Looking for the best Instagram places in Sri Lanka? Whilst there’s so many places to visit in Sri Lanka, you can get a huge variety of images to fill your Insta feed. Here’s some of the most popular Sri Lanka Instagram places to visit.
Sri Lanka is a country that’s becoming the go to holiday destination right now, and if you’re looking to capture the perfect insta worthy images, look no further.
After doing a lot of research on the country itself, there seemed to be quite a few of the same images popping up on my instafeed.
So, without a doubt, you’re looking for the best Instagram spots in Sri Lanka,I’ve compiled them all into this post.
As you might know, for many places, you’ll need to either get there super early for sunrise or sunset because we all know that’s the best times to create that perfect image!
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1. The Swing At Dalawella Beach
Probably one of the most famous instagram places in Sri Lanka right now is the swing at Dalawella Beach. It was created by two guys a while back and has since become the go to attraction.
I’ve heard you even have to pay 1000R to have a go on it now. Expect a line for this one.
Where is it? It’s on Dallawella Beach near Unawatuna on the South Coast.
2. The Train Picture In Sri Lanka
Coming in at a close second or to be honest, it’s just as popular as the swing is getting the perfect, carefree shot of yourself hanging out of the train doors. The train isn’t high speed although you’re going to have to get the image when it’s slowing down towards the next station stop be on the safe side and get your poor insta hubby or mate to capture the image from the next carriage.
I was surprised how people did this as the train rides I experienced weren’t exactly peaceful. See here for what it’s actually like.
Where is it? Most people create this photo on the famous train ride from Kandy to Ella.
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3. The Train Track
A popular image seems to be people being carefree on the train tracks although obviously just be careful there’s not a train coming your way!
Where is it? You can get this shot at Weligama or if you’ve missed out on it, then I saw the tracks in Negombo so there’s still a chance of getting a final photo before your flight out of the country.
4. The Palm Trees at Mirissa
I kept seeing this photo everywhere on instagram and although I went to Mirissa, I didn’t go to this spot which you can see from the beach (on the far left when looking out to the ocean). I’m sure there would have been a fair few people there as Mirissa was full of instagrammers.
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5. The Stilt Fishermen In Sri Lanka
It’s an old traditional way of fishing in Sri Lanka although from what we saw, it didn’t look like this was still happening and fishermen (I’ve put this in italics as it looked like they may have been actors!!!) were purely there for tourist purposes.
You can even pretend you’re fishing like they are in the few cms of water like in the above pic! Whenever we saw anyone fishing in Sri Lanka, it was always with a net or a box standard fishing rod!
Where is it? Along the coast between Mirissa and Unawatuna.
6. Mirissa Island
This is a very popular insta photo to take in the insta town of Mirissa. Popular shots include either of yourself or better with a drone.
Where is it? Left hand side of Mirissa Beach
7. The Turtles
All along the southern coast you’ll be able to get a nice insta photo of the turtles. If you’re lucky you’ll see one on the beach, in the ocean or even baby turtles hatching and going into the sea for the first time.
Where is it? Baby turtle hatching is in Mirissa but turtles are most popular in the town of Hikkaduwa.
Save for later and pin below!
8. The Perfect Deserted Beach Shot
We found the most beautiful beach and got a drone shot near Tangalle in the middle of the day. If you’re staying in popular beach spots, you’ll need to get up super early to capture a decent image to pretend you’re actually in a secluded spot 😉
Where is it? Anywhere in Sri Lanka as long as you’re willing to get up early for it.
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9. Galle
I’ve seen countless images of drone shots and of instagrammers at the colonial town of Galle but the most popular image is of the lighthouse.
Where is it? The colonial town is near Unawatuna.
10. Tea Plantations In Nuwara Eliya
One thing that’s unique about Sri Lanka are the tea plantations. Get yourself all looking wanderlust like the image above, or you could just walk into a tea plantation on the track up to Little Adam’s Peak in Ella which is what it looks like this instagrammer has done by the look of the background.
Where is it? Best spot is just outside Nuwara Eliya but you can also get a shot on the hike to Little Adam’s Peak in Ella.
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11. Top of Little Adam’s Peak
This is an easy one because it makes you look like you’ve hiked a million miles to get there but it’s an easy one hour stroll through the gorgeous landscape in Ella or if you want, you can get a tuk tuk to most of the way too 😉
Where is it? Ella
12. Nine Arches Bridge
Another very popular photo is of the nine arches bridge. Trains still run along this bridge and there’s a station guy there to stop tourists from getting hit because people do get carried away with getting the perfect photo. I’m not too sure why this is a big tourist attraction but it’s in a beautiful setting. Best photo would be with a drone of course but there are lots of creative ways to capture this place.
Where is it? It’s 20 minutes from Little Adams Peak in Ella if you’re up for walking. Otherwise you can get a tuk tuk there and walk down.
13. Sigiriya Rock
The most famous landmark in Sri Lanka and the most expensive tourist site as well (US$30) is Sigiriya Rock. You’ll need to start early in the morning to reach the top but expect loads of tourists here.
Where is it? It’s north of Kandy. Best place to stay would be in Dambulla to reach this.
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14. Pidurangala Rock (looking out to Sigiriya)
It’s probably getting more popular than Sigiyria but the rock next to it called Pidurangala is cheaper (500R) and only takes 30 minutes to climb. It’s insanely popular to get the image of yourself looking out to the Sigiyria too. Not sure how the instagrammer above got up there in her bare feet and a strappy dress as it’s a steep climb in the pitch black to reach sunrise.
Where is it? Next door to Sigiyria Rock near the town of Dambulla.
15. Elephant Safari In Sri Lanka
A big highlight in Sri Lanka is the plentiful of elephants on the tiny island. Most get this typical shot on the safari jeep or if you head to the Elephant Freedom Project you can get right up close to the friendly giants without having to go to one of those terrible elephant ride places.
Where is it? There are many elephant safari’s to choose from but the most popular are either Yala or Udawalawe. Just don’t go to Pinnawala as even Lonely Planet mention how the elephants are mistreated. Always put morals first before getting the insta pic.
16. The Buddha Steps In Kandy
The most popular spot in Kandy to take an insta photo is at the steps to the buddha on the hill. The city is about as exciting as this gets.
Where is it? It’s hard not to notice the big white buddha which overlooks the city of Kandy. You can easily get there by jumping in a tuk tuk.
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17. Hang Out Of A Tuk Tuk
Just pretend your on a motorbike or hang out of a tuk tuk for that carefree fun pic. Funnily enough the guy who rented the tuk tuk I swung out of actually contacted me on Insta – I couldn’t believe it!
Where is it? Best thing to do is find a motorbike or tuk tuk and pretend you’re driving it or swinging out of it for a laugh. A more tropical location, the better.
I think that’s the insta worthy photos covered then for your Sri Lankan trip!
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