2 Week Sri Lanka South Coast Itinerary

Our 2-week Sri Lanka south coast itinerary covers Galle, Hiriketiya, Ella, Udawalawe safari and more, with family-friendly tips, honest hotel reviews and travel advice.

Planning a trip to Sri Lanka and not sure how to fit everything in? This 2-week Sri Lanka south coast itinerary is perfect if you want a mix of beaches, wildlife, tea country and relaxed travel without constantly rushing from place to place.

A lot of first-time visitors to Sri Lanka follow a very similar itinerary that goes something like this: Colombo/Negombo – Sigiriya – Kandy – Ella – Yala – South Coast – Colombo.

We decided to slow the pace down a little. We still wanted to tour around and see different locations, but we were hoping for a bit more beach time than the usual itinerary allows for. (With the above itinerary, you would only really have 3 days or so at the beach at the end).

So we focused on the South Coast, visiting a few different beach locations along the coast, making sure we still had some time for a safari and a visit to tea country in Ella too.

Although we moved on every few days, each drive between locations was only 2-3 hours and so there was plenty of time for chilling in each place.

Here, I’m sharing our Sri Lanka South Coast Itinerary, covering:

• A few of Sri Lanka’s southern beach destinations
• A side trip to Ella in tea country and
• A stop off for an elephant safari in Udawalawe.

Getting around Sri Lanka

To make our Sri Lanka travels as easy and smooth as possible, we hired a driver with a van for our entire two weeks. This is very common for travellers in Sri Lanka.

It allows for maximum flexibility – our driver was with us for the whole trip and was available not only for getting us from A to B, but also for day trips, evenings out, etc.

The cost of hiring a driver with a vehicle is usually around $90 – 110 USD per day. This usually covers the car and driver, road tolls, fuel and the driver’s accommodation and food.

For us, split between two families, it worked out pretty good value.

If this doesn’t fit into your budget, you can hire a driver on a per-day basis, use Uber or PickMe (the local Uber equivalent) for one-off journeys, or hail a tuk tuk for shorter journeys. The train is another option.

For more information about getting around Sri Lanka, read my article: Tips for Visiting Sri Lanka.

Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka’s South Coast

Sri Lanka’s south coast is best visited between December and April, when the weather is typically sunny, dry and perfect for beach days.

This is peak travel season, so you can expect higher prices and busier spots in places like Galle and Ella, but in return you’ll get consistently great weather.

We travelled during April and had sunshine every day. There were afternoon thunderstorms in Udawalawe and Ella, but sunny and dry the rest of the time.

If you’re visiting between May and September, the southwest monsoon can bring heavy rain and rough seas to the south coast, although you may still be lucky with some sunny days.

Colombo

A lot of visitors to Sri Lanka choose to skip Colombo altogether, or opt for a quick overnight stop before moving onto the rest of the country.

We decided to hang out for the day, mostly because we didn’t arrive until the early hours of the morning and so gave ourselves a day to chill and recover.

The city surprised us in the best possible way. It’s vibrant, a little chaotic (in a fun way), full of character, and packed with beautiful architecture, great food and some of the most stunning sunsets we experienced anywhere in Sri Lanka.

If you’ve never been to Sri Lanka before, then I definitely recommend a day to explore Colombo before you move on to visit the rest of the country.

Things to do in Colombo

You can read my full article about Things to do in Colombo here.

• Go shopping Colombo is a great place to pick up some souvenirs and gifts and we also found some excellent homewares stores
• Experience the chaos of Pettah Market – Think busy streets, market stalls spilling over with everything imaginable, tuk tuks weaving through crowds, and a whole lot of energy.
• Take a Tuk Tuk food tour – one of the best ways to get your bearings in a new city. You’ll zip between different neighbourhoods, try local dishes, and learn a bit about the culture along the way. This tuk tuk food tour looks great and has loads of 5-star reviews.
• Stroll around Colombo Fort – Once the centre of colonial administration, today it’s a fascinating mix of old and new, giving you a real sense of Colombo’s history and how the city has evolved.
• Enjoy sunset by the ocean – Colombo sunsets are something special as you can watch the sun set directly into the ocean. Head to Gall Face Hotel for the perfect sundowner spot.

Our Colombo Accommodation:

In Colombo, we stayed at the Galle Face Hotel, a colonial grande dame right on the waterfront. Rooms are a bit tired (and, if I’m honest, the staff were a little surly) but the location can’t be beaten.

It is the only hotel in Colombo with a direct waterfront location. We loved lying by the pool and hearing the crashing of the waves, it has a good choice of restaurants, and it’s one of the best spots in town for sundowners.

You can see my Instagram reel of the hotel to get a better idea.

Click here to check prices and availability for the Galle Face Hotel.

Other good options for accommodation in Colombo:

• Jetwing Colombo 7 – contemporary luxury hotel with a stunning rooftop pool. Also offers apartment accommodation, ideal for families. Check prices here.
• Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams – luxury hotel within an integrated resort. Great location at Galle Face Green and a huge choice of restaurants and amenities on your doorstep. Check prices here.
• Shangri-La Colombo – offering direct access to One Galle Face Mall, has everything you would expect from a Shangri-La. Apartment accommodation also available. Check prices here.

Galle

Colombo → Galle: approx. 2.5 hours (we took the coastal road which was a lot longer)

Galle is one of those places that instantly wins you over. With its cobbled streets, colonial architecture and breezy seaside setting, it feels completely different to anywhere else in Sri Lanka.

The heart of it all is Galle Fort, a UNESCO-listed old town where you can spend hours wandering past boutique shops, cute cafes and beautifully restored heritage buildings.

It’s compact, easy to explore on foot, and has a lovely relaxed vibe. In fact, it reminded me a lot of Hoi An in Vietnam – but without the crowds!

We loved slowing the pace down here after Colombo. However, it was very hot when we visited and so we didn’t last too long out exploring in the heat. Luckily there are plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants to cool off in!

Things to do in Galle

• Explore Galle Fort – The highlight of any visit. Wander the cobbled streets, browse boutique shops, and admire the beautifully restored colonial buildings. It’s small enough to explore at your own pace without a plan.
• Walk the Fort Walls at Sunset – Join locals and other travellers for a stroll along the ramparts as the sun dips into the ocean. We ended up doing this in the heat of the day. I feel like sunset would be a better time for this – plus you get the sunset vibe.
• Visit the Galle Lighthouse – One of the most photographed spots in Sri Lanka.
• Go cafe hopping – Galle is full of gorgeous cafes and restaurants. Perfect for long, lazy lunches or escaping the heat for a bit. We enjoyed lunch at Fort Bazaar and cocktails at Bungalow.
• Take a day trip to nearby beaches – Unawatuna, Koggala, Dalawella and Jungle Beach are all within easy reach if you want some beach time.

Tip: If you’re interested in history, it would be worth booking a Galle Fort walking tour. Honestly, for us it was too hot and the kids wouldn’t have lasted that long. But it would have been interesting to learn a bit more as we explored.

Our Galle Accommodation

We stayed at the gorgeous Fortress Resort and Spa, which is actually around a 30-minute drive from Galle. This was our favourite hotel we stayed at during our Sri Lanka trip (and also the most expensive!)

We were sad we only had two nights here; we could have stayed several more. The beachfront setting is just fabulous with panoramic ocean views from everywhere in the resort.

The rooms were beautiful and spacious, the food was delicious, service was great, sunsets were amazing and the pool was just incredible. Highly recommended.

Click here to check prices and availability for the Fortress Resort and Spa.

Other good options for accommodation in Galle

• Fort Bazaar – located right in the heart of Galle Fort, this gorgeous heritage hotel is set in a former 16th-century merchant home. It has family suites and a swimming pool. Check prices here.
• Le Grand Galle – this oceanfront resort has views of Galle Fort, which is just a 10-minute walk away. Spacious rooms, an onsite restaurant and large swimming pool make it a great choice. Check prices here.
• Raddisson Collection Resort, Galle – if you’re looking for a large, beachfront hotel with facilities such as a pool, kids club, family rooms and restaurants then this ticks all the boxes. Check prices here.

Hiriketiya

Galle → Hiriketiya: approx. 2 hours

Hiriketiya was hands-down one of our favourite stops on the trip… and it’s easy to see why people end up staying longer than planned.

Tucked into a horseshoe-shaped bay lined with palm trees, it has a laid-back, boho vibe that feels a world away from the busier beach towns along the coast. Think smoothie bowls, beachfront cafes, yoga classes and surfers catching waves from sunrise to sunset.

Despite its growing popularity, Hiriketiya still manages to feel relaxed and unspoilt. It’s the perfect place to slow down, spend your days by the beach, and really soak up that tropical holiday feeling.

Things to do in Hiriketiya

You can read my full article about Things to do in Hiriketiya here.

• Spend your days at Hiriketiya Beach – The main event. The sheltered bay makes it ideal for swimming, relaxing and just enjoying the laid-back vibe.
• Try surfing – Hiriketiya is one of the best places in Sri Lanka for beginner surfers, with gentle waves perfect for newbies. You’ll find a huge choice of surf schools along the beach offering lessons. We hired surfboards at just $5 AUD per hour.
• Beachfront cafe hopping – There’s a great little food scene here – think smoothie bowls, good coffee and relaxed beachside dining. We had our best meal in Sri Lanka at Raa, and loved the lunchtime views from the rooftop restaurant at La Playa.
• Take a yoga class – There are several studios in and around Hiriketiya offering drop-in classes, often in beautiful open-air settings.
• Go for a massage – there are a few spas to choose from around Hiriketiya. We opted for massages at Tonic Day Spa and they cost just $35 AUD for an hour.
• Visit nearby secluded beaches – Just a short tuk tuk ride away, you’ll find much quieter beaches. Dickwella is a popular choice and when we strolled the length of Mawella beach we hardly saw anyone else at all.
• Enjoy Sunset Cocktails – sunset cocktails are serious business in Hiriketiya. If you want to secure a table at one of the more popular bar/restaurants such as Raa or Smoke and Bitters, you’ll need to book ahead.

Our Hiriketiya Accommodation

We booked a private villa just outside Hiriketiya at Mawella Beach, just a 10-minute drive from Hiriketiya Beach. M Beach House by Boutique was gorgeous!

This 4-bedroom villa had plenty of space for our two families, a large swimming pool, open air lounge and dining area… and all right on beautiful Mawella Beach.

The villa also came fully staffed, including an incredible chef who whipped up amazing meals for us every day. The staff really couldn’t do enough for us.

Check prices and availability for M Beach House here.

Other good options for accommodation in Hiriketiya

• La Playa Villas – located directly on the beach between Hiriketiya and Dikwella, these 2-bedroom villas have private pools and spacious rooms. Check prices here.
• Ceylon Canopy – This fun accommodation offers a glamping-style experience with high-end comforts, including plunge pools, just a short walk from Hiriketiya beach. Check prices here.
• Anantara Peace Haven Resort, Tangalle – if you’re looking for a high-end resort close to Hiriketiya, then this hotel is around a 20-minute drive away. It has stunning swimming pools and a good choie of bars and restaurants. Check prices here.

Udawalawe

Hiriketiya → Udawalawe: approx. 2 hours

Udawalawe is one of the best places in the country to see elephants in the wild, and unlike some of the more crowded national parks, sightings here are almost guaranteed. The landscape is wide open, which makes it much easier to spot wildlife as you drive through.

We only stayed one night, but it was worth it for the safari experience. Seeing elephants roaming freely in their natural habitat is pretty special and the kids (and adults!) loved it.

Things to do in Udawalawe

• Go on a safari in Udawalawe National Park – The reason most people visit. Expect to see elephants, often up close, as well as buffalo, deer and a variety of birdlife.
• Visit the Elephant Transit Home – A more ethical way to see elephants than many of the so-called “orphanages”. Feeding time is twice a day, at 10.15 am and 2.30 pm, and visitors watch from a distance. It is actually a very cute experience.

Our Udawalawe Accommodation

In Udawalawe, we opted to embrace the spirit of safari and go for glamping-style accommodation at Mahoora Udawalawe.

Now I’m going to go right ahead and admit that we are more luxury hotel than camping people… and as city folk we aren’t great with creepy crawlies in the bedroom.

For this reason, this accommodation wasn’t a great fit for us. The tent was very dark and damp and there were way too many bugs for our liking.

Having said that, if you are a family who loves to camp – it’s worth checking out. The tents come with proper beds and ensuite ‘bathrooms’, there was cold beer on offer, good food at dinner time and a campfire for roasting marshmallows in the evening.

Our package also included our elephant safari in the national park, which we all loved.

Click here to check prices and availability for Mahoora Udawalawe.

• Waraka – Udawalawe – a tranquil hideaway close to the river, with large rooms suitable for families. There’s a swimming pool and kids will love kayaking on the river looking for wildlife. Check prices here.
• Centauria Wild Resort – this hotel offers spacious rooms and a swimming pool with views over the lake. Family suites and two-bedrooms suites are ideal for families. Check prices here.
• Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort – this hotel offers spacious rooms and a swimming pool in a tropical jungle setting, close to the park entrance. Reviews state that the hotel is a little tired but are overall positive. Check prices here.

Ella

Udawalawe → Ella: approx. 2–3 hours

Set in the lush green hills of tea country, Ella offers a completely different landscape to the coast, with rolling plantations, misty mountains and cooler temperatures that are a welcome break from the heat.

It’s also one of the most popular spots in Sri Lanka, particularly with backpackers, so it does feel a little busier and more developed than other places we visited.

On the other hand, it had a fun vibe in the bars and restaurants in the evening. Plus, the scenery is stunning, there’s plenty to do (we packed in a lot in our 3 days), and it’s a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside.

Our kids all agreed it was one of their favourite places in Sri Lanka.

Things to do in Ella

Find more ideas and read in more detail in my article: Best Things do in Ella, Sri Lanka.

• Take a scenic train journey – The train ride to or from Ella is considered one of the most beautiful in the world and many people choose to travel to Ella via train from Ambawela. We opted for the shorter journey from Ella to Badulla and it was a highlight of our visit. Read all my tips for the Ella train in this article.
• Visit a tea plantation or factory – Learn how Sri Lanka’s famous tea is produced. At the Halpewatte Tea Factory, we had a go at picking the tea ourselves and ended the tour with a tea tasting with a view.
• Hike Little Adam’s Peak – The most popular hike in Ella – it involves a lot of steps up the side of a mountain, but it doesn’t take too long and offers rewarding views over the surrounding hills and tea plantations.
• Brave the Flying Ravana Zipline – right next to the Little Adam’s Peak Hike, is Sri Lanka’s first ever Mega zipline. It’s over 500m of pure adrenaline rush. You’ll also find other fun activities here, such as the Skywalk, rock climbing, and ATV tours.
• Take a Cookery Class – Sri Lankan food is legendary and I was determined to learn how to rustle up a few dishes when we went home. We joined this cookery class and had a really fun evening cooking and eating.
• Spend the day at a Pool Club – If your accommodation doesn’t have a pool then Ravana Pool Club is the place to go to cool off. Perched on the side of the mountain it offers beach club vibes with mountain views. Fun!
• Walk to Nine Arch Bridge – One of the most iconic sights in Sri Lanka. Time your visit with a train passing over the bridge if you can.

Our Ella Accommodation

For our three nights in Ella, we stayed at the Newburgh Ella, a 100-year old tea factory transformed into a mountainside resort.

The hotel offers stunning views over the countryside, spacious rooms (including family rooms), and excellent buffet breakfast.

Newburgh Ella was brand-new when we stayed, and they were definitely experiencing a few teething problems (fuse kept blowing in our room, our friends got locked in their room, phones not working, bathroom door not shutting).

However, the location was excellent, the staff were amazing and those views are hard to beat.

Click here to check prices and availability for the Newburgh Ella.

Other good options for Ella Accommodation

• 98 Acres – if you have cash to splash, this is one of the most stunning places to stay in Ella. Individual chalets and an infinity pool command sweeping views over the mountains. Check prices here.
• The Pinnacle – The Pinnacle offers exceptional views, an onsite restaurant and infinity pool just a short walk from town. Junior suites are perfect for families. Check prices here.

Hambantota

Ella → Hambantota: approx. 2.5 hours

Compared to places like Galle or Hiriketiya, Hambantota is far quieter and much less developed, with long stretches of empty coastline and a slower, more local feel. It’s the kind of place you come to switch off, relax and enjoy some downtime.

We chose to stay here for a bit of luxury at the end of our trip, and it worked perfectly as a place to unwind after a busy itinerary. It’s also a great base if you’re interested in wildlife, with several national parks and birdlife areas nearby.

That said, parts of Hambantota do feel quite industrial, particularly around the port and surrounding developments, which can take away from the overall atmosphere. For us, this meant we were more than happy to stay within our hotel and enjoy the facilities rather than explore too much of the wider area.

Things to do in Hambantota

• Relax at your resort – This is really what Hambantota is best for. Many of the resorts here are destinations in themselves, with pools, kids clubs, golf courses and multiple dining options.
• Visit Bundala National Park – A great spot for birdwatching and wildlife, often much quieter than other parks in Sri Lanka.
• Take a safari in Yala National Park – Within driving distance, Yala is famous for its leopards and offers a more traditional safari experience.
• Enjoy the beaches – The coastline here is wild and relatively untouched, perfect for long walks rather than swimming.

Our accommodation in Hambantota

We spent our three nights in Hambantota at the Shangri-La Hambantota. This is a huge resort with spacious bedrooms, and facilities galore.

There’s a choice of swimming pools, including a kids play pool with water slides and splash pad, a golf course, gym, spa and several bars and restaurants.

We loved the palm tree-filled setting and the sound of the ocean, although the restaurants were a little lacking in atmosphere. Overall, it was a good place to wind down at the end of our trip and good value for money.

Click here to check prices and availability for the Shangri-La Hambantota.

Negombo

Hambantota→ Negombo: approx. 3.5 hours

Negombo is often seen as just a quick stopover near the airport, but it’s actually a really pleasant place to spend your final (or first) night in Sri Lanka.

Located just a short drive from Bandaranaike International Airport, it’s incredibly convenient for early departures or late arrivals. But beyond that, it has a relaxed beach vibe, a lively restaurant scene and a long stretch of sand perfect for a sunset stroll.

We found it a nice, easy way to round off the trip… with one last Sri Lankan sunset before heading home.

Our Negombo Accommodation

We didn’t actually stay overnight in Negombo, but we did book a hotel room at Jetwing Blue for the day.

We were dropping our friends at the airport at 10am and we didn’t need to be back there until 11 pm, so it made sense to have a hotel room for the day – somewhere to store our luggage and shower and change before our flight.

We chose Jetwing Blue for its proximity to the airport, beachfront location and large swimming pool. We found it excellent value for money, with clean and comfortable rooms, and a great setting.

Click here to check prices and availability for Jetwing Blue Negombo.

Other good options for accommodation in Negombo

• Jetwing Beach – right next door to Jetwing Blue is Jetwing Beach, offering very similar accommodation and facilities. There’s not much between them, I’d go with whichever offers the best rates! Check prices here.
• Wallawwa – if you’re looking for something a bit more upmarket, and not bothered about beachfront, then Wallawwa is a great option close to the airport. This peaceful boutique hotel is set in beautiful gardens with a spa, pool, restaurant and famiy rooms all available. Check prices here.