Things to do in Sri Lanka

Colombo, the largest city and commercial capital, mixes colonial landmarks, temples and the seafront lawn of Galle Face Green. Negombo, a laid-back fishing town near the main airport, is a natural first or last stop with its beach, lagoon and Dutch-era canals.

Inland lies the Cultural Triangle, with the rock fortress of Sigiriya, the cave temples of Dambulla and the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Kandy, the hill capital, is home to the Temple of the Tooth, and the train journey through tea country to Nuwara Eliya and Ella is one of the most scenic in Asia. Yala and Udawalawe shelter leopards and elephants, and the walled fort of Galle anchors the south coast.

Sri Lankan food centres on rice and curry, hoppers, kottu roti and seafood, with fine tea everywhere. The island has two monsoons, so the weather is usually good somewhere: the west and south are best from about December to April, the east coast from May to September.