Ella is a small village in Sri Lanka’s scenic hill country. It’s popular for hiking, exploring nearby tea farms or just soaking up the laid-back vibe. It’s famous for the iconic Nine Arch Bridge and serves as the final stop for most travelers on the renowned hill country train ride.
We arrived in Ella by taking that iconic train from Kandy. Some stunning views along the way and an incredible way to arrive.
Ella Odyssey Train - book early!
The train journey to Ella will no doubt come up when researching things to do in Sri Lanka. And it has become so popular that a dedicated train for the journey was created solely for tourists. It’s called the Ella Odyssey. It’s more comfortable, more space for luggage and slows down at sites for photos.
As there are multiple trains starting from Colombo that pass-through Ella, it can be confusing to know which one is the Odyssey. The morning we left from Kandy there were two trains that left about an hour from each other. Not realizing there was a distinction when we booked online, we arrived over one hour early to be safe. Not all timetables listed the Odyssey train which made it even more confusing.
You can book the train through the official Sri Lanka Railways site. I highly advise you do this as early as possible as it will sell out quickly! Be sure to pay attention to the name of the train and time to avoid the same mistake we made. Trust the time on the ticket!
Once we boarded the train, we noticed that many seats (including ours) only get half a window. I felt a bit shortchanged at first, although choosing a seat in advance wasn’t possible. However, we needn’t have worried. Once the journey started people got up, moved around, stood near the open doors, and there was plenty of opportunity to move around, sit in other seats and get better views.
The journey took about 7 hours and while I was worried that would be way too long, we really enjoyed every bit of it. The views are stunning, passing terraced tea farms, occasional waterfalls, small villages and mountains.
Of course, everyone wants to take that Instagramable photo leaning out the open train doors. There’s loads of opportunity for that, though there might be an initial rush when the train begins!
We were very glad we brought drinks and snacks with us for the journey. There was an option to order lunch, but choices are few, and it wasn’t delivered until about 4.5 hours into the journey. Being prepared and aware of what to expect will be helpful to ensure you enjoy the ride! This train was one of the major highlights of our entire time in Sri Lanka and is something not to be missed.
Green Nature Paradise - a breakfast view like no other!
We stayed at the most incredible place in Ella – Green Nature Paradise. It overlooks the Nine Arch Bridge and is just a short drive from the town centre.
You need to follow a short trail to get to the lodge, which cars can’t go down. While walkable (about 10 mins), the host provides you his personal tuk tuk service to and from the room. We had this lovely cozy cabin with the most amazing balcony, overlooking the Nine Arch Bridge. We were able to watch the trains go by several times.
Every morning the host delivered breakfast to our balcony. It was honestly the best breakfast we had the entire trip, and the view is pure magic. It’s a short 5 min walk from the room to the bridge itself. I can’t recommend this little retreat enough.
Nine Arch Bridge
The Nine Arch Bridge is one of the most visited and iconic tourist attractions in Ella. It’s renowned for being a masterpiece of colonial architecture, and was completed in the early 1920s. The bridge was built entirely of stone, brick, and cement without any use of steel.
Trains cross the bridge several times a day. You’ll get a nice vantage point at one of the local cafes, or you can even stand right next to the tracks for the up close and personal experience.
I personally thought the best spot to watch the train, besides from the balcony of our lodge, was the open spot to the right of the bridge, before crossing.
The bridge is very cool, and you will no doubt find yourself taking too many photos trying to capture the best angle. We brought our drone and got some epic footage from that too.
Little Adam's Peak
Little Adam’s Peak is another of Ella’s must-visit spots. We decided to set out on a sunrise hike, and our wonderful lodging host kindly offered to drop us off right at the start of the trail.
Since it was 5:30 am and still very dark, our head torches came in handy. The hike itself is fairly easy and takes about 30 to 45 minutes to reach the summit. We found an open spot to stand and watch the sun slowly rise over the Ella Gap. As the light spread, we were rewarded with magnificent views of the wide-open mountain scenery.
I think the hike up and views at the top are more than worth it, no matter what time of day you go, so don’t worry if the early morning start isn’t for you!
If you fancy a more challenging hike, you can organise tours from Ella to the much larger Adam’s Peak.
Ella Organic Tea Garden
Sri Lanka is the fourth-largest tea-producing country in the world, and its hill country is blanketed with rolling green hills covered in tea plantations. To truly appreciate an industry so deeply embedded in the culture and identity of the nation, visiting a tea farm was an absolute must. While there’s no shortage of places to choose from, we found one that stood out for being organic and family-run – Ella Organic tea garden.
This small, beautiful tea garden offered us the chance to learn how to pick tea leaves, explore the other fruits and vegetables grown on-site, and discover the step-by-step process of making tea. What I found especially fascinating was seeing everything done manually, without the use of large machines – a true hands-on operation. The presentation of the tea-making stages was really engaging, and the teas we tasted were absolutely delicious. If you’re looking for a more intimate and personal experience, I’d definitely recommend a visit here.
Ravana Falls
Ravana Falls was not on our must visit list, but as we passed by it leaving Ella en route to the south of the island, we did make a quick stop to check it out. The falls are some of the widest in Sri Lanka and are about 25 m (82 ft) high. There is a viewing platform in front to take some good pics, and for the more adventurous you can climb the rocks around the base of the falls and jump in for a swim.
It was super busy when we arrived though, so we had no interest in waiting in line to try and climb across. I think a quick stop is definitely worth it if it’s on your way, but I wouldn’t make a specific day trip here.
Places to Eat and Drink
Cafe Samsara was our favorite restaurant in Ella. It’s small and cozy and tucked away just off the main street. The curry and the vegetable lamprais were so delicious we literally ate every single bit! The staff were friendly and attentive and made our visit so enjoyable.
The Clay Pot is one of the most highly rated restaurants in Ella. We happened to go quite early so were able to get a table for two, but I would recommend reserving if you are big group or want to guarantee a table. Some very good authentic curry options on the menu.
Dream Cafe was a great spot for roof top drinks. And we actually came back the next day for lunch and enjoyed a pizza as well which was pretty decent too.
Wrap Up
Ella was unforgettable, and our stay at Green Nature Paradise truly elevated our experience. From watching the sunrise over Little Adam’s Peak to exploring the Nine Arch Bridge and wandering through the Ella Organic Tea Garden, every moment felt so peaceful and easy to get lost in. I also loved just walking around town, sipping rooftop drinks, and enjoying the amazing local food. Ella was definitely the highlight of our hill-country trip, leaving me with memories of nature, culture, and adventure all rolled into one.
We stayed 2 days in Ella which didn’t feel rushed, but if you like laid back tourist bars or hiking you might want to stay a bit longer!
