Tourist information about Matara

General information about Matara

Matara is a major city in southern Sri Lanka, the capital of the district of the same name (Matara on the map of Sri Lanka). The city is not a popular tourist destination and there is no beach holiday, however it is important for tourists and travellers as there are several popular beaches and resort areas in its vicinity (Mirissa, Veligama, Tangalle, Dickwell), and Matara is it is a base city with developed infrastructure, shops (including alcohol stalls), banks, hospitals and authorities. Another important importance of Matara is a large transport center, through which tourists often have to get to the southern resorts. Well, there are several interesting sights here. Rarely do tourists stay in Matara for a long time, but there are opportunities for this: several hotels are scattered around the city, there are shops and markets, inexpensive cafes and restaurants abound.

You can find and book accommodation in Matara on these sites or through the search form. All sites have a Russian interface and Russian-language customer support, a lot of reviews from real guests.

• 🛌 Search for hotels in Matara on Yandex.travel
• 🛌 Search for hotels in Matara on Trip.com (💥 our choice)
• 🛌 Search for hotels on Ostrovok.ru

Beaches in Matara The City Beach Matara Beach (also Mathara Beach), located in the heart of the city, is conditionally kupable, but you will not see tourists in the water here. Even locals here swim very rarely. In the west of the city is Polhena Beach, which, although quite beautiful, is not suitable for European tourists. There are a lot of locals on Polchen, especially on weekends; the beach is not very clean; there are a lot of molesters, for whom the appearance of a European woman on the beach in an open swimsuit becomes a grand event with all the ensuing consequences. There is no infrastructure here, so a boring rest within the walls of the hotel is provided here. In the east of the city there is another beach- Medawata (Meddawata), suitable for surfing.

Attractions there are not many Attractions in the city of Matara itself, but if you are relaxing on one of the southern beaches of Sri Lanka, then it is definitely worth taking a tuk-tuk or bus to Matara to see some interesting places here. What is good, there are attractions next to each other in the center, and you can get around them on foot, arriving in the city at the bus station or at the railway station.

The most famous attraction of Matara is the temple on the island of Parey Dewa. The island is located in the heart of the city, opposite the bus station, about 100 meters from the shore. You can get to it on the bridge. On the island there is an interesting Buddhist complex. Entrance to it is free, but you must remove your shoes at the entrance to the island, for the storage of which you will be required to donate at the exit.

Here, in the center, on the shore, is the old Dutch fortress. This is practically an entire area of the city surrounded by fortified walls, built in the 18th century. Entrance to the fortress is free.

Still nearby is the Dutch fort Star Fort. It really is made in the form of a star, if you look at it from above. It is very tiny, and was intended to protect the elite. Built in 1765. The fort is considered an archaeological museum, and is open from 8:00 to 16:30, closed on Thursdays.

Another attraction that is traditionally referred to as Matara, although in fact it is a separate settlement – Dondra. It is a cape and lighthouse, and the southernmost point of the island. Learn more about Dondra here.

How to get to Matara

Matara is about 160 kilometers from Colombo, and 190 kilometers from Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport.

It operates direct flights from Moscow, with transfers from St. Petersburg and the regions of the Russian Federation. It is cheaper to fly connecting flights with Turkish airlines, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, than direct flights.

ЦЕНА	ПЕРЕСАДКИ	АВИАКОМПАНИЯ	ДАТА ВЫЛЕТА	ДАТА ВОЗВРАЩЕНИЯ
Купить от 45278 ₽	1 пересадка		18.06.2026	16.07.2026
Купить от 54858 ₽	1 пересадка		09.07.2026	16.07.2026
Купить от 54684 ₽	1 пересадка		09.08.2026	08.09.2026
Купить от 51095 ₽	2 пересадки		25.09.2026	08.10.2026
Купить от 52732 ₽	1 пересадка		07.10.2026	22.10.2026
Купить от 51416 ₽	2 пересадки		30.11.2026	21.12.2026

Upon arrival at Colombo airport, Matara is easiest to get to by taxi, the cost is about $ 100, the journey is just over 3 hours. But more often tourists get here by public transport, because Matar is a major transport center in the south, and through it they get to other southern resorts with a transfer.

Matara is the terminus of the Southern Line railway from Colombo (Matara railway station on the map). Relatively close to it is a large bus station (Matara bus station on the map). It is possible to travel on foot (20 minutes) between both stations and this is why the stations are often used to change from train to bus to get via Matara by train to Mirissa, Dickwella or Tangalle. A trip by tuk-tuk between the stations will cost 100-200 rupees.

By the way, there is a traditional divorce of tuk-tukers. They catch tourists arriving by train and advise not to go to the bus station, because it is very far away, but to stop the express trains. And while hapless tourists at a nonexistent stop are waiting for a nonexistent bus, tuk-Tookers breed them for an expensive tuk-tuk trip and recommend "brother" hotels.

So, to get to Matara from Colombo airport by bus, you will first have to get to the bus station in Colombo by bus #187 (as, similar to here) and then change to direct bus # 2 to Matara. The total trip will take almost eight hours, but the cost of the trip will cost a little more than 400 rupees (see currency of Sri Lankaand exchange rate).

Also Matara can be reached by bus from Galle, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Mirissa and so on by the same bus number 2 or other passing routes. Frequent bus routes also connect Matara with Dondra, Dickwella, Tangalle. There are more flights from Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura, Badullah, and even from Anuradhapura and Trincomalee.

By rail, Matara can be reached from Colombo. At the same time, the train on the way goes through all the main resorts of the south and Southwest. There is also a once daily direct train from Kandy. The schedule can be obtained here - https://eservices.railway.gov.lk. Learn more about Sri Lankan trains and how to travel here...

And here is the schedule of trains and other transport to Matara available for online booking: