The tallest lighthouse in Sri Lanka, standing on Dondra Head, the southernmost point of the island.
🕑 08:00–17:00
⏱ ~0.8 hr
🎟 Entry: LKR 500
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.
Overview
Matara is the largest city of Sri Lanka's deep south and the capital of Matara District, spread around the mouth of the Nilwala River on the Indian Ocean. It is an old colonial trading town, home to two Dutch fortifications, the star-shaped Star Fort and the larger seafront Matara Fort, along with the little island temple of Parey Dewa reached by a footbridge. Just outside the city lie the great Weherahena Buddha statue, the pilgrimage town of Devinuwara and Dondra Head, the southernmost point of Sri Lanka, crowned by the tallest lighthouse on the island. It makes a practical, authentic base for exploring the far south away from the main tourist crowds.
History
Matara grew as a cinnamon-trading port and was fortified first by the Portuguese and then extensively by the Dutch, who built the seafront Matara Fort and, after a local rebellion in 1761 exposed its weaknesses, the compact six-pointed Star Fort in 1765. Nearby Devinuwara (Dondra) was one of the island's most celebrated medieval pilgrimage cities, its gilded temple a landmark for sailors until it was destroyed by a Portuguese raid in 1587. The city passed to the British in 1796 and today remains the commercial and administrative heart of the region.
Attractions
A compact six-pointed Dutch star fort of 1765, with a small museum inside its bastioned walls near the Nilwala River.
🕑 09:00–16:00
⏱ ~0.8 hr
🎟 Entry: LKR 600
An ancient temple town near the southern tip of the island, once a great medieval pilgrimage port, host to a famous Esala festival.
🕑 06:00–18:00
⏱ ~1.0 hr
🎟 Entry: Free
A large Dutch-era seafront fort enclosing part of the old town on a promontory between the Nilwala River and the sea.
⏱ ~1.0 hr
🎟 Entry: Free
A small Buddhist temple on a rocky islet just off the Matara shore, reached by an elegant cable-stayed footbridge.
🕑 06:00–18:00
⏱ ~0.5 hr
🎟 Entry: Free
A calm, reef-protected lagoon beach just southwest of Matara town, popular for safe swimming and snorkelling.
⏱ ~1.5 hr
🎟 Entry: Free
A temple complex east of Matara famous for one of Sri Lanka's largest seated Buddha statues and a tunnel of painted murals.
🕑 06:00–18:00
⏱ ~1.0 hr
🎟 Entry: Free
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.
Crepe Runner - Matara
Crepes, Desserts · Budget
The Matara branch of Sri Lanka's award-winning crepe chain, flipping sweet and savoury crepes, waffles and milkshakes for a young local crowd near the beachfront.
Vegetarian-friendly
Hela Bojun Hala
Sri Lankan, Vegetarian · Budget
A bustling open-air food court where local women cook traditional Sri Lankan fare — hoppers, string hoppers, pittu and herbal porridges — at unbeatable prices. A genuine taste of the south.
Vegetarian-friendly
The Dutchman's Street
International, Fusion · Mid
A vintage European-themed restaurant inside Matara's Dutch Fort, loved for gourmet burgers, pasta kottu, seafood Mongolian rice and good coffee. The top-rated table in Matara town.
Halal
Vegetarian-friendly
Reviews & traveler photos
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Travel tips
- Combine the Star Fort, Matara Fort and the Parey Dewa island temple, which lie within walking distance of each other in the old town.
- Dress modestly and remove shoes and hats at Weherahena, Devinuwara and other temples.
- Head to Dondra Head early or late in the day; it is the southernmost point of Sri Lanka and the lighthouse grounds are photogenic in soft light.
- Polhena's reef-protected lagoon is calm and good for a swim; go at high tide and watch for currents outside the reef.
- Carry small change in rupees, as many local sites, buses and tuk-tuks do not take cards.
