It was part of the Kandy Kingdom until the British discovered the region in 1846, settling here in this ‘Little England’ to enjoy the cooler climate and English-style scenery.
Nuwara Eliya is worth including when visiting Sri Lanka to experience the early morning mist, see romantic gardens and take in the breathtaking rising sun in this colonial highland town.
What to see in Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka by Victoria Hearn
Starting with the unbelievably lush scenery and ending inside the British colonial buildings, Nuwara Eliya is a place to explore and experience the essence of Sri Lanka’s tea industry.
Scenic train ride to Talawakelle station
Ella, Sri Lanka by Brooke Chapman
A scenic train ride is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the picturesque landscape, appreciate the skill of the train track builders and catch a glimpse of two of the glorious waterfalls near Nuwara Eliya. From the hilltop station of Nuwara Eliya, the train descends a zigzag spiral track to the Great Western Station.
Following this British train station, the journey continues past two waterfalls, St Clair and Devon Falls, the latter is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka. Next is the longest tunnel in the Badulla train line, 562m long and bored from both ends to meet in the middle.t
St Clair and Devon Falls
St Clair’s Falls is one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka and is sometimes called the ‘Little Niagra’ of Sri Lanka. The picturesque waterfall runs through green hills and its namesake, the St Clair Tea Estate. The water cascade is 80m high and around 50m wide, easily accessible and visible, making it a perfect photo opportunity.
Nearby is Devon Falls, known as the ‘Veil of the Valley’, where the Kothamale Oya tributary cascades 97m to the rocks below. Lining the banks of the waterfall are hillsides of scenic foliage, home to monkeys and other wildlife.
The best time of year to see the waterfalls is December through to March when the full force of the water peaks — bring a jacket for the spray or rainfall. From February to May there is less rain in the region and the silvery waterfalls are still majestic.
St Claire & Devon Falls, Sri Lanka by Annelike Huijgens
High tea at the Grand Hotel
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka by Imasha Amaratunga
What better way to revitalise after a morning of sightseeing than with an elegant high tea? This classic British tradition comes to life at the Grand Hotel with pots of hot tea and an assortment of crustless ‘tea sandwiches’, including egg, watercress, cucumber, smoked salmon, scones, and hot savouries.
The Grand Hotel is a sprawling country club with luxurious wooden decor, a billiards room and bars, offering the full colonial experience with tea served by waiters in waistcoats and white gloves. This is the perfect way to explore Ceylon tea’s elite varieties and blends, and perhaps finish up with a sparkling wine.
Victoria Park
Victoria Park blooms between March and May and again in August and September. Named for Queen Victoria’s 60th jubilee coronation, this park features beautifully laid out gardens over 110 square metres. Be sure to bring binoculars to help spot tropical birds including Sri Lanka scimitar babbler, yellow-eared bulbul and many more making the botanical garden home.
At the right time of year, this is a stop on the migration routes of the Indian blue robin and Kashmiri flycatcher, an unforgettable moment for avid birdwatchers.
Lovers Leap Water Fall, Sri Lanka by Flickr
Lovers Leap Waterfall
About an hour’s walk (or a few minutes by tuk-tuk) from the Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, Lover’s Leap waterfall is an impressively powerful permanent waterfall. The water flows across the sheer rock face. The waterfall’s name comes from a tragic folk tale where a royal prince and a local village girl who are forbidden to marry leap from the waterfall to see eternal union in death.
The adventurous hike to the top of the falls rewards intrepid travellers with sublime views — just be sure to bring sturdy shoes and a light rain jacket.
Visit a tea plantation
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka by Brooke Chapman
A visit to Sri Lanka’s tea-growing region naturally needs to include stopping at a tea plantation to learn how the tea is grown, processed and prepared. Since the first tea plantation was established in 1867 the amount of land dedicated to growing tea has expanded, but elements of the process, including harvesting by hand, remain the same.
See workers, often Tamil women, harvesting delicate tea buds in the tea garden fields, and visit a factory to tour the production process before tasting the teas available.
Trek to Horton Plains, Baker’s Fall and ‘World’s End’
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka by Chandika Fernando
Trekking through a National Park is an ideal way to see the natural beauty around Nuwara Eliya — it’s suitable even for inexperienced hikers. Starting at sunrise, an hour’s drive from Nuwara Eliya brings visitors to Horton Plains National Park and the ‘World’s End’ trail.
The trek’s highlight is the steep cliff edge that drops away from the plateau. It’s an early start, but well worth the effort to enjoy the spectacular views before the thick cloud comes in around 9 am. World’s End arguably offers the most beautiful views in Sri Lanka, so set the alarm, bring some layers, a hat and sunscreen and make the most of a fine weather opportunity.
Baker's Fall, Sri Lanka by Chandika Fernando
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka by Chandika Fernando
Baker’s Falls is the next stop. Just off the main trail is a beautiful waterfall with a viewing deck, the perfect shady stop to cool down if the day is warming up.
This hike is a mostly flat 9.5km, through grassland and forest where deer, monkeys and birds live. It’s worth noting that single-use plastic is banned from the park, so bring a reusable water bottle and wrap breakfast snacks in paper to help protect this pristine environment.
Guided tour of Nuwara Eliya’s township
Before leaving Nuwara Eliya, a guided tour of the township reveals colonial-era bungalows and a British-country village feel. Inglenook fireplaces, billiard tables, a golf course, a horse race track and gentleman’s clubs complete the destination that was once a refuge for hard-working, hard-drinking British and Dutch tea workers.
Pretty rose gardens, well-tended hedgerows and Tudor-style hotels complete the picture, and there are ample opportunities to capture photographic memories of the town.
Absorb the beauty of Nuwara Eliya over two days with a small group tour
An absolute must-see town for tea lovers, Nuwara Eliya offers a glimpse of British colonial history in Sri Lanka. Include this highland town on a Sri Lankan itinerary for the gorgeous green landscapes, the crisp, cool mornings or the birdwatching opportunities.
Travelling with a small group opens up opportunities for meaningful experiences, personal connections and memories that last a lifetime — start planning a journey through Sri Lanka that includes the highlights off the beaten track.
Frequently asked questions
What is Nuwara Eliya famous for?
Nuwara Eliya is an important horticultural centre of Sri Lanka, where tea is grown and fruit and vegetables are cultivated to feed the country’s people. It’s cool in comparison with the rest of the country and sits beside Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka.
Is Nuwara Eliya worth visiting?
Yes — with natural beauty including sparkling waterfalls and botanic gardens, extensive colonial history and architecture and, of course, tea, Nuwara Eliya is worth visiting.
Why is Nuwara Eliya called ‘Little England’?
Nuwara Eliya is located in the heart of Sri Lanka’s hill country, and has a temperate climate. The coolest location in Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya became a sanctuary for colonising peoples, including the British plantation owners and government officials.