Matara is a beautiful southern coastal city in Sri Lanka, located about 160 km away from Colombo and 30 km from the famous Galle city. Since it is abundant with beautiful palm-fringed beaches along the coastal line, it is an excellent spot to enjoy the gorgeous sunny beaches. Among the major touristic cities in the country, it has the highest number of widely famous, stunning beaches. Anyone who is looking for a beach escape may be spoilt by the choice.
It impresses the visitors not only by the world-famous beaches but also by the natural beauty and historical gems. Certainly, there are several ancient religious places completely worthy to visit. Only a few towns in Sri Lanka possess both natural and historical glory like the town of Matara.
Furthermore, it is a lively and vibrant city with a youthful feel boosted by the community of university students. Matara is the home to one of the most prestigious universities in Sri Lanka, the University of Ruhuna.
Above all, Matara is by far one of our favorite cities in the country. It is an exceptional place with a sweet memory for us. We lived in Matara for four years, during our undergraduate studies at the University of Ruhuna. As young students, we explored most of the lovely places in Matara including the beautiful beaches and old temples. Since our knowledge of interesting places in Matara is immense, here we are going to share with you the top things you can do in this lovely city.
Access to Matara
Train ride – the train ride from Colombo Fort to Matara along the coastal railway line offers a charming view of the coast. You can catch the views of scenic beaches all along the route. It usually takes around 4 hours to get to Matara from Colombo Fort railway station.
Bus/Car ride – you can also take the bus or vehicle via the Colombo-Matara (A02) main road, which usually takes around 4 hours. This road connects the southern towns of Matara and Galle to the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo. This route bypasses the most beautiful beaches in the country including Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna. You can enjoy an eye-pleasing view all along your journey.
Southern Expressway (E01) – the easiest and fastest way to get to Matara is via the newly-built Southern Expressway, which connects Colombo to Matara. Exit the expressway from Godagama and there is a drive of about 5 km to get to the heart of Matara. The total journey takes less than 2 hours.
You can find all the best methods to reach Matara from Colombo here.
1. Enjoy the scenic beaches
Since Matara City has a varied choice of beautiful beaches, it is perfect for your beach holiday getaway. When you are traveling to Matara from Galle, you’ll meet several lovely beaches. This picturesque coastal line is highly famous for stilt fishing, a unique fishing practice that is available only in southern Sri Lanka. Stilt fishermen sit on a pole some 20-30 m from the shore to catch fish for their livelihood. Don’t forget to capture the unique sight of Sri Lankan stilt fishermen during your travel to Matara.
2. Surf at Midigama Beach
After you passed Koggala, you’ll meet the surfing paradise of Matara, Midigama Beach. Surfing is becoming more and more popular in Midigama and it is possible to catch some nice waves by renting a surfboard. After all, it is a widely famous shoreline among both beginning and experienced surfers.
3. Visit Lovely Weligama Beach
Weligama is a wonderful sandy bay beach and a major fishing town in Matara. The deep Blue Ocean, palm-fringed coast, and the rows of colorful fishing boats bring the colors to vibrant Weligama beach. There are a lot of fresh seafood stalls available on Weligama beach and you can buy fresh and delicious seafood for a cheap price.
Certainly, the most prominent feature of Weligama is the tiny island called Taprobane Island. This is Sri Lanka’s only privately owned island. Just 200 m off the coast, this island has a private villa and a garden covered under luxuriant green trees.
4. Whale Watching at Mirissa
Mirissa Beach is a world-famous tourist-friendly destination in southern Sri Lanka. Whale watching is one of the main reasons people visit Mirissa, especially during the season from December – April. Since the warm ocean water around Mirissa acts as a feeding and breeding ground for Blue Whales, definitely you can see whales just meters from your boat.
It is without a doubt the most famous and hottest beach destination in Matara for tourists. There are several accommodations and many restaurants facing the beach to provide all amenities and fresh seafood in this area.
Clear waters and lively waves in Mirissa make it a supreme place for surfing. Another main thing to do in Mirissa is Parrot Rock. It is located at the main beach and this rock is the best place to take perfect panoramic pictures around Mirissa Bay.
5. Take a Snap at Coconut Tree Hill
Among the beaches in the Mirissa area, Coconut Tree Hill has a charming beauty that attracts all beach lovers. It is a beautiful hill perched in the Indian Ocean lined with sky-high palm trees overlooking Mirissa bay. Coconut tree hill considers as one of the epic photogenic spots in the country. There’s something special about the way the tall palm trees are lined that makes it a beautiful Instagrammable spot.
This incredible palm tree grove is a perfect place to watch the sunset and capture the best images of Mirissa. Don’t forget to capture the most beautiful pictures of Coconut tree hill to memorize your journey.
6. Enjoy in Polhena Beach
One of the most scenic and popular beaches in Matara is Polhena Beach. The beach situates less than 1 km from the heart of the town. Polhena is a lovely and unspoiled beach protected by a sheltering reef. Since there aren’t any strong currents, it is a very safe area to dip in the water and have a swim. Vehicles can access the beach very easily and Polhena Beach is quite congested on holidays and long weekends.
Polhena offers magnificent views of the lush greenery of the palm-fringed coast. You can catch a glimpse of colorful reef fish in the crystal clear waters. It is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see turtles in their natural habitat. Snorkelers can watch sea turtles just a few meters off the shore. This area is famous for stilt fishing and you can buy freshly caught seafood for a cheap price at Polhena Beach.
7. Visit Dondra Lighthouse
About 8 km from Matara – Tangalle road, you’ll come across Point Dondra. It is the extreme southern tip of Sri Lankan island. The small town of Dondra calls as Devi Nuwara in Sinhalese. What you’ll see at Dondra is 49 m high, the tallest lighthouse in Sri Lanka. Although it isn’t possible to enter the lighthouse due to security reasons, you can capture a nice view of it from the outside.
The surroundings of the ocean from the lighthouse garden are simply stunning. The swaying palm trees and mighty waves crashing on the huge rocks are breathtaking. But it is advised not to get into the ocean at this place, because of the rocky terrain and quite rough waters.
8. Admire the views in Dickwella Beach
Dickwella is a widely famous beach paradise with turquoise water and miles-long palm-fringed coast. It is located 20 km from Matara town. If you are looking for a quiet beach with only a few visitors in southern Sri Lanka, this one might be at the top of your list.
It is perfect for strolling, relaxing, or just admiring beautiful views. Dickwella offers breathtaking scenery far from crowded beaches, which is best for a romantic hideaway in a serene environment.
9. Surf at Hiriketiya Bay
Hiriketiya is the most exquisite and awesome beach, located closer to Dickwella. This horseshoe-shaped lovely beach concentrates around a small bay that is surrounded by a green thicket. Lovely Hiriketiya Beach offers everything a premiere beach offers, including water sports, lazing around soft sandy beaches, or enjoying the great views of the sunset.
A number of water sports can be enjoyed in Hiriketiya, while surfing is the prime target of many visitors. It is widely popular among tourists as the best surf destination. Hiriketiya Beach provides pretty smooth waves for beginners and also strong waves for advanced surfers. It has a separate point for the more advanced surfers to enjoy riding the waves to the fullest. Months from December to March is the perfect season to ride the waves.
10. Explore the Matara city
Matara is a busy, sprawling commercial town that spreads over a vast area. The Nilwala River cuts through the city of Matara forming stunning views along its path. As the second commercial capital in southern Sri Lanka, it has a lively urban bustle and offers many opportunities to shop around.
It is a fascinating window into modern Sri Lankan life. It has the real taste of Sri Lanka, where you’ll find lots of authentic Sri Lankan food around the southern coast’s beach resorts. When you are walking in the busy streets of the town, you’ll meet one of the most sacred places in the city, the Matara Bodhi Tree. Buddhists pay homage to this sacred temple and wish their dreams to come true in this holy place.
11. Explore Matara Fort & Star Fort
Matara’s main historic attraction is its well-preserved fort, ramparts, and Dutch architecture. Matara Fort was originally built by the Portuguese, rebuilt by the Dutch, and following the capture of Galle, it was acquired by the British. This fort is small and has a few ramparts, not as majestic and charming as its southern rival, the Galle Fort.
The Fort area is just west of the Dutch Rampart. Strolling along Court Street you can reach the bank of the Nilawala River, which is famous for its crocodile population. There is also a small Dutch Reformed Church and a clock tower stand in the fort. Colonial-era churches and fortifications provide the opportunity to feel the past glory of the Matara Fort city. Matara Fort is a must-see destination when you visit the city, especially if you love historical gems.
There is an interesting place call as Star Fort in Matara City. This Star Fort has a perfect star shape and is well protected by a moat. Now it serves as a museum in the city.
12. Visit Paravi Duwa Temple
Paravi Duwa Buddhist temple is located just close to the Matara beach. Built on a separate rocky island, surrounded by the mighty Indian Ocean, this is a calm and peaceful temple. There is a statue of Lord Buddha located in the heart of the temple. Inside the temple is very quiet except for the sound of crashing waves on the beach. Besides, this temple is accessible only by a hanging bridge that connects it to the mainland. This is a fancy modern bridge that is totally photogenic spot to capture the best Instagram shots.
It has a wonderful scenic beauty during the sunset in the afternoon. From the premises of the temple, you can catch the view of the epic colours of the sunset that is difficult to look away from. The colourful sky and the deep blue ocean extending to the horizon offer marvelous scenery to visitors. Certainly, this is one of the best places not to miss in Matara city. Remember to get the breathtaking panoramic view of Matara town lit up in the evening.
13. Visit Wewurukannala Temple
In the town of Dickwella in Matara, you’ll find one of the most amazing Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. It is home to one of the most incredible statues of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka. This large 50 m high statue of the seated Lord Buddha is a marvelous creation. It is the largest seated Buddha statue in Sri Lanka, dating back to the 18th century.
14. Visit Weherahena Temple
Weherahena temple is located on the Matara – Kekanadura road about 6 km from Matara town. The pride of the temple is an enormous, red-robed seated Buddha statue, which is built on a stage shaped like a lotus flower. This 39 m high Lord Buddha statue is quite impressive.
There is a beautiful courtyard on the front of the statue with two beautiful ponds in the middle of the yard. The temple complex spreads up to a vast land of three acres. Most importantly, the underground temple in Weherahena is the largest and the first tunnel temple in the world.
15. Visit Dondra Temple
Located in the heart of Dondra city, Dondra Temple is one of the city’s oldest and most famous historic complexes. It is a combination of both Hindu and Buddhist religions. The first thing your eye will catch is the immense standing statue of Lord Buddha. It is one of the tallest statues of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka, at 50 m in height. Above all, this is one of the top incredible statues of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka.
The central building is a Hindu temple which is elegantly constructed and painted in blue color. This 3-story building is totally decorated in blue to represent the God Vishnu. Furthermore, its roof is made of copper tiles, and the walls are decorated with intricate floral designs.
16. Enjoy the Blowhole
One of the key attractions in Matara is the blowhole located closer to the famous Dickwella beach. Most importantly, this blowhole is the second-largest one in the world. This lovely spectacle attracts many local and foreign visitors. This blowhole can be accessed by a short 5-10 minute walk through a small, quiet village in Kudawella.
A blowhole is a natural miracle of water erupting out of a hole, making breathtakingly spectacular scenery. Seawater is coming in through a submerged cavern and pushed upwards where the water shoot will reach 25- 30 m in height. The shooting water creates a mist of water along with the gentle seawater spray. You can experience the salty spray on your skin as seawater jets towards the sky and falls back. The sound of hoo can be heard away for a long distance from the blowhole when it’s active. This is an exhilarating experience you shouldn’t miss in Matara city.
To sum up, the above list of top things to do in Matara is highlighted from our own personal experiences and we hope you’ll enjoy these activities too. If you are a beach lover Matara is an ideal place with many stretches of beautiful and secluded beaches to rest and relax. None of the visitors to Matara city would be disappointed, as it is rich in many natural wonders and historical gems. Don’t forget to visit these awesome places and taste some authentic spicy food in Matara, while you are touring the city. Welcome guys, Happy traveling to Matara City!
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Pixabay, and Facebook. All copyrights are reserved by the original authors.
