Sri Lanka is made for a honeymoon: sunrise over an ancient rock fortress, a night in a tea planter's bungalow, the slow train through the hills, and a few lazy days on a palm-lined beach to finish. This 10-day route keeps the drives short and the evenings free, with ideas for making each stop special.
Updated November 2026. Trains between Colombo, Kandy and Nanu Oya are suspended while the hill country line is repaired after Cyclone Ditwah. The scenic Nanu Oya to Ella stretch is running. This itinerary uses a private driver where trains aren't running. See our Kandy to Ella train guide.
Planning to add the Maldives? See our Sri Lanka and Maldives honeymoon guide.
The honeymoon route at a glance
| Days | Where | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Sigiriya | Sunrise climb, a hotel with a view of the rock |
| 3 | Kandy | Temple of the Tooth, dinner overlooking the lake |
| 4 to 5 | Tea country | A night or two in a tea estate bungalow |
| 6 to 7 | Ella | The train ride, sunrise on Little Adam's Peak |
| 8 to 10 | South coast | Beach villa, Galle Fort, then the airport |
Before you go
When to go. December to April is best for this route, with dry weather on the south coast and in the hills. For a summer honeymoon (May to September), swap the south coast for the east coast around Trincomalee or Pasikudah, which is dry then.
Visa. You'll each need an ETA before arrival. Since 25 May 2026, it's free for 30 days for citizens of 40 countries, including the UK, the US, India, Australia and much of Europe (details). Apply only on the official Sri Lanka immigration website.
Getting around. A private car and driver is the most comfortable way to travel as a couple, and with the Kandy rail line closed, it's also the most practical. Your driver can carry the bags while you take the train from Nanu Oya to Ella.
Tell your hotels. Mention that you're on honeymoon when you book. Many Sri Lankan hotels will add a cake, flowers or a room upgrade.
Days 1 and 2: Sigiriya
Drive about four hours from the airport to Sigiriya and check into a hotel with a view of the rock. Rest by the pool on your first afternoon.
On day 2, climb Sigiriya Rock at opening time, before the heat, past the frescoes and the lion's paws to the palace ruins on top (US$35 per person, 2026 fee list). In the afternoon, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple (Rs. 3,000), or climb Pidurangala Rock (Rs. 1,000) together for sunset with Sigiriya in view.
Day 3: Kandy
Drive to Kandy (about 3 hours) and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic for the evening puja, when drummers play and the inner chamber opens (Rs. 2,000 each). Wear light clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. Book a dinner table with a view over Kandy Lake.
Days 4 and 5: Tea country
This is the most romantic part of the trip. Drive up into the hills (about 3 hours) and stay in a restored tea planter's bungalow or a boutique hotel on a working tea estate, around Nuwara Eliya or Hatton. Expect log fires, afternoon tea on the lawn and walks through the tea fields.
Spend day 5 slowly: a tea factory tour, a walk around Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya, or an early start for Horton Plains and the view from World's End (about US$40 each, all in).
Days 6 and 7: Ella
Take the train from Nanu Oya to Ella, about three hours through tea estates, cloud forest and the cliffs at Haputale. Book reserved seats as soon as they open, 30 days before travel. Second class has open windows for photos, while first class is air-conditioned and quieter.
In Ella, choose a hotel with a valley view. Walk up Little Adam's Peak together at sunrise, watch a train cross Nine Arch Bridge, and find a café with a view of Ella Gap for the afternoon.
Days 8 to 10: The south coast
Drive down to the coast (about 4 hours via Yala, or stop for an afternoon safari on the way, about US$45 each for a shared jeep). Spend your last nights in a beach villa:
- Tangalle for quiet beaches and private villas.
- Mirissa or Weligama for sunset at Coconut Tree Hill, beach dinners and whale watching (December to April, from about US$50 each).
- Galle Fort for a boutique hotel inside the old walls, cafés and a sunset walk on the ramparts.
On your last day, walk the ramparts of Galle Fort in the morning, then take the Southern Expressway to the airport (about 2.5 hours).
Romantic experiences to add
- A sunset dinner on the beach in Mirissa or Tangalle. Most beachfront hotels can arrange one.
- An Ayurvedic spa treatment for two. Many hotels have their own Ayurveda centre.
- A cooking class in a home kitchen, learning to make rice and curry and hoppers. See our guide to Sri Lankan food.
- A safari in Yala, where you can look for leopards together.
- A whale watching trip from Mirissa in season.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sri Lanka good for a honeymoon?
Yes. In 10 days you get culture, cool hill country, wildlife and beaches, with boutique hotels and private villas at every stop.
What is the best month for a Sri Lanka honeymoon?
January to March for this route. For May to September, use the east coast instead of the south.
How many days do we need for a Sri Lanka honeymoon?
Ten days is ideal for a relaxed pace. With a week, follow our 7-day itinerary and add an extra beach night.
Should we combine Sri Lanka with the Maldives?
It's easy: flights from Colombo to Malé take about an hour and a half. See our Sri Lanka and Maldives honeymoon guide.
