Is Ella worth visiting? A guide to the backpacker town in Sri Lanka Highlands

Is Ella worth the hype in 2026, or has it become just another Instagram trap swamped by overtourism? Yes—if you know how to venture beyond the main street. The center now bustles with 2,000 LKR haircuts and loud cafes like 360 Ella, but the surrounding highlands remain Sri Lanka’s most soul-stirring area.

We’ve recently spent three months exploring the teardrop island. We’ve explored Ella, looking for local restaurants, and drinking our weight in coffee. Of course, the best experience was hiking the Ella Rock. In the previous trips, we have done everything possible – Nine Arches, the blue train, and tea plantations. We have a clear understanding that Ella is worth visiting. We returned there, just because it’s pretty, lively, people are friendly, and there are endless things to do.

This time, we had a more specific lens as slowmads, looking for the best place to work while on the road (shoutout to the Wi-Fi at Barista Cafe). We’ve seen Ella in the pouring rain of a cyclone warning and in the golden light of a 6:00 AM hike to Ella Rock.

In this updated guide, we strip away polished travel brochures to show what it’s really like on the ground. From why you should skip the usual Ella Rock path for the “Pekoe Shortcut” to surviving tourist-priced “Bobby shops,” here’s what you need to decide if Ella deserves a spot on your itinerary.

Why visit Ella?

• There are many attractions in a small area
• Temperature is more pleasant than in other parts of Sri Lanka
• It is easy to reach by train
• Ella has one of the coolest hikes in Sri Lanka
• Visit a tea plantation and learn about Sri Lankan tea
• Sign up for a Yoga Retreat
• Budget-friendly accommodations
• Ideal for backpackers and Digital Nomads

What to see in Ella, Sri Lanka

When we arrived in Ella, the feeling was clear. This place can balance both worlds: a backpacker’s playground and a perfect base for digital nomads. The feeling is solid, like in the mountains of Vietnam in Sapa. Actually, even the weather looks the same.

There are so many things to see and do in Ella that you need more than a week to experience them all.

At the top of any Ella list is the trek to Little Adam’s Peak. It’s a moderate, 2-to-3-hour round-trip that rewards you with panoramic views of the rolling green hills, without the leg-burning intensity of Ella Rock.

The iconic Nine Arches Bridge was one of the highlights of our second trip to Sri Lanka (first time in Ella). We loved flying the drone over the lush jungle canopy to capture the train crossing.

We also enjoyed visiting a nearby tea plantation and factory to learn about Sri Lanka’s famous tea industry. You cannot escape the scent of fresh tea here.

We highly recommend visiting a nearby factory to see the “Leaf to Cup” process in action. Beyond the tea, the local community remains incredibly welcoming.

Best tours in Ella

Top 10 Things to Do in Ella

Hike to Ella Rock

We did hike Ella Rock, and the view was aweful. The sky was grey, foggy and we couldn’t see anything from the peak. However, every morning, when we stayed in Ella, the view from our hotel, right in front the towering rock was one of the best. Our hotel was the Ekho by the way.

To be fair you can’t say you have been to Ella without hiking the Ella Rock. Instead of the traditional 300-meter vertical scramble, I started my hike from Makulella (Stage 15 of the Pekoe Trail) with my expert local guide, Chamila. This “secret” route is a game-changer; starting from the Eucalyptus pine forest, you only have about 120 meters of elevation to gain to reach the summit.

The path is a scenic, clay-packed trail rich with minerals—I even found a piece of shiny raw quartz along the way!

Visit Ravana Falls

On our way out from Ella, we visited Ravana Falls, one of the most iconic waterfalls in Sri Lanka. It is a famous spot, and people just pull over to admire it. If you rent a scooter, don’t be afraid to park and enjoy the view.

On our first trip to Sri Lanka, I dipped my toes in the water, as it was simply refreshing and cool.

Explore Nine Arch Bridge

Second to none and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Asia, the Nine Arch Bridge is beautiful and worth every single drop of sweat we put into making the trip there. It is one of the most difficult sights to reach, but it is rewarding.

The iconic engineering marvel is one of the most photographed places in the country, surrounded by jungle and tea bushes.

Take a Train Ride

To have the best experience while in Ella you must take the blue train, that’s how the famous city is thriving with tourism. We took it already in 2019 and returned on a newly built tourist train, “Calypso”, in 2024, only two days after it started to function.

Famous are the pictures with people hanging out of the train, not so safe, but definitely iconic. You can get a ticket on the Sri Lanka Blue Train from Kandy to Ella for about 1000 Rupees.

Get to the top of Little Adam’s Peak

Embark on a relatively easy hike to Little Adam’s Peak, where you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Ella Gap and the rolling hills of the surrounding landscape. The sunrise and sunset views from this vantage point are simply spectacular.

Visit Ella Tea Factory

We have been to Sri Lanka multiple times and have always visited a tea plantation. Even if you think that the process is the same, all of them keep secrets (often handed down by generation). It is worth visiting a Tea Factory and a plantation while exploring Ella.

On a Ceylon tea tour, with a guide, you will learn about the history of tea cultivation in Sri Lanka, its origins, and why it has the most favourable climate.

The tour always ends with a tea-tasting session, and believe me, freshly brewed tea has a totally different (better) taste!

Best tea plantation tours in Ella:

🍵 Dambetanna Tea Factory | RESERVE HERE!
🫖 Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory Tour | BOOK HERE!

Relax at Ella Gap

Enjoy a leisurely picnic or soak in the stunning views of Ella Gap, a natural cleft in the hills that offers panoramic vistas of the Ella Valley below.

This is the perfect spot to unwind and connect with nature.

Explore Ella Town

Wander through the charming streets of Ella town and soak up the vibrant atmosphere. Browse local markets, sample delicious street food, and interact with friendly locals to get a taste of authentic Sri Lankan culture.

Take a Cooking Class

Delve deeper into Sri Lankan cuisine with a hands-on cooking class in Ella. Learn to prepare traditional dishes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and savour the flavours of your culinary creations.

Spend a few days on a yoga retreat in Ella

Being a town tucked away from the hustle and bustle of big cities like Colombo and Kandy, Ella is the perfect place to unwind and relax. It’s popular among travellers as a perfect yoga retreat.

Imagine waking up in the morning with the sound of the river passing by, only the birds and no cars at all. Ella is the perfect place to spend a few days rejuvenating and taking part in yoga classes and mindfulness practices.

We had troubles exploring Sri Lanka for three months, wi-fi was unreliable. However, we found Ella surprisingly well-equipped. We are always on the search for the best spots where we have a bit of work done between one activity and another. We were surprised by how many people were working from the cute coffee shops in Ella.

We spent many afternoons “drinking our weight in coffee” while clearing our inboxes.

• Our Go-To Spot: Barista Cafe at the road corner. It became our unofficial office because the Wi-Fi is actually reliable—a rarity in the highlands!
• The View Spot: For a break, head to Island Gelato next door and take your laptop to the top-floor balcony for a view that beats any co-working space in Colombo.

While overall we love the town, the vibes, the hikes and the fact we were never still or bored while there, there is a reality check to account for.

Ella is expensive if you want to do it all. I mean, we were expecting Sri Lanka to be way cheaper, like the rest of Asia. However, our expenses spreadsheet reveals that we spent more in a month in Sri Lanka than we will spend while in Thailand.

All these considerations are exaggerated in Ella, which is more touristy. Accommodation is still fine. If you move well in advance, you can score deals on guesthouses.

The town is pretty, but it’s becoming touristy, so prices are rising. It’s difficult to find a real local place nowadays. Locals and businesses are becoming more westernised. What many people call “the Bali effect” is real and tangible in Ella, Hiriketiya and Unawatuna.

Practical information about Ella

How to get to Ella

Ella is located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, about a 6-hour scenic train ride from the capital city of Colombo. The train journey itself is an experience not to be missed – winding through lush tea plantations, over misty mountains, and past cascading waterfalls.

It’s no wonder this iconic “blue train” route is considered one of the most beautiful train rides in the world.

Ella is also easily accessible from other popular destinations in Sri Lanka, like the hill town of Nuwara Eliya and the wildlife-rich Yala National Park. So, it’s the perfect spot to include on any itinerary.

READ ALSO | Best places to visit in Sri Lanka

When to visit Ella, Sri Lanka

The best time to visit Ella is from January to May when the weather and temperature are the best. During this period, you will still find mild-hot temperatures, but definitely cooler than Colombo, the South East Coast, and even Kandy.

While spending two days in Ella, we had pleasant average temperatures at all times, with less humid weather and a steady 30°.

If you visit Sri Lanka in the wet season, be ready to experience many rainy days in Ella. The town is nestled in the central part of Sri Lanka, which is the most rainy part. The region is particularly famous for the production of the finest tea, and the most important reason is the cooler temperature but not harsh rain.

How to get money in Ella

To our surprise, withdrawing money in Sri Lanka was free of charge, and this is using a Chase bank card, Revolut or UK bank Account. The ATM we suggest withdrawing is scattered everywhere in town and is one of the biggest banks in the country.

Take out money at Peoples Bank, which is easily recognizable by the yellow sign. There is an ATM just on your left, exiting Ella Train Station.

Best cafes and restaurants in Ella

We didn’t spend much time in Ella, but we definitely know the best spots to go for a good coffee or two. Ufo Cafe is the most iconic and the hotspot for first-timers in Ella. It offers not only coffee but drinks and delicious food. 

We actually toured the tiny island in the Indian Ocean, restoring at Barista, a new coffee shop concept that reminds a lot of Westernised digital nomads. This cafe has your dose of caffeine served.

There is a Barista on Ella’s main street, and it is quite busy, to be honest. It has fully working high-speed Wi-Fi, an upper deck to not get distracted, and a nice view of Ella’s Junction.

Ella for backpackers

Definitely Ella, Sri Lanka, is the right place for backpackers. The town is compact, with a long strip going up and down, boosting shops and restaurants.

Due to the low rate of the currency, you will be favoured by the exchange rate. Think about that a Coke and a local Red Bull cost us about 400 LKR rupees, about $1.5, in a random grocery shop.

There are eateries that offer Western food, but this comes with a price, which is still affordable, around $5 per meal. If you want to stay on a budget in Ella, stick with local food and get meals for $2/3.

In terms of accommodation, you can get a private, basic, budget room for just $5, and if you team up, this comes even cheaper.

How to get around Ella

Tuk-tuks are the most affordable and used way to get around Ella, but you can also rent a motorbike, go on tours, hire a driver, or rely on public transport.

We had a private driver who knew where to go and got to the spot quickly and easily. However, you can also rent your own scooter. Ella Scooter Rental,EllaBike, and Alone Cage Scooter Rental are the best in town.

If you rely on public transport to move between the cities or parts of Ella, it is extremely affordable, with a single ticket for a short trip costing about $0.10. You can hop on the red or blue buses, depending on your route, and pay on board. T

he routes of the buses are signed at the bus stop or on the front of the vehicle. Also, consider that people in Sri Lanka usually speak English, so don’t be afraid to ask.

How long should you spend in Ella?

We suggest staying in Ella for at least three to four days. The town reminds us a lot of Pai, in Northern Thailand. The vibes at night will let you relax even more, while during the day, you will enjoy incredible adventures and immerse yourself in the lush jungle.

With three days in Ella, you will cover the Blue train ride, Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adams Peak, and Ella Rock, with a tea plantation visit if you like it.

Where to stay in Ella

One of Ella’s biggest draws for backpackers is the incredibly affordable accommodation and cost of living.

We found budget-friendly hostels for as little as $3 per night, making it an extremely wallet-friendly destination. Eating local meals in Ella also costs us around $2-$5 per person.

FAQ | Is Ella worth visiting?