By rail
Ella station, the scenic hill-country line from Kandy, ~6–7 h
Indian Ocean Islands · Sri Lanka
Ella, Sri Lanka
Tea hills, a famous bridge and slow train rides
Getting there
By air
Bandaranaike (CMB), ~6 h by road
Best time to visit
January to April — dry in the hills
Don't miss
The Nine Arch Bridge
Little Adam's Peak
Ella Rock
Ravana Falls
Things to do
The Kandy–Ella train
The Nine Arch Bridge
Little Adam's Peak
A tea-factory visit
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: A.Savin · FAL
What to pack
Layers, walking shoes
A quieter corner
Diyaluma Falls' natural rock pools at the top
Questions travellers ask
Is the train from Kandy to Ella worth it?
Yes: the Kandy–Ella train runs on the scenic hill-country line and takes about 6–7 hours to Ella station.
What should I see in Ella?
The Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam's Peak, Ella Rock and Ravana Falls, plus a tea-factory visit. Refuel with rice and curry, roti and Ceylon tea.
Is there a hidden gem near Ella?
Diyaluma Falls, for its natural rock pools at the top.
When should I go to Ella, and what should I pack?
January to April, when the hills are dry. Pack layers and walking shoes.
About Ella
- Hills
Where it is
Ella is a small hill town in Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka, at about 1,000 m on the eastern edge of the central highlands, looking through the Ella Gap towards the southern plains.
History
Ella grew up among the tea estates planted under British rule in the 19th century, and the railway through the hills, with the Nine Arch Bridge near Demodara, was completed in the early 20th century. Local legend links the area's caves and waterfalls to the Ramayana, and in recent decades the village has become a favourite stop for travellers.
People
Ella's people speak Sinhala and Tamil; many Tamil families on the tea estates descend from workers brought from southern India in the 19th century. Tea picking, farming and guesthouses support the town, and its cafés serve rice and curry, roti and kottu.
Known for
- The Nine Arch Bridge
- Hiking Little Adam's Peak and Ella Rock
- The scenic train ride from Kandy
- Ravana Falls
- Tea-factory visits
Did you know?
The Nine Arch Bridge near Ella was built of stone, brick and cement without steel, and it was completed in 1919.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.