Dondra Head Lighthouse
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 (foreign)
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
Star Fort (Matara)
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 (foreign)
Devinuwara (Devundara) Upulvan Devalaya
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
Matara Fort
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
Parey Dewa (Paravi Duwa) Temple
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
Polhena Beach
A calm, reef-protected lagoon beach just southwest of Matara town, popular for safe swimming and snorkelling.
⏱ ~1.5 hr
🎟 Entry: Free
Weherahena Purwarama Temple
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.
Chandika Hotel & Restaurant
Sri Lankan · Budget
A long-running town-centre eatery serving hearty Sri Lankan rice and curry, kottu, hoppers and short eats at budget prices, with plenty of vegetable dishes for meat-free diners.
Vegetarian-friendly
Matara Muslim Hotel
Sri Lankan Muslim, Halal · Budget
A dependable halal eatery near the town centre serving biryani, kottu, rice and curry and short eats, popular with local Muslim families and travellers passing through Matara.
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.