WHAT TO DO IN ELLA? WE GIVE YOU THE TOP 10 TIPS!

What to do in Ella? We give you the top 10 tips!

In the heart of Sri Lanka, nestled between the lush green mountains, lies the small town of Ella. This village is surrounded by nature, from waterfalls to stunning vistas, it has it all. Most travelers opt to reach Ella by train. The train journey to Ella is a true spectacle of nature and is considered one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. Once in Ella, you can seek adventure or simply relax amidst the tranquility of nature. Ella is a place you definitely shouldn't miss on your journey through Sri Lanka.

How to get to Ella?

There are various ways to get to Ella.

From Kandy

Most travelers come from Kandy to Ella by train. This is an incredibly cool and spectacular journey. Check out our article "Everything You Need to Know About the Train Journey from Kandy to Ella" for more information.

From other places in Sri Lanka

You might first travel to Ella and then make the impressive train journey from Ella to Kandy, or you might skip the train journey altogether. Here are alternative options for reaching Ella.

By bus

You can easily travel around Sri Lanka by bus. The advantage of the bus is that it's cheap. You often only spend a few dollars for a bus ride. The bus connections are very good, and you easily search which bus to take and where the buses stop using Google Maps. If you're unsure, you can ask for advice at your accommodation. They often know which bus is best to take. During the bus journey, you may need to transfer buses at least once.

By taxi, PickMe of Uber

In Sri Lanka, there are plenty of options to take a taxi to Ella. This is more expensive than the bus but gets you to your destination faster without transfers. The app PickMe is widely used in Sri Lanka and is like the local equivalent of Uber. Uber is also used in Sri Lanka. One advantage of these apps is that the price is clear upfront. Our experience with PickMe and Uber is that sometimes you may need to wait a bit to find a good driver. We've had instances where the driver stayed stationary and didn't approach us, or they went in the wrong direction. Occasionally, the driver may call and ask for a higher price. It's important to make clear agreemeents and sometimes you might want to book a different driver.

By tuk-tuk

Another option is to take a tuk-tuk from your location to Ella. This is a cheaper option compared to a taxi, but it's often less comfortable. It can be cramped with two people and backpacks or suitcases in a tuk-tuk. We recommend choosing a tuk-tuk for distances of approximately up to 1.5 hours, as longer rides can quickly become uncomfortable.

By train

The train network in Sri Lanka is extensive and well-connected. There are many trains running to and from various cities, often offering scenic views during the journey. You can check if there is a train from your destination to Ella on this website. We recommend going to the station to purchase train tickets, as they are cheapest there.

How to get around in Ella?

Ella is a small town, so you can often walk from your accommodation to the center. Also, there are many tuk-tuks available in Ella. These are perfect if you want to visit a place further away or outside Ella. You can also rent scooters at various locations in Ella and explore on your own.

What to do in Ella?

In this beautiful town, you can certainly keep yourself entertained for a few days. We'll list the best tips for you!

1. Admire the Nine Arch Bridge

You've probably seen this bridge in photos of Sri Lanka! The Nine Arch Bridge is indeed very famous. It consists of nine large stone arches, hence the name. The bridge was constructed during the British colonization of Ceylon, the former name of Sri Lanka, in the early 20th century.

You can walk across the tracks at the bridge and enjoy stunning views of the green mountains. A train passes almost every hour, adding to the spectacle. It's also recommended to hike up the hill near the bridge. From here, you'll have an even better view of the bridge and the surroundings!

How to get there?
There are various ways to reach the Nine Arch Bridge. We walked through this path cutting through nature.

2. Climb Little Adam's Peak

Little Adam's Peak is the smaller version of Adam's Peak, a high mountain in Sri Lanka. From the top of Little Adam's Peak, you have a stunning view of the valley and Ella. It's highly recommended to do this hike when you're in Ella! The hike is manageable for people with good fitness levels, and at the top, you can take a break while enjoying the magnificent view.

How to get there?
From the center of Ella, it's about a 45-minute walk to the starting point of the mountain. From there, it takes approximately 20 minutes to hike to the top of the mountain. The mountain has 3 peaks, and from the first peak, you can also walk to the other peaks.

Alternatively, you can take a tuk-tuk to the starting point of the hike, skipping the first 45-minute walk.

Tip: Little Adam’s Peak and the Nine Arch Bridge are close to each other. You can easily combine visiting these two places.

3. Cool down at Ravana Waterfall

Just outside Ella, you can find refreshment at Ravana Waterfall. Here, you can relax and swim in the cool mountain water. It's a well-known attraction in Ella, so it can get crowded. You may also encounter curious monkeys exploring the waterfall. The waterfall is named after the mythical king Ravana. According to legend, King Ravana abducted Princess Sita and imprisoned her in the caves behind the waterfall.

How to get there?

It's about a 15-minute ride by tuk-tuk or scooter from Ella. If you feel like walking, you can reach Ravana Waterfall from Ella in about 1.5 hours. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

4. Visit the Halpewatte Tea Factory

The Halpewatte Tea Factory is one of the many tea factories in Sri Lanka, particularly abundant in the mountainous regions around Nuwara Eliya and Ella. At the factory, you can take a low-cost tour and learn all about tea. One of the highlights is witnessing the tea production process firsthand, offering insight into factory operations. After the tour, you can sample various teas and purchase your favorite as a souvenir.

How to get there?

Located atop a mountain, the factory offers stunning views of the surroundings. It's about a 20-minute ride by tuk-tuk or scooter from Ella. Alternatively, you can hike there, which takes approximately 2 hours.

5. Hike to the top of Ella Rock

In Ella, there are plenty of awesome viewpoints to admire the surroundings. From the center of Ella, you can hike to the top of Ella Rock in about 2 hours. This hike is more challenging than the one to Little Adam's Peak. Along the way, you'll walk through nature and pass by impressive railway tracks. From the top of Ella Rock, you'll have a breathtaking view of the surroundings.

It's best to start the hike as early as possible when the temperature is most comfortable.

Tip: You can easily get lost during the walk because the trail isn't always clearly marked. It's recommended to ask for a map at your accommodation, download an offline map on your phone, or do the hike with a guide.

6. Zipline through the high mountains

Are you up for an adrenaline rush? Then go zip-lining through the lush green mountains of Ella! This zip-line is located at 1040 meters (3400 feet) above sea level and stretches over half a kilometer (about 0.3 miles) long. It's a fun way to experience Ella from a different perspective!

7. Pay a visit to Haputale

From Ella, you can take the train and enjoy a nice day trip to Haputale. The train journey through the mountains offers breathtaking views. Haputale is renowned for its stunning vistas and numerous tea plantations. A notable attraction is Lipton’s Seat, a tea factory named in honor of the Scottish businessman Thomas Lipton, who played a significant role in Sri Lanka's tea industry development during the colonial period.

8. Visit Diyaluma Falls

Diyaluma Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Sri Lanka, plunging 220 meters (720 feet) down steep rocks. Near the top of the waterfall, there are three natural pools where you can cool off while enjoying the view.

How to get there?

From Ella, it's over an hour's drive by tuk-tuk or scooter to reach Diyaluma Falls. Also, you can choose to book a tour to the waterfall.

9. Go on a safari!

In Sri Lanka, you can embark on a wildlife adventure in the national parks. During a safari, you can spot leopards, crocodiles, and elephants. From Ella, you can go on safari in Yala National Park or Udawalawe National Park.

10. Take a cooking class!

A fun way to learn more about local life is by taking a cooking class. During a cooking class, you'll learn how to make delicious Sri Lankan dishes. This skill will also benefit you after your journey through Sri Lanka!

Tip: Ella is situated in a mountainous area, so it can rain frequently. Taking a cooking class is a great activity for a rainy day.

Do you want to read more about Sri Lanka?

See all our articles with the best tips to discover all beautiful places in Sri Lanka.

Do you want to read more about Sri Lanka?

See all our articles with the best tips to discover all beautiful places in Sri Lanka.

About the authors

How nice that you are on our website and that you have read this article! We are Mirte and Matthew, two Dutch adventurers with a passion for traveling, discovering cultures, and gaining new experiences. We've translated our love for the world into this website. We hope our articles inspire you to go on adventures! You can learn more about us through the button below.