Spending 2 days in Ella Sri Lanka? Then keep on reading. Nestled among the lush green hills of Sri Lanka lies the charming town of Ella, a destination that promises to captivate visitors with its breathtaking views and serene atmosphere. With only 2 days in Ella to explore, it’s essential to make the most of your time.
From hiking to waterfalls and savoring delicious local cuisine, this 2 day Ella itinerary will provide you with all the best things to do, places to eat, and where to stay during your unforgettable 48 hours in Ella.

About Ella
Located in the center of Sri Lanka, Ella is a must on everyone’s itinerary, and it’s one of my favorite places I’ve visited during my time there.
Even though Ella is only a tiny village tucked away deep in the highlands of Sri Lanka, there’s loads to see and do to easily fill 2 or 3 days!
Personally, I stayed in Ella for 4 days but for those with limited time, most attractions can fit in 2 full days.
These 2 days in Ella’s itinerary will give you a rough planning to see the best things to do in Ella, and it’s up to you to follow this exact itinerary or switch things up to your liking.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ella, Sri Lanka
How many days are needed in Ella, Sri Lanka?
I would say to stay at least 2 full days to cover the main attractions. However, if you want to add in more epic things to do in and around Ella, opt for 3 or even 4 days.
Is Ella worth visiting in Sri Lanka?
It absolutely is, yes! Even though Ella is quite touristy compared to other places in Sri Lanka, the activities are super diverse and the area is stunning.
What to wear in Ella, Sri Lanka?
Layers are the way to go here. Ella is warm and sunny during the day, but the early mornings and evenings can be foggy and rainy, so be prepared for this. I prefered long thin trousers and always had a blouse or light jacket with me.
How do you travel from Kandy to Ella in Sri Lanka?
The famous Kandy to Ella train is by far the most common way to get to Ella. Coming from the south coast, it’s either by bus, taxi or your own transport.
Day 1 in Ella
Little Adams Peak Sunrise Hike
We’re starting your time in Ella with one of my favorite viewpoints. Get up early and head out the door between 04:30 and 05:00 to catch the sunrise from Little Adams Peak.
There are many hiking trails and epic places to watch the sunrise in the area, but this one is very accessible and only takes 20 minutes to reach the top.
From town, the whole trail takes around one hour. However, you can take a tuk-tuk or your transport all the way up to the hill, from where it is only a 20-minute hike, which is what we did.


You will reach Little Adams Peak before dark, and this is the perfect time to search for a good and quiet spot, which is usually a bit further away.
Most people hang around the area right where you reach the top, but I recommend walking a bit further away where it’s noticeably quieter and the views are more rewardable. Sunrise is around 6 am during peak season (dec-march), and I recommend staying around 1.5 hours before going back down for breakfast.
🛺 Parking spot: Little Adam’s Peak Trailhead
⏰ Starting hour from town: by foot 04:30, transport to trail 05:00.

Nine Arch Bridge
After enjoying your breakfast, continue your day to one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks.
The Nine Arch Bridge is a sight you’ve likely encountered in many travel photos while planning your adventure in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst vibrant jungles, this iconic structure is essential to your visit to Ella, offering breathtaking views from every angle.

Even though the bridge is truly remarkable on its own, the most stunning photos are captured when the train makes its way through.
My favorite viewpoint to see the train pass is from Asanka Cafe, a charming little cafe with the kindest owners and an incredible view of the bridge from above.
Treat yourself to a drink and wait patiently with your camera in hand for the train to pass by, which happens only a handful of times each day.
Train times passing Nine Arch Bridge:
- 6:30 AM
- 9:30 AM
- 11:30 AM
- 3:30 PM
- 4:30 PM
- 5:30 PM
💡 I recommend visiting the Nine Arch Bridge in the morning as the heat can get very intense, and it gets super busy, so opt for the train at 11:30 at last. Make sure to be there a bit earlier than the above-mentioned times as they can vary a bit.


If visiting with your own tuk-tuk or scooter, you can park here and explore the area further on foot.
Please watch out when taking pictures as lots of people sit on the edge to get an epic picture (which it is, but please be careful). Not every Instagram picture is worth your safety.
🛺 Parking spot: Nine Arch Bridge Car Park
Explore Ella Town
Ella, though small, encourages you to explore and discover its hidden gems. We loved getting lost in the small alleys, admiring the lively local art, and observing the everyday lives of the locals beyond the busy main street of Ella.
Be sure to visit ‘We Love Ceylon‘, a charming shop showcasing stunning locally crafted posters and postcards.


Cooking Class
End your first day by joining a cooking class and learning to make traditional Sri Lankan dishes. Ella Spice Garden is among the best places to do so in Ella and is often recommended by other travelers. I don’t have any first-hand experience with cooking classes in Ella, as I joined one in Weligama, but I can guarantee you will have a great time at either of these places.

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Day 2 in Ella
Most of today’s activities are located outside of town, so if you have the opportunity, I highly recommend renting a scooter so you can do everything on your own pace. Another option is to arrange a tuk-tuk to get you around.
Breakfast in town
Start your day treating yourself to a delicious and nutritious breakfast at Kiri Kopi. Their smoothie bowls are amazing, and they serve delicious coffee as well.


Tea Plantations
The stunning highlands of Sri Lanka are filled with beautiful tea plantations that provide amazing views at every turn, making it a perfect place for both nature lovers and tea fans.
In this picturesque region, Ella is home to some of the largest and most famous tea factories, where a visit is essential to fully understand the rich history and skill that goes into Sri Lankan tea production.
💡 Did you know, that Sri Lanka was once known as Ceylon, the origin of the renowned tea brand Ceylon Tea? Although the country officially adopted its new name in the 1970s, it chose to keep the Ceylon Tea brand due to its immense global popularity. Today, tea remains the leading source of income for Sri Lanka.


Located a bit outside the center of Ella, you’ll find Halpewatte Tea Factory, which is one of the biggest and most popular factories to visit and learn everything about the tea-making process. Also, if you’re still looking for a good souvenir to bring home, get yourself some tea at their shop. 😉
As for tours, there’s a possibility of doing a factory and/or plantation tour and you can buy your tickets in advance online or at the factory.
⏰ Tour times: every 30 minutes from 08:00 till 16:30 and each tour lasts 1 hour.
💰 Price: both tours are €10 each.

Afternoon at Waterfalls
1. Diyaluma Waterfalls
Ella has some amazing waterfalls in the area, with Diyaluma being the most popular one. This 220-meter-high waterfall is the second largest one in Sri Lanka offering outstanding views from the natural pools.
It takes an hour from the center of Ella to reach Diyaluma, and you can easily spend hours here, so make sure to bring enough water and food. From the foot of the hill, it’s another 40-minute hike up to the falls, so keep this in mind when planning out your trip.

2. Kombukara Waterfalls
If you’re looking for something close, Kombukara is a great option and is only 12km away from Ella. It’s quite popular among locals, but they often stay at the bottom of the falls. If you climb a bit higher up, it’s easy to find a nice quiet spot to relax. However, be careful when climbing up as it may be a little bit slippery as everything is natural. This option may be better if you’re short on time. At the entrance of the waterfalls, there’s some space to park your scooter or tuk-tuk next to the road. When you don’t have your transport, ask a tuk-tuk driver to pick you back up at a certain time.

3 Days in Ella
If you have more time in Ella, no worries as there’s lots to do in the area around Ella, like neighboring cities or adding more hikes to your Ella itinerary.
Ella Rock
Next to the little Adams Peak, which you’ve done on your first full day in Ella, you can climb Ella Rock.
The hike to Ella Rock is harder and longer than Little Adams Peak and will take about 2.5 hours to reach the top.
You can find the route on maps.me. I don’t have any first-hand experience with the hike, so I can’t give you any personal advice. According to many other travelers I’ve spoken to, the hike offers breathtaking views that are definitely worth the effort.
If you prefer to go with a guide, this sunrise tour might be a good option for you!
Nuwara Eliya
Part of one of the world’s most beautiful train rides, the Ella to Nuwara Eliya train route takes around 2.5 hours and is a fun day trip if you’re not planning to stay overnight in Nuwara Eliya during your time in Sri Lanka.
🥘 Food tip: make sure to try Indian food at Grand Indian, trust me!


Ravana Pool Club
In the mood for a relaxing day at the pool after some days exploring? On your way to Little Adams Peak you’ll pass Ravana Pool Club which is the perfect place to have a chill day at the pool if your accommodation doesn’t include a swimming pool.
You have to pay entrance and can choose between different packages starting from 4000 lkr (€13). Check out their website here for all the prices and more information.

How to get to Ella
Located in the highlands of Sri Lanka, Ella is easily reached by train, bus, or taxi if you don’t have your own transport.
🚃 By train
Coming from the north, the most popular way to get to Ella is taking the Kandy to Ella train. This route is one of the most beautiful train rides in the world and an experience on its own.
The train takes about eight hours, and it’s advised to book a ticket months in advance if you want to have reserved seats in 2nd class. Check out their official website to purchase your train tickets.
🚌 By Bus
From the south, direct buses depart from Matara station, which is easily reached from smaller towns like Weligama, Hiriketiya Beach, or Mirissa.


Where to stay during your 2 days in Ella Sri Lanka
Ella provides a variety of exceptional accommodation choices, many featuring stunning views of the lush valleys surrounding the town, making it easy to find the ideal option for every traveler, whether they prefer lively social hostels or peaceful cottages.
During my stay in Ella, I stayed at Hangover Hostels, which has the perfect location to explore the town and a great social vibe to meet fellow travelers.
Hostel Recommendation:
Hangover Hostel Ella
Ella, Sri Lanka
Book Here!
Another amazing hostel option is Wild Bee Hostel. I actually wanted to stay with them, but they were fully booked weeks in advance as it’s extremely popular, mainly because of their insane views from the dorms.
I’ve come across a few girls that stayed at Wild Bee Hostel and absolutely loved their time there. So if they have availability during your time in Ella, I recommend checking them out because to be honest – their pictures made me pretty jealous. 😉
How to get around Ella
Though the town is small and easily navigable on foot, with restaurants and shops just around the corner, the main attractions are situated a short distance away from the town center.
Having your own transport, like a scooter or tuk-tuk, will be super useful to get to the places mentioned in this 2-day Ella itinerary, but it’s definitely not a must.
You can also arrange a tuk-tuk driver to bring you everywhere. Most tuk-tuk drivers will try to get your number to bring you elsewhere during your time in Ella. Once you’ve found a tuk-tuk driver that you like, you can simply WhatsApp them every time you need a ride.
Best restaurants in Ella
Upon arrival in Ella, you may notice all the tourist-oriented restaurants pretty quickly. Ella has become very popular over the years and is definitely the most western place I’ve been to in Sri Lanka, therefore the prices are a bit higher at most restaurants on this list.
🥑 Kiri Kopi – breakfast bowls & coffee
🍔 Cafe Chill – great western food
🥘 The White Rabbit – trendy local food
🥖 Bread Time Cafe – bakery
🍛 Rainbow Inn – delicous western and local food
🍕 The Barn by Starbeans – amazing pizza!


Best time to visit Ella
Ella is best visited between December and March, which offer warm, pleasant days, but do prepare for any sudden rainy days.
I visited Ella in February and had some foggy mornings and some rather surprising short showers during the day. 😉
Usually, monsoon is between July and November, but the weather could be a bit more unpredictable in the highlands, so be prepared.
Where to go after Ella
Looking for some inspiration for your Sri Lanka itinerary? These are some options to further plan out your trip after your time in Ella.
1. Going South or East
If you’re doing Sri Lanka clockwise, which means going north after Colombo, you can make your way to the south coast of Sri Lanka, like Yala National Park or Hiriketiya Beach. Depending on the season, you can also head to Arugam Bay on the east coast.
Arugam Bay is located on the east coast and is often visited when it’s monsoon season on the south coast. It’s the perfect place if you want to surf or relax at the beach when visiting between April and September.


2. Going North
When traveling in the reverse direction, the most sensible destinations to consider are either Nuwara Eliya or Kandy.
Now, I don’t recommend staying overnight in Nuwara Eliya if you’re short on time, so I suggest catching the famous Ella to Kandy train (which is a must-do experience) and spending a day or two in Kandy after you visit Ella.
To be honest, I had low expectations of Kandy, but the city surprised me, and I wish I could’ve stayed a night longer to explore.

Summary of 2 days in Ella Sri Lanka
⛰️ Best things to do for your 2 day Ella itinerary:
- Little Adams Peak – Sunrise Hike
- Nine Arch Bridge
- Wandering through Ella Town
- Cooking Class
- Visiting a Tea Factory
- Diyaluma Waterfalls
- Kombukara Waterfalls
☕️ Activities for 3 days in Ella:
- Hiking Ella Rock
- Day-trip to Nuwara Eliya
- Relaxing day at Ravana Pool Club
🚌 Ella is best reached by the famous Kandy to Ella train when coming from the north. From the south coast, you can reach Ella by bus or taxi.
🛌 Hostel recommendations: Hangover Hostel Ella & Wild Bee Hostel.
🛺 Get around Ella by tuk-tuk or rent your own transport.
🌤️ December to March is the best season to visit Ella.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this 2 days in Ella Sri Lanka itinerary can serve as a guide to planning your trip to Ella. Whether you decide to follow this itinerary completely or create your own with some inspiration from my blog post, I’m sure you’re going to have an epic time!
Happy travels friends! 🙂
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