There is no shortage of worthy sights available to those holidaying in Nuwara Eliya, and anyone looking to fill a few photo albums with interesting snaps won’t be disappointed. The city itself is relatively small, however, there are numerous places of interest within easy reach including waterfalls, national parks, gardens and tea factories.

Bandarawela
An hour’s drive south of the city and you come to Bandarawela, a small but distinctly charming hill station where the climate is warmer than that of Nuwara Eliya. There’s great scenery to see both on the journey here and back and in the town itself.

Diyatalawa
Located close to Banadarawela, Diyatalawa is another sleepy little mountain town enjoying a climate that many have compared to that of England in the springtime. The town is notable for having housed a small military station since WWII.

Glenloch Tea Factory
Among the most famous of the city’s tea producing facilities, Glenlock Tea Factory provides visitors with a complete picture with regards the seven-stage process required to turn the raw green leaves of tea plants into a consumable product. Guides talk tourists through the finer details of picking, semidrying, rolling, drying, cleaning, fermenting and grading. Phone: +94 777378704.

Hakgala Gardens
Situated a little over six miles from the town centre, Hakgala Gardens is a scenic destination that is famous for having been the site of events from the legendary Ramayana epic. A stunning flower garden within the facility is home to over 100 species of roses.

Horton Plains National Park
No holiday in Nuwara Eliya is complete without a trip to this picturesque nature spot which was declared a national park in 1988, in order to protect and preserve its fascinating array of indigenous flora and fauna. Be sure to check out ‘World’s End’, the precipice with an 880-metre drop.

Lake Gregory
Although this lake is manmade, it’s still aesthetically pleasing and a good place to enjoy a pleasant stroll, or do some boating or fishing, or indulge in a spot of people-watching.

Racecourse
The Nuwara Eliya Racecourse is a historically interesting place dating back to colonial times. It is, in fact, the only racecourse in the country. The facility comes alive during April when important racing events are staged here. During the rest of the year, the facility is often idle and used by locals for unofficial cricket matches.

Waterfalls
There are a number of stunning waterfalls within easy reach of the city, Devon Falls and St Clairs being the most notable. The former has a drop of some 318 feet, offering some excellent photo opportunities. Bambaragama Falls on Ella Wellawaya road are also well worth a visit.

Celebrate New Year Sinhalese style. April is the time of the Sinhalese New Year and also when Nuwara Eliya sees the liveliest festive celebrations of its calendar. The city hosts a plethora of exciting events with parades, sporting competitions, musical performances and more. With a number of days designated as public holidays during the month, the city becomes chock-a-block with visitors and the atmosphere is vibrant and inviting.

Dine out on delicate eastern herbs and spices. Sri Lankan cuisine is known for its delicate blending of herbs and spices and unique combination of Indian and colonial influences. An essential experience on any visit to Nuwara Eliya is to sample some of the tasty curry dishes that the local eateries dish up. The delicious pancakes known as hoppers that accompany some savoury dishes, or are eaten alone with sweet ingredients, are also not to be missed.

Go to the races. Schedule your holiday to coincide with a major racing event at the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse and you’ll get a chance to witness the fervent local enthusiasm for the sport, as well as the frantic gambling that accompanies it. April is the best time to catch a significant event with a whole host of big race meetings coinciding with the New Year celebrations.

Go boating on Lake Gregory. With the mild climate that Nuwara Eliya enjoys, boating on Lake Gregory in the centre of the town is a pleasant experience and one unlikely to have you breaking out into a sweat. Boats can be hired by the hour and little experience is necessary to enjoy this relaxing pursuit.

Visit a tea factory. Aside from its colonial history, tea production is Nuwara Eliya’s most defining characteristic and no trip to the city is complete without a visit to one of the many tea factories scattered around the surrounding mountains. Get to see how tea makes it from the field to the cup, and sample some of the freshest tea you are ever likely to drink.