Badulla

Is Badulla worth visiting?

Quick answer: Yes, as a half day or one night from Ella. Badulla is the capital of Uva Province, about 20 km and 26 minutes by road from Ella. Its best-known sight is Dunhinda Falls, about 4 km from town, and it has an old Buddhist temple, a Kandyan-era wooden bridge nearby and the last station on the Main Line railway.

Badulla sits below Ella, Bandarawela and Haputale, so it is warmer than the hill stations. Most travellers come for the falls and go back to Ella the same day.

What is there to do in Badulla?

How do I visit Dunhinda Falls?

Visit Uva says Dunhinda Falls is about 5 km from Badulla town (our routing to the car park is about 4 km), with a main drop of about 64 m (210 ft) into a pool below. The falls are in thick forest, and the last part is a footpath from the entrance, with viewing points along the way.

Go in the morning and wear shoes with grip, as forest paths get slippery after rain. October to December is the wettest time at Badulla, so check the weather before you set out.

What are the main temples?

Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya is in Badulla town. Visit Uva says it is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, that by tradition the Buddha visited the site, and that it is believed to hold a hair relic of the Buddha. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes and hats.

Badulla Kataragama Devalaya is a shrine to the god Kataragama. Visit Uva says the town, including the devalaya, was damaged by a Portuguese army led by Constantine de Saa in 1630. Our Kataragama pilgrimage guide explains who Kataragama is and why the god matters to several faiths.

What is the Bogoda wooden bridge?

The Bogoda Old Wooden Bridge is about 17 km and 25 minutes by road from Badulla. Visit Uva says it is believed to date from the Kandyan Kingdom era, is regarded as one of the oldest surviving wooden bridges in Sri Lanka, has a roof, and is built without nails. The exact date of construction is not known.

Can I take the train to Badulla?

Badulla Railway Station is the end of the Main Line. Visit Uva says the line reached Nanu Oya in 1885 and Badulla in 1924.

We could not check train times, fares or line notices on 24 October 2026, because the Sri Lanka Railways website did not load. Check at Ella station or our Nanu Oya to Ella train guide before you plan around it.

How do I get to Badulla by bus or road?

The NTC list gives fares between end points, not stops or times. Ask at the bus stand for the next departure.

What is the weather like in Badulla?

Badulla's average maximum temperature is between 25.5°C and 31.2°C through the year, and the average minimum between 17.5°C and 19.6°C, on WMO normals for 1991 to 2020. Rain by month:

June to August is the driest stretch. That is the opposite of the south coast, so Badulla and Ella pair well with an east coast summer trip.

Where does Badulla fit in a trip?

• From Ella: a half-day trip by tuk-tuk or bus to Dunhinda Falls and the temple.
• On to the east: The pilgrim town of Mahiyanganaya is about 52 km and 1 hour 7 minutes away, on the road towards Polonnaruwa and the east coast.
• Hill country loop: Nuwara Eliya is about 53 km away. See our hill country itinerary for a full route.