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Ella is a paradise of a village that sits on the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Surrounded by countless tea estates, mountains, and waterfalls, Ella is one of the best tourist attractions in the country. The fresh air and tranquil environments will leave you wanting more of this hidden village.

Starting from the breathtaking train ride to get to the village, there are many places to visit in Ella that you as a tourist should visit before leaving. Here are 7 best places that you can visit on your journey to Ella.

The luxury Odyssey train service from Kandy to Ella is the best way to reach this hidden village. The train departs Kandy at 7 AM and will reach its destination around 2.20 PM. The path from Kandy to Ella is so beautiful that it is renowned as the most scenic train ride in South Asia.

The journey will take around 7 hours, and during this time, you can see some of the best sights that Sri Lanka has to offer. Lush green forests, tea estates, waterfalls, and dark tunnels are very common on this ride, and they are sure to make you feel adventurous.

As one of the engineering marvels of the early 20th century, the 9 Arch Bridge stands tall between Ella and Demodara stations. This giant structure is 91 meters long and 24 meters high and has stood the test of time for over 100 years. The bridge is on the way to Ella, and it makes it one of the best places to visit in Ella.

The stone and cement giant creates a picturesque scene with the lush green tea plantations acting as the backdrop. Make sure to take a picture when the train is slowly navigating over the bridge to make an unforgettable memory.

The Bogoda bridge is a wooden bridge that is over 400 years old. Built back in the 16th century, the Bogoda wooden bridge is the oldest surviving wooden bridge in Sri Lanka. It was built as a way to cross the Gallanda Oya and even got a roof.

The speciality of this bridge is that it stood on a single tree trunk and was entirely made up of wood, even nails. The architecture depicts a Kandyan style and is one of the lesser-known places to visit in Ella.

With a shape resembling the Adam’s Peak, Mini Adam’s Peak is like a smaller version of it. The climb to the summit is less challenging and a less crowded one. The path to the top is fairly easy, and the way is marked with signs, eliminating the need for a guide.

Reaching the peak of this 1141-meter-high mountain will take around 2-3 hours. Views will become more and more scenic as you get closer to the top. Once on top, take in the gorgeousness of the surroundings. The breathtaking sights alone make this one of the better places to visit in Ella.

There are some steep paths and hills on your way to the top. So, make sure to watch your step to avoid any accidents.

Built by King Walagamba in the first century BC, the Dowa temple is among the few religious and historical places to visit in Ella. The temple is home to a 38ft tall incomplete Buddha statue that is carved entirely in a granite rock.

There is an 11km long cave tunnel behind the stupa of the temple. Due to rumours spreading that the cave hides treasures, the temple had to seal off the entrance to stop vandalism acts by treasure hunters.

Legends have it that King Walagamba used these tunnels to make an overnight escape from invaders. This explains the incomplete nature of the Buddha statue.

Lipton’s seat is a viewpoint on top of the Haputale mountain range. You can get there by bus or a tuk-tuk from the Dambatenne town. The viewpoint is at the height of 1970 meters above sea level and offers visitors a 360-degree view of the place.

The place offers scenic views throughout the day, but the view from the early morning is something truly special. Keep in mind that during the months of April to October, there’s a slight mid-day fog that can interrupt your sightseeing.

Diyaluma Falls is the second-highest waterfall in the country and is home to some spectacular scenes. The waterfall is about 40km from Ella village, and you can visit and come back within one day. The Diyaluma Falls is amidst lush greens and flows beautifully through the mountain terrain.

On the top of the waterfall, there are natural pools that were created by the ceaseless water flow. These offer breathtaking scenes for your viewing while you are relaxing in the pool.

The unbothered environment and the calm water flow, and the pools and rock slides have made this place a natural water park. Make sure to add Diyaluma to the list of places to visit in Ella.

Like to visit Ella during your Sri Lanka holiday? Get in touch with us and we’ll plan your entire tour from start to finish promising you an amazing time.