Things to do in Matara
Matara District has 10 attractions worth your time. Highlights include Coconut Tree Hill, Devinuwara (Devundara) Upulvan Devalaya, Dondra Head Lighthouse. Here's what to see and do in Matara, Sri Lanka.
Coconut Tree Hill
A palm-topped headland jutting into the sea at Mirissa, one of the most photographed spots on the south coast.
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.
Dondra Head Lighthouse
The tallest lighthouse in Sri Lanka, standing on Dondra Head, the southernmost point of the island.
Matara Fort
A large Dutch-era seafront fort enclosing part of the old town on a promontory between the Nilwala River and the sea.
Mirissa Whale Watching
Sri Lanka's premier whale-watching launch point, where dawn boats head into deep water off the south coast to find blue and sperm whales.
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.
Polhena Beach
A calm, reef-protected lagoon beach just southwest of Matara town, popular for safe swimming and snorkelling.
Star Fort (Matara)
A compact six-pointed Dutch star fort of 1765, with a small museum inside its bastioned walls near the Nilwala River.
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.
Weligama Bay
A wide, gently curving bay just west of Mirissa, known for beginner-friendly surf and the famous stilt fishermen of the south coast.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the top things to do in Matara?
- Popular attractions in Matara include Coconut Tree Hill, Devinuwara (Devundara) Upulvan Devalaya, Dondra Head Lighthouse.
- How many attractions are there in Matara?
- We currently list 10 attractions in Matara District.