Jaffna and Northern Sri Lanka: A 3–4 Day Itinerary

Few visitors make it to the north of Sri Lanka, which is exactly why it's so rewarding. The Jaffna peninsula is the heartland of Sri Lankan Tamil culture, with colourful Hindu temples, a distinctive cuisine, flat landscapes of palmyra palms and lagoons, and remote islands reached by small ferries. It's best from January to September.

Getting there

• By train: the Yal Devi and other services on the Northern Line run from Colombo to Jaffna in roughly 6–8 hours, passing Anuradhapura. Book reserved or air-conditioned seats in advance. See our train journeys guide.
• By road: about 3.5–4 hours from Anuradhapura, or 4–5 hours from Trincomalee.
• By air: there are limited domestic and regional flights to Jaffna's airport at Palaly.

Day 1: Jaffna town

• Nallur Kandaswamy Temple — the most important Hindu temple in Sri Lanka, with a golden gopuram. Men must remove their shirts before entering; everyone removes shoes. Visit for the evening puja, when drums and bells fill the temple.
• Jaffna Fort — a large star-shaped Dutch fort beside the lagoon, partly restored.
• Jaffna Public Library — rebuilt after it was burned in 1981, a moving symbol of the city's history.
• Market and food — try Jaffna crab curry, odiyal kool seafood soup and thosai, and finish with ice cream at one of the town's famous old parlours. See our Jaffna food guide.

Day 2: The islands

Drive across causeways to the island of Punkudutivu, then take the short ferry to Nainativu, sacred to both Hindus (Nagapooshani Amman Temple) and Buddhists (Nagadeepa Vihara, where the Buddha is believed to have visited).

With an early start, continue to Delft Island — wild ponies, coral-stone walls, a giant baobab tree and almost no tourists. Ferries are basic and timetables change, so check the day before and leave plenty of time.

Day 3: The northern coast

• Point Pedro — the northernmost tip of Sri Lanka, with a lighthouse and fishing villages.
• Keerimalai springs — sacred freshwater pools beside the sea.
• Casuarina Beach — a long, shallow beach popular with local families.
• Dambakola Patuna, where Buddhism's sacred Bodhi sapling is said to have arrived.
• Vallipuram and Selvasannidhi temples — Selvasannidhi is a riverside temple loved by pilgrims.

Day 4 (optional): Mannar or Kilinochchi

Drive south-west to Mannar Island for its giant baobab, Dutch fort, flamingos in the lagoons (roughly November–March) and Adam's Bridge, the chain of shoals towards India. Alternatively, return south via the Elephant Pass causeway and Kilinochchi.

Festivals

The Nallur festival runs for about 25 days in August and early September, with daily processions and huge crowds; book accommodation well ahead. Thai Pongal (January) and Deepavali (October/November) are also celebrated widely. See our festival calendar.

Respect and history

The north was heavily affected by Sri Lanka's civil war (1983–2009), and memories are still raw for many families. Be sensitive when discussing the war, follow signs around military areas and ask before photographing people. You'll find people warm, curious and pleased to see visitors.