Jaffna,Sri Lanka

• Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil (major Hindu temple and festival site)
• Jaffna Fort (17th-century fort with colonial layers)
• Jaffna Public Library and the reconstructed reading rooms
• Casuarina Beach (popular sandy beach with clear water)
• Delft Island (Neduntheevu) — coral, wild ponies and colonial relics
• Nainativu / Nagadeepa (important Buddhist and Hindu shrines on an island)
• Keerimalai Hot Springs and Naguleswaram Temple
• Jaffna Market and local bazaars (spices, fish, palmyra products)
• Jaffna Museum and Dutch-era buildings
• Point Pedro and the northern coastline

• Distinct Tamil temple architecture (colorful gopurams and ritual art)
• Colonial military architecture at Jaffna Fort (Portuguese/Dutch/British layers)
• Rich lagoon and wetland ecosystems supporting migratory birds
• Coral-strewn islands and clear coastal waters suitable for island-hopping
• Unique cultural landscape dominated by palmyra trees, fishermen communities and artisan crafts

• Attend the Nallur Festival (chariot procession, music and ritual)
• Island-hopping to Delft, Nainativu and nearby islets
• Heritage walks through the fort, library and old Dutch streets
• Sample Jaffna cuisine — crab curry, various sambols, toddy sweets and Jaffna-style biryani
• Birdwatching in lagoon wetlands and Chundikkulam/Point Pedro areas
• Relaxing at Casuarina Beach and snorkeling around islands
• Cycling or tuk-tuk tours of the peninsula and fishing villages
• Visiting hot springs and coastal temples for cultural context

• Nallur Festival (annual; major Hindu festival with chariot procession; usually July/August)
• Thai Pongal (January — harvest festival widely celebrated)
• Tamil New Year (April) and other Hindu calendar events
• Local temple festivals and seasonal fishing-related observances

Best time: March–September (generally drier and sunnier; avoid the northeast monsoon period which typically brings heavier rains from October to February).

Hot, tropical and generally dry for much of the year on the peninsula. Typical daytime temperatures range from 26°C to 32°C; slightly cooler during the northern winter (Dec–Jan) with intermittent rains during the northeast monsoon.

Reopened and accessible by Jaffna International Airport (JAF) with domestic flights, by train on the Northern Line (from Colombo), and by long-distance buses via the A9 highway. Local transport includes tuk-tuks, buses and hired bikes/cars. Boats and ferries connect the Jaffna mainland to islands like Delft and Nainativu.

Recommended stay: 2–4 days to explore the city and nearby islands; 5–7 days if you plan extended island trips, birdwatching or a slower cultural itinerary.

Lightweight cotton clothes, sunhat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen. Modest clothing (cover shoulders/knees) when visiting temples. Comfortable walking shoes, mosquito repellent, and a reusable water bottle. If island-hopping, bring swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen.

Must-try foods: Jaffna crab curry, Jaffna-style tuna/chicken curry, various sambols (e.g., pol sambol), manioc and palmyra jaggery sweets. Souvenirs: palmyra products (baskets, jaggery), handloom textiles, local chutneys, coral/sea-themed handicrafts from Delft (note conservation rules when buying natural items), and culturally themed prints/artisan goods.