10 things to do in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

10 things to do in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

We explore the best things to do in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka's historic port city that is beginning to thrive again

Trincomalee, or Trinco as it is commonly called, in the north-east of Sri Lanka is a perfect place to spend a few days on the beach. We ended our Sri Lankan odyssey in nearby Uppuveli on a powdery track from Trinco Blu.

Like us, most tourists will bypass Trincomalee for the neighboring beaches of Uppuveli and Nilaveli – and who can blame them? The coastline here is golden and palm-fringed with a gentle ambience, making it a perfect place to relax before heading home.

The city of Trincomalee itself has a fascinating history and a handful of eye-catching sights that are worth a morning tour. The ancient city suffered from the civil war but is beginning to recover thanks to its deep-water port and developing tourism scene.

We spent a morning exploring the sights and have rounded up the best things to do in Trincomalee below. Organize your own tour by sea or land with Trinco Blu by Cinnamon.

1. Koneswaram Temple

alt=“Things to do at Trincomalee Sri Lanka Koneswaram Temple”>Atlas & Boots

If you visit just one attraction in Trincomalee, make it the colorful Koneswaram Temple. Surrounded by the dramatic Swami Rock and Gokarna Bay, the classical-medieval complex is Trinco's biggest attraction. The site is a major Hindu pilgrimage center and one of the Pancha Ishwarams (five abodes of Shiva) built in Sri Lanka to honor one of the main deities of Hinduism.

2. Fort Friedrich

alt="Things to do in Trincomalee-Sri-Lanka-fort-frederick">AntanO/CC 2.0

As with many fortifications in Sri Lanka (Galle Fort for example), Fort Frederick was built by the Portuguese, rebuilt by the Dutch and then confiscated by the British. Today the fort is occupied by the Sri Lankan military, but visitors can explore several of its ramparts.

3. Whale watching

alt="Things to do in Trincomalee-Sri Lanka Whale Watching">Atlas & Boots

Sri Lanka has become one of the world's premier whale watching destinations. While Mirissa is the most popular spot for whale watching on the south coast, we don't recommend it. The alternative option from Trinco has excellent excursions that are not yet advertised loudly with the specific goal of “not ending up in Mirissa,” we are told. Whales can be seen from viewing points in Koneswaram or on boat trips. The season lasts from May to October.

4. Fish market

The noisy daily fish market near the bus station gives a great insight into the lives of many who work in the city's thriving fishing industry. Vendors offer a variety of fish, including tuna, barracuda and squid, all caught in the waters off the city's coast. The early morning hours are the busiest.

5. Manayaweli Bay

End your visit to the fish market with a quiet stroll along the gently rolling beach of Manayaweli Bay. Most of the city's fishermen disembark here before heading to the market to sell their catch. In the nearby Dhoby Tank, local women wash their laundry en masse.

6. British War Cemetery

alt="Activities at the Trincomalee War Cemetery in Sri Lanka">Atlas & Boots

After Singapore fell to the Japanese in World War II, Trincomalee became the most important naval and air base for the British and Allied powers in South Asia. The cemetery contains the graves of 364 British Empire soldiers who were killed or died during World War II. Nationalities include Sri Lanka, India, Canada, France, Netherlands, New Zealand, Italy, East Africa, South Africa, Myanmar and Pakistan.

7. St. Mary's Cathedral

St. Mary's Cathedral is a Catholic church built in 1852 and is by far the most attractive of the city's churches. A sky-blue neo-baroque facade at the front and a tiled, tower-like back, it's worth a quick stop.

8. Kanniya Hot Springs

alt="Things to do in Trincomalee-Sri-Lanka-Kanniya-hot-springs">Atlas & Boots

The seven geothermal springs in Kanniya are a popular destination for Sri Lankans, locals and international tourists alike. You are also likely to see Sri Lankan school parties visiting and playing in the fountains. If you would like to swim, there are separate changing rooms for men and women. However, if you take a bath, be warned: you will attract a lot of attention! Note that the use of soap is prohibited.

9. Uppuveli and Nilaveli beaches

old=““>Atlas & Boots

The charming coastal communities of Uppuveli and Nilaveli offer beautiful beaches. We stayed in Uppuveli, which is more developed but the water is calmer and good for swimming. Nilaveli has a longer beach (almost 4 km) with fewer hotels and guesthouses, but the water is more choppy.

10. Pigeon Island National Park

alt="Things to do in Trincomalee-Sri Lanka-Pigeon Island">Atlas & Boots

With powder-white sand, volcanic rocks and lush thickets, Pigeon Island certainly looks like an idyllic desert island in every way. However, the recent surge in tourism means you'll struggle to find a quiet spot, and the once-pristine reef is clearly in decline. To counteract this, many areas have now been cordoned off. The island is located off the coast of Nilaveli with tours lasting approximately two hours. They can be organized through your hotel.

Things to do in Trincomalee: The essentials

What: Discover the best things to do in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.

Where: We stayed at Trinco Blu by Cinnamon, probably our favorite hotel in Sri Lanka. Located right on Uppuveli beach, the hotel has a beautiful, bright, cool and calm atmosphere. The rooms all face the sea, making for a beautiful sunrise in the morning and a cool breeze throughout the day. The airy rooms, decorated in bright white and ocean blue, harmonized perfectly with the sea and beach.

We spent our final days in Sri Lanka strolling along the beach, between swimming in the sea and eating at the local restaurants. It was the perfect end to our month of travel in Sri Lanka.

• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=“Aktivitäten in Trincomalee-Sri-Lanka-Uppuveli-Strand-2″>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>

When: If you enjoy diving or whale watching in Trinco, the best time to visit is May to October, when the sea is calmest and offers good visibility.

The overall weather in Sri Lanka is a bit complicated as there are two separate monsoon seasons that affect different parts of the country. Jan-Apr and mid-Jul-Sep offer the best odds for good weather nationwide.

How: Trincomalee is located on the north-eastern coast, meaning distances to other parts of the country are relatively long. Despite the longer travel times, the city is quite well connected by road and rail.

There are overnight trains to Colombo (8 hours), but other destinations such as Anuradhapura or Kandy require a change at Mahawa (also known as Maho). Check train timetables here.

Fares to Colombo are as follows:

1. Klasse: 760 LKR (5 USD) 2. Klasse: 450 LKR (3 USD) 3. Klasse: 285 LKR (2 USD)

There are several bus services from Colombo and other major destinations, but the train is a far more pleasant experience. We found bus travel in Sri Lanka quite stressful, so you may prefer to take a transfer instead. Your hotel can arrange this, but it's always worth negotiating a discount as these are usually excessive (e.g. if it says LKR 15,000, ask for 11,000).

Many tourists choose to hire a driver for the entire trip. This costs approximately $45 per day (including days you don't use the driver). We used Ajaa (+94 777 284 178) and Sisi (+94 777 203 083) for shorter transfers and found them friendly and reliable.

The travel times to the main destinations are as follows:

Colombo: 6 hours (Airport: 5.5 hours) Dambulla: 2 hours Anuradhapura: 2 hours Kandy: 4 hours Galle: 7 hours

Most international flights land at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Book via Skyscanner for the best prices.

We flew with Sri Lanka Airlines and since we had a long drive to the airport and then a long flight to Myanmar, we used the Serendib Lounge at the departure gate and popped in for a few drinks and a snack.

old=““>

Lonely Planet Sri Lanka is a comprehensive travel guide to Sri Lanka, ideal for those who want to both explore the top attractions and take the road less traveled.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

      .