Also known as the Temple Of Thousand pillars, the Konark Temple is dedicated to Shiva or Vishnu and is the first known stone temple in India. It was constructed by a Chola emperor and renovated by one of his successors in about 1120 CE. The construction materials for the temple are cut sandstone from a quarry and belong to three different types of granite from Trikuta mountains.
Fort Frederick has a great historical value and serves as the main landmark as it was destroyed and resurrected from the debris. Built on the ruins of the well renowned ancient Hindu Koneswaram temple, it is located at Swami Rock-Konamalai, in the northeastern part of Sri Lanka. The fort is also a popular tourist destination for those interested in learning more about Sri Lanka's culture and history.
Popularly known as the Kali Kovil, the Pathirakali Amman Temple is a ravishing site of worship and symbolic pure faith dedicated to goddess Bhadrakali. Located in the prime location of eastern province of Trincomalee, this temple consists of a sacred central shrine along with other shrines guarding it from each side, forming a network of beautiful shrines which has attracted pilgrims since the 11th Century.
The Velgam Vehera Buddhist Temple is another well-known Sri Lankan temple. Since its erection during the reign of King Devanampiyathissa (307–267 BC) in Kanniya, Trincomalee District, eastern Sri Lanka, this temple also known among Hindus as Natanar Kovil, has been an important destination of worship for both Sinhala and Tamil Buddhists.
Pigeon Island National Park, with a total area of 471.429 hectares, is one of Sri Lanka's two major marine-based tourism attractions. It is located 1 kilometre off the shore of Nilaveli, a coastal town in Eastern Province, and contains various ruins of ancient British military facilities that are now a popular tourist attraction. Sri Lankan coral reefs can also be found there
Honouring the British soldiers that were massacred during the tragic world war two, Trincomalee War Cemetery serves as a memorial harbouring around 300+ graves of soldiers of the Dutch, French, Italian and other allied force armies. Located north of Trincomalee the cemetery can be visited 24/7 by tourists who choose to pay their honourable respect to the deceased.
1. Swim with Whales - Trincomalee is famous for whale watching as it is one of the only places in the world where you can swim with the whales in their natural habitat. Between the months of June to August you can also enjoy whale watching on the east coast of Sri Lanka. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to head out and see whales in their natural habitat. There are several tours that leave Trincomalee on a daily basis
2. Spend leisure time at Dutch Bay Beach -Dutch Bay Beach is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Trincomalee. With its white sandy beaches and breezy weather, it makes for a perfect place to cool off after an exhausting day of sightseeing. It is within walking distance from many popular tourist attractions like the Maritime Museum, Fort and temples. You can also catch a glimpse of dolphins swimming in large pods here.
3. Snorkel at Pigeon Island - One of the most famous activities to indulge in at Trincomalee is snorkeling at Pigeon island. Pigeon island is the most prominent location of Sri Lanka for snorkeling. You can dive in deep blue waters and swim next to colorful corals and fishes.
1. Sigiriya Fortress - The Sigiriya Fortress is an ancient city centered around a massive stone formation. It was selected as the nation‘s capital by king Kashyap in the fifth century and is als one of the best places to visit in Trincomalee. You need to climb more than a thousand steps to reach the top and experience the panoramic view of the city. You can see the remains of an ancient gate shaped like a lion head and lush gardens all around the city.
2. Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla Cave Temple - You can hop on a guided tour of Sigiriya Rock fortress and Museum and get an opportunity to explore the UNESCO declared World Heritage site on your visit to Trincomalee. The walls of the museum depict the life of Gautam Buddha during the 2nd century.
3.Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal - Dating back to the Chola period, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal is a majestic Devu Lakshmi temple. The temple holds great significance for Hindu devotees as it displays the holy figurine of Sri Laxmi Narayana Perumal.
If you wish to explore the Trincomalee region, you can get around the entire island within a span of four to five days. In this timeframe, you can easily cover some of the best places to see in Trincomalee including War Cemetery and Raja Mahavihara.
The ideal time to visit Trincomalee is between the months of January to September when the weather is warm and mildly pleasant for sightseeing. The accommodations are cheaper and you will find a lesser crowd during these months.