Southern Province

Golden beaches, the fortified city of Galle, whale watching in Mirissa and leopards in Yala National Park.

Districts

Places to visit

Galle

Galle

A UNESCO-listed colonial port town on Sri Lanka's south coast, where a Dutch-built fort of ramparts, churches and boutique streets juts into the Indian Ocean.

Hambantota

Hambantota

A fast-developing southern port town of salt pans and dry-zone coast, gateway to Ridiyagama Safari Park and the Bundala wetlands.

Matara

Matara

A busy southern port city where the Nilwala River meets the sea, ringed by Dutch forts, ancient shrines and the island's southernmost cape.

Mirissa

Matara

A relaxed south-coast beach town famous for its crescent bay, whale-watching trips and the palm-crowned Coconut Tree Hill.

Tissamaharama

Hambantota

An ancient dry-zone town beside a great reservoir, the main base for safaris to Yala and Bundala national parks and a former royal capital of Ruhuna.

Unawatuna

Galle

A laid-back beach village just south of Galle, wrapped around a curving palm-fringed bay with calm, swimmable water.