Ella city in Sri Lanka is a small but very beautiful city located in the mountanious part of the country and looks like it was descended from the screens of a fantasy film. The city is located between two mountain peaks, so it is not easy to get to it. But the time spent on the road will more than pay off the impressions that you get in Ella city.
Check this travel guide to learn more about best things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka; check up-to-date information about popular tourist places to visit.
Ella General Info
- Location: Badulla province, central highland Sri Lanka. 200 km from Colombo, 130 km from Kandy, 50 km from Nuwara Eliya.
- Book a tour to Ella Rock, Little Adam’s Peak, 9 Arch Bridge with transfer here
- You can buy a train ticket from Kandy to Ella and back on the Viator website at the lowest price ( here ).
- Average air t: in winter – 18-20 degrees, in summer – 24-26 degrees.
- Feature: Mount Little Adam’s Peak.
- On the map: link .
How to get to Ella, Sri Lanka
By plane
There is no airport in the city, so you first need to fly to Colombo – the largest city in Sri Lanka. From Colombo on a charter flight – to Nuwara Eliya, and from there by car to Ella – the journey will take about three hours. But domestic flights are expensive.
By train
Traveling by train is considered the most preferable, because the road passes through the most picturesque places – you will see the main sights of mountainious Sri Lanka from the train window.
From Colombo to Ella, trains run 4 times a day – at 05:50, 08:30, 09:40 and 20:00, the journey takes 10 hours. Train tickets in Sri Lanka cost from 5 to 15 dollars.
If you want to travel in First Class, then buy a ticket in advance. Economy and standard tickets can be bought directly at the station before departure.
By bus
Another way to go to Ella city is by bus. It is suitable for those who spend their vacation in the south of Sri Lanka, for example, in Matara. There are buses that go to Nuwara Eliya and pass through Ella. Be sure to tell the conductor that you will need to get off before the final station. The ticket costs only 2 dollars, and the road will take 5-7 hours along the serpentine.
Things to Do in Ella, Sri Lanka
You can spend great time in Ella as there are enough places to visit in this city, we’ve tried to list the most popular of them.
Mount Little Adam’s Peak
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Ella is Little Adam Peak hiking. Trekking is comfortable for tourists with any fitness levels and will take about 20 minutes before you reach the final destination. The mountain offers incredible views of Ella mountain.
The best time to visit is during sunset hours. You can visit this place on your own or with group day tour.
Nine arch bridge in Ella
From the center of Ella you can take a tuk-tuk or walk for about 50 minutes. Very beautiful railway stone nine arches bridge is popular place to make unique photos and is one of the most recognizable tourist spots in Sri Lanka.
Popular tourist attraction related to nine arch bridge in Ella is train ride.
Check Popular Sri Lanka waterfalls
The high Ravana and Diyaluma falls hiding between rocks and green slopes are popular places to visit in Ella. While you’ll be impressed with the views, don’t forget about the possible dangers, like slippery slopes. You can meet monkeys that live there – you can feed them with fruits, but remember that they are wild animals.
Ravana cave
About 2km away from Ella, there is a small temple located under the rock. It is very important tourist attraction and historic sight. The path to the cave is one of the most beautiful in Ella. You have to climb about 650 steps, some of them are broken and can be difficult to go through.
Visitors allowed to enter only 200 meters inside the cave.
Ella Rock
Another mountain with an observation deck and cool views on many popular sights in Ella. Hiking trek is 10 km long one way, so on average it can take up to 3 hours. You will have to climb the paths, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
