Blog - Sri Lanka Photography Guide
photography-location-guides | by Michael Breitung
In this article, I share the best photo spots in Sri Lanka, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka is an island nation located just next to the southern tip of India. The country's spectacular viewpoints, wild beaches, and dense jungle provide countless landscape and wildlife photography opportunities as you'll learn in this article as I cover the following photography locations:
Why Sri Lanka is Great for Photography
Sri Lanka is rich in culture, natural beauty, and diverse landscapes. From lush tea plantations and misty mountains to golden beaches and ancient temples, the country offers a beautiful mix of experiences for travelers and photographers alike. Whether catching a sunset over Lions Rock or photographing wildlife in one of the many National Parks, you'll find plenty of subjects to photograph.
Despite its beauty, Sri Lanka is still one of those rare places that hasn't been overrun by photographers yet. When I started my research, I found little information about photo locations besides the famous Sigiriya Rock and the small and large Adam's Peak. Finding the best views and subjects along the coast or around the central mountains was difficult.
However, I've learned over the past years that this is often a good sign. If you haven't seen thousands of photos of a place, it doesn't necessarily mean it's not photogenic. It means there's still potential to explore and get creative. There's undoubtedly a gamble in it, and not every new location I visit yields a spectacular photo. But Sri Lanka was a positive example where my journey into the unknown was full of rewards.
I found it to be an excellent place for photography for several reasons:
- Despite its relatively small size, it offers ancient forests, mountains, waterfalls, tropical beaches, temples, and exotic wildlife.
- You can still find off-the-beaten-path locations that haven't been photographed yet.
- Over the years, it has become popular with influencers but not so much with professional photographers yet—you can still leave your mark with your photography.
- The people are welcoming, and the country feels safe, so you won't have to worry about your expensive camera gear.
- Traveling around the country is still comparably cheap. You don't even have to rent a car, as hiring a driver is an affordable option, similar to Indonesia.
When To Visit
As with many places close to the equator, travel time is not defined by the typical seasons. In Sri Lanka, you only have to choose between the rainy and dry seasons. The usual travel guide will always tell you that the dry season is the best time to travel, but for photography, the answer is usually more nuanced. Sri Lanka is home to many spectacular waterfalls, which are not that photogenic during the dry season. On the other hand, the mountains and the trails into those will often be challenging to access during the rainy season, and you might have to battle thick cloud cover during your photo shoots.
A good compromise for many countries is to visit just after the rainy season. The landscape is lush and green, and the rivers still hold enough water.
It was more complicated for Sri Lanka than picking the first month of the dry season, though, as the seasons vary depending on where you travel. If you head more toward the northeast, you might encounter the rainy season while the southwest is mostly dry and vice versa.
For the south, the dry season runs between January and April, with April being a transition month. The monsoon brings a lot of rain between May and September. And since this area is one of the most photogenic in Sri Lanka, you should pay attention to the weather there. Other locations full of photographic potential are the central mountains and Sigiriya. This area lies more toward the northeast and might see different weather than the south.
All in all, it's difficult to give a clear recommendation. I eventually made the safe choice and visited in March, as it's one of the best months for general travel in Sri Lanka. With a caveat: many waterfalls are low on water. If waterfall photography is your goal, you should pick a month toward the end of the year. If you avoid the monsoon, you'll find plenty of photography subjects in Sri Lanka. Even if some of the waterfalls are low on water, the views of the surrounding mountains will make up for it. If you are open to adapting to the conditions, Sri Lanka will reward you with many photography opportunities.
How To Travel around Sri Lanka
As traveling to Sri Lanka is pretty straightforward, I'd like to focus on how to get around the island. There are four options:
- You can go backpacking and travel by public transport, such as buses and trains. However, this is not a good choice for photographers because it limits you to locations close to major travel hubs. But if you combine it with hiring a driver in those, it can work. Also, the train ride through the central mountains from Kandy to Ella is an experience with great views.
- You can rent a Tucktuck for 15 - 25 dollars per day. It's one of the most inexpensive and flexible ways to get around. However, it will take time and might not be the most comfortable traveling method. Traffic in Sri Lanka is very hectic, and you must be aware that with a Tucktuck, you will be constantly overtaken by trucks and buses, and the experience might not be as magical as you imagine. If you want to visit places like Nuwara Eliya, it'll be on a long and slow climb along winding roads.
- Renting a car will make you travel more comfortable. If you don't mind the chaotic traffic in Sri Lanka, you can get a rental for around 40 - 50 dollars per day (2025 prices). If you avoid the streets around Kandy, you shouldn't have too much trouble on the roads. The rentals will also help you to get a driving permit for Sri Lanka. An international driving license is insufficient; you must obtain a Sri Lankan driving permit.
- You can hire a car and driver if you don't want to worry about getting from one location to the next. Prices start at 60 dollars and can quickly add up for longer trips because they include lodging for the driver. If you google, you find many websites through which you can contact a driver directly. You can also use an agency like Ceylonescapes. Here, you are looking at 90 to 100 dollars per day. The mini-buses their drivers use can easily fit four people with photography gear, so it's a great option if you travel in a small group. I can recommend their service.
You can also easily combine different options. You can take taxis to get you to the main destinations and then rent a scooter or Tucktuck to explore the area. Many hotels can arrange transport for you, so you don't have to worry too much in advance.
Sri Lanka Photo Spots
During my research, I didn't find many interesting photo locations in the north and northeast of Sri Lanka, so I focused my efforts on the central mountains and the south. These areas are full of beautiful forests, spectacular vistas, waterfalls, and golden beaches. The national parks provide excellent subjects for wildlife photographers.
Pidurangala Rock
Most people traveling to Sri Lanka also visit Sigiriya. This beautiful rock jutting out of the jungle is a spectacular sight. Since you typically want it in the photo, you should not climb Lions Rock but head to Pidurangala Rock toward the north. From there, you have the best view of the area. It's an excellent spot for sunset but also works during sunrise. There's a small entrance fee of three dollars, which is worth it. The trail opens an hour before sunrise and remains open long enough after sunset, so you don't have to rush. You can hike up in about 30 minutes.
But don't expect to be alone up there. You'll share the view with a crowd. Thankfully, the plateau is large, and you can easily escape the bustle by walking downward toward the west along the plateau. From there, you have the best view of Lions Rock.
Once the sun has set, stick around for a while to avoid the congested trail. The last part of the climb is narrow and steep. As hundreds of people start hiking down at the same time, there'll be a long queue. So, you better relax and enjoy the view as it's slowly getting dark. Since lights light the trail, you'll easily find your way later.
To increase your chances of a great photo, I recommend heading up there multiple times. I stayed for two days in the Back of Beyond, just a 5-minute walk from the trail head. It's a great little hotel that also serves excellent food.
Avoid walking there in the dark if you're staying farther from Pidurangala. Elephants frequent the area, especially during the dry season, and encountering one on foot can be dangerous. The safest way to get there is by TuckTuck.
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya is renowned for its diverse range of teas. Tea plantations cover the mountainous area, making it ideal for photography. Getting there takes time, though. From Sigiriya, it took seven hours by car to drive past Kandy and then climb the steep mountain roads. With a Tucktuck, you'd have to split the drive into at least two days and best avoid Kandy.
For finding the best views, I recommend using Google Street View. It's how I found the view in the photo above. You can virtually walk along most of the roads in the area and inspect the viewpoints. Then, you can choose a hotel nearby. I stayed at Atulya Villas, which is close to a very photogenic plantation.
Other interesting places in the area are Single Tree Hill, Lover's Leap Waterfall, Bomburu Ella Waterfall, and the train near Nanuoya. If you have enough time, explore the plantations south of Nanuoya to find a good vantage point for viewing the train as it rides through the valley.
Little Adams Peak
Ella has become very famous over the years because of the Nine Arches Bridge. Influencers take the train along this route to get a photo of themselves hanging out of the train's door. As I learned in Ella, this seemingly safe endeavor has caused several casualties because people are too distracted by capturing their photos. Some fall out of the train; some collide with signposts, trees, or even walls.
I didn't visit the bridge as I wasn't too interested in these Darwin Awards. My goal was to explore Little Adams Peak. It offers one of the finest views in Sri Lanka and is easily accessible through a 45-minute hike from Ella. You can head there during sunrise and sunset. The view is toward the south, and you'll have a nice sidelight if the weather permits. And as you can see in my photo, even on a cloudy day, you can capture interesting images up there.
You should just be aware of the following:
- From the first summit, continue along the trail for another 15 minutes to reach the view shown in my photo. This part is steep, so bring proper shoes.
- After heavy rains, there will be many leeches on the trails. Bring salt to easily dispel them from your shoes, clothes, and legs.
- The trail will become slippery for the steep part. I would avoid it on a rainy day. But if you want to go, I recommend hiking poles.
Yala National Park
The most positive surprise of my travels through Sri Lanka was the day I spent at the Tree Tops Jungle Lodge, located on the northern edge of Yala National Park. I took a guided hike in the evening and morning and was awed by the beautiful views.
My visit was a gamble as I didn't know what to expect in terms of photography when I booked my stay. It's why I had only planned a single day there. It was a mistake, as there's enough to photograph in the area for at least two days if you also include a safari to Yala National Park.
The guides will take you to a spectacular viewpoint in the morning. If you visit, be sure to take this hike and bring a long lens, as you'll encounter beautiful wildlife along the way.
Udawalawe
If you want to see and photograph elephants, an afternoon safari in Udawalawe National Park is a good choice. From what I've read, it's less crowded than the Yala safaris, but you'll also encounter many jeeps in the park.
To avoid the crowds, make sure to book a private jeep. For two people, the cost is between $ 130 and $ 150, including everything: the Jeep, driver, and entrance fees.
The best time to experience and photograph elephants is between 5 pm and 6 pm, just before the park closes. Before that, we hadn't encountered many, and countless jeeps had already harassed the ones we saw, so we drove on. But in the evening, we stayed back a bit longer and finally found a relaxed herd with no other Jeeps nearby.
As a good place to stay, I recommend the Jungle Paradise.
Tangalle
I hadn't seen many great photos of the beaches around Tangalle during my research. But I had seen the potential. I stayed at the beautiful Slow Villa for four days. It was the best accommodation of the entire trip, offering a stunning view over the bay and numerous gorgeous beaches within walking distance.
One of those is Silent Beach. It's one of the most popular beaches in the area, with multiple small restaurants located directly on the beach. At first, I was skeptical that there would be a view without those in the frame. But if you walk toward the center of the beach, those bars will be a tiny spot in the photo. You'll also find beautiful rocks that can serve as foreground interest.
You can find another beautiful beach if you continue along the coast toward the west from Silent Beach. It's perfect for sunrise photography.
Other places you should visit are Paradise Beach, Jungle Beach, and Hiru Beach. The last one is one of the most photogenic beaches I have ever photographed.
I must also mention the great food I had in Tangalle. If you're not in a rush and are very hungry, head to the Sunset Beach Bar. The food is excellent, and they load their plates. I was never able to finish my food completely.
Dondra Lighthouse
Another place of interest along the southern coast of Sri Lanka is the Dondra Lighthouse. It's one of the highest lighthouses in Asia and is surrounded by palm trees. It's a fantastic photo subject during both sunset and sunrise. Just don't expect too much from the light of the lighthouse itself, as it's not very bright.
You'll find the best viewpoint either at the little beach in front of the lighthouse or on the rocks on the opposite side of the bay. The grounds around the lighthouse itself are closed at sunrise and sunset.
Waterfalls
As I mentioned, March isn't a great time to photograph waterfalls in Sri Lanka. I saw many while traveling through Nuwara Eliya and Ella. However, I didn't photograph any. For a spectacular image, many waterfalls didn't have enough water, and I lacked proper cloud cover. If you plan to photograph them on a clear day, head there early or in the evening because harsh sunlight makes it hard to get pleasing results.
You'll find the most interesting waterfalls around the Knuckles Mountains and Nuwara Eliya. One of the most photogenic might be the Laxapana Falls. I haven't explored those, but based on my research, they provide excellent photographic potential if you visit them at the right time of year.
Other Photography Locations
Traveling slowly and experiencing each location for a few days is essential for taking great photos. That's why I was very selective during my two weeks of travels in Sri Lanka.
However, if you have the time, consider adding the Knuckles Mountains to your travel list. The few photos I've seen look spectacular, and if you don't shy away from doing some longer hikes, you'll undoubtedly find many hidden photography gems in this area.
A place you should skip is Mirissa. The beaches there are rather unphotogenic and crowded. You'll be disappointed if you've already photographed the beaches around Tangalle. I stayed for three days toward the end of my trip and didn't find much worth photographing. And don't get deceived by the Instagram photos of places like Coconut Hill or Secret Beach. Those are underwhelming.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka is an excellent destination for landscape and seascape photography. The photo locations I shared can serve as a foundation for planning your trip. But don't limit your explorations to those. There's so much more to discover, and you should plan in enough time to do so.
