Located in the northeast part of the island, 254 km from Colombo, on the shores of a picturesque bay, lies the city of Trincomalee. The beaches of this most famous resort town on the east coast enjoy sunny weather year-round. Along the shore, there are numerous small coves that protect swimmers from the wind, and the city itself is nestled in a perfectly sheltered natural harbor.
The busiest beaches in Trincomalee stretch for 6 km — Uppuweli, located 6 km from the city center, and the adjacent Nilaveli. They can be reached by taxi or rickshaw. Eight kilometers from the beaches are the seven Kanniyai Hot Springs, where visitors can bathe. It is said that the local waters help with arthritis and rheumatism.
In the city, you can visit Fort Frederick, which is still used for defense purposes. At the top of the fort is Swami Rock and the ancient Hindu temple Tirukoneswaram Kovil, open daily from 16:30 to 18:30. From there, you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the coastline and the city.
Thirteen kilometers from the city are the amazing ruins of the Velgam Vihara complex, built in the first century. Here, you can see the remains of a large dagoba (mausoleum) and two small Buddha statues. Since 1934, this site has been designated as an archaeological reserve of Sri Lanka.

















