Nuwara Eliya will take you back to the times when Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon. Enveloped by green mountains, this little town is ideal to relax as you sip your freshly made cup of tea.
The history of Nuwara Eliya
The hill area that was once just forest and jungle was discovered by the British colonial officer John Davy back in 1819, who decided to build a sanatorium here. The Nuwara Eliya town was discovered by Samuel Baker in 1846, the explorer that also discovered Lake Albert in Uganda. Back in the days, Nuwara Eliya became a favourite escape for the British as they could grow vegetables and fruits here due to the cool climate. When the coffee plantations died, they switched to tea, which flourished. This is what made Nuwara Eliya the tea capital of Sri Lanka!
The present
Nuwara Eliya is an unusual mix of English country and Sri Lankan vibes. The red telephone boxes, golf course, horse racing course and colonial bungalows give this town a very English feel. Top hotels in Nuwara Eliya, the likes of Galway Heights, add on to the comforting feeling Nuwara Eliya emits.
Best time to visit
It’s best to avoid Nuwara Eliya during the monsoon season, that is June till the end of August. From November to March is when the town is coldest, so don’t forget to pack your warm clothes! Gregory Lake, Victoria park and tea factories are open all year round.
