Sri Lanka's Most Romantic Getaways for Honeymooners

It's your honeymoon, but you don’t have to stick to the tried and tested "romantic" destinations for newlyweds. Home to a gorgeous coastline, ancient cities and lush countryside, Sri Lanka has some terrific locations for honeymooners looking for a combination of simple relaxation, eco-tourism, and adrenaline thrills.

Best Beach Spots for Honeymoon

Even if you expect a special honeymoon, you probably still like to spend a couple of days lazing on the beaches or staying in a beachside resort with your spouse. There certainly are some amazing ones here in Sri Lanka.

Bentota (West Coast)

With a string of boutique hotels and resorts lined on the superb golden sands, Bentota is a perfect beach destination for newlyweds seeking a bit of pampering. There are also a plethora of activities to indulge in, like snorkeling, sailing, diving, and canoeing.

Just steps away from the shore, the Saman Villas has beachside villas to offer privacy and romance for honeymooners. The Vivanta by Taj, another luxury 5-star hotel in the region, stands out for its attention to detail. Rooms have either an ocean view or a garden view.

Beach in Bentota

Trincomalee (East Coast)

Trincomalee on the east coast is all pristine white beaches and turquoise ocean. The beaches (Uppuveli and Nilaveli) are ideal for a quiet, hand-in-hand stroll with your beloved one. Another big draw is the blue whale and dolphin watching from April to September when the weather is pleasant, and these lovely creatures are easily sighted on a boat trip.

The 5-star Uga Jungle Beach Resort in Trincomalee offers jungle, beach, swimming pool, and some of the best Sri Lankan cuisine. Remember to ask for a room with a lagoon view.

Best Hideaways for Honeymoon

If you've ever imagined your honeymoon as a secluded escape, venture off into Sri Lanka’s central Hill Country, a world away from the rest of Sri Lanka. 

Nuwara Eliya

Exuding a European and colonial feel, Nuwara Eliya is hailed as ''Little England''. Walking into the rolling green tea plantations will make you feel more intimate with each other. Playing golf, hiking, and visiting waterfalls are also great options.

The Grand Hotel, located in downtown Nuwara Eliya is a 5-star colonial-style hotel with a history of more than 120 years. If you wish to be surrounded by tea plantations, the Hilltop Heritance Tea Factory is highly recommended. 

Nuwara Eliya

Best Cultural Spots for Honeymoon

Sometimes getting yourself immersed in local culture will leave you with the most memorable experience from your whole trip.

Kandy

Kandy, located in the hills of central Sri Lanka, is a great place for couples who love to get a feel for authentic Sri Lankan culture. As the last royal capital of Sri Lanka, it’s steeped in history and tradition. You can visit the Temple of Tooth Relic, which houses the relic of Buddha’s sacred tooth, or take a stroll in the historic Royal Botanical Garden to admire the beautiful flora and fauna. In the early evening, enjoy a vivid and traditional Cultural Dance (Kandyan Dance) performed at the YMCA auditorium. Go in July or August, and you may be able to experience the country's grandest Buddhist festival Kandy Esala Perahera.

Hotel Earls Regency and Amaya Hills are the best hotels in Kandy. The former is a garden-style resort built on a hillside, where you can listen to the sound of spring. The latter is located on a mountain top, with panoramic views of the countryside. 

Temple of Tooth Relic

Galle

The ancient city of Galle oozes a European charm with a dramatic tropical setting. Couples can spend one or two romantic days exploring its crumbling Dutch colonial buildings, streets imbued with history and tropical beaches. The historic Fort area is crammed with good restaurants, fragrant spice shops, and museums housing ancient books, jewelry, and porcelains.

Designed by famed architect Geoffrey Bawa, Jet Wing Lighthouse is one of the best hotels in Galle, with ocean views. 

Dutch colonial buildings in Galle

Best Honeymoon Spots for Great Outdoors and Safaris

If you and your sweetie are the adventurous types, Sri Lanka has lots of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to capture your wild hearts. And Yala National Park is the most outstanding one.

Yala National Park

Yala National Park boasts the highest concentration of leopards in the world and a stunning ecosystem consisting of forests, grasslands, wetlands, and sandy beaches. Go for a jeep safari to spot leopards, elephants, Macaque monkeys, spotted deer, crocodiles, monitor lizards, sloth bears, wild boars, and so on. After a thrilling jeep ride, take a walk on the stunning beach inside the park.

Staying in the Jetwing Yala located inside the Yala National Park allows you to have an intimate encounter with wildlife and enjoy the sunshine and the beach. You can also choose to stay at Cinnamon Wild, which is another 5-star hotel located in the park.

Yala National Park

Feeling inspired by us? Write to trip@odynovotours.com to plan your Sri Lanka honeymoon – with our tailor-made itinerary, private guide, and car, you are going to have your post-wedding holiday a perfect start for your life together.