Top things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka: A complete travel guide

Up in the misty mountains of Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands lies the small laid-back town of Ella. I spent three days in Ella and it ended up being my favorite destination in Sri Lanka! 

Surrounded by tea plantations, waterfalls and tropical vegetation in every shade of green, it’s the perfect place to enjoy Sri Lanka’s beautiful nature. Ella also offers a nice escape from the scorching heat in the rest of the country, as the temperature here is slightly cooler due to its elevation of about 1040 m (3400 ft) above sea level. 

In this blog post, I’ll be going over all the best things to do in Ella, from visiting the iconic Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak to relaxing at the gorgeous Ravana Pool Club and much more. At the end of the post, you’ll also find my recommendations on where to stay and a map with the locations of all the top attractions in Ella.

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Best things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka

1) Marvel at the Nine Arch Bridge

When you google images of Ella, the Nine Arch Bridge is the first thing that pops up. Surrounded by beautiful lush forests and tea plantations, this famous landmark is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Ella. 

This viaduct was constructed in 1921, during the British colonial era. What makes it unusual from an engineering point of view is that it was built entirely of brick and cement, without using any steel, as there was a steel shortage due to World War I.

The bridge is very popular, so if you want to see it without crowds, your best bet is to be here at sunrise.

For the best photo angle, go to the eastern end of the bridge and walk towards the bottom of the valley on the inner side of the bridge’s curve, where the tea bushes are. However, be aware that there might be leeches on the plants if it has rained. I found a nasty black leech on my leg when we were taking photos here!

Be sure to also visit Cafe Soul, where you can enjoy some drinks and food with a fabulous view of the bridge (pictured above).

Trains pass the bridge about five times a day. If you want to make sure that you’ll see a train, ask the locals about the schedules. Be aware though that trains rarely stick to their timetables in Sri Lanka.

To get to the Nine Arch Bridge, you can take a tuk-tuk or walk 2 km (1.2 mi) from the town. If you choose to walk, which I recommend, be sure to take the path called ‘Nine Arches Bridge Natural Rd’. It’s a beautiful tranquil walking path through the jungle.

2) Watch the sunrise from Little Adam’s Peak

Little Adam’s Peak (also known as Mini Adam’s Peak) is one of the most famous viewpoints in Ella. It’s a short and easy hike to a peak at 1141 m (3743 ft), overlooking the scenic landscapes around Ella.

The trail starts next to Ravana Pool Club, which you can get to either by walking from Ella town (about 30 min) or taking a tuk-tuk. From here, it’s just a short 15-minute walk up a series of stairs. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with wonderful panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and mountains, including Ella Gap and the majestic Ella Rock. 

There are three peaks that you can explore here. After arriving at the first peak, I recommend that you continue hiking along the ridge to visit the other peaks as well because the views get even better and there are fewer people.

The most popular time to hike Little Adam’s Peak is early morning to see the sunrise and avoid the midday heat. However, this is also when the peak is the most crowded. If you’d prefer to avoid the crowds and don’t care about seeing the sunrise, come here at 7 am or 8 am instead.

3) Hike to Ella Rock

Another must-do activity in Ella is hiking Ella Rock. It’s one of the most famous hikes in the area and offers spectacular views of Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Gap from its summit at 1370 m (4495 ft). 

The trailhead is located south of Kithal Ella train station and you’ll have to walk on train tracks at the beginning of the hike. This sounded a bit crazy to me at first but it’s a common thing to do here. The trains are loud and slow, so you’ll have plenty of time to get out of the way.

The trail meanders through tea plantations, grasslands and forest before reaching the summit. At the top, you have to pay an entrance fee of 930 LKR per person, which gives you access to two viewpoints. 

In terms of difficulty level, it’s a pretty easy hike for most of the way but at the very end, there’s a steep rocky section where you might have to use your hands to scramble up the mountainside.

Be aware that finding the right route can be challenging as it’s not clearly marked and there are many different paths you can take. Check out this blog post for detailed instructions on how to reach the summit of Ella Rock. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to avoid the hassle of finding the correct path, join this guided tour instead.

You should expect to spend 3-4 hours in total to do the Ella Rock hike. I recommend starting early because the sun gets really strong in the middle of the day. We hit the road at 9 am but I wish we’d started earlier.

4) Relax at Ravana Pool Club

Spending half a day at Ravana Pool Club is one of the best things to do in Ella if you’re looking to relax after all the hiking and early wake-up calls. This pool club is a part of the luxe 98 Acres Resort, but it’s also open for visitors not staying at the resort. 

With its Bali-inspired architecture and an infinity pool with an epic mountain view, the setting here is absolutely amazing. There are sun loungers, jacuzzis, a bar, a restaurant and a DJ setting the perfect mood with the music. 

We loved the design of this place, the chill atmosphere and the delicious food and cocktails. We were here in the middle of the day but apparently it’s also a fabulous spot for watching the sunset.

5) Ride the famous Ella train

You can’t write an article about Ella without mentioning its famous train! The train route connects the towns of Kandy and Ella and is considered one of the most scenic train rides in the world. The journey takes you through beautiful mountainous scenery with fantastic views of misty forests, tea plantations and waterfalls.

Most people ride the train from Kandy to Ella or vice versa. However, this journey can take up to 7 hours, which is a very long time to spend inside a train if you ask me. Therefore, I recommend doing what we did, which was getting on the train in Nuwara Eliya instead. 

The name of the station in the Nuwara Eliya area is Nanu Oya. From there, it takes just 3 hours to get to Ella and that section of the journey is the most scenic.

Since this is a popular train route among both locals and tourists, book your tickets well in advance to make sure you get a seat. You can book them at 12.Go or at GetYourGuide.

6) Explore the waterfalls near Ella

If you’re a fan of waterfalls, you’re in luck because there are dozens of them in the area. 

7) Go ziplining at Flying Ravana

On the Flying Ravana zipline, you can fly high over Ella’s treetops with spectacular mountain views as your backdrop. The zipline is more than half a kilometer long and you can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h (50 mph) while riding it. 

It’s one of the best things to do in Ella for those looking for an adrenaline rush and is also suitable for kids aged 6 and above. See the prices and pre-book your tickets for the zip line here.

The zipline is located at Flying Ravana Adventure Park, which also offers other activities such as a 12 m (40 ft) Mega Jump, Skywalk and ATV rides.

8) Learn to make Sri Lankan food

From aromatic curries, hoppers and coconut sambol to the mouthwatering kottu roti, Sri Lankan cuisine is absolutely delicious. I’m getting hungry just by thinking about it. If you’d like to learn how to make these tasty dishes yourself, consider taking a cooking class in Ella.

In this Sri Lankan cooking class, not only will you learn how to prepare a variety of local dishes, but you’ll also get a tour of a huge spice garden, where you can see how vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa and other plants are grown. An experience like this is a great way to learn a bit about the local culture and also meet some fellow travelers.

Read more: Interested in other beautiful islands to visit in Asia? Then check out my travel guide about Koh Tao, Thailand.

9) Visit Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory

Sri Lanka is one of the largest tea producers in the world and is famous for its top-quality Ceylon tea. Therefore, a visit to a tea factory should be a part of every Sri Lanka itinerary. There are many tea factories scattered across Sri Lanka’s highlands. The one closest to Ella is Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory, just a 15-minute drive from the town.

Here you can learn all about the history and the process of making tea – from the plucking of the tea leaves all the way to the auctioning process, where the tea is sold to the rest of the world. You can also walk around the tea fields and try your hand at plucking the leaves like a professional tea picker.

At the end of the tour, you can taste different types of tea produced in the factory and buy some tea to take home – it’s the perfect souvenir.

10) Take photos on the Ella Swing

If you’d like to get some dreamy shots for your Instagram account, then the Ella Swing is your place. This giant flower-adorned swing is located right next to Ravana Pool Club and has a fantastic view of Ella Rock.

There’s a variety of flowy colorful dresses for rent and a whole team of people assisting you to make sure you’re safe and comfortable and get the best shots. You can even hire their photography and drone videography service if you want.

11) Admire the view from Lipton’s Seat

Lipton’s Seat is a scenic viewpoint and the place where Sir Thomas Lipton, a famous tea producer, used to sit and admire his vast tea empire. Here you can enjoy a panoramic view of rolling green hills and endless tea plantations. There’s also a cafe at the viewpoint where you can buy snacks and have a cup of tea.

The best time to be here is early morning (before 8 am) because that’s when the view is the clearest and the layer of mist hasn’t rolled in yet. 

To get to Lipton’s Seat from Ella, take the train to Haputale station and from there get a tuk-tuk to the viewpoint. If you’d rather visit it on a tour where everything is organized for you, consider taking this 6-hour guided tour that also includes a visit to Dambatenne Tea Factory.

12) See elephants at Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is a 2-hour drive from Ella and is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to spot elephants. The park is also home to crocodiles, monkeys, water buffaloes, deer, mongooses and even leopards, but they are very elusive and therefore hard to spot.

It’s a great day trip destination from Ella, but there are also tours, such as this one, that take you from Ella to the park for the safari and afterwards drop you off in one of the towns on the south coast. This is a really convenient way to get to your next destination after Ella.

These tours usually start very early in the morning because the best time to do the elephant safari is around sunrise.

13) Explore Ella town

Although Ella is a tiny town, its main street, Ella Road, is very lively and definitely worth checking out. Here you’ll find numerous cool restaurants and cafes, tour operators and clothing and souvenir shops. It’s a pretty touristy place but I still liked the vibe here.

I also really enjoyed the food in Ella and had some great dining experiences here. One of the best restaurants in Ella is Cafe Chill, which has both Sri Lankan and international cuisine and a great atmosphere. Other restaurants I recommend are La Mensa, The Barn and Rainbow Cafe. You should also taste frozen buffalo curd, which is a traditional Sri Lankan dessert, at the small Meekiri cafe.

If you’re looking to party in Ella, check out The Journey nightclub, Cafe Chill, Cafe One Love and Hiking Bar.

What to do in Ella when it rains

There’s no doubt that the best part about Ella is all the fun outdoor activities you can do here but sometimes the weather will let you down. If this happens on your trip, here are some things to do in Ella when it rains:

• Go to a spa – There are a couple of small simple spas near the main street of Ella where you can get a massage for just 4000 LKR. However, if you prefer something fancier, head to 98 Acres Resort & Spa.
• Take a cooking class – Joining a cooking class is a great opportunity to spend time with the locals and learn to make some delicious Sri Lankan dishes while sheltering from the rain.
• Visit a tea factory – Take a tuk-tuk to Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory just outside Ella to learn how Ceylon tea is produced and have a tea tasting at the end of your tour.

Where to stay in Ella

There’s a wide variety of accommodation options in Ella, ranging from backpacker-style hostels and boutique hotels to a few upscale resorts. 

How many days do you need in Ella

I recommend spending at least 3 days in Ella. With 3 days you can visit the main attractions in the area, including the Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock, relax at Ravana Pool Club and take a half-day trip to Diyaluma Falls or Lipton’s Seat.

However, spending a few extra days or even a week here allows you to have a more relaxed pace and gives you some buffer days in case the weather is bad.

A map of the top things to do in Ella

I hope you enjoyed reading about the best things to do in Ella and that you got some good ideas for planning your own trip. In case you have any questions about these activities and places, let me know in the comments below.

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