Matara District, Southern Province
Things to do in Matara
46 well-reviewed sights and 27 bookable local experiences - all rated 4.0+ on Google.
- Sights & attractions
- 46
- Bookable experiences
- 27
- Average rating
- 4.7 / 5
What Matara does best
Every well-reviewed thing to do in Matara in one place: 46 sights and attractions plus 27 bookable local experiences - temples & sacred sites (28), spas & wellness (10) and beaches (10) - each holding a 4.0+ Google rating from real visitors.
Some local experiences are small, family-run outfits: 13 of the 27 shown here have no website at all, so phone numbers and Facebook pages are often the simplest way to check current availability.
The shortlist
Top-rated things to do in Matara
Ranked by Google rating weighted by review volume across sights and local experiences.
| # | Name | Type | Google rating | Registered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matara Bodhiya | මාතර බෝධිය | மாதாரா போதி மரம் | Temple & sacred site | 4.8(1566) | - |
| 2 | Weherahena Poorwarama Rajamaha Viharaya | Temple & sacred site | 4.6(1822) | - |
| 3 | The Shrine of Our Lady of Matara | Temple & sacred site | 4.8(1248) | - |
| 4 | Polhena Beach | Beach | 4.5(1720) | - |
| 5 | Devinuwara Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Maha Dewalaya - දෙවි නුවර උත්පලවණ්ණ ශ්රී විශ්නු මහා දේවාලය | Temple & sacred site | 4.5(1588) | - |
| 6 | Parewi Duwa Temple | Temple & sacred site | 4.3(1025) | - |
| 7 | Devinuwara Raja Maha Viharaya | දෙවිනුවර රජමහා විහාරය | Temple & sacred site | 4.6(646) | - |
| 8 | Star Fort - Matara | තාරකා කොටුව - මාතර | Landmark & heritage site | 4.4(747) | - |
| 9 | Talalla Retreat | Spa & wellness | 4.5(561) | - |
| 10 | Madiha Beach | Beach | 4.6(481) | - |
Temples & sacred sites in Matara
Temple & sacred site
Sri Weerathungarama Temple
WGR5+7QQ, Ihalawatta,Madiha, Walgama, Matara
Temple & sacred site
Pigeon Island රන් දූපත (පරෙයි දූපත) kotuwegoda _Matara Srilanka
WGRX+JJ9 Main hall, Parevi Duwa, Matara
Temple & sacred site
Matara Bodhiya | මාතර බෝධිය | மாதாரா போதி மரம்
Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Matara, 81000
Temple & sacred site
The Shrine of Our Lady of Matara
WHV2+7QQ, Kotuwegoda, Matara
Temple & sacred site
Girikandararama Purana Maha Viharaya - Navimana | ගිරිකන්දරාරාම පුරාණ මහා විහාරය - නාවිමන
XH78+98H, Matara
Temple & sacred site
Old Island Temple | පැරණි ලංකා විහාරය
Spas & wellness in Matara
Spa & wellness
Ayu the Home Wellness (විදේශීකයන්ට පමණයි)
SK town, Maddawatta, Matara
Spa & wellness
Prana Beauty & Wellness
409 Singhe Uyana Road, Pamburana, Matara, 81000
Spa & wellness
Ancient Healers Ayurvedic Center
Victoria park, No.111 Borolla road, Kamburugamuwa, 81750
Spa & wellness
Fresh Wave Wellness & Beuty
Bathalawaththa, Madiha Rd, Walgama, Matara
Spa & wellness
Blue Lotus Spa
Indasara Mawatha, Thalaramba, Mirissa, 81740
Spa & wellness
Sun & Tree Wellness Spa
Palliyagewaththa, Thalaramba, Kamburugamuwa, 81740
Surf schools in Matara
Surf school
Tailslide Surf House & coffee shop
Beach Rd, Matara, 81000
Surf school
SummerSoulish Surf School & Rental Matara Meddawatta
Beach Rd, Maddawatta, 81000
Surf school
Srilanka Surf Insights
Walgama, Matara
Surf school
Isu Surf School
Pubudu Mawatha, Matara
Surf school
Surf with Ravi
Surf school
Dilu Surf Coach
97A kapugedara Madiha, Walgama, Matara, 81700
Attractions in Matara
Attraction
SL TRAVELS.
Weherahena Rd, Diyagahagewatta, Matara, 81000
Attraction
Polhena Beach Snorkeling Center-Hewa Nirosh
No 21 Third Cross Rd, Matara
Attraction
Kirala kale
XG8Q+945, Unnamed Road, Matara
Attraction
Dutch Bay
Attraction
Ellakanda Tank Sluice | ඇල්ලකන්ද වැව් සොරොව්ව
XHGV+CQM Ellakanda Wewa, Aparekka
Attraction
Hidden Beach Wawwa
Dondra
Diving centres in Matara
Diving centre
Ushan Snorkeling Diving
Madiha Rd, Matara, 81000
Diving centre
Five Star Scuba Diving Center Mirissa
Pradeep Niwasa",Damwala, Waththa Rd, Thalaramba, Kamburugamuwa, 81750
Diving centre
Aja Snorkelling Center
14 3rd cross Rd, Matara
Diving centre
Pasindu Snorkeling Centre
Madiha road ..madiha, Walgama, Matara
Diving centre
Polhena Diving Center
Beach Rd, Walgama, Madiha, 81000
Cooking classes in Matara
Good to know
Matara planning questions
How many things to do are there in Matara?
This guide lists 73 well-reviewed things to do in Matara: 46 attractions and sights, plus 27 bookable local experiences (spas & wellness (10), surf schools (9) and diving centres (5)). Everything shown holds a Google rating of 4.0 or higher.
What are the top attractions in Matara?
By review volume, the standouts are Weherahena Poorwarama Rajamaha Viharaya (4.6), Polhena Beach (4.5), Devinuwara Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Maha Dewalaya - දෙවි නුවර උත්පලවණ්ණ ශ්රී විශ්නු මහා දේවාලය (4.5). Each one links to a detail page with location and visiting information.
Are there free things to do in Matara?
Yes - 40 of the sights are natural or cultural spots (beaches, waterfalls, viewpoints and temples) that cost nothing or only a small donation to visit. Temples may ask a modest camera fee; dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered.
Should I book Matara activities in advance?
For safaris, whale watching and popular classes, yes - especially in high season. Smaller local experiences can change schedules quickly, so it is worth checking current availability a day or two ahead.
Can CeyRoutes build these into a trip?
That's exactly what we do: tell us which Matara experiences you want and we'll sequence them into a tailor-made route with a private driver, the right seasons and hand-picked stays.
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