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2024

Matara

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Matara is one of the main cities in southern Sri Lanka, with amazing beaches and whale watching destinations. Once ruled by the Portugese, Dutch and British Matara has a collection of colonial buildings including the Matara Fort, the Star Fort and the Old Nupe Market.

Places to stay, places to eat and things to do in Matara !

Places to stay Read more »
Places to eat Read more »
Things to do Read more »

Surfing, Whale watching and diving in Matara

Matara has a beautiful collection of beaches which are perfect to surf, dive, swim and relax. It is also one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see whales.

Whale Watching Read more »

Enjoy seeing the largest animals ever on the planet.

Madiha Beach Read more »

A clean, less crowded beach ideal for surfing with lots of restaurants, with lovely seafood along the road.

Matara Beach Park Read more »

An amazing beach next to the Matara town, overlooking the Paravi Duwa temple. Witness the amazing sunsets from this beach.

Polhena Beach Read more »

Calmer waters, with moderate waves the Polhena beach is popular among many locals.

Medawatta Beach Read more »

A cove shaped beautiful beach in Matara for anyone who loves to surf.

Lagoon Safari in Mirissa Read more »

A unique experience to ride a twin canoe through the waters of the Mirisa lagoon.

Surf in Weligama Beach Read more »

A cove shaped shallow beach with a sand break Weligama is a perfect place for beginner surfers.

SCUBA Diving Weligama Read more »

Weligama beach is one of the best places to scuba dive.

Talalla Beach Read more »

About 12 kilometers to the south from Matara this cove shaped sandy beach is perfect to surf and relax.

Parrot Rock Read more »

Tiny island on Mirissa beach with a view point gives you a panoramic view over the beach.

Snake Farm Read more »

See some of Sri Lanka’s venomous and non-venomous snakes at a private conservation center.

History, Culture and Heritage in Matara

Matara was a part of the Rohana Rata during ancient times and has been a city dedicated to the God Upulvan, the saviour god of Sri Lanka.

Paravi Duwa Read more »

Built on a rocky island, the Paravi Duwa temple is a small beautiful attraction in Matara town.

Weherahena Temple Read more »

A gigantic 35 meter high Buddha statue, with an image house allowing it to climb up to the level of shoulders.

Devinuwara Temple Read more »

A blue temple dedicated to god Upulvan or Vishnu, the guardian god of Sri Lanka.

Kushta Raja Gala Read more »

An amazing statue carved into a boulder in Weligama.

Devinuwara Galge Read more »

A cube shaped shrine built with granite slabs, the Devinuwara Galge is believed to be built in the 7th century.

Colonial heritage in Matara

Being only second to its big brother Galle, Matara was an important city for the Portugese, Dutch and the British

Star fort Read more »

A star shaped fort with six points with space for twelve cannons.

Dondra Head Lighthouse Read more »

Built 1890, Dondra lighthouse is in the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka, also the tallest in the island. All you need to know before you go in {Year}.

Matara Fort Read more »

Built by the Portugese in 1595 under the assistance of King Don Juan Dharmapala, the Matara Fort was once a critical operational center.

Old Nupe Market Read more »

With its lattice panels fixed to wooden frames and the Kandyan style tiled roof Nupe Old Market can be seen from the Galle road.

Dutch Reformed Church Read more »

A small, simple church built in the early 18th century by the Dutch, this is the oldest building within the Matara Fort.