Sri Lanka offers most intimate beaches, with a picture-perfect arc of sand screened by toppling palms – and a great place to go whale-watching too, as well as wide array of shopping items, the most recognized being gems, batik, tea, and handicrafts. ... Ratnapura is the most famous place to find gems, including blue sapphires, the king of Sri Lankan precious stones.

Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is an island nation south of India in the Indian Ocean. Its diverse landscapes range from rainforest and arid plains to highlands and sandy beaches. It’s famed for its ancient Buddhist ruins, including the 5th-century citadel Sigiriya, with its palace and frescoes. The city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's ancient capital, has many ruins dating back more than 2,000 years.

Sri Lanka was famously described by Marco Polo as one of the finest islands in the world, and it has a history that dates back thousands of years. Although it’s small, there is so much history, nature, and beauty to see in this country. Explore the beaches, jungles, tea plantations, temples, and much more from our list of the most beautiful spots in Sri Lanka.