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AsiaSri LankaCentral Province

Nuwara Eliya

Central Province, Sri Lanka · Asia

About Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is worth a stop: 25 minutes from Talawakele, 21km from World's End, Horton Plains.

Nuwara Eliya is a town located in Central Province, Sri Lanka. With a population of 27,500, it is an important destination in Asia.

On a road trip, Nuwara Eliya sits in Sri Lanka. It's in the Asia/Colombo time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Nuwara Eliya to your route.

About Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya (Sinhala: නුවර එළිය [nuwərə ɛlijə]; Tamil: நுவரெலியா [nʉʋəɾɛlɪjɑː]) is a city in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its name means "city on the plain (table land)" or "city of light". The city is the administrative capital of Nuwara Eliya District, with a picturesque landscape and

Read more temperate climate. It is at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft) and is considered to be the most important location for tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is known for its temperate, cool climate – the coolest area in Sri Lanka.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Nuwara Eliya

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Nuwara Eliya?

Nuwara Eliya offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Nuwara Eliya?

Plan your road trip to Nuwara Eliya with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Nuwara Eliya as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Nuwara Eliya located?

Nuwara Eliya is located in Central Province, Sri Lanka, Asia. The coordinates are 6.9708 latitude, 80.7829 longitude.

What is the population of Nuwara Eliya?

Nuwara Eliya has a population of approximately 27,500 people, making it a town in Sri Lanka.

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Quick Information

Population
27,500
Continent
Asia
Country
Sri Lanka
Region
Central Province
Timezone
Asia/Colombo
Coordinates
6.9708, 80.7829

Tags

AsiaSri LankaCentral ProvinceTown

Worth the detour from Nuwara Eliya

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

waterfall

Ramboda Falls

A 109 m waterfall in two tiers falling right beside the A5 at Ramboda Pass, on the tea-estate road between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. Visible from the highway without leaving the car.

14 km · about 25 min drive

natural wonder

World's End, Horton Plains

A sheer escarpment in Horton Plains National Park dropping about 1,200 m straight off the edge of the highland plateau. Best before 10am, before cloud fills the void.

21 km · about 25 min drive

natural wonder

Ella

A misty hill town with spectacular train rides, tea plantations, waterfalls, and the iconic Nine Arches Bridge.

31 km · about 35 min drive

bridge

Nine Arch Bridge, Demodara

A soaring colonial-era railway viaduct of brick and stone curving through tea-clad jungle near Ella. A short drive-and-walk brings you trackside as blue trains rumble across its nine arches.

32 km · about 35 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Lipton's Seat

The ridge above Dambatenne where Thomas Lipton surveyed his tea empire, at 1,970 m. The narrow road climbs through Lipton's own estate and on a clear morning the view runs to the southern coast.

33 km · about 40 min drive

photogenic

Ambuluwawa Tower

A vertigo-inducing spiral tower on a hilltop near Gampola whose staircase narrows to shoulder width and ends with no handrail, giving a 360-degree view over the central highlands.

34 km · about 40 min drive

natural wonder

Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)

A 2,243 m conical peak sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians alike, climbed overnight by pilgrims up thousands of steps to reach the summit footprint shrine at dawn.

36 km · about 40 min drive

waterfall

Diyaluma Falls

Sri Lanka's second-highest waterfall at 220 m, dropping in a single plume beside the Koslanda road, with a chain of natural infinity pools on the ledges above reached by a steep half-hour walk.

38 km · about 45 min drive

Driving roads near Nuwara Eliya

  • 32 kmNine Arch Bridge, DemodaraA soaring colonial-era railway viaduct of brick and stone curving through tea-clad jungle near Ella. A short drive-and-walk brings you trackside as blue trains rumble across its nine arches.
  • 33 kmLipton's SeatThe ridge above Dambatenne where Thomas Lipton surveyed his tea empire, at 1,970 m. The narrow road climbs through Lipton's own estate and on a clear morning the view runs to the southern coast.

When to drive here

Year-round

Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Nuwara Eliya.

Talawakele

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

14 km awayPop. 3,545

Hatton

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

22 km awayPop. 15,073

Bogahakumbura

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

29 km awayPop. 1,500

Haputale

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

29 km awayPop. 4,721

Badulla

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

30 km awayPop. 47,587

Ella Town

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

31 km awayPop. 5,000

Gampola

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

32 km awayPop. 24,283

Kandy

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

39 km awayPop. 111,701

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence