Hill Country

Sri Lanka's hill country is one of the island's great surprises — a world of misty tea plantations, cool mountain air and winding railway lines that feels entirely different from the tropical coast just a few hours below. For honeymoon couples, it offers a romantic change of pace: boutique tea estate hotels, scenic hikes and a slower rhythm that makes it easy to reconnect.

The small town of Ella has become the hill country's most popular base, perched on the edge of a dramatic valley with views that stretch to the southern plains. The hike to Ella Rock and the walk across the iconic Nine Arches Bridge are highlights, and the town itself has a relaxed, traveller-friendly atmosphere with excellent cafés and restaurants.

Nuwara Eliya, often called "Little England", sits at nearly 1,900 metres and was built as a hill station by the British. Its colonial-era hotels, manicured gardens and cool climate give it a unique charm, and the surrounding tea estates — including some of Ceylon's most famous — offer guided tours with tastings that rival any wine country experience.

For something more off the beaten track, Haputale sits on a narrow ridge with sheer drops on both sides and sweeping views over the Uva Province. The Lipton's Seat viewpoint, where Sir Thomas Lipton once surveyed his tea empire, is one of Sri Lanka's most rewarding early-morning excursions. And Kitulgala, set in lush lowland rainforest, offers white-water rafting, jungle walks and a surprising connection to cinema history as the filming location for The Bridge on the River Kwai.