Things to do in Sri Lanka

Things to do in Sri Lanka

Top 10 Things to do in Sri Lanka

  1. 1
    Portrait from local undefined - Flexible
    Portrait from local undefined - Multicultural Expert
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    Highlights & Hidden Gems of Colombo

    193 reviews
    3 hours | city highlight tours | Colombo

    Want to see the best of Colombo? We got you covered. But as you can expect from a Withlocals experience, the real excitement is its hidden gems. Join your favorite local and get a feeling of the city's real vibe on a tour that has it all, so you can say: I experienced the real Colombo!

    €33.32per person
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  2. 2
    Portrait from local undefined - The Journey Unraveler
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    The Ultimate Sigiriya Rock Day Trip

    480 reviews
    10 hours | day trips | Kandy

    Embark on a Sigiriya Rock day trip outside of Kandy where many treasures, insights, and stories are waiting. Let a local host show you around and experience this cultural attraction from a local perspective. Give yourself the gift of a Sigiriya Rock day trip with a local - it’s a must-do!

    €45.43per person
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  3. 3

    Hike the Adam's Peak and Catch the Sunrise

    31 reviews
    48 hours | sports & leisure | Kandy

    Sri Lanka is all about nature and hiking the sacred summit of Adam's Peak encloses some of the best natural sights, including a one of a kind sunrise that you can catch from the top! Join me for a 2 day private adventure full of thrilling outdoor activities with a visit to a tea plantation included.

    €49.41per person
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  4. 4
    Portrait from local undefined - Fun Nature Loving Adventure Tourism Pro
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    City Discovery: Kandy Day Trip

    196 reviews
    10 hours | day trips | Colombo

    Make your trip a wholesome experience by seeing what other cities outside of Colombo have to offer. On this private day trip, you don’t need to worry about anything! Follow your local host to Kandy and be back in Colombo the same day but with more unforgettable experiences than before.

    €93.13per person
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  5. 5

    SriLankan Curry Cooking - fun hands in cooking

    259 reviews
    6 hours | cooking classes | Kandy

    Meet my family and have fun hand in cooking and learning to eat with hands! I will teach you Sri Lankan local dishes that you and your family will cook together back home! Also, take a glimpse of the countryside of Sri Lanka, explore a hidden gem or even visit a factory if you want.

    €170per person
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  6. 6
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    The 10 Tastings of Colombo: Street Food

    136 reviews
    3 hours | food tours | Colombo

    Ready to taste the best food in Colombo? Satisfy your cravings for local food and culture with highlights along the way, together with a foodie host. Enjoy 10 delicious and typical tastings that range from sweet to savory as well as drinks on a tasty food tour in Colombo.

    €48.46per person
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  7. 7
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    City Discovery: Galle Day Trip

    132 reviews
    10 hours | day trips | Colombo

    Make your trip a wholesome experience by seeing what other cities outside of Colombo have to offer. On this private day trip, you don’t need to worry about anything! Follow your local host to Galle and be back in Colombo the same day but with more unforgettable experiences than before.

    €65.49per person
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  8. 8
    Portrait from local undefined - The Journey Unraveler
    Portrait from local undefined - The History Buff, addicted to authentic Sri Lankan food and interested in gems
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    The 10 Tastings of Kandy: Street Food

    236 reviews
    3 hours | food tours | Kandy

    Ready to taste the best food in Kandy? Satisfy your cravings for local food and culture with highlights along the way, together with a foodie host. Enjoy 10 delicious and typical tastings that range from sweet to savory as well as drinks on a tasty food tour in Kandy.

    €48.08per person
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  9. 9
    Portrait from local undefined - The Adventurous Hiker
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    City Escape: Nuwara Eliya Day Trip

    502 reviews
    10 hours | day trips | Kandy

    Imagine this: a scenic road trip from Kandy to explore Nuwara Eliya with stops along the way to discover viewpoints, villages, incredible nature, and cultural gems. Sounds like a dream? No, it’s possible on a Withlocals day trip with a local host leading the way!

    €38.99per person
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  10. 10

    6 Days Feel Sri Lankan Culture,Heritage and Nature

    37 reviews
    120 hours | multi day trips | Colombo

    Travelers have a right to dream, and in Sri Lanka they would discover their dreams could become a reality.

    €164.71per person
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Cities in Sri Lanka

Experiences for every interest

  • Sri Lanka for

    Home Dinners • Local Delicacies • Food Markets...

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  • Sri Lanka for

    Treasure Hunts • Arts & Crafts • Cooking...

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  • Sri Lanka for

    Cultural Heritage • Castles • Myths & Legends...

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  • Sri Lanka for

    Highlights & Must-sees • Tastings • Local...

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  • Sri Lanka for

    Boat Rides • Wildlife & Nature • Day Trips...

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  • Sri Lanka for

    Local Culture • Off-the-beaten-track • Markets...

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  • Sri Lanka for

    Running • Hiking • Bike Tours • Stadium Tours...

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All Things to do in Sri Lanka

Explore Sri Lanka with a local of your choice

Learn about their personal stories, and find out how you can explore Sri Lanka together

  • Hello I am
    Anoj
    Flexible
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  • Hello I am
    Chandana
    The History Buff, addicted to authentic Sri Lankan food and interested in gems
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  • Hello I am
    Umair
    Local Foodie | Wanderlust
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  • Hello I am
    Charith
    Fun Nature Loving Adventure Tourism Pro
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  • Hello I am
    Dulshan
    The Foodie Explorer
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  • Hello I am
    Chandika Nuwan
    Multicultural Expert
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  • Hello I am
    Priyantha
    A friend
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  • Hello I am
    Muditha
    The Foodie Photographer
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  • Hello I am
    Nilantha
    Nature Lover
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  • Hello I am
    Buddhima
    The Journey Unraveler
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What other travelers love about our local experts

Klara
About local
2 March 2025
A fantastic tour

Had an amazing time on this food tour in Kandy! Umair was the best—funny, witty, and super knowledgeable. He spoke perfect English and shared so many interesting insights that made the experience even better. The food stops were all fantastic, and I got to try some incredible local dishes. If you're in Kandy and love good food, definitely don’t miss this tour! Thanks for everything again. Klara 🤩

The 10 Tastings of Kandy: Street Food
Helen
About local
28 January 2025
Fabulous in depth, more than just a tour!

Fantastic evening with Buddhima, with a wonderful warm welcome to Kandy right from the start. She is so full of knowledge about Kandy and Sri Lanka and we had time for really in depth conversations too, which we loved. And then there was the food! So much and so delicious - the experience at the fruit stall was especially entertaining! We cannot recommend Buddhima highly enough (and this is from 2 off-duty guides on holiday who know what it takes and really respect what a high quality experience we received :) )

The 10 Tastings of Kandy: Street Food
Tim
About local
Great Day with Deegoda

We had a fantastic time with Deegoda in Colombo. He picked us up from our hotel in his tuk-tuk and was super friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Colombo. He tailored the tour to the areas we had asked about. He knew so many people as we went around, so it was great to feel immersed in the hustle and bustle of a big city and see the real side of Colombo. We would 100% recommend booking time with Deegoda.

Highlights & Hidden Gems of Colombo
Julian
About local
Wonderful

Buddimas lovely personality shines through and totally makes this a worthwhile trip. Great insight into the town and country and she is FUN too!

The 10 Tastings of Kandy: Street Food

Things to do in Sri Lanka

How about a visit to the stunning Sri Lanka? You’ll never get bored there! Since there are so many cool places and activities to take part of, we thought we’d help you out a bit. Here is our list of the top 10 things to do in Sri Lanka, which will blow your mind!

  • Spend a day like a local in Colombo

    Curious about how locals spend their day to day life in the largest city of Sri Lanka? Experience a day like a local in Colombo! You’ll have one of our amazing local host show you the city and give you all the insights about the busy lifestyle and cultural customs.

    You can try a Tuk Tuk ride while you’re there and see some hidden districts only locals know about. Your private guide will make sure you take a look at the Pettah Bazaar, the Independence Square, the Gangarama Seema Malakaya and many other awesome places while telling you tons of stories about them. He’ll also share infos about the traditions and habits of real local Colombo residents. Add a visit to the capital on your things to do in Sri Lanka list!

  • Go on a trekking or hiking journey

    If you’re a very active person, you’ll love a trekking tour with one of our hosts! It’s the perfect way to enjoy beautiful nature sights and have lovely conversations with a local guide. There are many places you can explore, like: the Nuckels mountain, the Kandyan Home Gardens or to some beautiful temples (Lankathilaka, Gadaladeniya and Embekke). Make sure you tell your guide what type of experience you’d like and they’ll create a tour according to that.

    If you’re even more adventurous, you can also try a hiking experience to the Kabaragala mountain and Sembuwatta lake, where you’ll be delighted by the amazing views!

  • Eat with a local

    Your list of things to do in Sri lanka must include a meal with a local family! It’s the absolute best way to get in touch with the local culture, meet wonderful people and have the most delicious experience ever! Sri Lankan cuisine offers lots of options for everyone's taste buds, with yummy dishes for all sort of eaters: meat lovers, vegetarians and spice dare devils!

    Some of the meals you’ll enjoy include: Ambultiyal fish, Beans curry, Gotukola, Papadam and some other wonderful varieties. Your host can show you how the foods are cooked and what spices work well together, so you can try your luck at home as well. Other than that, just relax and chat with your new locals friends!

  • See the UNESCO sites differently

    Want to explore the UNESCO sites in a different way? Go there with a local host for a completely personalized experience! They’ll make sure you don’t get lost in the tourist fuss and discover the real beauties of these places.

    One of the most popular ones is the Sigiriya ancient rock, known for its colorful frescoes and stunning views. You need to add it to your things to do in Sri Lanka list! Your private guide will share with you the story of King Kasyapa and why she chose this stunning place as his new capital in medieval times. Ask as many questions as you wish and be enchanted by the awesome and elaborate site plan.

  • Discover the lovely Galle city with a host

    The city of Galle is a destination you can’t miss when going to Sri Lanka! It’s filled with stunning art pieces, Dutch-colonial buildings and gorgeous tropical sights. You will definitely fall in love with it! Your host will make sure to bring you to the Galle Fort, the best preserved sea fort in South Asia. The grand buildings bring you back in time and give you a sense of belonging to the place.

    You’ll listen to the stories that surround this area and while you’re there, your private guide will show you all the little boutiques, hip cafes and restaurants owned by local artists. Enjoy the views and have tons of fun!

  • Enjoy the street food

    Are you a foodie? Sri Lankan dishes is super delicious! Besides the lovely local meals you can enjoy with our hosts, you can also ask them to create a unique street food tour! You’ll be able to enjoy some curry, fried goodies and string hoppers. Tell your host the level of spiciness you like and they’ll make sure to show you the best option for you. Try out some local fruits as well, they’re super yummy!

    If you want to buy other stuff as well, let your host know and he can bring you to souvenir markets and traditional shops. Your choices will be endless. Get into the market atmosphere and discover the local lifestyle with your guide!

  • Pay a visit to the beautiful tea plantations

    There are quite a few charming tea plantations in Sri Lanka, followed by their factories, where all the tea is packed up. Your private guide can give you many choices for such a visit and tell you tons about the industry and the places themselves. It should be a must on your list of things to do in Sri Lanka.

    While you’re there, you can chat with some local farmers, with the help of your host. Find out more about their customs, work and daily lifestyle. You’ll also get to see the process of drying the tea plants and bringing them to their final packed version. Have a stop with your guide at a local eating spot and enjoy delightful conversations.

  • Go on a temple tour

    If you’re looking for a very culturally enriching thing to do in Sri Lanka, a temple tour should be your choice! You’ll find many beautiful temples, which you can visit, but make sure you go there with a local host. They’ll share with you all the insights about the place while making sure you get to see more than one single highlight on your way.

    Some of the temples you can add on your list are: the Ranawana Purana Rajamaha Viharaya, the Raswehera Temple, the Tooth Relic Temple and the Dambulla Cave Temples. Your host will help you get a grasp of the many stories that stand behind these spiritual spots. Pick your favorite tour and start your trip!

  • Try a rafting experience in Kitulgala

    Are you in a mood for a thrilling experience? The rafting is THE thing to do in Sri Lanka! Your host will bring you to the Kitulgala region, where only the most adventurous tourist get to. It is the only spot for White Water rafting in the country and was once the set of an award winning movie! You’ll hear all the stories about it while you’re there.

    Have tons of fun rafting and when you get in the mood for something that’s a bit more relaxing, try the hiking experience in the Kataram Oya canyon. Enjoy your day with your friends and host and create a lifetime memory!

  • Explore the Elephant Safari at Pinnawala

    On of the most popular things to do in Sri Lanka is to see the beautiful elephants. You are going to experience this in the most unique way possible! Your host will make sure you go to the best place there (the Pinnawala Safari) and personalize each part of your visit there. You’ll get to see the wonderful creatures and spend time with them while feeding them. Your private guide will share with you some insight about them and how they are cared for by locals.

    You’ll also see some of the surroundings where you can be charmed by beautiful views and lots of cultural elements. Have a lovely trip!

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