The Ultimate Guide To Ella – Ella is a beautiful town found in the heart of Sri Lanka and is a must if you’re visiting. This small, lazy town is beaming with coffee shops, restaurants and incredible mountain views. Ella is the perfect town if you’re looking for some beautiful scenery, or just a relaxing stop on your Sr Lanka tour.
How to get there
There are only three main ways to get to Ella, by bus, taxi, or by train. If you are traveling from the North of Ella then our recommendation would be to take the train. The trains in Sri Lanka are cheap and convenient. Not to mention this train journey boasts some of the most spectacular views of the countryside. Additionally, if you are coming from the South, then our recommendation would be to take a taxi, or bus. The taxis are more convenient if you are carrying larger luggage, as most of the buses in Sri Lanka do not allow large baggage aboard. We took a taxi ourselves and we felt it was the most comfortable option.
The Ultimate Guide To Ella
Things To Do
Nine Arch Bridge
The Nine Arch Bridge is probably what Ella is most known for and rightfully so. The Nine Arch Bridge is a beautiful bridge submersed in a valley surrounded by jungle. This was truly our favourite place to be in Ella and walking here early in the morning to see the legendary blue train ride through, was something to behold. Our tip for visiting would be to arrive early. Ask your Tuk Tuk driver to drop you at the entrance. There are two possible starting points to get the the bridge, both will link up together at the tracks so you can’t go wrong. Bear in mind you will need to take a short and easy hike through some trees to get there. The walk itself should take roughly 10 minutes.
TIP
f you are visiting during rainy season please be wary of the leeches in the tea plantation. If you want to walk to the bottom you do walk through the tea plantations so be sure to either cover up your legs, or give them a good check when you get back up!
Little Adams Peak
Little Adams Peak is an awesome adventure for those who love to hike in the middle of nature. This climb takes you to the top of Little Adams Peak and you are rewarded with a beautiful view over the valley and surrounding areas. It is definitely a must if you’re here in Ella and its cost nothing to do. Our recommendation would be taking a Tuk Tuk to the start of the climb, as walking from town can take 30-40 minutes. The hike itself isn’t too strenuous and should take 20-30 minutes to get to the top. Most people like to arrive for either sunrise, or sunset for an even more magical view!
Ravana Waterfall and Cave
The Ravana Waterfall is rather impressive and something you might drive pass if you’re taking a taxi from the South to Ella. This 100ft waterfall cascades down the side of the mountain, but be sure to visit before the dry season as the water can dramatically decrease on the falls. Getting to the falls is relatively easy, as we mentioned if you’re driving up from the South then there is a high likelihood that you’ll pass this waterfall on the way to Ella.
Diyaluma Waterfall
Arguably the most incredible waterfall in all of Sri Lanka, Diyaluma Falls is located about an hours drive outside of Ella. It is the second highest waterfall in all of Sri Lanka and has some incredible natural pools at the top for swimming. Our suggestion would be to either visit these falls prior to arriving in Ella, or gathering up a group to split a taxi to get there from town. It can be a bit pricy to make a day trip, but if you can split it then it can make all the difference.
Ella Rock
Ella Rock is another popular hike and viewpoint to explore. Most travellers make this trek for sunrise. The views from the top are remarkable. Keep in mind that this hike is like the bigger sister to Little Adams Peak, thus it is a bit more strenuous and difficult. If you are planning to do the trek from the centre of Ella town, give yourself roughly 4 hours to get to the top!
Ella Train
Ella is most famously known for the epic train rides to and from the town itself. If you are coming from Kandy, or visa versa this train ride is absolutely a MUST! Our pro tip would actually be to try to travel in the opposite direction. Most travellers come to Ella from Kandy. This train can be very crowded and stressful to try to get a photo. However, our experience was super relaxed and we had so much space to ourselves, as we decided to travel the opposite way from Ella to Kandy!
The Ultimate Guide To Ella
Where To Eat
Cafe Chill
This was our favourite go to in the town. Always packed with people and a decent menu selection, you really couldn’t go wrong. They also had really great happy hour deals and cheap beers to enjoy after a long day of exploring!
Starbeans Cafe
A great cafe for breakfast, or lunch. They had a really great coffee selection and yummy breakfast treats. We recommend the pancakes!
Raha Ella
The best local joint serving up some delicious curries and rotis. If you are looking for a more local joint, this place is for you! Overall, it was extremely tasty and not too expensive which we enjoyed.
Ella Village Restaurant
Another great family run restaurant right on the main road in town. They have a spectacular curry meal with many different local dishes for you to try!
Where To Stay
Nature Village Inn
We stayed at a local guest house called Nature Village Inn. This was the most wonderful little guest house in Ella. Located 5 minutes from town, this guesthouse was the perfect stay for us. The owner was the sweetest old man, he even made us tea when ever we were sitting on the porch. The rooms here are large and clean with large bathrooms to match. For the ultimate cheap guest house, Nature Village Inn is our go too. Check them out Here.
Base Of Nature
For one of the best stays in Ella would be the Base of Nature Hotel. With vast views over the Sri Lanka countryside, this Is one hotel not to miss. Be warned, this does come at a price, however, if you’re here on holiday then this is a great option for solo travellers or couples alike. Check them out Here.
Romance in Ella
For the couples that are traveling to Sri Lanka for a honeymoon or a romantic getaway then Romance in Ella is the place to stay. With modern rooms and bathrooms to match this hotel boasts some of the most romantic views you can find in Sri Lanka. Check them out Here.
98 Acres
If you are looking for the ultimate luxury experience, be sure to stay at 98 acres. The entire property overlooks the most beautiful valley. Not to mention the hotel sits at the base of the hike to Little Adams Peak, which is very convenient for those hoping to do the hike. Check them out Here.
Overall, Ella is a super relaxed and beautiful little town. We were happy to stop here for a few days and explore all the beauty surrounding the area. We hope you enjoyed The Ultimate Guide To Ella.
For more amazing places to see and visit in Sri Lanka
Leave a Reply