Why Europeans like holidaying in Sri Lanka
Why Europeans like Sri Lanka
Many of our European guests at GlenMyu Estate like to escape the winter blues and spend time on the paradise island of Sri Lanka.
Here are some of the reasons why they love exploring this amazing island.
It's not all about the beach
Sri Lanka offers so much more than just beaches.
The beaches are great and there is a wide variety of experiences around the coastline.
However, this small island offers culture, history, food, hiking, safaris, water sports, birdwatching, amazing hospitality and so much more.
The Sri Lankan Tourist boards slogan “You’ll be back for more” is apt and you will get an understanding on your first holiday on the island.
Why do Europeans like Sri Lanka - South and West Coast beaches
On you holiday in Sri Lanka you will no doubt want to spend some time at the beach like many other European visitors.
The beaches on the South and West Coasts are best during the Northern Hemisphere winter.
You will find that each beach has a different vibe.
Whether you favour sun worshipping, activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, or surfing there are lots of options for you.
At GlenMyu Estate we find that most of our guests visit the following beaches:
Hiriketiya beach
Europeans like Hiriketiya beach because it offers surfing, great food and a good atmosphere.
The horseshoe-shaped bay known as Hiriketiya Beach is one of the best surfing spots on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Be warned, it has become very popular over the last few years.
Mirissa Beach
Stunning Mirissa Beach boasts powdery pale sand, while its azure water is framed by coconut palm trees.
There are lots of delightful cafes and restaurants along the shore. It’s great for grabbing a fresh seafood meal.
Whether you want to sunbathe, surf, or go on a whale-watching tour, Mirissa beach offers a lot of variety for European travellers.
Unawatuna Beach
Unawatuna Beach in Unawatuna on the south coast of Sri Lanka
It’s a popular destination and particularly known for its calm, turquoise waters, golden sands, and lush palm trees.
This beach is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing, especially for families with children
Why Europeans like Sri Lanka - sun and sand in the European winter
There are many more beaches to discover on the South and West coasts.
More European travellers are ditching the Med in favour of Sri Lanka during the summer months.
The East and North coasts have opened since the end of the Civil War in 2009 and tourism is slowly developing there.
Pasikudah beach looks like something you would expect to see in the Caribbean. The shelf is shallow so it’s safe to swim for children, especially during the summer when it is monsoon free.
Hotels along the beautiful stretch of beach in Pasikuda  offer luxury whilst you soak up the sun.
Venture further North to the less developed beaches such as Marble Beach, China Bay and Nilaveli.
If you can only stay so long on a beach!
My wife and I are not really beach people.
We can handle a few days, but…..,then we need to do something different.
The good news is that Sri Lanka has so many other experiences to offer.
We find that many of our European guests want to have variation on their holiday. After getting some colour into their skin, they are ready for a different type of experience.
GlenMyu Estate is located in the Sri Lankan Hill country and there are lots of different things to do.
As GlenMyu Estate is located close enough to Ella to allow our guests to enjoy all that the busy tourist town has to offer.
We are in reach of two amazing waterfalls, several stages of the new Pekoe Trail and also the unique landscape of Horton Plains National Park.
Hiking in the Central Hill Country
If getting some exercise whilst enjoying and amazing environment, Sri Lanka has lots of hiking options for you.
The Award winning Pekoe Trail challenges you to a 300 kilometre hike. There are 26 stages and therefore you can select which ones you would like to do. However, there is a growing number of hikers that have completed the whole trail since it opened in 2023.
Our European guests that stay with us at GlenMyu Estate love hiking Horton Plains National Park. The hike includes a unique landscape, World’s End and Baker’s Falls along with an array of interesting flora and fauna.
History and Culture
Sri Lanka has a long history and interesting culture.
Sri Lanka Culture is one of the few countries with a very vast and rich cultural diversity. The culture is itself very unique and thereby contributes to the Sri Lankan identity. Sri Lankan culture includes a lot of customs and rituals, whish date to more than 2000 years which were handed down from generation to generation.
Europeans have had their influence on Sri Lanka as it was a Portuguese, Dutch and British colony over its’ history.
The best of Sri Lanka’s culture includes traditional Kandyan dance, vibrant festivals like Vesak, exquisite handicrafts, and ancient Buddhist temples. Its diverse heritage blends influences from Sinhalese, Tamil, and colonial histories, creating a unique cultural tapestry.
The Cultural Triangle
Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle is a treasure trove of ancient cities, sacred temples, and remarkable ruins.
This area, located in the heart of the island, encompasses the historic cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandy, forming a triangle that showcases the rich cultural and religious heritage of Sri Lanka.
Europeans like Sri Lanka - Sigiriya - the Lion Rock
This UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sigiriya Rock Fortress (also known as Lion Rock) was a private fortress with a history dating back to 495 A.D
Travellers are wowed by the views from the top of the rock. Some also climb Pidurangala to see this impressive natural structure from a different perspective.
It is worth reading about the history of the once Royal Palace before you go so you can appreciate this marvel.
Ella and Nine Arch Bridge
It would be remiss of me not mentioning Ella and Nine Arch Bridge.Â
The bridge is an iconic emblem of the more recent tourist industry in Sri Lanka.
There are lots of wonderful sights to experience and visit from Ella. These include Ravana Waterfall, Little Adam’s Peak hike, Ella Rock, and the hip high street amongst others.
Europeans particularly like Ella in Sri Lanka as it is a comfortable reminder of home. The food and drinks offered are particularly European. If you want a change from Sri Lankan rice and curry, Ella offers pizza, burgers and chips!
Stay at GlenMyu Estate to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country
GlenMyu Estate is listed on Booking.com and Airbnb.
Contact us by the WhatsApp button on our website for direct booking rates.
Stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country
See sights like Horton Plains National Park is a unique experience.
We only have three bedrooms and you will need to book early during the peak holiday season.
The estate is usually within an hours drive of the major sightseeing locations such as Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Town, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Lipton’s Seat, Bambarakanda Waterfall and many more.