Hostels in Ranala, Sri Lanka

Ranala is a small town in the country of Sri Lanka. It is located on the shore of the Kelani River, one of the largest rivers in the country. The town is a very quaint place. It was not easy to travel here before the highway was built, which passes through it. Ranala is still a very small town and does not have too much to see. However, the region is known for its many Buddhist temples, riverside restaurants, and other things to see. You can also find a number of options for accommodation, hostels being the most common.

Hostels in the area are quite cheap, although you should not expect the best service here. You can enjoy some authentic Sri Lankan cuisine at the hostel, something you can find at the restaurants by the river too. Food aside, you should definitely visit the ancient temple in nearby Embulgama. This is an ancient building that is formed from man-made structures and a network of caves. It was used as a place of worship and doubled down as a monastery, sheltering Buddhist monks at the time. Today, you can climb through the temple and explore the sculptures within.

You should also visit the Hanwella Fort, an ancient fort in the nearby city of Hanwella. It was constructed centuries ago by a Sri Lanka King to protect the ferry that started at that point across the river. It was occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and some architectural details were added by them. In the 17th century, the Dutch took the fort and made it in the shape of a six-pointed star. In the 18th century, it was captured by the British. There is not much remaining of the fort today apart from some ruins and a lot of history to learn. There are also two carved stone seats there, built by the locals when Prince Edward visited in the late 19th century.