Matara

Matara is a beautiful Sri Lankan district possessing an abundance of wildlife, natural forestry, temples and fishing locations. It is approximately 160km from the capital of Colombo and the largest city at the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The following guide details the best sightseeing opportunities in Matara.

Matara possesses the well-known star shaped fort and many coastal railway lines commonly visited by travellers today. Its beautiful white sandy beaches extend towards Galle and rarely become too busy owing to its smaller sizes.

Here you will notice a significant Dutch influence that includes Dutch reformed churches and a unique architectural style in city buildings. The region has undergone a gradual modification moving aware from its historical Dutch and Portuguese fortifications, but many of these historical influences are still noted today.

Visit the temples in the region and get a sense of its true historical and spiritual diversity. A Buddha statue stands over 25m tall near the Veherahena Temple. Take a trip to the Aggrabodhi Vihara in Weligama to view one of the oldest temples with ancient significance.

Watch the local fisherman perform the traditional stilt fishing activities along the shallow waters of the Midigama and the Ahangama regions.

Sri Lanka cities include a great number of Buddhist displays with intricate stone, wood and brass carvings. View a beautifully created statue near the Weligama guest houses with a rich local tale about the identity being of a prince or king. Many of the local villages specialize in the creation of brassworks.

While Matara is a distance from the city of Colombo, a quick trip to Galle covers a 45km distance. The region is known for its many natural heritage sites including temples displaying the impressive carved details of spirituality and art. To get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, planning a journey to Matara in Sri Lanka can make this venture a reality.