Last Updated on October 26, 2022 by Natalia
Thanks to the beautiful scenery in the area, Ella has become a popular stop for travellers in Sri Lanka and our travel guide covers it all! The small town is the perfect place to spend a few days hiking to fantastic viewpoints and enjoying the laid back vibe. Even the journey there is filled with amazing views if you opt to go by train, as the journey from Kandy as is considered to be one of the most beautiful train rides in the world! If you’re looking for hotels in this part of Sri Lanka, click here to find out the best places to stay in Ella. The rest of what you need to know is covered in this complete travel guide to Ella, up-to-date as of 2022.
Planning a trip to Sri Lanka but not sure what to pack? Check out this guide of what to pack for Sri Lanka to make sure you’ve got everything you need for an amazing trip!
How to get to Ella, Sri Lanka
Train
Undoubtedly the best way to travel to Ella is by train and is our preferred way of getting there as part of our travel guide. The ride from Kandy to Ella is known for being one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, and really should be included on any Sri Lanka itinerary.
It’s possible to take the train from Colombo all the way to Ella, passing through Kandy and therefore taking the same scenic route.
Realistically, it’s almost impossible to get a seat on a train to Ella if you don’t book in advance. That’s why we recommend booking your tickets as early as possible through 12GoAsia. We booked our train tickets in Sri Lanka through them and found them to be reliable and extremely convenient.
Tickets do end up costing more when booking through 12GoAsia, but when the alternative is standing on a train for 5+ hours then we think it’s worth the extra cost!
Click here to check the latest train prices to Ella on 12GoAsia’s website!
We recommend booking second class seating, as it’s a little cheaper but still as comfortable as first class in our opinion. In second class the train doors are often left open, which means you can sit in a doorway to enjoy the amazing views on your journey.
It’s important to make sure your train isn’t arriving into Ella too late, as otherwise you may miss some of the views on the way. We’d recommend checking sunset times and figuring out what time train to catch from that, but as a general rule of thumb we’d aim to arrive before 6pm.
There are other trains that run from both Colombo and Kandy to Ella, but these trains do not have reserved seating. Visit the Sri Lanka Railways journey planner to see scheduling and pricing for these trains.
If you’re planning on travelling to Ella by train, make sure to check out our guide to public transport in Sri Lanka.
Bus
Direct buses run from Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, but from most other major cities you’ll have to make at least one change. If you’re planning on travelling via bus from elsewhere, we recommend checking out this guide on getting to Ella. Although buses are relatively cheap in Sri Lanka, we’d recommend travelling to Ella via train due to the amazing views.
Getting around Ella, Sri Lanka
As Ella is relatively small, it’s easy enough to get around the town itself by walking which is our advice as part of this travel guide to Ella. It’s even possible to reach most of the attractions in the area on foot, so unless you’re planning to go further afield then renting a bike isn’t necessary.
If you find yourself wanting a lift, tuk tuks are cheap – but make sure to negotiate a good price and don’t settle for the original price quoted to you.
Best time to visit Ella, Sri Lanka
The best time of year to visit Ella is from January to March, as these months bring the driest weather to this part of Sri Lanka. Visiting at this time means you’ll be able to enjoy hikes and the surrounding nature with less chance of rain affecting your stay.
Monsoon season in Ella is between July and November, and so it’s best to avoid visiting at this time if possible. That being said, you should expect the occasional downpour whenever you visit, as this is what keeps the area’s scenery so green.
For the rest of the year though, Ella is a great place to visit as long as you aren’t put off by a bit of rain. The hottest month is April, although this brings more rain to the area than January-March.
Things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka
Nine arch bridge
While the thought of visiting a bridge may not immediately strike you as particularly interesting, it’s actually a combination of the picturesque location and bridge itself that make this spot worth a visit. The beautifully designed bridge cuts through Sri Lanka’s lush countryside surrounded by tea plantations and forest.
Visiting Nine Arch Bridge is one of our favourite things to do in our travel guide to Ella.
It’s possible to walk along the tracks from Ella’s train station or take a route close to the Little Adam’s Peak hike. For the latter we’d recommend using the app maps.me so that you don’t get lost. A tuk tuk should cost around 500 rupees one way.
It’s still worth checking with a local to ensure these times are still up-to-date before planning your visit, just in case of any changes. Keep in mind that the trains can sometimes run very late. On one of our visits we were hoping to see the 5.30pm train, but it was over an hour late and by the time it arrived it was dark, so we couldn’t really see anything.
If seeing a train cross the bridge is important to you then try to avoid visiting for the last train of the day, just in case you have a bit of bad luck like we did.
Ravana falls
One of the most popular things to do in Ella is visit Ravana falls – one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka. Around 5 kilometres outside of the town, the falls stand at 25 metres high and are located right next to the main road. As an added bonus there are a number of monkeys in the area surrounding the falls
Although it’s possible to cool off in falls, be careful if you choose to as there have been over 30 deaths here.
Any bus running south from Ella should be able to drop you off at Ravana falls, and should only cost around 20 rupees. When you’re ready to make your way back to Ella simply catch a bus in the opposite direction, which should cost the same.
Alternatively, you can rent a bike or hire a tuk-tuk for a return journey. Prices will vary but a return tuk-tuk journey sohuld cost in the region of 1000 rupees.
If you enjoy your visit to Ravana falls then you make sure to read our Nuwara Eliya guide, which includes some of our favourite waterfalls in Sri Lanka.
Ella Rock
If you’re looking to do some hiking, Ella Rock should be the first place on your list. At the top you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Sri Lanka’s hill country, with greenery stretching as far as you can see.
The easiest way to do the hike is to follow this guide by Atlas and Boots, as they break down the directions into simple steps. It’s important to know that a number of locals will try to lead you a different route so that when you’re lost they can offer their services as a guide in exchange for payment. If you stick to the guide above though, you can’t go wrong.
Towards the end of the hike it becomes very steep depending on the route you take. Although the steeper route is quicker and more direct, it’s a lot tougher so it’s up to you if you’d rather take the long way round.
In total the hike should take around 3-4 hours round trip, with the start point being Ella railway station.
Little Adam’s Peak
One of the best things to do in Ella and this travel guide is this short hike at Little Adam’s Peak. It’s an easier alternative to Ella Rock, with a much shorter trail to reach the top. Although the majority of the path is relatively steady, there is a tougher stretch of stairs to reach the peak at the end.
At the top there are fantastic views of Sri Lanka’s picturesque countryside in every direction. It’s a very popular spot to visit for sunrise or sunset, as the colours make this scenic spot even more special! The trail is well marked and so there are no issues doing it in low light.
The trail can be found next to Ella flower garden resort, from which it should only take around 30 minutes to reach the peak.
Flying Ravana Zipline
The Flying Ravana Zipline is one of the newest things to do in Ella, a recent addition to our travel guide. Located at Little Adam’s Peak, the zipline offers stunning views over the course of 550 metres and reaching speeds up to 80 kilometres per hour.
It’s a unique way to experience the stunning countryside and rolling hills that surround Ella in Sri Lanka’s hill country. With prices starting from just 4,000 rupees, it’s a relatively inexpensive yet unique way to enjoy the scenery!
Click here to find out more and to book yourself an unforgettable zipline ride!
Halpewatte Tea Factory
One of the best things to do in Ella is to take a tour of the Halpewatte Tea Factory. Sri Lanka is famous for its tea, and this tour gives you a unique opportunity to learn about the tea-making process.
Situated on top of a hill, the factory offers stunning views over the surrounding tea plantations and hills. To get there you’ll need to take a tuk-tuk, as it’s around a 6 kilometre drive outside of Ella.
Tours include tea tasting and give you a step by step guide to how tea is manufactured, leading you through various areas of the factory. After the tour you’ll have the chance to visit the factory’s tea shop, which has a balcony offering amazing views of the area.
A tour of the Halpewatte Tea Factory costs just 800 rupees per person, and tours are roughly every half an hour. You can be book in advance via the official website, but unfortunately tours are currently suspended due to Covid.
Train from Ella to Kandy
If you opted against taking the train to get here then one of the best things to do in Ella is to take a train to Kandy. The scenery for most of the journey is absolutely incredible, and so it’s well worth doing during your trip.
It’s definitely worth doing this journey if you’re heading in the direction of Kandy after Ella, or even if you’re heading to Colombo as you can take a train all the way there.
Click here to book an amazing train journey from Ella on 12GoAsia’s website!
Where to eat in Ella
Adam’s Breeze – Around a kilometre from the main street of Ella, Adam’s breeze is THE place to go for a great Sri Lankan curry. Alongside your main curry and rice, you’ll be treated to 5 other tasty dishes – including dhal, potato curry and more.
The restaurant is located quite near to the start of the Little Adam’s Peak hike, so it’s the perfect place to grab a meal before you begin!
Cafe Chill – Cafe Chill is one of the best restaurants in Ella, with plenty of choice including Sri Lankan cuisine, pizzas and burgers, as well as vegan and vegetarian options. It can be a little more expensive than other restaurants in the area, but the food is great quality so it’s definitely worth it!
There are a variety of drinks available, from cocktails to beer to wine, and staff at the restaurant are friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is great, so we definitely recommend visiting Cafe Chill at least once during your stay in Ella.
City Cafe Ella – This small cafe serves up a range of Sri Lankan dishes at a great price, with the kottu being a particularly good option.
La Mensa – La Mensa is another great option if you’re looking for some tasty Sri Lankan food in Ella and one of our favourite places in this travel guide. As well as serving a variety of delicious dishes, cocktails and beer are also available if you fancy a drink to help wash down your meal.
Rainbow Cafe – If you want to mix it up a bit then Rainbow Cafe is a great option. They serve a range of dishes including pasta, salads, soups, sandwiches burritos, rice and noodles – so there’s plenty to choose from.
It’s also a great place for a drink, with both beer and wine available, as well as a selection of cocktails and mocktails.
Heading to the coast? Check out our travel guide to Mirissa where you can go whale watching ethically to see blue whales!
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