Country
Sri Lanka
Heritage cities, misty tea highlands, leopard country and two coastlines — an island that fits a fortnight and rewards a month.
68 places
Culture · Wildlife · Beach
Beach destinations
- Region
South Coast
Galle's fort, surf bays, whale-watching harbours and the leopard parks of the deep south.
20 places
Beach · Wildlife · Food
- Region
East Coast
Long white beaches, reef snorkelling and surf on the calmer side of the island (May to October season).
8 places
Beach · Adventure · Wildlife
- City
Galle
A living Dutch fort city of ramparts, boutique hotels and cafés, with Unawatuna's beaches next door.
7 places
Culture · Beach · Food
- City
Trincomalee
A deep natural harbour town with Koneswaram temple on Swami Rock and the beaches of Uppuveli and Nilaveli.
6 places
Beach · Culture · Wildlife
- Area
Mirissa
Whale-watching harbour, a crescent beach and Weligama's beginner surf.
5 places
Beach · Wildlife · Food
- Area
Bentota
Resort beaches and a river estuary an hour south of Colombo, with Bawa's gardens and turtle hatcheries.
4 places
Beach · Family · Luxury
- Area
Arugam Bay
Sri Lanka's surf capital, with the bird-rich Kumana park beyond.
2 places
Adventure · Beach · Wildlife
Places to see
Bentota
Bentota, Southern Province
Resort beach and river estuary on the south-west coast.
BeachFamilyLuxury
Mount Lavinia Beach
Mount Lavinia, Dehiwala
Colombo's city beach, lined with seafood restaurants below the Mount Lavinia Hotel.
BeachFamilyFood
Galle
Galle, Southern Province
Fort city on the south coast; the modern town sits outside the ramparts.
CultureBeachFood
Unawatuna Beach
Unawatuna
Sheltered crescent bay 5 km from Galle with calm swimming and beach restaurants.
BeachFamilyFood
Jungle Beach, Rumassala
Rumassala, Unawatuna
Small forest-backed cove below the Japanese Peace Pagoda, reached on foot.
BeachAdventure
Mirissa Beach
Mirissa
Palm-backed crescent with a laid-back bar scene and the whale-watching harbour at its west end.
BeachFood
Coconut Tree Hill
Mirissa
Headland of coconut palms above the surf — the most photographed spot in Mirissa.
BeachFamily
Weligama Bay
Weligama
Wide, gentle bay that is the island's best place to learn to surf.
AdventureFamilyBeach
Polhena Beach
Polhena, Matara
Reef-protected lagoon near Matara with calm water and turtles.
BeachFamily
Showing 9 of 14 places