Jaffna is the capital city of the northern province of Sri Lanka. Despite the aftermath of the civil war, the city remains to be a fascinating place worth exploring. This destination boasts magnificent landscapes and is known for its warm and genuinely kind locals. Jaffna used to be a major port in the north and part of its economy relies on the fishing industry. The city is also a melting pot of cultural influences. Its name, which means “port of the lyre”, is a Portuguese adaptation of a Tamil word. The city’s cuisine, on the other hand, has much Indian influence. If you’re visiting soon, you need to have an idea of the attractions that await you here. To help you with that, check out our list of the top 10 things to do in Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
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1. Plan a visit to Jaffna Fort
Jaffna Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1618, and it can be found in the coastal village of Gurunagar. After 62 years, Dutch colonizers decided to take over and renovate the fort. Built in a pentagon shape, the edifice used to house police quarters, a Dutch church, military barracks, and the officers’ residence. A tour of Jaffna Fort is perfect for history buffs who want to learn more about the city’s colonial past. Here, you get to see several artefacts such as Roman coins, cannons, and medieval pottery.
Jaffna Fort
Website: Jaffna Fort
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
Price: Free
2. Learn more about the city’s past at Jaffna Archeological Museum
Located in Nallur, Jaffna Archeological Museum is another site that should be included in your travel itinerary. The museum houses a huge display of items from the ancient to colonial periods. Aside from that, this building also boasts Buddhist and Hindu exhibits. Here, you can look at 15th-century Buddha torsos, a 14th-century seven-mouthed musical instrument pot, and British cannons. During your visit, you will be accompanied by a tour guide. Taking pictures is not allowed in the museum, but there’s a stall outside that sells postcards if you want a souvenir of your visit.
Jaffna Archeological Museum
Address: Navalar Rd, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Website: Jaffna Archeological Museum
Opening hours: 8am - 4:45pm (daily)
3. Attend a mass at St. Mary's Cathedral
Located on Old Park Road, St. Mary’s Cathedral is another must-visit attraction in Jaffna. Built from 1789 to 1794, it was believed that this is where the prince of Jaffna’s ashes were buried after he was killed by his own father for converting to Catholicism. Today, the church is often visited by tourists wanting to attend a mass or spend some alone time. It is the oldest church in the city and considered the main church for Roman Catholics.
St. Mary's Cathedral
Address: 8 Grusoult, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
4. Go shopping at Jaffna Market
If you’re looking for a unique souvenir or fresh produce, Jaffna Market is the place to go. Located in the city centre, Jaffna Market is filled with small shops and stalls that sell just about anything. Here, you can find vegetables, fruits, spices, apparel, handicraft, and more. In case you get overwhelmed by the number of options, previous tourists recommend trying out the large jackfruits and karthakolomban (a variety of mango). To make the most of your visit here, take some time to negotiate the best deal with the local vendors.
Jaffna Market
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 7am - 6pm (closed on Sun)
5. Join in a meditation session at Naga Vihara Temple
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you’re a culture vulture, there are plenty of temples that you can visit in Jaffna. For a day of exploration, you should not miss a tour of one of the city’s famous Buddhist temples, Naga Vihara Temple. Located on Stanley Road, the temple is mostly frequented by tourists and devotees alike. Just like any other structures in the city, parts of Naga Vihara Temple were ruined by war so it had to go through major renovations. Once you get inside, you will find a Buddha statue and other beautiful sculptures. It is not just a praying centre but a meditation spot as well. Do note that the temple gets crowded during Katina Perahera.
Naga Vihara Buddhist Temple
Address: Sri Naga Vihara international Buddhist center, Jaffna 40000, Sri Lanka
Website: Naga Vihara Buddhist Temple
Opening hours 24 hours (daily)
6. Explore the ruins of King Sangiliyan Minister's House
King Sangiliyan’s Minister’s House is located in Nallur, just 3.5 km (2.1 mi) away from the centre of Jaffna. As the name suggests, the structure used to be the residence of the king of ancient Jaffna. The building was a work of architectural importance with wooden carvings. There’s a well inside, so history lovers should check that out too. Yamuna Eri, an ancient pond near the palace, is another highlight in the Nallur area.
King Sangiliyan Minister's House
Address: AB20, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
7. Admire the arched entrances of Dutch Kachcheri Building
Dutch Kachcheri Building is another historic landmark in Jaffna. Located on Kandy Road in Jaffna, the building was built during the Dutch rule of Sri Lanka. A huge part of the building was ruined during a 50-day war between the government and LTTE terrorists. Although a lot of its original details were lost, tourists can still see the giant walls with arched entrances. What was once a headquarters and a mining zone now houses Anuradhapura Archeological Museum that displays antiques, pieces of jewellery, and other historical relics.
Dutch Kachcheri Building
Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)
8. Buy a souvenir at Jaffna Antiques Shop
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
For those interested in antiques and artefacts, there’s the famous Jaffna Antiques Shop. They collect real antiques from the area and sell them both. Do be aware that the cost of these items can run high, but they do make great pieces as home decorations. Besides buying historic items, there are also some tourist attractions that you can visit such as Jaffna Archeological Museum and the old Jaffna Fort. All of this comes with a gift shop to make sure you have something to remember your trip by. Finally, after a long day of shopping, dine at a five-star restaurant within the vicinity.
Jaffna Antiques Shop
Address: 93 Kovil Rd, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 9pm (closed on Sun)
9. Marvel at the British colonial architecture of Jaffna Clock Tower
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Jaffna Clock Tower is one of the famous landmarks in Sri Lanka. It was built for the purpose of remembering the visit of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, to the country in 1875. The tower was designed by government architect J.G. Smither, while the clock was donated by Governor James Longdon. The tower went through major renovations after it had suffered great damage from the first war. In fact, Prince Charles of England even donated 1000000 LKR (5237 USD) to replace the destroyed clocks. During your visit to the city, don’t forget to stop by and take a picture with it.
10. Attend a colourful festival held at Nallur Kandaswamy Temple
Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is another significant Hindu temple in Nallur, Jaffna. This sacred place of pilgrimage has been around since 948 AD, but it was rebuilt in the post-war years. Once you walk through the entrance, expect to be greeted by an intricately carved tower featuring impressive and colourful arches. Inside, there are shrines of Lords Murugan, Ganesh, Vairavar, Sun, and Sandana Gopala. If you’re visiting in August, you might want to attend the colourful festival hosted by the temple.
Nallur Kandaswamy Temple
Website: Nallur Kandaswamy Temple
Opening hours: 4:30am - 6pm (daily)
Step back in time
Jaffna’s architectural wonders and unique culture make for a great vacation. Whether you are a history buff or a culture vulture, you will surely have a superb time in this city!
History
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