a lush green hillside covered in lots of trees

Nuwara Eliya

Tea estates, colonial hotels and cool air at about 1,868 m set Nuwara Eliya apart in Sri Lanka's hill country.

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Nuwara Eliya is a hill town in Sri Lanka's Central Province, about 100 km south of Kandy and the administrative capital of Nuwara Eliya District. It sits at about 1,868 m (6,128 ft), one of the highest towns in Sri Lanka and the coolest area of the island, with a mean annual temperature of about 16 °C (61 °F). Tea grows on the steep slopes around it, and high-grown tea is often sold as orange pekoe. Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka, overlooks the town.

The British made it a hill retreat called Little England, and explorer Samuel Baker is credited with founding the town in 1846. The Grand Hotel, Hill Club and Town Post Office remain from that era. Visit Horton Plains early in the morning for World's End, since mist often covers the cliff by late morning. Expect cold nights from January to March and rain from May to September. April is the busiest month, when Sri Lankans holiday in the hills during the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year.

Nuwara Eliya in five

Time it for the Nuwara Eliya season, or avoid itThe botanic gardens department puts the best flower display from mid-March to the end of April, known as the Nuwara Eliya season, and says thousands of visitors come then. Book rooms early if you go.Best time to visit Nuwara Eliya
Visit Hakgala Botanic GardensHakgala lies 9.5 km south-east of the town on Badulla Road, at about 1,745 m. The department lists it as open 365 days, 7:30 to 18:00, and gives foreign adults LKR 3,540 a visit.Things to do in Nuwara Eliya
Pack warm layers and a rain jacketThe department calls the Hakgala climate cool and fresh, close to alpine, and records a low of 3 °C. It also says thick mist and afternoon downpours are common from October to December.
Go early to Horton PlainsThe CCF describes Horton Plains as a cloud-forest plateau with the World's End cliff, and UNESCO lists it in the Central Highlands. Check DWC eServices for how permits are sold, and go early, since mist can close in.DWC eServices
Take the train to Nanu OyaNanu Oya is the stop for Nuwara Eliya on the Kandy to Ella line, followed by a road transfer. Reserved seats sell out, so check Sri Lanka Railways for the current booking window.Kandy to Ella by train

Things to do in Nuwara Eliya

See all attractions in Nuwara Eliya

Temple · Nuwara EliyaSeeta Amman Kovil

a large white building sitting on top of a lush green hillside

Sight · Nuwara EliyaPedro Tea Estate & Factory

Park · Nuwara EliyaGregory ParkGo in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light sits on the water. Weekdays are quieter than weekends.

Our things to do guide for Nuwara Eliya

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Nuwara EliyaPut the places you like in Nuwara Eliya on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Bandaranaike (CMB); a long road journey up to the hills
Getting there: Train to Nanu Oya and a road transfer, or by road from Kandy
Getting around: Tuk-tuks, drivers and walking in the town
Best base: The town center for services, or a tea-estate stay for views
Time needed: 1 night on the Ella line; 2 with Horton Plains and Hakgala

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain17 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Dry, chilly
FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Dry, clear
MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Season begins
AprilRain21 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°April season
MayRain27 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Showers
JuneRain24 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Southwest monsoon
JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Monsoon, windy
AugustRain24 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Monsoon, windy
SeptemberRain24 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Mixed
OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Rain, mist
NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Rain, mist
DecemberRain21 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Rain, mist

Average daily high and low in Nuwara Eliya, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Best time to visit Nuwara Eliya

Right now in Nuwara Eliya

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 22°
Humidity: 91%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Nuwara Eliya

02:11 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today19°13°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed19°13°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu19°13°100%Thursday: Rain. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 100%.
Fri19°12°100%Friday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sat19°12°100%Saturday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun20°13°100%Sunday: Rain. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 10:43 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 332.4 LKR

Amount

Converted to

LKR · Sri Lankan Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Nuwara Eliya

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Kandy, Sri LankaKandy Esala PeraheraAug 7 – 17, 2027 · Read the event guide

Day trips by train

Horton Plains National Parka morning by roadA cloud-forest plateau with the World's End cliff, within the UNESCO Central Highlands.
Hakgala Botanic Gardensa short drive south-eastTerraced gardens under Hakgala Rock, with roses, orchids and bulbs.
Ellaonward by the scenic trainTea hills, viewpoints and the Nine Arch Bridge.Read the guide

Before you go to Nuwara Eliya

Hill country day toursGardens, tea and Horton PlainsCompare day trips

Stays in Nuwara EliyaTown hotels or tea-estate bungalowsCheck availability

eSIM for the hill roadsMaps and train times in the hillsRead the guide

Insurance for wet hill roadsRain, landslide and delay coverRead the guide

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Rules for Nuwara Eliya, checked

Hakgala Botanic Gardens: open daily 7:30 to 18:00, tickets until 17:00. Foreign adult LKR 3,540, student LKR 2,360, child (5 to 12) LKR 1,770.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
Entering the Hakgala Strict Natural Reserve is prohibited; official duty and authorized research need the Wildlife Director General's permission.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
FCDO (page updated 21 September 2026): heavy rain has raised flood and landslide risk across Sri Lanka; roads and services may be disrupted.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source

All Nuwara Eliya guides

Head to headNuwara Eliya or Ella: which hill-country base to chooseChecked Oct 6, 2026

Things to doThings to do in Nuwara Eliya: gardens, tea and Horton PlainsChecked Oct 6, 2026

When to goBest time to visit Nuwara Eliya: the April season, monsoons and mistChecked Oct 6, 2026

Plan around Nuwara Eliya

Ella travel guide

Where the scenic train ends

Read the guide Kandy travel guide

Where the hill train starts

Read the guide The Hill Country

Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ella together

Read the guide All of Sri Lanka

Routes, seasons and entry rules

Read the guide

Nuwara Eliya FAQ

Is Nuwara Eliya worth visiting?

Yes, if you want cool air, tea estates and gardens after the heat of the plains. It works best as a one or two night stop on the Kandy to Ella route, with Hakgala or Horton Plains as the main outing. Skip it if you only want beaches or ruins.

How many days do you need in Nuwara Eliya?

One night is enough for the town, a tea estate and Hakgala. Two nights let you add a Horton Plains morning without rushing, and a third only makes sense if the weather has cost you a day.

Is Nuwara Eliya cold?

Cool to cold. The botanic gardens department calls the Hakgala climate cool and fresh and records a low of 3 °C, so mornings and evenings need a warm layer, and mist and rain make it feel colder, especially from October to December.

What is the best month to visit Nuwara Eliya?

The department says mid-March to the end of April is the best time to see the gardens, with temperate flowers and roses at their peak. That is also the busiest period, so January and February are the quieter dry alternatives.

Can you visit Horton Plains from Nuwara Eliya?

Yes. It is the usual outing from the town, and the CCF describes the plateau as a cloud forest with the World's End cliff. Go early, check how park permits are sold on the DWC eServices page, and carry rain gear.