Colombo Trip Overview
Explore the best of Matara on this private day trip. Matara is a major city in Sri Lanka, on the southern coast of Southern Province, 160 km from Colombo. It is a major commercial hub, and it is the administrative capital of Matara District. You will be discovering some major highlights of the city including the Star Fort. Polhena beach, Dondra Lighthouse and more.
• Hassle free two way hotel transfers
• Hear commentary from an expert guide
• Discover the best beaches down the Southern Coast
Additional Info
Duration: 11 to 13 hours
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Explore the best of Matara on this private day trip. Matara is a major city in Sri Lanka, on the southern coast of Southern Province, 160 km from Colombo. It is a major commercial hub, and it is the administrative capital of Matara District. You will be discovering some major highlights of the city including the Star Fort. Polhena beach, Dondra Lighthouse and more.
• Hassle free two way hotel transfers
• Hear commentary from an expert guide
• Discover the best beaches down the Southern Coast
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Polhena Beach, Matara Sri Lanka
Polhena beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka. It has a stretch of coral reef barrier that extends for over 4 kms makes this beach a unique one. The reef barricades larger waves and only the softer ripples come rolling over to the shores thereby creating a vast span of shallow waters ideal for swimming.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Star Fort, Galle Road, Matara 81000 Sri Lanka
The Dutch Star Fort of Matara is one of the most famous of its kind, especially since its uniqueness is right in its very name. When the Dutch took over the south in 1640, they still had to face hostilities from the Sinhalese army. The first fort at Matara was overrun by 1762, leaving them and their trade routes vulnerable, and thus came an even better protection in the form of the Star Fort. It was completed in the year 1765 on the banks of the Nilawala River to protect the main fort from attacks that would come from across the river, and in the shape of a thick, six-pointed star. It was geometrically concentric in its construction with a second, narrower star just behind the main wall and a hexagonal wall inside. However it was the very last Dutch fortification.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Weherahena Poorwarama Rajamaha Viharaya වෙහෙරහේන පූර්වාරාම රජමහා විහාරය., Weherahena Rd, Matara, Sri Lanka
Weherahena Poorwarama Rajamaha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple situated in Matara. It is a very popular Buddhist temple among Buddhist pilgrims and tourists. Weherahena Poorwarama Rajamaha Viharaya is said to be the largest and first tunnel temple in the world. The temple is believed to have been built in the 20th century. Japan and China has contributed towards completing the temple. Hence, there are many artifacts belonging to Chinese and Japanese culture at this temple. The temple extends over three acres of land featuring a large Buddha statue and tunnels filled with paintings.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Dondra Head Lighthouse, Light House Road, Dondra 81000 Sri Lanka
The Dondra Lighthouse, when translated means ‘City of Gods’. The lighthouse is located at the southernmost point in Matara. It is one of the oldest kept lighthouses, and it is perfect for tourists who love lighthouses. There is the option of climbing up to the top to get the full view of the surroundings. There are some huge palm trees with king coconut on its branches. The lighthouse was designed by Sir James Nicholas Douglas, constructed by William Douglas of Imperial Lighthouse Service which started in 1887 November. The construction of the lighthouse was finished during the month of March in 1890. The total cost of the lighthouse was 30,000 European pounds which was settled by collecting dues at the Basses lighthouses. There are 7 floors, 161 feet high, being one of Sri Lanka’s tallest lighthouses, and 196 steps to reach to the top.
Duration: 45 minutes
