The heart of Jaffna is home to the second largest Dutch fort on the isle, where tranquillity lingers among the ruins that stand as reminders of Jaffna’s colonial past and role in the civil war. While the fort’s coral and limestone walls whisper tales of Sri Lanka’s resilience, its ramparts overlook the glistening waters of the nearby lagoon, giving travellers an opportunity to enjoy the scenery as they unearth the island’s history.

Although the construction of the fort in 1619 is credited to the Portuguese, the many alterations to its structure that resulted in its iconic pentagonal shape were supervised by the Dutch colonialists in 1658. It was then seized by the British in 1795, and it remained under their control until the island gained its independence in 1948.

However, the peace that followed in the aftermath of the colonial period was short-lived as the fort was converted into an encampment for the forces during the civil war. It was not until the war ended in 2009 that restoration efforts began, and some of the wreckage has now been restored to its original state. Currently, the fort is recognized as a landmark that represents the many battles that the country has weathered through.

While the Jaffna Fort can be toured at your own pace, it is best visited in the early morning or the late afternoon to avoid the midday heat. You may spend up to an hour here, but it is best to make the trip with a local guide who can tell you about the island’s history. Please keep in mind that you must also pay a small fee in order to be granted entry.

Powder-white shores, shallow waters, and a coastline fringed with Casuarina trees merge into a breathtaking beachscape at the village of Karainagar, where the gentle waves of Casuarina Beach call out to those who are in the mood for a swim. Touted as one of the best beaches of the north, Casuarina Beach is a popular pick among travellers who wish to wind down from their Jaffna adventure.

Despite its reputation, Casuarina Beach is somewhat of a hidden gem, and it attracts only a handful of tourists who are curious about what Jaffna has to offer. The lack of crowds makes it ideal for those who are on the lookout for some peace and quiet, and the small stalls nearby sell plenty of local treats that you can try after a quick dip in its waters.

Aside from its decent selection of water sports, Casuarina Beach is best known for its smooth waves which are ideal for sea baths. Travellers may also wade offshore for quite a distance as the chances of getting caught in a rip-current are extremely low. That being said, many steer clear of the coast when its waves become rougher during Jaffna’s wet season, which extends from October to December.

Please note that the journey to Casuarina Beach is a 45-minute drive across a bridge that connects to Karaitivu Island. You may flag down a tuk-tuk or ask your hired driver to take you there, and you will have to pay a small fee before you are allowed inside.

The water’s edge at the northern tip of Sri Lanka is home to the Keerimalai Pond, which lies within the walls of the Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple complex. Revered by Hindu pilgrims for its healing properties, the turquoise waters of this freshwater spring are perfect to stave off the midday heat, and the legends surrounding its origins have fascinated travellers for quite some time.

Legend has it that a sage was cursed with the face of a mongoose after angering the Hindu god of destruction, Shiva. It was only after the sage bathed in the waters of this pond that he was cured of his deformity, and he supposedly built the Keerimalai Naguleswaram Kovil beside it to express his gratitude for Shiva’s mercy.

Similarly, a Chola princess named Marutappiravikavalli was searching for a way to cure her deformity, as she had been born with the face of a horse. She visited Sri Lanka shortly after learning about the healing properties of the pond, and her deformed face became that of a human after several rituals and baths in its waters.

While it is common practice for devotees to take a dip in the pond before visiting the adjoining temple, many pilgrims travel from afar for a bath that will cure them of their skin infections. Women also bathe here to be blessed with the ability to conceive.

Before you stop by, please keep in mind that the Keerimalai Pond is divided into two sections. The main pond is strictly for men, whereas the extension of the pond that is surrounded by high walls is for women. Women are also advised to dress modestly for their bath due to the sacred nature of the pond, and the use of soaps and other artificial products is prohibited.

Experience a feast for the senses at the bustling Jaffna Market, where the strong aromas of food and the cacophony of locals bargaining for low prices will lead you to colourful displays of fresh produce, cloth, and trinkets. Most travellers visit the market to witness the locals at work, selling their wares and tending to their makeshift stalls in a region that remains untouched by western influence.

Unlike most of the other markets in Sri Lanka which sell crops from different parts of the isle, the Jaffna Market sells fresh produce that is grown only in the north. Apart from its fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices, the market also teems with Palmyra products, such as edible roots, flour, and jaggery. The other Palmyra handicrafts on display reflect the innovative minds of the locals who have used the dry leaves of the tree to weave baskets, mats, hats, and a variety of containers.

The market is generally in full swing from dawn to dusk, so you can stop by whenever you have some free time. However, while it is ideal for learning more about life in Jaffna, its selection of souvenirs is very limited.

As one of the larger islands in the Palk Strait, Delft or Neduntheevu (“long island”) has intrigued travellers for many years, housing a handful of Tamil civilians and quaint attractions that can be traced back to Sri Lanka’s colonial period. Apart from its ruins, the island’s wild horses and baobab tree form a distinct part of its landscape, along with other minor attractions that will make you feel as though you have stepped into another world.

The Meekaman Fort is the most significant of its ruins. Made from coral stone, this two-storeyed structure was supposedly built by the Portuguese, but the civilians credit its construction to King Meekaman of the fisher caste. On the other hand, the Cholan ruins, which consist of three stupas, are proof that the island may have been inhabited since the first century.

In the meantime, wild horses roam the land in search of grass. These agile beasts were brought from Arabia during the Portuguese takeover, and they passed into the hands of the Dutch who seized control of the land. As time passed, the domesticated horses were left to fend for themselves, eventually making the wilderness their home. You may find them grazing beside the domesticated cattle, which are also a common sight on the dry grasslands.

There is also a single Baobab tree on Delft Island, but no one can be sure of how it got there. Some believe that the tree may have been brought to the island by Arab traders from the Middle Ages while others are of the belief that the Portuguese planted it to take advantage of its medicinal properties. That said, the tree stands as one of the three biggest Baobab trees in Sri Lanka, making it a sight to behold during your tour.

While Delft’s major attractions will certainly keep you busy, you may also stop by the ruins of the Sarapiddi Stables, the Queen’s Tower, and the famed Giant’s Footprint, which is believed to have been left behind by the Hindu monkey god, Hanuman.

If you wish to visit Delft Island, you must catch the hour-long, daily ferry from the Kurikadduwan Pier. Since this ferry makes only three trips to the island, Travellers Isle recommends taking the 8AM ferry from the mainland and returning via the 11.30AM ferry, which will leave you with ample time to see most of what the island has to offer.

Among the cluster of islands in the Palk Strait, Nainativu stands out as the most sacred as it houses two religious sites where Buddhists and Hindus unite, along with cobra statues that honour the deity of the ancient Naga tribe. The two jetties on this island lead to the Nagadeepa Purana Viharaya and the Nagapooshani Amman Kovil, where history and mythology combine to form legends that have awed travellers for a long time.

The first jetty guides visitors to the Nagadeepa Purana Viharaya, which was renovated under the guidance of King Devanampiya Tissa and King Dutugemunu. While its tranquil atmosphere is one of its highlights, the temple is best known for its stone footprints of Buddha, as well as its gem-studded throne—a newer inclusion to remind devotees of the temple’s legend.

According to this legend, Lord Buddha visited the temple premises post-enlightenment to aid two Naga kings in solving a dispute. The kings in question were butting heads over a throne encrusted with jewels, but they soon reconciled and gifted the throne to Buddha himself to express their gratitude.

On the other hand, the second jetty leads to the Nagapooshani Amman Kovil. Dedicated to Parvati, who reigns over motherhood and beauty in Hinduism, the kovil’s Dravidian architecture, four Gopurams (ornate towers) and colourful statues of deities make it a sight to behold, especially during its annual festival which occurs in June and July.

The legend surrounding the construction of this Hindu temple begins with a conflict between a bird-like entity known as a Garuda and a serpentine Naga. A merchant who bore witness to their fight begged the Garuda to spare the Naga, and agreed to build a temple for the goddess in exchange for the Naga’s freedom. Today, the Nagapooshani Amman Kovil stands as proof of how a merchant’s kindness brought an end to the feud between the two warring races.

Please note that, in order to gain entry to the island, you must comply with the temple dress code. Men must be bare-chested, wearing either trousers or sarongs, and women must dress modestly by concealing their bare arms, legs and shoulders.

The journey to Nainativu Island is a 45-minute boat ride from the Kurikadduwan Pier. Although these boat rides operate until 6PM, it is best to set off in the early afternoon, which will give you ample time to explore the island before you catch the next boat home. If you happen to miss the last boat, you will have to pay a higher fee to take a fishing boat back to the mainland.

Jaffna’s religious sites and ruins take centre stage in forming its cultural heritage, but the fiery flavours of its cuisine reflect Jaffna’s bold and vibrant culture. Both flavourful and aromatic, Jaffna cuisine boasts a union between Sri Lanka and South India, resulting in a feast for the senses that cannot be experienced in any other part of the isle.

For example, Jaffna’s signature crab curry is a tangy but sweet explosion of flavour, in which the crab meat is cooked to perfection with coconut milk and local spices until it melts on the tip of one’s tongue. Its delicate texture makes it a delicious accompaniment to steamed rice and string hoppers.

On the other hand, mutton curry in Jaffna combines roasted spices and a generous serving of red chillies with the succulent mutton. This gives the curry a distinct spicy flavour that is best enjoyed with a serving of steamed rice, string hoppers or thosai (thin, crisp pancakes).

Odiyal kool is yet another Jaffna specialty, where vegetables, seafood and lentils are cooked over a high flame, resulting in a rich and fragrant soup. This tantalizing mix of prawns, cuttlefish, jackfruit seeds, long beans, aubergine, and tamarind juice also makes use of Odiyal (dried/boiled Palmyra sprout), which is known for its healing properties.

Plenty of eateries serve these dishes in Jaffna, but if you are in the mood for some vegetarian specialties, you can visit the Malayan Café, where generous portions of roti, idli, vadai and rice are served with a variety of curries on a banana leaf.