After soaking in the sun on the south coast, a weekend in Ella felt like just what I needed – after all, I can’t go too long without my fix of mountains!
Here, the road winds up into gentle green hills, with tea plantations draping the slopes, and clouds hanging on the ridgelines. It’s one of the easiest spots in Sri Lanka to get out and have some outdoor fun without needing a bunch of specialised gear and in just a couple of days, you can hike to a stunning viewpoint, ride the train over the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, and still have plenty of time to enjoy delicious food and relax with the incredible views.
We took a weekend trip to Ella from our base in Ahangama. Although I’ll preface this by admitting we intentionally didn’t spend much time in Ella town itself. It seems the downtown area has become a bit flashy, filled with trendy restaurants & bars that seem to target tourists and ignore locals.
Instead, we focused on the nature and exploring the mountains, and that’s where Ella truly shines in my opinion. This itinerary is crafted for that version of Ella, so if you’re like us and looking for a little bit of peace and the odd hike or two, read on!
Ella weekend itinerary overview
Day 1
- Arrive & check in
- Head to Little Adam’s Peak for sunset
- Dinner at Dream Lodge Restaurant
Day 2
- Ella Rock hike reasonably early (not sunrise though!)
- Lunch and downtime
- Nine Arch Bridge with a Juice at Asanka Cafe
- Walk back into Ella and have dinner at Sintha bara Lonthe – Konich
Planning your weekend in Ella
How to get to Ella
From the south coast
If you’re coming from Weligama, Mirissa, Ahangama, or Galle, a private driver or taxi is the simplest way to do a weekend in Ella. We booked our transfer both ways via Mirissa cabs, and I can only recommend them!
By train (if you’re building a longer itinerary)
The iconic train journey from Kandy to Ella is a must-do, but due to cyclone damage, the full route isn’t running at the moment. Right now, you can still enjoy a shorter ride through the beautiful hill country around Ella, with trains operating about four times a day. It’s a great way to experience the famous Nine Arch Bridge!
If you’re planning your trip around the train schedule, make sure to check the latest updates from Sri Lanka Railways first. After that, you can confirm the times using their timetable search. Once the full services are back up and running, you’ll be able to book reserved seats through the official Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation site, but keep in mind that availability can be limited, so it’s a good idea to check early!
Where to stay in Ella
If your priority is views and a calmer atmosphere, choose accommodation on the hills rather than right on the main strip.
Golden View Guest was our favourite place to stay in Ella, especially for the view. The sunrises from the balcony were honestly the best we saw anywhere in Sri Lanka, the valley still and smoky with mist while the hills slowly lit up. Breakfast is simple and lovely, and exactly what you want before heading out for a hike.
One thing to know before you book is that it is up a steep, precarious mountain road. Some cars can be a bit hesitant, particularly if it’s wet, but tuk-tuks are very happy to do it. Golden View also offer a tuk-tuk service to get you to and from wherever you’d like to go, which makes the location feel effortless once you’re settled. As a final note, the guys who run the hotel are genuinely the nicest people we’ve met in Sri Lanka!
Best time to visit Ella
Ella is beautiful year-round, but it is still ruled by weather. Clear hiking days are more common in the drier months, often December to March, with another relatively drier period around July to September.
Cloud can roll in quickly at any time of year, so the most practical rule is this: plan your big hike for the morning, then keep your afternoons more flexible.
Day 1: arrive, slow down, then sunset at Little Adam’s Peak
Check in and take your time
The best part of arriving in Ella is the immediate shift in temperature and light. Even if the town is busy, the valley holds onto a sense of space.
If you’re checking into Golden View Guest, lean into it straight away. Drop your bags, take your tea out to the balcony, and just sit with the valley for a while. This is the kind of place where the view is the itinerary, especially early and late in the day, so give yourself permission to do nothing for a bit before you head out.
Late afternoon: Little Adam’s Peak
Little Adam’s Peak is the easiest viewpoint you can find in Ella. While it’s often referred to as a hike, it’s really more of a gentle stroll with some steps, making it totally doable even if you’re just arriving that day.
The real highlight here is the breathtaking views. You’ll see tea fields, ridgelines, and the gentle drop into the Ella Gap. If you’re lucky enough to be there on a clear afternoon, you can watch the sunlight dance across the valley, transforming the greens from vibrant to deep.
Try to aim for the late afternoon so you can reach the top when the light is just right, and don’t forget to keep walking along the ridge after you hit the main viewpoint – the crowds tend to thin out quickly once people stop chasing that main photo spot. Lastly, definitely bring a light layer! The temperature drops after sunset, and it can get pretty windy (at least it was when we visited).
Dinner: Dream Lodge Restaurant
The best meal we had in Ella was at Dream Lodge Restaurant.
It is tiny and unassuming, and there is no menu. A family cooks rice and curry from scratch, and it tastes like it, full of depth and warmth. If you want a dinner that feels local and relaxed, this is the one.
If you have been travelling all day, make it an early night. Day 2 has the longer hike.
Day 2: Ella Rock in the morning, Nine Arch Bridge in the afternoon
Morning: hike Ella Rock
Ella Rock is the hike that earns its views. It is longer than Little Adam’s Peak, and it feels more satisfying because you work for it.
You’ve got two good options for where to start. You can begin from Ella town and walk along the tracks, which is the classic route, but it’s also the least interesting part of the hike. If you’d rather get to the good bits faster, take a tuk-tuk to Kitha Ella station and start from there instead. It cuts around 45 minutes to an hour of railway track, and you still get a short stretch along the line at the beginning, which is perfect in my opinion.
Ella Rock is popular for sunrise, but we’re not those people. If you’re a little lazy too, starting around 9am is ideal. You miss the sunrise crowd, but you’re still early enough to enjoy the trail before the late risers start filtering up.
Use AllTrails and download the Ella to Ella Rock route before you go.
The scam to know about (and how to avoid it)
There is a common routine on this trail where people try to convince you that you have gone the wrong way. The goal is usually to redirect you to a paid route or a guide.
If you are following the AllTrails route, trust it. Keep walking. Do not get pulled into a conversation. Check your map and move on.
Practical notes for Ella Rock
- Start point: Walk from Ella town along the tracks, or save time by taking a tuk-tuk to Kitha Ella station and starting there.
- Timing: Budget around 2.5 to 4 hours return depending on your pace and stops.
- Fee: There is an entry fee collected near the top viewpoint. When we went, it was 930 LKR, paid in cash.
- What to bring: Water, a snack, sunscreen, insect repellent, and cash for the fee.
- Footwear: Wear proper shoes. The trail can be dusty when dry and slippery when wet.
On the way back down, keep an eye out near the start of the trail, just after the tea fields. There’s usually a man selling fruit and the biggest king coconuts you’ve ever seen, often with his very cute dogs hanging around. It’s a genuinely lovely stop. Sit for a minute, have a chat, and take the coconut break you didn’t know you needed.
Late morning: shower, reset, slow lunch
Once you are back, you will want a shower and something filling.
Ella town has plenty of cafés, but it can also feel like it could be anywhere. For lunch, go to Sintha bara Lonthe – Konich. It’s tucked just off the main drag on Waterfall Road, close enough to walk from town but far enough away to feel like you’ve stepped out of the noise.
It works brilliantly after Ella Rock when you want something filling without another café-on-the-strip situation. They do Sri Lankan favourites alongside a few western dishes, plus fresh juices and proper cocktails if you fancy turning lunch into an early evening. If you’re deciding whether to come back later, this is one of the better spots in Ella for a relaxed drink under soft lights.
This is a good time to rest your legs. Nine Arch Bridge is easier, but the heat in the valley can still be draining.
Afternoon: Nine Arch Bridge
Nine Arch Bridge is iconic for a reason. It is a beautifully curved railway bridge set into the valley, framed by dense green hills. When the train appears, it feels cinematic.
The tricky part is not the bridge itself. It is the crowd timing. People arrive in waves, then wait, then rush the same angles. Sadly, around train times, there’s really no avoiding it, and it’s honestly down to luck how busy or quiet you get the view. But regardless, it is what it is and enjoy it anyway!
The calm viewpoint: Asanka Cafe
To see the train from above, go to Asanka Cafe.
There’s a newer café next door called Cafe Soul, and yes, it’s more polished. But Asanka was here first, operating for over 20 years, and it is quite literally part of their home. It is usually far quieter than the trackside viewpoints, with the same valley view and none of the bustle. Order a juice, settle in, and support the local family who have been doing this long before Ella became a hotspot.
Nine Arch Bridge train times
Due to cyclone damage, the classic Kandy to Ella train journey is currently not running end-to-end. The good news is that a shorter section of the line is still operating, and you can usually catch a local service around Ella to see the train at Nine Arch Bridge. As with everything rail-related here, treat timings as a guide and double-check at Ella station or via Sri Lanka Railways’ schedule search.
As of visiting in February 2026, we saw trains passing Nine Arch Bridge at approximately:
- 9:45am
- 11:30am
- 3:45pm
- 5:00pm
If you have extra time
The reality is there are tonnes of things to do in Ella, and how much you can fit into a weekend will fully depend on how chilled (or not!) you want to be. So, if you find yourself twiddling your thumbs with loads of extra time, here are a few things you can sneak into your Ella itinerary:
Ravana Falls
If you’re cruising along the road in a car or hopping on a tuk-tuk, Ravana Falls is a fantastic quick stop that’s perfect for filling an hour. Located just off the A23 (the road from Ella to Wellawaya), it’s about 6 km from Ella, so you really can’t miss it. This stunning three-tiered cascade drops 25 meters and is especially breathtaking after a rain shower.
If you can, try to get there early because it tends to get pretty crowded later in the day, especially on weekends. Along the roadside, you’ll come across a few snack stalls and vendors selling fresh fruit.
Tea factory visit
If you’re looking to really soak in the beauty of the landscapes around you, a tour of a tea factory can add a whole new layer of experience. Just keep in mind that the quality of these tours can vary quite a bit. Some are quite polished, while others are more like working factories that welcome visitors.
If you can only pick one, I highly recommend the Uva Halpewatte (Halpé) Tea Factory, which is just a short tuk-tuk ride of about 15 to 25 minutes from Ella. It’s an active factory so the tour is simple and it wraps up with a delightful tea tasting. Allow about an hour all in and check the latest info on the Halpé Tea tour page before you go.
Visit Dogs of Ella (a local rescue and sanctuary)
If you find yourself with an hour to spare, Dogs of Ella is a local, non-profit rescue and sanctuary just outside town. They’re dedicated to rehabilitating and rehoming street dogs, while also focusing on sterilisation and community care. You can drop by during the day to meet the dogs, discover the amazing work they do, and lend a hand. They even offer dog walks, and all donations go directly towards medical care and food for the pups.
Where to eat in Ella
We were not particularly drawn to the trendier end of Ella town so my recommendations on places to eat reflects that (with a priority on local owned spots!). Here were my favourite places we ate in Ella:
- Dream Lodge Restaurant: family-run rice and curry, no menu, cooked from scratch.
- Sintha bara Lonthe – Konich: a solid lunch pick after the hike.
- Asanka Cafe: quiet, local, perfect for train spotting with juice and a view.
- Rainbow Cafe: the only “hyped” trendy place I’ll recommend, but honestly, it’s delicious.
Is Ella worth it for a weekend?
If your weekend in Ella revolves around the main town strip, it might feel a bit hectic and somewhat cookie-cutter. But if you use Ella as a launching pad for exploring the hills, it transforms into a whole new experience that is absolutely worth it. You’ll enjoy cooler breezes, proper hikes, serene train views, and meals that remind you of home-cooked goodness.
Quick FAQs for your Ella 2-day itinerary
How many days do you need in Ella?
Two days and two nights is ideal if you want to hike Ella Rock and still enjoy Nine Arch Bridge without rushing.
What is the best hike in Ella?
Ella Rock is the most rewarding hike for a weekend itinerary. Little Adam’s Peak is the best short option for sunset.
What time does the train cross Nine Arch Bridge?
Train times can vary, but as of Feb 2026 the train passes at approximately 9:45am, 11:30am, 3:45pm and 5:00pm. Use Sri Lanka Railways’ schedule search to check schedules on the day and expect delays.
