Northern Province
Jaffna temples, palmyra islands, a singular cuisine.
What defines the Northern Province.
The north is Sri Lanka's most distinct cultural region — Tamil temples, palmyra palms, a celebrated cuisine and a chain of low sandy islands. Long off the map, it rewards travellers who venture beyond the usual loop.
- February – September (driest in the dry zone)
- Best time
- 2
- Main regions
- 12
- Landmarks
Every corner of the Northern Province.
Explore the Northern Province.
Browse the regions that make up this theme. Pick a place to see it come alive, then wander into the one that calls you.
Jaffna
The proud cultural capital of the Tamil north.
Jaffna is the heart of Sri Lanka's Tamil north — a peninsula city of soaring temple gopurams, a vast Dutch fort, palmyra palms and a celebrated, fiercely good cuisine. Long cut off by the decades of civil war, it now rewards those who venture beyond the usual loop with a Hindu culture, language and rhythm all its own. The Nallur Kandaswamy temple is among the most striking in the country, especially during its 25-day August festival, while a causeway-and-ferry network links a chain of low sandy islands offshore. The food alone — crab curry, dosai and palmyra-treacle puddings — justifies the long journey north.
Explore JaffnaTravel the theme
Tours through the Northern Province.
EssentialHeritage Highlights Express
5 days · from $1,150 pp
Explore the package- Boutique
Cultural Triangle in Seven Days
7 days · from $1,650 pp
Explore the package - Luxury
Kingdoms & Temples Grand Tour
12 days · from $2,900 pp
Explore the package
Every tour is a starting point that we tailor around the places that move you.
Make the Northern Province yours.
We thread the corners that move you into one tailor-made trip.