Hi Reader,

Nuwara Eliya is very different compared to the rest of Sri Lanka.

It’s far cooler, more colonial in style, and feels a little different to the rest of the country.

That contrast is what makes it all the more interesting to visit.

Most travellers arrive thinking Sri Lanka is always hot and tropical, which is strictly true, but there are exceptions, and that’s the hill regions, including Nuwara Eliya. It’s nicknamed Little England for a reason.

For one, it is noticeably colder, especially in the morning and evening. Additionally, the colonial buildings give the area a distinctly English feel.

So many travellers to Sri Lanka are not prepared for the change in climate in different regions.

We genuinely wished we had packed more layers, including warmer clothes for the cold mornings and evenings, as we hadn’t anticipated how chilly it could get.

Now that you know what to expect on a trip to Nuwara Eliya, what about the things to do in the region?

One of the main reasons people visit is the tea.

There are tours around tea estates, offering an insight into how tea is plucked to the perfect brew.

We visited Pedro Tea Estate, which is a great example of how tea production works in the region.

Getting to Nuwara Eliya is quite easy, but journey times can be long and tiresome.

You could take a train from Colombo to Nanuoya (Nuwara Eliya) Train Station or vice versa. Or you could hire a vehicle for the journey or your entire itinerary.

We travelled with a driver from Kandy, via Ella and up to Nuwara Eliya, spending a couple of nights in Nuwara Eliya, before taking the long train journey through beautiful green tea plantations and landscape back to Colombo.

That combination worked well for us because it kept things flexible without needing to rely entirely on one mode of transport.

But the mode of transport you take will depend on your budget, travel style, and how many people you are travelling with.

In our opinion, we would recommend mixing the modes of transport up, depending on the journey time, and if public transport is available in the destination you’re heading to.

If you want more details on the best way to get around Sri Lanka, then we have a detailed guide to help you make that decision. You can check out how to get around Sri Lanka here.​

Our opinion

So is Nuwara Eliya really worth visiting?

In our opinion, if this is your first visit to Sri Lanka, then you might want to skip Nuwara Eliya altogether, as there are other must-see spots in Sri Lanka that we would recommend, such as Sigiriya Rock, Anuradhapura, Kandy, and Yala National Park.

Saying that, it is definitely worth visiting if you want:

• colonial-style architecture and atmosphere
• cooler mountain air and a change from the coast
• a better understanding of Sri Lanka’s tea industry
• Or returning to Sri Lanka for a second visit.

It’s more of a “slow down and observe” stop rather than a packed itinerary destination.

If you’re planning to go, the biggest thing we’d emphasise is this:

Don’t treat it like the rest of Sri Lanka.

Pack layers for colder weather, prepare for a slower pace, and focus on enjoying the tea country experience rather than rushing.

Over to you.

Have you been to Nuwara Eliya before, or is it on your list?

And if you are planning a Sri Lanka trip, what’s the part you’re most unsure about right now?

Just hit reply — we'd love to hear from you.

Happy travelling

Bev & Shams

Email: bev@bevandshams.com

Website: www.bevandshams.com​

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