A hilltop Buddhist temple near Aluthgama crowned by one of the tallest seated Buddha statues in the world.
🕑 06:00–19:00
⏱ ~1.0 hr
🎟 Entry: Free
Aluthgama
A laid-back coastal town at the mouth of the Bentota River, a transport hub and gateway to river safaris, beaches and the hilltop Kande Vihara.
Overview
Aluthgama is a relaxed seaside town in southern Kalutara District, set on the northern bank of the Bentota Ganga where the river meets the Indian Ocean. Squeezed between the historic Muslim trading town of Beruwala to the north and the Bentota resort strip to the south, it is the region's main transport hub and a springboard for boat safaris up the mangrove-lined Bentota River, long golden beaches, and the towering hilltop Buddha of Kande Vihara. Nearby, the artist Bevis Bawa's Brief Garden hides in the hills inland.
History
Aluthgama and neighbouring Beruwala grew up around the Bentota river mouth and one of Sri Lanka's oldest Muslim settlements, established by Arab traders over a thousand years ago. The town flourished as a fishing and market centre and, from the late 20th century, as the northern anchor of the Bentota-Beruwala tourist coast, while remaining an authentic local town with a strong Sinhalese and Muslim mix.
Attractions
The lush hillside garden and eccentric artist's home created by landscape designer Bevis Bawa, hidden in the hills near Beruwala.
🕑 08:00–17:00
⏱ ~1.2 hr
🎟 Entry: LKR 1000
Where to eat
Halal and Vegetarian-friendly options are tagged below. Kosher food is not commercially available here; observant travellers usually self-cater or contact a Chabad house.
Bamboos Garden Restaurant
Sri Lankan, International · Mid
A leafy garden restaurant near Aluthgama serving home-style Sri Lankan curries and fresh seafood under bamboo shade, a quieter alternative to the beachfront tourist spots.
Vegetarian-friendly
Ayesha Restaurant & Pub
Seafood, Sri Lankan · Mid
A cheerful family-run restaurant and pub in Aluthgama praised for its seafood platters, devilled dishes and cold beer, with service that keeps guests coming back night after night.
Rana Seafood Restaurant
Seafood, Sri Lankan · Mid
A busy seafood restaurant on the Aluthgama-Beruwala stretch serving huge platters of grilled fish, prawns and calamari, popular with beach holidaymakers from the nearby resorts.
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Travel tips
- Book a morning Bentota River boat safari to spot monitor lizards, kingfishers and mangrove creeks at their calmest.
- Cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes before climbing to the Kande Vihara Buddha statue.
- Beruwala, just north, has a lively fish market and one of the island's oldest mosques worth a respectful visit.
- Bring cash, as many small local eateries and boat operators do not accept cards.
- Agree tuk-tuk and boat fares in advance, as prices are often quoted higher to visitors.
