Mattala Rajapaksa Hambantota Airport 1 hr 42
Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya (9 min) Old Buddhist temple complex built into rock formations featuring many statues & a serene atmosphere. Galle National Museum (16 min) Circa-1656 Dutch building now a museum, with artifacts like masks, carvings, ship equipment & armor. Dalawella Beach (6 min) Palm-fringed sandy beach backed with restaurants & tourist accommodation. Galle Fort - Lighthouse (18 min) Historic lighthouse at a fort with simple style & a nearby beach popular with swimmers. Stilt Fisherman (9 min) Beach with local fishermen on top of stick crosses demonstrating on-water stilt fishing. Koggala Lake (25 min) Freshwater lagoon dotted with mini islands boasting jungle habitat & rich wildlife. Galle Dutch Fort (18 min) Built in the 16th century, this preserved Dutch sea fort houses a network of museums, shops & cafes. Jungle Beach (11 min) Compact sand beach, popular for swimming & sunbathing, with a tiki-style beach bar/seafood spot. Koggala Beach (7 min) Known for its surfing & scenic bay views, this tropical beach includes hotels, restaurants & shops. Mihiripenna Beach (5 min) Sandy beach with turquoise waters & palm trees, plus a large rock formation & nearby lodging. Galle Fort - National Maritime Archaeology Museum (16 min) Underwater artifacts, ship models & other marine-centric exhibits in a Dutch warehouse from 1671. Unawatuna Beach (4 min) Beach with golden sand & palm trees offering activities like snorkeling & scuba diving. Galle Fort - Dutch Reformed Church (16 min) Small 18th-century structure with stained-glass windows & tiled floors made of tombstones. Martin Wickramasinghe House & Folk Museum (11 min) Simple home of a Sri Lankan author with displays on Buddhist culture, set in tree-dotted grounds. Japanese Peace Pagoda (11 min) Unique Buddhist temple with a circular deck for sweeping views of the ocean & surrounding landscape. |