Nuwara Eliya

Description

Located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka is the heart of the tea country, the beautiful town of Nuwara Eliya. At an elevation of 1980 metres, the area consists of breathtaking mountainous terrain and lush greenery. Nuwara Eliya is vastly different from the island’s capital when it comes to climate and atmosphere. While Colombo is hot and humid during the summer, Nuwara Eliya is cool and pleasant. The town is home to lush green areas, consisting of tea and other plantations, as far as the eye can see. When driving in and out of Nuwara Eliya, tourists will get to see tea pluckers hard at work. This picturesque town offers something for everyone; young and old, and is a must-visit when in Sri Lanka. The town does have a Muslim population, so Muslim visitors will be able to find Muslim-friendly facilities in Nuwara Eliya.

One must-visit attraction in Nuwara Eliya is the Victoria Park. This park is located close to the town and is absolutely stunning during the summer; filled with beautiful roses and a variety of other flowers. It is a large park that is perfect for those looking for a bit of relaxation. It is also a great place for some fun family pictures.

Located about a kilometer from the town is Gregory Lake, a major tourist spot. This area is incredibly lively and visitors will find numerous food vendors here. There are paddle boats and canoes that can be rented, as well as bikes that tourists can hire for a ride around the lake. Those interested can also go horse riding while here. There are also a variety of other fun activities that visitors will find while at Gregory Lake.

Kids will definitely enjoy a visit to the Ambewela farm, which is located outside the town. This farm manufactures milk based products which are popular in Sri Lanka. While here, visitors get to see the milking process and will also get to try out a glass of fresh milk. The view on the way to the farm is scenic and visitors will be treated to views of cows grazing freely.

Since Nuwara Eliya is the heart of the tea country, a trip to the town is not complete without a visit to one of the tea production centres located nearby. For guided tours of the factory and production facilities, tourists can make a stop at the Labookelle Tea Centre. Here visitors are taken through a step by step process of the production of tea. At the end of the tours, visitors have the opportunity to try out a piping hot cup of tea and some delicious chocolate cake. Those interested can also buy tea for later use.

Tourists will also come across numerous large waterfalls like Lovers Leap, St Claire Falls, Devon Falls and Aberdeen Falls. There are also several smaller ones located nearby which are perfect for a quick dip.

Nearby Airports

The closest international airport to Nuwara Eliya is Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, located about 145 kilometers away, in Hambantota. This airport however does not receive that many international flights. Sri Lanka’s main airport; Bandaranaike International Airport, in Katunayake is located approximately 163 kilometers from Nuwara Eliya.

Halal Restaurants

There are a couple of Halal restaurants in Nuwara Eliya. These restaurants are located in the town and are owned by Muslims. Most of the restaurants which serve Halal food in Nuwara Eliya have some sort of signage saying they are Halal. Foodlands Halal Restaurants is one such restaurant. Muslim tourists can also make inquiries about the names of the other Halal restaurants in Nuwara Eliya at the local mosque. In Nuwara Eliya, there are also numerous street food carts as well as restaurants which serve delicious vegetarian food.

Mosques

There is one prominent mosque in Nuwara Eliya. The Masjithul Kabeer Jumma Mosque has prayer facilities for men and women and is conveniently located in the center of the town. Muslim tourists will however find it difficult to locate other prayer areas when outside the town; therefore it is best for them to offer their prayers in the hotel room, when possible. There are also numerous open areas where tourists could pray when traveling to the outskirts of Nuwara Eliya.

Things to Do and See in Nuwara Eliya

• Victoria Park
• Gregory Lake
• Ambewela farm
• Hakgalla Gardens
• Outdoor activities
• Nuwara Eliya Golf Club
• Labookelle Tea Centre
• Galway’s Land Bird Sanctuary