Mattala Rajapaksa Hambantota Airport 1 hr 46
Mihiripenna Beach (5 min) Sandy beach with turquoise waters & palm trees, plus a large rock formation & nearby lodging. Unawatuna Beach (8 min) Beach with golden sand & palm trees offering activities like snorkeling & scuba diving. Galle National Museum (20 min) Circa-1656 Dutch building now a museum, with artifacts like masks, carvings, ship equipment & armor. Galle Fort - Dutch Reformed Church (20 min) Small 18th-century structure with stained-glass windows & tiled floors made of tombstones. Koggala Beach (11 min) Known for its surfing & scenic bay views, this tropical beach includes hotels, restaurants & shops. Stilt Fisherman (13 min) Beach with local fishermen on top of stick crosses demonstrating on-water stilt fishing. Galle Fort - Lighthouse (22 min) Historic lighthouse at a fort with simple style & a nearby beach popular with swimmers. Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya (10 min) Old Buddhist temple complex built into rock formations featuring many statues & a serene atmosphere. Dalawella Beach (3 min) Palm-fringed sandy beach backed with restaurants & tourist accommodation. Japanese Peace Pagoda (15 min) Unique Buddhist temple with a circular deck for sweeping views of the ocean & surrounding landscape. Martin Wickramasinghe House & Folk Museum (15 min) Simple home of a Sri Lankan author with displays on Buddhist culture, set in tree-dotted grounds. Galle Dutch Fort (22 min) Built in the 16th century, this preserved Dutch sea fort houses a network of museums, shops & cafes. Koggala Lake (28 min) Freshwater lagoon dotted with mini islands boasting jungle habitat & rich wildlife. Galle Fort - National Maritime Archaeology Museum (20 min) Underwater artifacts, ship models & other marine-centric exhibits in a Dutch warehouse from 1671. Jungle Beach (15 min) Compact sand beach, popular for swimming & sunbathing, with a tiki-style beach bar/seafood spot. |