Experience Travel Group
1-888-577-8452 020 7924 7133
Call

WHY VISIT NORTH SRI LANKA?

Explore Further

Download Guide Get in Touch
  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
      • Bhutan
    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Borneo
    • Middle East
      • Oman
  • About us
    • Why choose ETG?
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Team
    • Reviews
    • In the Press
    • Travel Blog
    • Our brochure
  • How it works
    • Where to start...
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
    • Get in touch
  • Immersive Holidays
    • Immersive Family Holidays
    • Immersive Honeymoons
    • Ideas & Inspiration
    • Holidays by Month
    • Family Holidays by Month
    • Download Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
    • Travel Better
    • Our Counter-Carbon Pledge
    • One bottle at a time
    • Building a Sustainable Future
    • Giving Back
WHY VISIT NORTH SRI LANKA?
  • Holidays in Sri Lanka
    • Classic Sri Lanka Holidays
    • Family Holidays
    • Sri Lanka & Maldives Holidays
    • Ultimate Holidays
    • Nature & Wildlife Holidays
    • Off the Beaten Track
    • Slow Holidays
  • Guide to Sri Lanka
    • Sri Lanka Guide
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Sri Lanka Travel Blog
  • Places in Sri Lanka
    • Regions of Sri Lanka
      • Overview
      • The Cultural Triangle
      • Colombo, Negombo & Around
      • Kandy and Around
      • The Hill Country
      • West Coast Beaches
      • Galle and Around
      • The South Coast
      • Puttalam & the North West
      • The East Coast
      • Jaffna & The North
    • National Parks
      • Overview
      • Bundala National Park
      • Flood Plains National Park
      • Gal Oya National Park
      • Horton Plains National Park
      • Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
      • Kumana National Park (Yala East)
      • Lahugala National Park
      • Lunugamvehera National Park
      • Maduru Oya National Park
      • Minneriya National Park
      • Somawathiya National Park
      • The Knuckles Range
      • The Sinharaja Rainforest
      • Udawalawe National Park
      • Wasgamuwa National Park
      • Wilpattu National Park
      • Yala National Park
Experience Travel Group

Travel within the north of Sri Lanka is a true off-the-beaten-track adventure. The islands around the peninsula are fantastic and the intrepid traveller will be rewarded with a fascinating insight into this historically-rich region of the country. If you have already visited Sri Lanka and are looking for something more authentic, or maybe something just a little different to your previous trip, there are a range of really interesting things to do in north Sri Lanka.

  • Discover more
    • Overview
    • The Cultural Triangle
    • Colombo, Negombo & Around
    • Kandy and Around
    • The Hill Country
    • West Coast Beaches
    • Galle and Around
    • The South Coast
    • Puttalam & the North West
    • The East Coast
    • Jaffna & The North

The peninsula consists of Jaffna town, with its beautiful colonial-style buildings, the wider countryside, characterised by the Palmyra tree, and the unique agriculture and the islands of Kayts, Delft and Nainativu.

One of the best things to do in northern Sri Lanka is explore Jaffna city. Walking around the local fish and fruit markets is an unforgettable way to really get into the local culture. This northern town is vastly different when compared to the rest of Sri Lanka in regards to its food, religion and language. It's a great place to delve into the Tamil culture and ancient sights in an area that most tourists don't venture to. The local library, fort and famous Nallur Kandaswamy temple - one of the most impressive Hindu temples in Sri Lanka - are just some of the unmissable locations we recommend in Jaffna.

Nallur Kandaswamy temple is well-known as the home of the annual Nallur Festival. Taking place over 25 days, it finishes on a Buddhist festival day - Poya - in August each year. On the 24th day, an enormous chariot is pulled around town by large crowds of sarong-clad men - a real highlight. The following day, dedicated devotees drive skewers through their bodies in honour of the god Murugam. Those after a totally authentic yet unique cultural experience won’t be disappointed. It’s still worth a visit year-round though, as tourists are welcome to join the temple’s colourful daily puja.

For a taste of delicious local food, try some local fiery crab curry, or even stop by the iconic ice cream shop in Jaffna for a special treat. For an even more remote experience, the islands off the coast in northern Sri Lanka can be reached by small boats - this is a great way to take in the area’s wildlife, such as the wild horses of Delft.

If you’re searching for a slice of the world-famous and relaxing beaches of Sri Lanka, you won’t be disappointed by a trip to north Sri Lanka. Trincomalee is an incredible port city, and home to, without a doubt, one of the best beaches in north Sri Lanka. Trinco is also an excellent location to discover the surrounding water’s rich marine life aboard a boat trip or enjoy all forms of watersports.

The weather in north Sri Lanka varies from the rest of the country. The monsoon season in the north opposes that of the south, meaning that Jaffna and the rest of the northern peninsula are buffeted by bursts of rain from October until January. The best time to visit north Sri Lanka is from February until September; this is when temperatures soar and the weather is excellent for exploring what north Sri Lanka has to offer.

If you are wondering if north Sri Lanka is safe, then the answer is yes. The north of Sri Lanka was the area most affected by the country’s former conflict and remains, by far, the least developed by tourism - something at ETG we find very charming and a real reason to visit. However, with the advent of peace, the region is slowly becoming more accessible and tourists are being highly encouraged to visit - an almost royal welcome is extended to any interested visitors that venture this way. As a result, this area can offer a more ‘authentic’ experience of Sri Lankan food, people, history and culture. This is an important factor in choosing to book a trip to north or south Sri Lanka - and we can help to decide which is best for you.

If you want to visit this fascinating, vibrant and beautiful area, please contact us. We will be able to discuss all the options with you and help you discover the best of the region. There is a lot worth seeing!

Cultural North Sri Lanka Holiday Ideas:

The Undiscovered North & East

The Undiscovered North & East

A comprehensive tour of Sri Lanka's North taking in The Jaffna Peninsula, Wilpattu National Park and beach time in Trincomalee.

Sri Lanka and the work of Geoffrey Bawa

Sri Lanka and the work of Geoffrey Bawa

This holiday takes in Sri Lanka's varied highlights with a focus on the work of its most famous architect Geoffrey Bawa.

The History & Culture of Sri Lanka

The History & Culture of Sri Lanka

An in-depth journey through Sri Lanka's fascinating history, culture and scenic landscapes.

Digital Detox in Sri Lanka

Digital Detox in Sri Lanka

Step away from the everyday for a one-of-a-kind holiday. Truly off-the-beaten-track with accommodation in our favourite "eco & unique" hotels.

~
Your next adventure
starts with a conversation
~

Every ETG journey is unique. Tell us your loves, your hates, your holiday ambitions, your hopes and fears, and we’ll share a suitcase so full of inspired holiday ideas you’ll need to sit on it to shut it tight.

Not sure what you’re looking for? Let us inspire you...

Get in Touch

Call us 020 7924 7133



Experience Travel Group

The newsletter you look forward to

A world of wonder delivered straight to your inbox. Your fantastic fortnightly round-up of delicious destinations, the hottest in cool accommodation, (the coolest in hot accommodation?), wild and woolly traveller experiences and advice from our expert travel team, plus all our latest holiday offers.

Sign up Here

~
Your next adventure
starts with a conversation
~

Every ETG journey is unique. Tell us your loves, your hates, your holiday ambitions, your hopes and fears, and we’ll share a suitcase so full of inspired holiday ideas you’ll need to sit on it to shut it tight.

Not sure what you’re looking for? Let us inspire you...

Get in Touch

Call us 020 7924 7133

ETG - immersive holidays that give back, since 2004.
Don’t just see Asia - feel Asia.

How it works
  • Where to start...
  • Booking with confidence
  • How much does it cost?
  • Financial protection
  • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
  • Working with in-country partners
  • My Booking
  • Get in touch
About Us
  • Why choose ETG?
  • Our Story
  • Meet the Team
  • Reviews
  • Our Promise
  • In the Press
  • Our Offices
  • Jobs
Information
  • Immersive Escapes
  • The Revitalise Collection
  • Our Rating System
  • Exclusive Signature Experiences
  • Your Protection
  • Travel Insurance
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Package Travel Regulations
  • Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) Travel Advice
Get Social

facebook.com/experiencetravel twitter.com/ExpTrav instagram.com/experiencetravelgroup

  • Visit us on Facebook
  • View @ExpTrav Twitter Feed
  • Visit our Travel Blog
  • Follow our Instagram page
  • Newsletter
  • Book Club

© Experience Travel Group Ltd
Registered in England, Company No. 5071391 | ABTA Member | 9324 ATOL Protected
Site by Livingstone Creative

Website Terms of Use | Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy

Experience Travel Group

020 7924 7133 Get in touch

Call
  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
      • Bhutan
    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Borneo
    • Middle East
      • Oman
  • Holidays in Sri Lanka
    • Classic Sri Lanka Holidays
    • Family Holidays
    • Sri Lanka & Maldives Holidays
    • Ultimate Holidays
    • Nature & Wildlife Holidays
    • Off the Beaten Track
    • Slow Holidays
  • Guide to Sri Lanka
    • Sri Lanka Guide
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Sri Lanka Travel Blog
  • Places in Sri Lanka
    • Regions of Sri Lanka
      • Overview
      • The Cultural Triangle
      • Colombo, Negombo & Around
      • Kandy and Around
      • The Hill Country
      • West Coast Beaches
      • Galle and Around
      • The South Coast
      • Puttalam & the North West
      • The East Coast
      • Jaffna & The North
    • National Parks & Sancturaries
      • Overview
      • Bundala National Park
      • Flood Plains National Park
      • Gal Oya National Park
      • Horton Plains National Park
      • Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
      • Kumana National Park (Yala East)
      • Lahugala National Park
      • Lunugamvehera National Park
      • Maduru Oya National Park
      • Minneriya National Park
      • Somawathiya National Park
      • The Knuckles Range
      • The Sinharaja Rainforest
      • Udawalawe National Park
      • Wasgamuwa National Park
      • Wilpattu National Park
      • Yala National Park
  • About us
    • Why choose ETG?
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Team
    • Reviews
    • In the Press
    • Our Offices
    • Our Brochure
    • Travel Blog
  • How it works
    • Where to start...
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
    • Get in touch
  • Immersive Holidays
    • Immersive Family Holidays
    • Immersive Honeymoons
    • Ideas & Inspiration
    • Holidays by month
    • Family Holidays by Month
    • Download Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
    • Travel Better
    • Our Counter-Carbon Pledge
    • One bottle at a time
    • Building a Sustainable Future
    • Giving Back
  • Contact Us
  • My Booking
  • Brochure
  • Travel Blog