Calling all travelbugs with a knack for budget-savvy adventures! Sri Lanka, with its kaleidoscope of culture, nature, and history, beckons you and your little ones for an unforgettable journey. If you’re trying to plan a trip to this island paradise, make sure to read our blog – Explore Sri Lanka: The Best 7-Day Budget-Friendly Adventure for All Ages – to get the tried and tested itinerary for a week-long escapade.
To add the cherry on the cake, if the beauty, culture, and vibe is not enough to take your breath away, something that will surely make you smile is the fact that you don’t need deep pockets to enjoy the numerous wonders this island has to offer. From the bustling streets of Colombo to the serene landscapes of Nuwara Eliya, we’ve curated a real and relatable list of 15 free activities in Sri Lanka, to keep your family entertained without denting your wallet. So, let’s dive into this budget-friendly escapade!
Colombo
Kickstart your Sri Lankan adventure in the vibrant capital city of Colombo, where culture and modernity collide in a delightful fusion, and offers a lot of fun free activities to indulge in!
1. Visit the Gangaramaya Temple
Immerse your family in Sri Lanka’s rich religious heritage with a visit to the Gangaramaya Temple. Explore intricate shrines, marvel at towering statues, and witness devotees engaging in prayer rituals.
2. Discover Viharamahadevi Park
Escape the hustle and bustle of Colombo at Viharamahadevi Park Let the kids run wild in the playground, enjoy a picnic by the lake, and don’t miss the vibrant weekend market showcasing local crafts and cuisine.
3. Spend a Day at Independence Square
Take a leisurely stroll through Independence Square, a sprawling green space steeped in history. Let the kids burn off some energy in the playground, admire the colonial-era architecture, and enjoy a family picnic on the manicured lawns.
4. Watch the Sunset at Galle Face Green
With the majestic Indian Ocean gently lapping at its shores, Galle Face Green is truly a child’s paradise. The lush lawns, the well-maintained benches, the free space to feel the breeze, and the ample options to taste the local street food – this was surely one of our fondest memories of Colombo. If you want to get to know the Sri Lankan cuisine, head out to my blog – Explore Sri Lankan Cuisine: 15 Best and Must-Try Recommendations for Every Tastebud – for a detailed explanation of each recommended item!
Sigiriya & Dambulla
Next in our adventure to find free activities in Sri Lanka, let’s venture into the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage with a visit to Sigiriya and Dambulla, home to one of the island’s most iconic landmarks.
5. Walk around the Sigiriya Rock
Embark on a thrilling walk around the foot of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO-listed marvel towering above the Sri Lankan jungle. While the actual ascent costs 1100 LKR, the base of the rock has a moat with fishes, a manicured garden against the backdrop of the rock to click instagrammable photographs.
If you face the rock and keep walking to the right, you’ll come across a secret spot to view the rock against some vibrant red gladioli gardens, creating a picture postcard photo opportunity!
6. Marvel at the Spice Gardens of Dambulla
Uncover the wonders of ancient Sri Lankan ayurvedic medicine at the numerous Spice Gardens of Dambulla. You will get a free walking tour up the entire garden with a certified guide, who will not only introduce and explain the medicinal benefits but often administer and engage you and your kids in exploring the plants.
Little A loved having a taste of the hot chocolate from the in-house cocoa beans and our mommy enjoyed a foot massage with their herbal oils and balms. It was a truly relaxing spa-like ambience. Needless to say, shopping the products – spices, medicines, knick-knacks – will cost you some bucks, but it’s not mandatory at all.
Kandy
In the quest to discover the free activities in Sri Lanka, the trip is incomplete without a visit to the cultural capital of Kandy, where ancient traditions and scenic beauty converge.
7. Stroll Around Kandy Lake
Take a leisurely stroll around Kandy Lake, nestled in the heart of the city. Admire the serene surroundings, feed the fish, and keep an eye out for colorful birdlife fluttering overhead.
8. Catch a Street-side Cultural Show
While this is a rare find, you can treat your family to a mesmerizing cultural show showcasing Sri Lanka’s vibrant traditions, on the streets off the Temple of Tooth. From traditional dance performances to tranquil Sri Lankan classical music, these shows offer a glimpse into the island’s rich cultural tapestry. They’re free of charge, but donations and tips are expected.
Ella
Round off your Sri Lankan escapade with a visit to the picturesque town of Ella, where lush landscapes and laid-back vibes reign supreme. While a walk around the town is one of the more popular free activities in Sri Lanka, I come bearing two rare and wonderful finds, just outside the town of Ella.
9. Walk along the Nine Arches Bridge
While Sri Lanka boasts of a scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella, where you can wind your way through misty mountains, verdant tea estates, and charming hillside villages for a journey straight out of a storybook, it does come with a price. So, we found this hack to explore within the budget, by hiking down a mountain to walk along the Nine Arches Bridge and bask in a magnificent view of colonial architecture.
Lace up your hiking boots and embark on a family adventure to the breathtaking trail amidst bamboo forests, to find yourself deep into Sri Lankan nature. Since the hike is steep, you can hire a local tuktuk for a mere 100 LKR and get down to the base of the hike, which reduces the step count by at least half, if not more.
10. Dip your Toes in the Ravana Waterfalls
The majestic Ravana Waterfalls is just a few kilometers away from the Nine Arches Bridge. This is one of the best free activities in Sri Lanka, an absolutely a gorgeous spot to view from afar, or cool off with a dip in the natural pools, and marvel at the cascading waterfalls in all their glory. With its 10 streams, it’s aptly called the Ravana, and you can even hike up about 900 steps into the mountain to visit the Ravana caves.
Nuwara Eliya
As we progress with our journey to handpick the free activities in Sri Lanka, it’s time to escape the tropical heat and head for the cool climes of Nuwara Eliya, nestled amidst emerald tea plantations and misty mountains.
11. Visit a Strawberry Farm
Just like the spice garden, a strawberry farm will provide an interesting insight into the behind-the-scenes of the yummy strawberry jams, jelly, and squashes. Upon the season you choose, you might also get to harvest the red jewels off their branches, or at least get to do a free taste-test of the products.
12. Explore a Tea Plantation
Nuwara Eliya is known to be the England of Sri Lanka for its cool climate and fresh tea. You can visit a tea plantation to learn the history and science behind the processing of tea, have a therapeutic walk amidst miles and miles of tea gardens, and also get some really close encounter with the locals as you watch and learn how to pick the freshest of tea leaves, all free of cost! However, you might find it hard to resist to buy some world-famous Ceylon Tea once you have a refreshing cup after the tour.
13. Seek Blessings at Seetha Amman Temple
Just on the outskirts of Nuwara Eliya, lies the very legendary Seetha Amman temple, which is believed to be part of the Ashokvan, where Ravana housed Seetha after kidnapping her. This is the spot where she met Hanuman and realized that Lord Rama was coming to rescue her. While the temple is renovated and doesn’t feel archaic at all, there’s a strange spiritual vibe that brings peace to the unsettled mind, however subtle. One feels close to the Almighty and is worth adding to the bucket list of exploring various free activities in Sri Lanka.
Bentota
Finally, unwind on the sun-kissed shores of Bentota, where golden beaches and azure waters beckon weary travelers, and immerse yourself in the relaxed ambience. You will find some of the most distinct free activities in Sri Lanka in this laid back beach destination.
14. Visit a Moonstone Mine
This is one of the more unique experiences that we had in Sri Lanka, where we actually saw the gems being mined from 20 feet underground. You can visit one of the many mines in Bentota, the only town where the mines are found in the country, and get up, close, and personal with the journey of ground to showroom of the moonstones. While viewing and learning is absolutely free, don’t let us hinder you from buying a souvenir in the form of a moonstone pendant or bracelet!
15. Unwind at the Bentota Beach
Finally, I saved the best for the last. Wind down your Sri Lankan adventure with a visit to Bentota beach. Get in touch with your inner child by chasing the fishes in clear waters, playing with the waves, hanging from the tyres tied to the looming coconut palms, or simply sunbathing. Ensure to protect against the sun with a sunscreen. I mostly use the Mamaearth Baby Sunscreen, which is SPF 50 & PA++++, and water resistant, and intermittently use Banana Boat Baby Sunscreen, which is also SPF 50.
Additionally, catching a stunning sunset just becomes the cherry on the cake in the list of free activities in Sri Lanka.
Immerse in the Galore of Free Activities in Sri Lanka
With a diverse array of experiences spanning across Colombo, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Ella, and Bentota, Sri Lanka offers endless opportunities for family-friendly fun without burning a hole in your pocket. So, pack your bags, gather your little adventurers, and embark on a budget-friendly journey through the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Happy travels!
