Unawatuna

Galle is the main city on the south coast, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours away from Colombo via the expressway. Its heart is the Fort, an old town enclosed by ramparts, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988 as the "Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications".The Portuguese established a first fortification here in the 16th century, which the Dutch expanded from 1649 onwards; the sea wall was completed in 1729. The Fort covers around 52 hectares with 14 bastions, churches, a mosque, and colonial houses, which today host cafés, boutiques, and restaurants. The walls largely withstood the 2004 tsunami, which damaged parts of the modern city.Outside the ramparts lies the new town with its train station and central bus terminal, both within walking distance of the Fort. Most visitors stay and dine within the walls, for example, around Church Street and Pedlar Street.

Sri Lanka's south coast stretches from Hikkaduwa, about 100 kilometers south of Colombo, through Galle and the bays of Weligama and Mirissa, all the way to Tangalle. It connects a UNESCO-protected colonial city with surf beaches, fishing ports, and, further inland, some of the island's most renowned national parks.Most coastal towns are located along the coastal railway from Colombo to Matara and the A2 highway, making travel between them easy. Further inland lie the Sinharaja rainforest and the dry forests of Udawalawe and Yala, all of which can be visited from the coast as day or overnight excursions.

Weligama is situated on a wide sandy bay about 144 kilometers south of Colombo, between Galle and Mirissa. The sheltered bay is considered one of the best beginner spots for surfing in Sri Lanka, with surf schools lining the central beach.The name means "sandy village". Off the western part of the bay lies the tiny island of Taprobane with a single villa, and on the outskirts of the village is the Kusta Raja Gala relief carved into the rock. West of Weligama, along the coast near Ahangama, Kathaluwa, and Koggala, the famous stilt fishermen sit on their poles.Besides simple surf camps, a variety of cafés and restaurants have established themselves in and around Weligama, ranging from brunch spots to the gourmet offerings of the Cape Weligama resort on the headland to the west.

Hikkaduwa is located approximately 98 kilometers south of Colombo and 17 kilometers northwest of Galle. The town is known for its coral reef in Sri Lanka's first marine protected area, for sea turtles near the beach, and for surf waves during the season.The fringing reef of Hikkaduwa National Park lies at a depth of about five meters and comprises around 70 coral species. Since 2023, a reef restoration program has been underway under the wildlife protection authority; touching corals is strictly forbidden. Green sea turtles and Hawksbill sea turtles graze on the reef year-round.The beach stretches for several kilometers. At the northern end is Turtle Beach, with Narigama to the south, where bars and guesthouses are abundant. North of the town, in Peraliya and Telwatta, memorials commemorate the 2004 tsunami.

Mirissa is a beach town in the Matara District, approximately 150 kilometers south of Colombo. It is primarily known as a starting point for whale watching tours, where blue whales are sighted during the season, and for its bright sandy beach with bars.The Mirissa boat harbor is considered the largest fishing port on the south coast, where tuna, mullet, and snapper, among other fish, are landed. On the beach lies the small rocky island Parrot Rock, and at its eastern end is the palm-covered Coconut Tree Hill.The main beach, with most restaurants and bars, lies between the A2 and the sea. Slightly off the beaten path, Secret Beach is reachable via a short walk.