steep steps, the sight of this picturesque waterfall welcomes visitors. Along the way, the Small Dunhinda falls, and diverse fauna such as butterflies, monkeys and birds can be spotted. Read More

Duwili Ella Falls or Walawe Ganga East Falls is a milky flow of water that is suspended from a height of 40 metres. Nestled in Thanjantenna village, of Rathnapura district Duwili in Sinhalese translates to ‘dust’. The velocity at which the water pours makes the flow of water look like dust falling from the sky. Hence the name “Duwili”. Thanjantenna is an archaeological village that is deep-rooted in history dating back to many centuries. Its historical significance adds to the cultural importance that the Duwili falls holds. The local community around the falls play a great role in adding to its warm and friendly ambience. The falls is enclosed by a shrubs and shielded with a pack of trees, that reflect the rich vegetation of these lands. The cold waters befit tourists to take a swim in the gushing pours. The rocks lined along serve as a protection for the swimmers and provides a stronghold for the novice to stay afloat as well. The birds, animals and insects in the thick forests that surround Duwili play a pivotal role in the ecosystem. Their constant chants and noises make Duwili a perfect exposure of the woods. The environment is tranquil and provides moments of absolute privacy with nature, as Duwili falls is positioned in such a way! Sunlight shines in the morning leaving a golden hue on the waters and the beam trickles during the early evening. The nights are colder and is perfect to set up camp around a bonfire overlooking the falls and its rich pools of water. Read More

One of the best hiking and trekking sites in Sri Lanka, the Ella Rocks provide the most picturesque views from the top. The trek starts from Ella railway station to Kithal Ella railway station or Heel Oya railway track. Kithal Ella is the closest to the rock. It takes around 4 hours to trek up and down. One can sit and enjoy some coconut water and fruits sold on the top while embracing the wind and admiring the spectacular view.

Ella has some world-famous tea gardens which are breathtakingly beautiful, but the specialty is the chance to, do taste some delicious home cooking in the Ella spice garden. With more than 4000 trees in the Ella spice garden, the primary purpose of the spice garden is to encourage the production of spices in Sri Lanka. If you are someone who loves spices and you are interested to see how the spices are grown to pay a visit to the Ella spice garden. Here you will find a wide variety of spices ranging from cinnamon, black pepper, and cloves. There is also the facility of a small tour through the spice garden which will take you on an aromatic journey of the authentic spices of Sri Lanka. Here, you will be guided by a friendly instructor who will take you on an informative tour of the place.If you have the time, you can also book an interactive cooking class which will awaken the chef in you and also helps you learn to cook a delicious meal with the authentic Sri Lankan spices. Pay a visit to the Ella spice garden shop to buy some natural Ayurvedic products which have been prepared from the spices from the garden. The products will be a great addition to your home and also act as a perfect souvenir to take back home with you. Read More

Cascading down from a height of 23 meters, flowing past the gaps within rocks, this small but picturesque waterfall is frequently visited during the hike towards Ella Rock. The shallow waters of Kithal Ella Falls are perfect for a swim. A fifteen-minute walk alongside the railway lines past the Kithal Ella railway station and amid the jungle brings you to this little-known gem. Take a bath in the falls for a brief break during the exhausting hike. The sights all around Kithal Ella Falls make for stunning pictures, both at the base and the top of the waterfalls. Capture the white spray tumbling down the rocks at the bottom, or climb up above for a fantastic view of the town and its greenery, courtesy of tea plantations and verdant forests. Read More

Lipton's Seat

Lipton's Seat is a viewpoint situated in the Haputale mountain range, atop the Dambatenne Tea Estate. Located at a height of 1970 metres above sea level, Lipton's Seat offers spectacular 360-degree views of the verdant hills and tea plantations. Add to that a cup of hot tea—it certainly can't get any better! Sir Thomas Lipton, the founder of the renowned brand Lipton Tea, was often found pondering about his tea empire here; a statue of Sir Lipton greets visitors to Lipton's Seat. The views stretch for miles together—one can spot more than five provinces at the viewpoint! In addition to tea, a café at the top serves delicious food, including roti and samosa. Although you can hire a tuk-tuk until the viewpoint, a walk to Lipton's Seat is recommended for the opportunity to soak in the tranquil atmosphere. Read More

Little Adam's Peak

Little Adam's Peak is the mini version of the pilgrimage mountain site of central Sri Lanka called Adam's Peak. It provides a less exhausting and more pleasant alternative as a hiking spot to those who cannot hike on a mountain as big as Adam's Peak but also want to see a breathtaking view from a mountain's top. The altitude of Little Adam's peak is 1141 meters, and the total time one will require for the hike and sightseeing will be a maximum of 3 hours. On the way up there, one can see some lush green tea plantations with smiling tea leaf pickers, colourful birds, flowers and the flying eagles and enjoy the emanation of pleasant smell from the tea plantation. One is highly advised to visit Little Adam's peak either before sunrise or before sunset as the sun presents itself most engagingly during these times of the day. Read More