High in the hills of Sri Lanka, Ella is a beautifully scenic village. With some great hikes on offer and its laid back vibe, spend at least a couple of nights here.

Getting to Ella

Bus – Buses stop on the road in the middle of Ella, with journeys to Badulla, Bandarawela and Wellawaya. To get to the major cities, you will have to change bus or even better, go by train.

Train – A lovely little train station serves Ella, with the very scenic journey serving Colombo (9 hours), Kandy (6-10 hours) and Nanu Oya for Nuwara Eliya (2.5-3 hours), as well as other destinations such as Badulla, Bandarawela and Haputale.

Where to Stay

With fantastic views across the hills looking towards Ella Rock, Mount Blue View Guest Inn is a fantastic choice when staying in Ella. A short, albeit hilly, 5 minute walk from the town centre. The rooms are clean and modern, with a appetising breakfast served each morning on the balcony outside your room by the owner.

Rooms from £33 a night. Read other traveller’s reviews and book your stay on TripAdvisor by clicking on the links above, or search for other Ella accommodation by clicking here.

Food & Drink

If you’re craving western food or a cold beer, look no further than the chilled out Dream Cafe. It does however get extremely busy so you may struggle to find a seat!

Read other traveller’s reviews of bars and restaurants on TripAdvisor by clicking on the links above, or search for other Ella bars and restaurants by clicking here.

What to do in Ella

Ella is a fantastic place to relax and unwind with its chilled vibe, or better yet, go hiking amongst the tea plantations. Little Adam’s Peak has great views but on the other side, the more challenging Ella Rock has even better. I also recommend checking out Nine Arch Bridge, (just watch out for trains!) you can walk all the way to/from town following the tracks from Ella station.

Last Updated on February 24, 2021 by Sports Tourist