Discover the best things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka, from scenic train rides and tea plantations to hikes, ziplining and family-friendly activities in the hill country.
Set in the lush green hills of Sri Lanka’s tea country, Ella offers a completely different landscape to the coast. Think rolling plantations, misty mountains and cooler temperatures that feel like a breath of fresh air after the heat and humidity.
It’s also one of the most popular stops on a Sri Lanka itinerary, particularly with backpackers, so it does feel a little busier and more developed than some of the quieter coastal towns.
But despite this, we all fell a little bit in love with Ella.
There’s a fun, laid-back vibe in the bars and restaurants in the evening, the scenery is absolutely stunning, and there’s so much to do here.
We packed a lot into our three days, and all of our kids agreed that Ella was one of their favourite stops in Sri Lanka.
If you’re planning your trip, don’t miss our full 2-week Sri Lanka itinerary for how to fit Ella into our wider route.
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How Long to Spend in Ella
We spent three nights in Ella, and it felt like the perfect amount of time.
That gave us enough time to do the main highlights, like hiking Little Adam’s Peak, visiting a tea factory, taking a train ride and seeing Nine Arch Bridge, without feeling rushed. We also had time to slow down a little, enjoy an afternoon at the Pool Club, and soak up the relaxed atmosphere in town.
If you’re short on time, you could squeeze Ella into two nights, but it will feel quite busy and you’ll need to prioritise some activities over others.
Tip: If you’re short on time and want to squeeze in as much as possible, booking a tour like this one that includes several activities is a good idea.
On the other hand, if you love hiking, scenery and cooler temperatures, you could easily stay four nights or more and use Ella as a base to explore more of the surrounding hill country.
Our tip: Don’t try to rush Ella. It’s one of those places that’s just as much about the vibe as it is the sights, and it’s worth slowing down and enjoying it.
Here’s everything we squeezed into our 3 days in Ella.
Take a Scenic Train Journey
The train ride to or from Ella is often described as one of the most beautiful journeys in the world.
At the time of our visit, the popular Kandy to Ella route was closed due to a landslide, but the Ambewela to Ella route was still open. This ride takes around two hours in one direction.
As we were just doing the train ride for the experience, we opted for a shorter journey from Ella to Badulla instead. This took around 40 minutes and was still a highlight of our trip to Ella. Our driver met us in Badulla and we continued sightseeing from there.
This shorter route is a great option if you’re travelling with kids. It’s shorter, less crowded, and still delivers those iconic views of tea plantations, rolling hills and jungle. Plus, this section includes going over the famous Nine Arch Bridge.
Top Tips for taking the train to Ella
- You can book train tickets online (this is the official website, although it doesn’t always work) or buy them at the station up to 30 days in advance.
- Only 1st class and 2nd class tickets can be booked in advance and you will need your passport number to book. 3rd class can be booked on the day but you should arrive a couple of hours beforehand to ensure you get a ticket.
- 1st class carriages are air conditioned but this means you miss out on the experience of being able to put your head out the window, take in the atmosphere and take good photos. We opted for 2nd class so that we could book ahead but also get the open-air experience.
- Most people get off at Ella, so if you continue on (like we did), the train becomes much quieter. In fact, we had the entire carriage to ourselves!
- The Nine Arch Bridge is between Ella and Demodara stations, so if you are travelling to Ella from Ambewela and want to go over the Nine Arch Bridge, you need to stay on for an extra stop. There are plenty of tuk tuks at Demodara station to take you back into Ella.
- If you are travelling from Ella to Badulla/Demodara, try to sit on the left hand side of the train for the best views of the Nine Arch Bridge.
Visit a Tea Plantation or Factory
Visiting a tea plantation was surprisingly fun (and educational). We headed to the Halpewatte Tea Factory, where we learned how Sri Lanka’s famous tea is made, from leaf to cup.
We all loved getting hands-on and trying tea picking ourselves, and the tour finished with a tea tasting overlooking the hills.
Tip: There is usually the option to tour the factory also, but as we visited on a public holiday, the factory wasn’t operating. However, with kids, I think the plantation tour is more fun as you get to try your hand at picking, which was definitely the highlight.
Hike Little Adam’s Peak
This is the most popular hike in Ella, and for good reason. It’s easy to reach from the centre of Ella, it’s not too strenuous and offers great views.
The trail is mostly steep steps winding up the hillside, but it’s very doable, even with kids (we saw everyone from aged 5 to 75 doing the hike).
It doesn’t take too long (it took us around 30 minutes, plus the walk from town), and the views at the top are worth it, with sweeping panoramas over the tea plantations and mountains.
Tip: If you’re up for a more challenging hike, Ella Rock is another popular option, offering incredible views, but it’s longer and less clearly marked than Little Adam’s Peak. It’s not recommended for kids.
Brave the Flying Ravana Zipline
Right next to Little Adam’s Peak, you’ll find the Flying Ravana Zipline, Sri Lanka’s first mega zipline.
It stretches over 500 metres and is perfect if you’ve got older kids or teens who love a bit of adrenaline.
There are also other activities here, including a skywalk, rock climbing and ATV rides, so you can easily turn this into a fun half-day outing.
Spend the Day at a Pool Club
If your accommodation doesn’t have a pool, the Ravana Pool Club is the perfect place to cool off.
Set on the side of the mountain, it has a bit of a beach club vibe, but with incredible hill country views instead of the ocean.
There are various packages available that include access to the pool, swim-up bar, and poolside service for food & drink. It’s a really fun place to spend the afternoon, and families are welcome.
It’s located next to Little Adam’s Peak, so perfect for cooling off after the hike.
Take a Sri Lankan Cookery Class
For those of you who don’t know, I also have a food blog where I share all my favourite recipes. So whenever I travel to a new country, I always look out for a cookery class so I can learn to recreate the local food at home.
Cookery classes are also a really fun way to spend time together as a family – plus you get to eat great food!
We booked into this cookery class in Ella, which included a tour of the spice garden and learning to cook local Sri Lankan dishes the traditional way.
We had a really fun evening, although it wasn’t as hands-on as some classes we have done, for example the one we did during our trip to Bali.
Walk to Nine Arch Bridge
The Nine Arch Bridge is one of the most iconic sights in Sri Lanka and is just a short walk from Ella town centre.
Set in the middle of the jungle, this beautiful colonial-era railway bridge is especially impressive when a train passes over it.
Tip: Check train times and try to time your visit to coincide – it’s when everyone gathers here to get “that shot”.
Explore Ella Town
Packed with cafes, restaurants and shops, Ella is a lively place to hang out in the evenings. It’s also a great place to pick up a few Sri Lankan souvenirs.
Take a stroll up and down the mainstreet and you’ll find plenty of choice for places to relax, eat and drink.
We especially loved Chill Cafe for its excellent margaritas, fun staff and good choice of food. Other good options are Dream Cafe and UFO.
For local Sri Lankan food, check out Matey Hut and Claypot.
Our Accommodation in Ella
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, and breakfast on the terrace was a real highlight. The hotel offers spacious rooms (including family rooms), and excellent buffet breakfast and has an onsite bar, restaurant and spa. Plans are afoot for a swimming pool and gym.
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.