Top places to visit in Ella

• Nine Arch Bridge

  railway-bridge · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  An iconic 1921 colonial-era railway viaduct of nine stone arches spanning a jungle gorge — best seen with a train crossing amid the tea slopes.

• Little Adam's Peak

  hill-peak · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  An easy, rewarding hike to a series of grassy peaks with panoramic views over the Ella Gap and surrounding tea country — a sunrise and sunset favourite.

• Ravana Falls

  waterfall · 4.3 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate

  A wide, 25 m cascade tumbling beside the Ella–Wellawaya road, one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka, with a roadside pool popular for a cool dip.

• Ella Rock

  mountain-peak · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  A steeper half-day trek along railway tracks and through tea estates and forest to a dramatic cliff-edge viewpoint over the southern plains.

• Lipton's Seat

  tea-viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The lookout where tea baron Sir Thomas Lipton surveyed his estates — a sweeping 360° panorama over rolling Dambatenne tea gardens, best in clear morning light.

• Diyaluma Falls

  waterfall · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Sri Lanka's second-highest waterfall (220 m), with a series of natural infinity pools at the top reached by a scenic uphill trek.

• Ravana Cave

  cave · 4.0 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A small cave high on a hillside steeped in the Ramayana legend of King Ravana, reached by a steep climb rewarded with valley views.

• Demodara Railway Station & Loop

  railway · 4.3 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate

  A unique engineering feat where the railway spirals 360° beneath itself through a tunnel under the station, near the Nine Arch Bridge.

Things to do

• Kandy to Ella Scenic Train (Reserved Seats) Scenic · 7 h · from LKR 17,600 per person
• Flying Ravana Mega Zipline Adventure · 0.8 h · from LKR 19,300 per person
• Ella Tea Plantation Trek & Factory Tour Nature · 3 h · from LKR 14,100 per person

Day trips and tours

• Ella Highlights Day Tour 7 h · from LKR 31,700

Where to stay in Ella

• Ella Town about LKR 14,000 per night

  The village centre — cafes, guesthouses and walking access to Little Adam's Peak and the train station.

Hotels

• 98 Acres Resort & Spa 4-star · LKR 40,000 to LKR 80,000 per night
• Zion View Ella Green Retreat 3-star · LKR 15,000 to LKR 28,000 per night
• Hangover Hostels Ella 2-star · LKR 3,000 to LKR 7,000 per night
• Ella Flower Garden Resort 3-star · LKR 14,000 to LKR 26,000 per night
• EKHO Ella 4-star · LKR 22,000 to LKR 40,000 per night

Where to eat

• Cafe Chill Sri Lankan, International, Seafood · about LKR 2,200 per person
• Matey Hut Sri Lankan · about LKR 1,500 per person
• Dream Cafe Cafe, International, Sri Lankan · about LKR 2,000 per person
• AK Ristoro Japanese, Italian · about LKR 3,000 per person

Getting to Ella

Nearest airport: Colombo (CMB), about 133 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.

How visitors arrive in Ella

• Hill-country train from Kandy or Nanu Oya to Ella By train from Kandy · common

  Ella sits on the hill-country line between Nanu Oya and Badulla, so visitors ride the scenic train up from Kandy or Nuwara Eliya's Nanu Oya station. Reserve seats ahead in peak season. Source: roughguides.com

• Bus or taxi from the south coast (Mirissa, Arugam Bay) By road from Mirissa · possible · unconfirmed

  Buses and taxis link Ella with south-coast and east-coast towns such as Mirissa and Arugam Bay. Source: roughguides.com

From the railway station to the centre

• Tuk-tuk from Ella station into the village unconfirmed

  Ella is a compact village; a tuk-tuk or a walk gets you from the station to guesthouses. Agree the fare before setting off, as three-wheelers outside Colombo are unmetered. Source: roughguides.com

Getting around

• Car With Driver
• Tuktuk
• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Train ticket touts

  Ella & hill-country stations

  Touts resell reserved observation-class seats at a steep markup, claiming trains are "full".

  How to avoid it: Book reserved seats online via the railway portal or a registered agent weeks ahead; avoid platform touts.

Best time to visit Ella

• Jan 24°C
• Feb 26°C
• Mar 27°C
• Apr 28°C
• May 27°C
• Jun 27°C
• Jul 27°C
• Aug 27°C
• Sep 26°C
• Oct 26°C
• Nov 24°C
• Dec 24°C

More in Sri Lanka

• Sigiriya
• Kandy
• Galle
• Colombo
• Nuwara Eliya
• Polonnaruwa

Frequently asked questions about Ella

How many days do you need in Ella?

A typical trip to Ella is 3-4 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Ella?

The highest-rated places in our Ella guide are Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam's Peak, Ella Rock, Lipton's Seat, Diyaluma Falls.

Where should I stay in Ella?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Ella: Ella Town.

How do I get around Ella?

Ways to get around Ella covered in our guide: Car with driver, Tuk-tuk, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Ella?

Scams reported to us for Ella include Train ticket touts. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Ella?

Average daytime highs in Ella run from 24°C in Dec to 28°C in Apr.