Off the beaten path around Jaffna

This page is about less-frequented places of interest in the
Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

Find a list of links to dozens of off-the-beaten-path destinations
all over Sri Lanka here...

Jaffna

Popular tourist attractions in the Tamil north of Sri Lanka

The major attractions of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province are on Jaffna Peninsula and on the islands in the Palk Strait. Actually, the places of interest listed below are all well-known to visitors of Jaffna. Apart from the major attractions around Jaffna, there are almost no less-known sites that could be recommended. On the other hand, all major destinations on the peninsula are still not at all overcrowded with tourists. In short: All northern attractions of Sri Lanka fall in both seemingly contradictory categories: well-known and less-visited at the same time.

Lonesome places in Sri Lanka's on Jaffna Peninsula and islands

3***stars & not full of tourists

The main attractions of Jaffna town are the Dutch Fort and the Kandaswamy temple in the suburb of Nallur, which is actually the older city. Nallur was once the residence of the princes of Jaffna. As said, there are only few off-the-beaten path recommendations for Jaffna and Nallur. Maybe, one example of a site left out on some typical Jaffna itineraries is the Mantri Manai in Nallur, believed to be the residence of high-ranking officials of the former Jaffna principality.

2**stars & almost without tourists

Those interested in architectural heritage and cultural history should not miss to visit Kandarodai to the north of Jaffna town. The finds at this archaeological site were significant. The restored stupas are unique. They are small, but there are numerous of them, more than at any other place of the same size.

3***stars & not many tourists

Nainativu Island has plenty of visitors. However, it’s not yet touristy. The reason is: Most visitors are Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims, the latter venerating the Buddha-visited site of Nagadeepa. The nearby Nagapooshani Amman Kovil is very colourful, similar to Tamil temples in South India. A special appeal of this Hindu temple is that it is situated at the seashore. Starting from Jaffna, Delft island and Nainativu Island could be visited on one single day.

2**stars & not many tourists

A boat excursion to Delft Island, is quite popular with those travellers who find their way to Jaffna. A safari on the island will allow you to see the feral horses the island is famous for and also one of Sri Lanka’s most impressive Baobab trees. Furthermore, remnants of the Portuguese and the Dutch colonial period will be visited on a round tour on the island. Though included in most Jaffna itineraries, Delft is still a remote island and you will be almost undisturbed during your safari.

1*star & almost without tourists

Mannar Island in the northwest of Sri Lanka has feral horses and also a Baobab tree.  Mannar is very rarely visited by busloads of tourists. An insider tip is a hike along the nortwestern beach to the very tip of the islands to see the sandbanks of the so-called Adam’s Bridge, a chain of islets connecting Mannar with the Indian island of Rameshvaram.

1*star & almost without tourists

Further attractions are Fort Hammenhiel on an islet to the southwest of Karainagar Island, the ancient port of Jambukola,  the holy bathes of Keerimalai,  the immense Nilavarai well, the northermost Point Pedro, the sand dunes of Manalkadu, and the Elephant Pass, which is an artificial dam to mainland Sri Lanka.