The Best Sri Lanka Itinerary for 7 Days (+Map)

Are you visiting Sri Lanka for the first time and looking for the perfect 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary?

Sri Lanka is a tropical destination all year round. 7 days in Sri Lanka is not enough to discover the whole country. But you can see some of the most visited places and hidden gems, and at least you have a reason to return to Sri Lanka.

We’ve put together a detailed Sri Lanka Itinerary for 1 week from Colombo to Mirissa. You’ll also find all the useful tips and information you need to plan your best 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary.

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How to Get to Sri Lanka

Most travelers to Sri Lanka arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (airport code CMB), as you can get cheap flights to Colombo.

There are many direct flights to Colombo from India, Maldives, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and other international countries with easy connections. We arrived in Sri Lanka from India and started exploring the country.

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Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Colombo is the capital and largest city of Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is the perfect place to start your 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary from where you can easily reach Negombo, Sigiriya, Galle, or Kandy.

Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka can be visited all year round because the weather is hot and humid. But the best time to visit Sri Lanka is between December and March in the south/west and March to October in the north/east.

Sri Lanka has a tropical climate with high humidity and two monsoon seasons. The average annual daytime temperature in the country ranges between 26-28°C.

The busiest months are from December to April. In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation, train tickets, and tours in advance!

Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons: the northeast monsoon season, which runs from December to January, and the southwest monsoon season, which runs from May to September. You can visit Sri Lanka in the monsoon season for the low prices and to avoid crowds, but we don’t recommend it.

If you can, add extra days to your 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary and discover the country’s highlights at your own pace.

Recommended post → What to Do in Kandy

Sri Lanka Itinerary for 7 days from Colombo

Why Should You Rent a Tuk Tuk in Sri Lanka?

The best way to get around Sri Lanka in 7 days is to rent a tuk tuk. Although public transport is cheap, travel time is long, and some places are not accessible by bus or train.

So, if you want to explore the country’s hidden gems and hard-to-reach waterfalls, tea plantations, or beaches, rent a tuk tuk in Sri Lanka and have an unforgettable experience.

Renting a tuk tuk in Sri Lanka provides the freedom and flexibility to explore the country at your own pace and get off the beaten path.

Save money, use our coupon code dittusandmate and get a 5% discount on tuktukrental.com.

Keep reading → Tuk Tuk Rental & Driving Tips in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Itinerary for 7 days from Colombo

Day 1: Arrive in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Welcome to Sri Lanka! We hope you had a great flight and are ready to explore this beautiful country.

Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka and the perfect place to start your 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary, from where you can easily reach other popular destinations. When you arrive in Colombo, continue your Sri Lanka trip to Nuwara Eliya.

A private transfer from Bandaranaike International Airport to Nuwara Eliya starts from 167 USD, and four pax are allowed. Travel time is 5 hours, depending on traffic.

If you want to travel to Nuwara Eliya by train, you will first need to get from Colombo Airport to Colombo Fort. You can get to Colombo Fort Railway Station by express bus, taxi, minivan, or local bus.

Book your minivan to Colombo Fort.

Important note
This 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary does not allow you to visit Colombo or Negombo, so add extra days to explore them.

We have a detailed post on how to get from Colombo Airport to the City with all the information you need.

Colombo to Nuwara Eliya

The distance between Nuwara Eliya and Colombo is about 170 km, which is 5-7 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport. You can easily get to Nuwara Eliya by train, bus, taxi, or private transfer.

Nuwara Eliya does not have its own railway station, so you must first travel to Nanu Oya by train and then take a tuk tuk to Nuwara Eliya. The train journey takes 6-7 hours.

The direct trains to Nanu Oya run several times a day. The first-class train tickets start from 9 USD, and the second-class tickets from 6 USD.

We have a detailed post on how to get from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya with all the information you need.

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Due to the cooler climate in Nuwara Eliya, pack warmer clothes.

Best hotels in Nuwara Eliya

Luxury: Heritance Tea Factory
Mid-Range: Galway Heights Hotel or Hilldale Retreat
Budget: Misthill Rest – Lavish Villa

more hotels in Nuwara Eliya

Day 2: See Nuwara Eliya & Travel to Ella

Good morning! It’s time to continue your 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary. The best way to explore Nuwara Eliya is to rent a tuk tuk and drive yourself, join a Nuwara Eliya sightseeing tour, or hire a tuk tuk driver to take you to the tea plantations, the Bluefield Tea Factory, Single Tree Hill, Gregory Lake, and Ramboda Falls.

Enjoy the stunning scenery of the tea plantations and have a delicious cup of Ceylon tea. You can see how the tea is dried, pressed, and produced at the Bluefield Tea Factory.

The Ramboda Falls is situated at 945 meters above sea level, 109 meters high, and offers spectacular views.

Recommended post → Best Waterfalls in Sri Lanka

Nuwara Eliya to Ella

You can get to Ella from Nuwara Eliya by train, tuk tuk, or private transfer. The travel time by train can take up to 3.5-4 hours.

You can book a private transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Ella starting from 70 USD, and 6 pax are allowed. Travel time is 2-2.5 hours, depending on traffic.

Rent a tuk tuk in Nuwara Eliya and complete this 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary. It takes about 2.5-3 hours to get from Nuwara Eliya to Ella by tuk-tuk.

Depending on when you arrive in Ella, take a stroll around the town, see the bustling bars, and eat at one of the great restaurants.

Best hotels in Ella

Luxury: EKHO Ella
Mid-Range: Mountain Heavens or 98 Acres Resort & Spa
Budget: Ella Mount View Guest Inn

more hotels in Ella

Day 3: Explore Ella’s Attractions

Ella is the best place on your 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary as the perfect base for visiting nearby waterfalls, stunning tea plantations, the best national parks, and iconic sights like the Nine Arch Bridge.

You can walk to most of the attractions in Ella. But the best way to get around Ella is to rent a tuk tuk driver or join an organized tour which includes transport. If you’re exploring Ella independently, we recommend starting your day at Little Adam’s Peak at sunrise, then taking a tuk tuk driver to Ravana Falls and Diyaluma Falls.

Make the most of your visit and book an Ella tour, which includes visits to Diyaluma Falls, Little Adam’s Peak, Ella Rock, Nine Arch Bridge, and Lipton’s Seat.

Don’t forget to book a Yala safari tour for the next day! You can also join an afternoon jeep tour from Ella, but for the best experience, book a morning safari tour.

See also → Things to Do in Ella

Day 4: Take a Day Trip to the Yala National Park

Are you ready for one of the highlights of your 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary? Start the day early and join an organized tour from Ella to Yala National Park.

Sri Lanka has many stunning national parks that are perfect for spotting diverse wildlife, such as elephants, leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, and various bird species.

You can easily join safari tours from Ella to Yala or Udawalawe National Park. For the best experience, you can book a combined tour that visits both national parks. The tour price includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, transport by air-conditioned vehicle, professional driver/guide, and a jeep safari tour at the national park.

Book your Yala safari tour HERE.

After arriving back in Ella, we suggest you spend the day relaxing or wandering around the town. Finish your day with a stunning sunset experience at the Nine Arch Bridge.

Read the full post → Guide to Visiting Yala National Park

Day 5: Travel to Mirissa and Relax on the Beach

Good morning! It’s time to continue your 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary. As the journey from Ella to Mirissa takes a long time, spend the time after arrival relaxing and the next day exploring the beautiful sights of Mirissa.

Wondering what to do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka? Visit Coconut Tree Hill, explore the best beaches in Mirissa, take a day trip to Galle Fort, join a whale-watching tour, and go surfing.

Check whale watching tour availability and prices HERE.

Recommended post → Things to Do in Mirissa

Ella to Mirissa

You cannot get from Ella to Mirissa by train, but you can travel by tuk tuk or book a private transfer. It takes about 6-7 hours to get from Ella to Mirissa by tuk tuk.

You can book a transfer from Ella to Mirissa/Galle/Hikkaduwa (any hotel), which includes the Yala Safari Tour.

Alternatively, you can take a local bus from Ella to Matara. After arriving in Matara, take a local bus or tuk tuk to Mirissa. From Matara to Mirissa, a tuk tuk ride costs around 500-1000 LKR (2-4 USD).

Best hotels in Mirissa

Luxury: Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa
Mid-Range: Mandara Resort or Triple O Six
Budget: Sunset Beach Hotel

more hotels in Mirissa

Day 6: Visit Galle and Unawatuna

On this 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary, you can spend the last day relaxing on the beaches of Mirissa or visiting Unawatuna and Galle.

The distance between Mirissa and Galle is only 35 km, and the travel time is approximately 50 minutes. You can get to Galle by local bus or tuk tuk.

The old town of Galle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the perfect place to see the beautiful Dutch, Portuguese, and British-style buildings. Spend at least 2-3 hours in Galle and explore the charming streets, buy souvenirs at the handicraft shops, visit the Galle Fort Lighthouse, and walk along the Galle Fort Wall.

Unawatuna is only 20 minutes from Galle, so don’t miss a visit. Sri Lanka has many beautiful beaches, but we think the most beautiful beach is Dalawella Beach in Unawatuna.

Wijaya Rock, also known as Frog Rock, is another iconic attraction in Sri Lanka. You can easily reach the famous Frog Rock with a 10-minute coastal walk from Dalawella Beach.

Recommended post → Things to Do in Unawatuna

Day 7: Leave Sri Lanka

We hope you enjoyed your 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary! But it’s time to leave Mirissa, head back to Colombo, then fly home.

It takes approximately 5-6 hours to get from Mirissa to Colombo by tuk tuk. The easiest way to get from Matara to Colombo is by train. The travel time is 3 hours, and the train tickets start from 5 USD.

You can get from Mirissa to Matara by local bus or tuk tuk. From Mirissa to Matara, a tuk tuk ride costs around 500-1000 LKR (2-4 USD). After arriving in Colombo Fort, take a tuk tuk or book a minivan to Colombo Airport.

Good to know
You can easily modify our 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary to extend or reduce the days.

Are you spending more time in Sri Lanka? Check all our Sri Lanka Travel Guides.

Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Sri Lanka?

Yes! You can apply for several types of Sri Lanka visa online depending on how long you plan to stay and the reason for your visit (tourist, business, transit).

The tourist visa with double entry for 30 days costs 50 USD for foreigners and 20 USD for citizens from SAARC countries.

You can get your Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online a few days before your arrival. Visa on arrival is also available, but avoid queuing and extra costs by applying for ETA online.

Buy an eSIM and data package for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Entry Requirements:

Visa
Valid passport (must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry)
Return or onward flight ticket

Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Sri Lanka and apply for an e-visa online.

How to Get Around Sri Lanka on a 7-day Itinerary?

The cheapest way to get around Sri Lanka is by public transport. The trains and buses connect all major cities, and local buses can also take you to smaller towns. If you have limited time in Sri Lanka, we don’t recommend using public transport to travel around the country.

There is no official bus schedule, trains and buses are often delayed or overcrowded, and most buses are not air-conditioned. Although you can save money by using public transport when traveling in Sri Lanka, the costs can quickly add up if you have to use a taxi or hire a tuk tuk driver/scooter to reach the beaches and waterfalls.

You can easily buy your train tickets online through 12Go or Bookaway.

For the best experience, rent a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka and explore this beautiful country at your own pace.

Read the full post → Tuk Tuk Rental in Sri Lanka

Are you spending limited time in Sri Lanka but want to make the most of your visit? For the ultimate experience, book a 3-day private tour that includes Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, and Udawalawe National Park.

The tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking driver/guide, two breakfast and dinner, and overnight accommodation in Kandy/Ella.

Alternatively, if you are spending more time in Sri Lanka and don’t want to worry about how to get from one place to another, book this excellent 8-day tour and make your trip even more unforgettable.

1 Week Sri Lanka Itinerary Map

We hope our 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary will help you plan your next trip. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

The Best Sri Lanka Itinerary for 7 Days (+Map)