Matara Multi-Day Itineraries on the South Coast
Matara is a base more than a destination for longer stays. It has no multi-day tour programme of its own, but a rail line, an expressway and a run of beaches and temples make it easy to stay put and travel out each day. Costs are in Sri Lankan rupees (LKR), and cash helps for tuk-tuks and small shops. Read the latest UK government advice for Sri Lanka before booking.
A four-day plan from one hotel
Day 1. Matara town. Spend the morning at the Star Fort and its museum, built by the Dutch East India Company in 1763 to 1765, and in the Matara Fort compound with its 1883 clock tower. After lunch, ride to Weherahena Temple, about 7 km away, to see the 39 m seated Buddha and the painted tunnel.
Day 2. Mirissa and the beach. If the season is right, catch a whale-watching boat from Mirissa fishing harbour, about 12 km west of Matara. Boats go about 06:00 to 06:30 and trips last 2 to 8 hours. The main season is November to April, with some sailings August to October and none from May to July. Sightings are never certain. Spend the afternoon at the beach.
Day 3. Galle. Go west by train or car to Galle Fort, roughly 40 km from Matara. Trains take about an hour, and the expressway link between Galle and Matara has been open since 15 March 2014.
Day 4. East towards Dickwella. Visit Wevurukannala Vihara, 20 to 25 km east, then the sheltered bay at Hiriketiya, or carry on to the beaches around Tangalle.
Plan sea days for November to April. The south-west monsoon, about May to October, makes the water rough and halts many boats.
Trains
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route | Colombo Fort, Galle, Matara, Beliatta |
| Beliatta extension | About 26.8 km, four new stations, opened 8 April 2019 |
| Colombo Fort to Matara | About 2 to 3 hours, depending on the service |
| Named services | Ruhunu Kumari, Galu Kumari, Rajarata Rejini |
The line no longer ends at Matara, because Beliatta is now the terminus. See the Wikipedia article on the coastal line for the history of the line.
Expressway
The E01 opened between Galle and Matara on 15 March 2014 and onward to Hambantota on 23 February 2020. Colombo to Matara is about 1.5 to 2 hours by road on it. Fuel quotas may affect hired cars and tuk-tuks, so agree the fare first. For the route, see the Wikipedia article on the E01 expressway .
Wildlife parks need their own block
Udawalawe, Yala and Bundala are long journeys, so give them a separate stay rather than a day from Matara.
To compare hotels across the coast, use the Booking.com results for Matara .
Read more: day trips from Matara , romantic getaways in Matara and activities in Matara .