This famous upcountry town is situated 1868 meters (6128 feet) above sea level and is in the Nuwara Eliya District. Due to its high altitude, it has a Sub Tropical Highland climate. The average annual temperature varies between 11-20 C° and the recorded lowest temperature is 0.4 C° and the recorded highest temperature is 27.7 C°. Monthly rainfall varies between 70-225 mm and has an average annual rainfall figure or precipitation of 1900 mm. The maximum rainfall is generally in October and the minimum rainfall is in March. During the year it has a relative humidity between 65%-87%. Sri Lanka's highest mountain Pidurutalagala with a height of 2,527 m (8,292 ft) is very close to this town and can be seen prominently.The distance to the mountain is about 5 Km as the crow flies. During the British period this mountain was called as Mount Pedro. Today the mountain area is a high security zone since the summit is made used for state communication and TV transmission towers. Horton Plains situated south of Nuwara Eliya is a unique Ecological zone of Wet Patana Grassland with a Cloud Forest. The extend of Nuwara Eliya district is 1741 sq. Km. It consists of Nuwara Eliya, Maskeliya, Kothmale, Wapane and Hanguranketha electorates.

One can access Nuwara Eliya through Kandy- Nuwara Eliya road via Gampola, Kandy -Nuwara Eliya road via Hanguranketha and Walapane, Badulla- Nuwara Eliya Road , Haputale- Nuwara Eliya road, Avissavella- Nuwara Eliya road via Hatton and through Bandarawela- Nuwara Eliya road. Nuwara Eliya is about 75 Km from Kandy (along A5 Main Road) and about 90 Km from Ginigathhena (along A7 Main Road). Nuwara Eliya district is famous for Tea Plantation and the cool and moist climate are factors for the Tea leaves to thrive on. Areas such as Hatton, Talawakele, Maskeliya are around Nuwara Eliya and tea grown in this region has a high market and is in good demand worldwide. Famous waterfalls such as Devon and St.Clair falls are situated close to Nuwara Eliya and the Lake Gregory in the heart of the city is a much sought out tourist attraction.