"This is a place you must visit during your visit to Jaffna … We have reviews of the best places to see in Jaffna. Check the best places to stay in Sri Lanka. Places to eat in Jaffna. Show Destinations near Jaffna Freedom to make your own trip! The library is just in front of the tower clock, I walk through after sunrise but it was still closed. Fishermen are also in the area, another great subject for few photos. It’s a busy site and sunrise is the only time when you will find the square almost empty. In true honesty, I believe that globalization has still not a big imprint in Sri Lanka and this is why I usually suggest this country to my friends. There are plenty of them around, especially churches. from city center 2 out of 11. places to visit in Jaffna. It is now a peaceful part of the country to visit. Have a look, you may come across a street party or a celebration planned during your stay. With a population of 88,138 in 2012, Jaffna … This was for sure the best thing we have done in Jaffna. Let’s say it was not my highlight of the day. The clock tower is a historical site and landmark of Jaffna. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. In saying that, I was there in January and I had only sunny dry days with coolish nights. Location & Places to Visit on Jaffna Map How to reach Jaffna. When I run my photography workshops I always suggest to add something to the photo that can make it unique. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Jaffna, Sri Lanka on Tripadvisor: See 9,815 traveller reviews and photos of Jaffna tourist attractions. Built in the year of 1933, … There are two areas, one dedicated to the retail and one for the locals where people can buy the fish for their own meal. You are absolutely right about the official languages, both Sinhalese and Tamil. Thanks Paul for your feedback and appreciation. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. They fly only small charters to Jaffna, which means that if you are in a small group it may actually be quite convenient, besides saving a lot of time. Visitors can get to Jaffna by train or car on a road trip. This is not an industrial area by any mean. I, however, suggest sparing a day roaming the peninsula with either a rented a car or simply with a tuk-tuk. I tried to understand the reason for it but I am still uncertain on the real explanation if there is one (add a comment if you have more info). This is a great source as the train may be not available for some routes. Request a trip Top 10 Places to Visit in Jaffna … Yala National Park is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka and is one of … Among the important places to visit in Jaffna, this is definitely one. We have reviews of the best places to see in Jaffna. This may be an option as well as just renting a car, a taxi or a tuk-tuk for 2 days and visit all on your own and with your time schedule. In this guide, I list the best 9 places to visit in Jaffna with a bonus spot, a typical fishing market that you will be very unlikely to share with any other tourist, a real experience. Check the map below for the location as there are many fish markets around the city (I got confused myself when I wanted to revisit the place for more videos). Once removed, everyone looks similar, there are no more social classes. Sangilean Thoopu. Simply, because photography is not allowed inside the structure and my eyes “stored” all the possible images. The best is that I have organised a map with all the top things to do so you can easily move through them. Situated on the south side of the Jaffna peninsula at the water’s edge of the lagoon, the … Because it really offers any kind of experience in such a relatively small island. A trip to Jaffna is not a quick thing to do, and that’s probably another reason why this area is so unspoilt. comments powered by Disqus. We have reviews of the best places to see in Jaffna. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. Places to Visit in Jaffna … The number one place to eat in Jaffna is Mango’s. However, you can try with Cinnamon, a small airline company in Sri Lanka that flies to minor destinations. It was quite unassuming from the outside however once I entered and I started the walk I definitely felt a connection with someone, I am not sure how to describe it. A famous landmark in the town of Jaffna, the Jaffna Clock Tower was built in the year 1875. It’s more down to the basics. My only concern is you have mentioned Sinhalese as the official language of Sri Lanka but it should be Sinhalese as one of the official language of Sri Lanka along with Tamil. I personally suggest to not fully trust any website timetable. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Jaffna Dutch Fort. It’s a pity I did not have a swimming trunk with me otherwise I would have checked if I could improve my look too LOL. Many thanks for your feedback This is a 3 minutes video I did in my trips in Sri Lanka, with a drone as well. Yala National Park. It’s instead based on a few square meters, two sheds and a small pier. This map was created by a user. There is even a small fee to access it. It is actually believed that the temples are built around energy points. I spent my lunch at the Ammachi Unavakam food court, basically few tables shared by few ladies cooking on the side of the street. You can find some nice spots with walls and sky reflection. What are the top attractions to visit in Jaffna? See Tripadvisor's 3,180 traveller reviews and photos of Jaffna attractions for thrifty travelers The destruction of the war is still evident but visitors will see how the community is bouncing back and rebuilding, while not losing their Tamil identity. Show Jaffna Attractions. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. They are quite intriguing, especially for some photography. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Jaffna, Sri Lanka on Tripadvisor: See 9,858 traveller reviews and photos of Jaffna tourist attractions. Be aware that you are required to go barefoot inside the sacred area. Unfortunately, it opens too late (8am) for early access in the morning. hotel, it’s used to describe restaurants that do not provide any room. This is the site where the Sacred Bo Tree of Buddhists (Sri Maha Bodhi) was planted in Sri Lanka. The hard part is getting out of Colombo, so, if you can, try to have a very early start, it will probably save you one hour. This means that there is not a huge number of available hotels around and it may be a good idea to book your place well in advance. Travelling time varies based on the train you select (there are a few throughout the day). The silence was so “loud” inside the temple. Jaffna has been a contested city from 1983 to 2009, the city was engulfed in war which led to extensive damage but in 2009, the people began returning to their homes and government and private sector reconstruction started to take place. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. Do not plan your trip to Jaffna for just beach time (better options in the south or east of Sri Lanka) otherwise, you will end up disappointed. Nallur Kovil. It can be however challenging to visit it as the unique attractions are quite dispersed in the area. One explanation mentions the fact that clothes may describe the social status of men. Casuarina is reckoned by the locals as the most beautiful beach in the Jaffna peninsula. I am personally not sure if the water nowadays is sourced by a natural spring or it comes through the small channel directly from the sea. That was an amazing experience! Keerimalai Pond is one of the attractions of Jaffna that I liked the most. Just use it as a reference and try to book your ticket as soon as you are in Colombo. During my visit, few boys were using the pond for a swim (females have a separate one behind walls). If someone takes you to a hotel for lunch it may be just a restaurant (confusing hey LOL). Trip.com introduces detailedly Jaffna travel guides of 2020, where large number of Jaffna attractions in 10 are collected, and tourists can find travel guidebook regarding popular scenic spots, popular cities, travel … Definitely popular with the locals however not as impressive as the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil. It was built almost 150 years ago in the occasion of the Prince of Wales visit to Ceylon. Mango’s is an Indian restaurant that is popular among both tourists and locals. The most popular things to do in Jaffna with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Hotels near (CMB) Bandaranayake Intl Airport, Neduntheevu (Delft Island): Tickets & Tours, Nagadeepa Rajamaha Viharaya: Tickets & Tours, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple: Tickets & Tours, Kadurugoda Buddhist Temple: Tickets & Tours, See all attractions in Jaffna on Tripadvisor, See all outdoor activities in Jaffna on Tripadvisor, See all kid friendly things to do in Jaffna on Tripadvisor. I have since organised also a dedicated post to the best places to stay in Sri Lanka and Jaffna is part of it. Things to Do in Jaffna, Northern Province: See Tripadvisor's 9 828 traveller reviews and photos of 63 Jaffna attractions. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Jaffna, Sri Lanka on Tripadvisor: See 9,858 traveler reviews and photos of Jaffna tourist attractions. Map Travel Advice Accommodation Books ... (see Jaffna Fort). However, honestly, you can find amazing food on any corner of every street. I missed on this trip the Public Library of Jaffna, once the largest in Asia (unfortunately it was mostly destroyed by a fire in 1981) and Deft Island. And it will stay always in my eyes. For some photography, I suggest staying on the coast side of the fort. Best Dining in Jaffna, Northern Province: See 2,735 Tripadvisor traveller reviews of 45 Jaffna restaurants and search by cuisine, price, location, and more. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. In Jaffna, I spent two nights at Jetwing and I had a great experience. And it’s a pity, however, I do fully understand the reasons. Things to Do in Jaffna, Northern Province: See Tripadvisor's 3,173 traveller reviews and photos of Jaffna attractions. Top Places to Visit in Jaffna, Sri Lanka: See Tripadvisor's 9,847 traveller reviews and photos of Jaffna attractions. Obviously, you may ask why this works only for the men. This unique place has also quite an interesting story. It’s a famous Hindu temple next to the Keerimalai Pond. Top Things to Do in Jaffna, Northern Province: See Tripadvisor's 9,828 traveller reviews and photos of 63 things to do when in Jaffna. The Jaffna station was connected only in 2014 to the country network. My suggestion is to try to include the local ladies in your composition, they are usually dressed with very bright colours which makes a great contrast with the goldish background. 575 reviews. When we arrived I could see only locals using it, which is another great signal of how this region is still a “secret” of Sri Lanka. Interesting article on the northern part of Sri Lanka. Following map shows the major attractions in Jaffna district. Before visiting any new destination I like to check the local news and happenings. Loved your photographic skills. Jaffna Map - Northern Province, Sri Lanka - Mapcarta Keep reading to find the best things to see and do in Jaffna. We have reviews of the best places to see in Jaffna. This is a great place to stop for a couple of days (I did it on the way back from Jaffna) and explore by bicycle. This is a map of travel attractions in Jaffna Sri Lanka. And so cheap too. The drive itself is quite easy. ... Nallur Kandaswamy Temple is a fascinating place to visit at any time, but becomes unforgettable during the latter stages of the annual … The beach is nice but it does not stand out. Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is probably the most beautiful Hindu temple I have ever seen. The great thing about the Jetwing Hotel, where I spent two nights, was that they cooked local Tamil street food and it was absolutely great to have a taste through the huge selection. Jaffna is more about a local experience, culture and cuisine. This pond became famous in the 7th century when a Chola princess (one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the history of southern India) visited the place and after a bath, her face was transformed from a horse-like head to a beautiful woman. The best outdoor activities in Jaffna according to Tripadvisor travelers are: What are the most popular things to do in Jaffna with kids? Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. There is a direct train line from Colombo to Jaffna, I have not experienced it myself, however, I was said it’s a good option. It is the administrative headquarters of the Jaffna District located on a peninsula of the same name. Cheers, Thanks William for your feedback, really appreciated, Top places to visit in Jaffna – a few quick facts, Best tourist attractions in Jaffna and around, Sri Sangamitta Viharaya (Buddhist temple), King Sangiliyan’s Minister’s House – Manthri Manai, Colombo to Jaffna by private transportation, Best areas to visit in Sri Lanka with possible itineraries, Travel photography in Sri Lanka – best images and a full guide, Where to go and how to experience a tea plantation in Sri Lanka, A guide to Kalkudah and Pasikudah Beach on the east coast, Best places to stay in Paris 2020 [close to everything and on budget], Where to stay in Melbourne [best areas and where to avoid], a trip from Colombo to Jaffna takes around 8-9 hours however you may be able to fly there as well, the beaches in Jaffna are nice however they are not the major reason to visit the area, the Tamil food recipes of Jaffna are unique and different from the remaining part of Sri Lanka, unmissable, the major attractions are the local fish market, the fort, Keerimalai, Nainativu (Nagadeepa), Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, Deft Island, the countryside and read on for more, the final Battle of the Sri Lankan Civil War in the Jaffna peninsula was in 2009. Dry, sunny and lower humidity. Last Updated: July 2016 . 0 km. I guess it is more because having topless women around is probably not a great idea. If you are reading this post most probably you already know about this area of Sri Lanka, close to any sort of tourism only till a few years ago due to a long internal Tamil dispute. You can use one of the below options to check the timetable and tickets: The ticket costs between $3 and $10 based on the class and if overnight. "Rich in history (Lord Buddha is said to have visited the place), the Buddhist temple is beautiful, and the journey to get there (across islands and causeways, and via ferry for the final leg) is very interesting." The top attractions to visit in Jaffna are: What are the best outdoor activities in Jaffna? Learn how to create your own. Sitting in the heart of Jaffna, the Jaffna Clock Tower was built to commemorate the visit of the then Prince of … I haven’t been to India myself, so I … Top Things to Do in Jaffna, Northern Province: See Tripadvisor's 9,857 traveller reviews and photos of 63 things to do when in Jaffna. "Inside the temple are figures of various gods and many murals depicting … I visited the exterior on a sunrise photography walk however it was still close in the early part of the morning. Jaffna Library. The interesting fact here is that Hindu, Buddhist and Christians churches and temples are next to each other. Jaffna is a developing travel destination in Sri Lanka. It was my mistake in the post and I corrected it accordingly. This is where the local fishermen come back from the sea and sell the fish. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Jaffna, Sri Lanka on Tripadvisor: See 9,841 traveller reviews and photos of Jaffna tourist attractions. Imagine a wide area made of different temples, ancient buildings, even men built pools. My cool Group in Jaffna The station itself is one of my favourite attractions of the city, a place to visit in the capital. It is quite a big structure almost in the centre of town, really easy to visit on foot. Tourist Attractions in Jaffna City Tour Map of Jaffna; Why visit Jaffna? Get in touch … In my early bird photography walk, I was almost on my own. Sri Lanka can be visited really on the cheap if you eat street food. Another reason is about the clothes blocking or slowing down, the positive chakra energy entering the body. Just think the same photo without the cow, it would be completely boring I believe. Right in the middle of this 400km trip, you will cross the town of Anuradhapura, my favourite temple site of Sri Lanka. The roads are almost straight but it’s a busy route used also by local businesses, which means it’s easy to get stuck in traffic, especially when driving through the towns. The train network was again activated only in 2014. This temple is so beautiful that the energy you can feel around would be disturbed by the many people taking photos and videos. And besides the price, the quality is really amazing. The Sri Sangamitta Viharaya is located just next to a beautiful beach. If you want to … It reminded me of Ayutthaya in Thailand. Click on the location to visit the page. My trip was made with a private van and it took me around 9 hours with a break in the middle. It’s a brand new place, with a local interior design, located right in the centre of town, perfect for any kind of exploration. The story is well pictured at the pond entrance. What is the best Jaffna travel guidebook? Nowadays it is just a collection of ruins however the architecture, old 2,000 years, is actually very interesting and in my mind recalled the Roman Empire. There are so many nice places you would miss otherwise. All the same in front of God. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. The fort is probably the biggest legacy left by the Europeans, and more precisely by the Portuguese, and the Dutch later. I would not wake up just for this tower though, add some more juicy stuff like a walk around the fort and in the city centre. You will be very unlikely to meet any tourist. If you have just 2 minutes spare for this post then you should know that: If you can add another 4 minutes you may go deeper and keep reading about the full list of attractions, hotels in Jaffna and means of transportation. King Sangiliyan’s Minister’s House is another interesting site to walk around. If you are into photography then this is a must place to visit in Jaffna. Something I regret and they are definitely both in my next visit bucket list. Cows are freely roaming in the yard, in the typical Indian style. Be aware that men need to take off the shirt. Today Jaffna, and the north side of the country is as peaceful as the remaining part of Sri Lanka, which means smiles at every corner. Highly rated budget-friendly activities in Jaffna: The top cheap things to do. As an example, you may book the direct train from Colombo to Jaffna, on the way back stop to Anuradhapura for few days and from there take a bus to Kandy (there is no train line between these two towns). It went through a history of destruction and repair started with the Portuguese and ending with the Civil War a few years ago. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. Places to visit in Jaffna are in plenty, take … If you are fascinated by the local culture and the local way of living than I definitely suggest a visit to the Kaakkai Thevu Fish Market. I like to close this post with two words used in a bizarre way in Sri Lanka: For the interactive Google Map you can click on this link. The picture below shows the inside of the Archbishop Cathedral. 1. Jaffna - Jaffna (, ) is the capital city of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. This is not to say that Kandy or Colombo are cities that shouldn’t be visited. Book the Best Jaffna Hotels on Tripadvisor: Find 3,029 traveller reviews, 2,739 candid photos, and prices for hotels in Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka. In my last trip I have visited Jaffna, in the northernmost area of the country. Jaffna Fort. Top Jaffna Landmarks: See reviews and photos of sights to see in Jaffna, Sri Lanka on Tripadvisor. The beginning was shot in Jaffna. Usually, there is always someone looking after these buildings and with a small tip, you may have access. the best time to visit the north is between May and September. EXPLORE JAFFNA MARKET. 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