If Sri Lanka had a chill hill-country hangout spot, it would be Ella. This little town has the kind of vibe that makes you want to toss your itinerary aside and just wander.
This isn’t just another travel guide filled with generic photo ops. We are diving into the most important places to visit in Ella, from lesser-known wonders to iconic ones that actually live up to the hype. Whether you are a first-timer or a curious explorer, these carefully chosen tourist places to visit in Ella will change how you see Sri Lanka. Planning your next escape or browsing top Sri Lanka tours? Make sure Ella is on your radar! These are the places to visit in Ella that make your travel experience truly worthwhile.
15 Places to Visit in Ella
The Nine Arches Bridge is one of the most iconic tourist places to visit in Ella and for good reason. Built entirely out of stone and bricks during the British Colonial era, this massive railway bridge is located between lush green hills and tea plantations. Watching a train curve across it, especially in the misty morning light, feels like a scene from a movie.
Surrounded by dense forests and tea plantations, the bridge offers a great spot for photography and quiet walks. Many visitors time their visit to watch a train pass over the bridge, which adds to the experience.
Location: Ella, Sri Lanka
Entry fee: NIL
Timings: 24/7
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Ravana Falls is one of the most scenic and easily accessible waterfalls in Ella, making it a top choice among the beautiful places to visit in Ella. Located just a short drive from the town, this waterfall cascades down over 80 feet, creating a stunning natural backdrop that’s perfect for photos, relaxation or a quick nature break during your trip.
Whether you are planning a romantic getaway or just love nature, Ravana Falls definitely deserves a spot on your list of places to visit in Ella.
Location: V28V+FRM, A23, Ella, Sri Lanka
Entry fee: NIL
Timings: 24/7 (Preferably in daylight)
Ravana’s Cave is one of the lesser-known yet fascinating places to visit in Ella Sri Lanka, especially if you are interested in history and local legends. The cave is linked to the ancient tale of King Ravana from the Indian epic Ramayana. It’s believed that he once used this cave to hid Sita after abducting her, making it a site rich with mythology.
To reach the cave, you will need to climb a steep set of steps, around 600 in total, so it’s a bit of a workout. But the path is scenic, and the views from the top are worth the effort. Inside, the cave is quite small and dark, but the atmosphere and story behind it make the experience unique.
Location: V27X+QFR, Ella, Sri Lanka
Entry fee: INR 26 - INR 50
Timings: 8 AM - 5 PM
If you are short on time and planning Ella places to visit in one day, Ella Rock is the hike that delivers. The trail winds through tea estates, village paths, and a short fresh climb before opening to a wide viewpoint over the Ella Gap, Little Adam’s Peak, and rolling hills. Expect 1-2 hours to ascend and 1.5-2 hours to descend, with a few steep, rocky sections that need good shoes and steady footing.
Location: Rawanaella, Sri Lanka
Entry fee: INR 240-260
Timings: 24/7
One stop I always recommend is a Ceylon Tea Factory tour, easily one of the awesome places to visit in Ella if you like learning by doing. You walk past withering lofts, see the rolling drums at work, and smell the leaf as it oxidizes.
Bring comfy shoes, ask to see the grading room, and end with a mini tasting so you can pick a fresh pack to take home.
Location: V2FX+9J8, Ella, Sri Lanka
Entry fee: INR 780
Timings: 9 AM, 11 AM, AND 2 PM
If you are planning places to visit in Ella with friends, Little Adam’s Peak is the no-brainer pick. The trail is short and friendly, stone steps through tea fields, a gendtle ridge and a final push to wide views over Ella Gap and rolling hills.
It usually takes about 30-45 minutes to reach the top, so it’s perfect for mixed fitness levels and those “let’s do something before lunch” plans.
Location: Sri Lanka
Entry fee: NIL
Timings: No official closing time
Dhowa Rock Temple is a quiet stop just off the Ella-Badulla road, and it easily earns a place on any list of places to visit in Ella in Sri Lanka. The highlight is a huge rock-cut Buddha carved into a granite cliff beside a small cave temple. Inside, you will find colorful murals, a few serene shrines, and a cool, shaded place that feels miles away from Ella’s busy cafes, making it one of the most beautiful temples in Sri Lanka.
Location: V24C+GWC, Sri Lanka
Entry fee: NIL
Timings: 8 AM - 5 PM
It offers a calm break from Ella’s busy viewpoints. Set among the trees and tea-covered hills, it’s a place to slow down! Monks here focus on meditation and simple living, so the atmosphere is peaceful rather than touristy.
If you are curating tourist places to visit in Ella, add the monastery as your “quiet stop” between hikes like Little Adam’s Peak and Nine Arches Bridge. It’s an easy visit, lasting 30 to 60 minutes, and a great way to balance your day with a bit of calm and culture.
Location: Kumbalwela, Sri Lanka
Entry fee: NIL
Timings: 8 AM - 9 PM
9. Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory
If you are building a smart shortlist of awesome places to visit in Ella, add Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory. It’s a working factory, so you don’t just read signboards - you watch the real process. A guide explains each step in simple terms, then you finish with a tasting where you can compare light, brisk high grown cups with deeper, maltier styles.
Why it’s worth a stop - it’s close to town, runs year-round, and takes about an hour, easy to fit between hikes and viewpoints. Go on a weekday morning to catch the machines in action, wear closed shoes, and bring a little extra cash if you want to take home factory-fresh packs. For tea lovers, this is one of those Awesome Places To Visit In Ella that turns a souvenir into a story.
Location: Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory, Badulla Road, Hela Halpe, Ella, Sri Lanka 90090, Sri Lanka
Entry fee: INR 750 - INR 850
Timings: 8 AM - 4:30 PM
It is a small, pretty cascade just a short walk from Kithal Ella railway station, making it an easy add to your Ella itinerary. It’s less crowded than Ravana Falls, great for a calm photo stop, and especially nice after recent rain when the flow is stronger.
Location: V28W+MJF, Ella, Sri Lanka
Entry fee: NIL
Timings: Open all day
11. Halpe Pattini Devalaya
Halpe Pattini Devalaya is a small, historic shrine just off the Badulla-Bandarawela road near Ella - a calm natural stop to balance your hike and viewpoints. Dedicated to the goddess Pattii, who’s venerated in both Buddhist and Hindu traditions, it’s known for timber-and-clay architecture, carved wooden pillars and murals in the Kandyan style.
If you are curating the most important places to visit in Ella, this is one for history lovers, a protected archaeological monument that gives you a quick, authentic look at local belief and craftsmanship.
Location: V2RR+2J6, Sri Lanka
Entry fee: NIL
Timings: 7 AM - 5 PM
Short on time? Add Ella Spice Garden to your list of places to visit in Ella in one day. It’s a relaxed, hands-on cooking class where you walk through a tiny spice plot, sniff fresh cinnamon and cardamom, then head to a home-style kitchen to cook classic Sri Lankan food. The vibe is friendly and practical, small groups, easy steps and tips you can repeat at home.
You will learn how to balance heat with coconut milk, temper spices the right way and plate up a colorful rice and curry spread you actually eat at the end.
Location: Lizzie Villa Rd, Ella 90090, Sri Lanka
Entry fee: INR 2,219
Timings: Lunch class: starts around 10:00 AM. spice-garden -
Dinner class: starts around 4:30 PM. spice-garden -
Duration: about 3 hours per session
St. Anthony’s Church is a quiet and peaceful place that many people visit to pray, reflect or just enjoy the calm. It’s named after St. Anthony of Padua, the saint known for helping people find lost things, and for bringing comfort during hard times.
The church is old, beautiful and full of character. When you go inside, you see tall arches, stained glass windows and candles glowing softly. It’s a place where everything feels still, and people often say it gives them a sense of peace.
Location: W329+2R5, Demodara, Sri Lanka
Entry fee: NIL
Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM
Looking for a peaceful escape with a jaw-dropping view, Porawagala is the place to go. Located just a few kilometers from Ella town, this lesser-known viewpoint comes with lush green valleys, tea plantations and far-off mountain ranges. Unlike the more crowded spots and places in Sri Lanka, it is quiet, calm and perfect if you want to avoid the usual tourist rush.
Location: Mahaulpatha, Galkanda, Bandarawela, Sri Lanka
Entry fee: NIL
Timings: 6 AM - 6:30 PM (Best time is sunrise and sunset)
15. Demodara Railway Loop
One of the most fascinating sights in Ella is the Demodara Railway Loop, a place where nature comes in an unexpected way. Located just a short distance from Ella town, this unique railway design is not only functional, it’s also one of the coolest train routes in the country.
Here’s what makes it special, the track actually loops around a hill and goes under itself through a tunnel. It’s the only one of its kind in Sri Lanka and a must-see for train lovers, photographers and anyone curious about how trains navigate the steep terrain of the hill country.
Location: W337+43F, Demodara, Sri Lanka
Entry fee: NIL
Timings: Open 24 hours
