Top Things to do in Southern Province
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Top 10 Free Things to do in Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Discover the best top things to do in Southern Province, Sri Lanka including Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications, Handunugoda Tea Estate, Seenigama Muhudu Viharaya, Galle Fort, Sithulpawwa Rock Temple, Goyambokka Beach (Sriyanga Sanjeewa), Tsunami Honganji Vihara, Mihiripenna Beach, Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara, Mirissa Beach.
Restaurants in Southern Province
1. Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,489 reviews
Reviewed By LesleynD - Perth, Australia
We visited Galle on a day trip from Negombo. It's very clean and surprisingly not many people around except many courting couples hidden in the nooks and crannies behind a strategically placed umbrella :) We have a lovely walk around the Clock Tower and enjoyed the views of the ocean, Internation Cricket Ground and activities going on around the fort. A few vendors around the place touting their wares but not pushy. Nice historic fort to visit for a few hours.
2. Handunugoda Tea Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 524 reviews
Reviewed By LizzyLeeton - Leeton, Australia
Another tea estate we thought but we were really glad we decided to come here. You are taken by tuk tuk and given an individual tour of the plantation and given a great cup of tea along the way. You then go tothe factory where you can see, touch and smell the tea making process which was fascinating. You also learn about the Virgin White Tea which this estate is famous for. There was a shop at the end but there was nopressure to buy anything. There were numerous teas available for taste testing, which we did, and ended up buying some , including the Virgin White Tea. We also bought a great souvenir inthe form of a book called The Suicide Club which is the story of the founder, and thattoo was very enjoyable.
3. Seenigama Muhudu Viharaya
4. Galle Fort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,404 reviews
Galle is located in the south of Sri Lanka. Close by are magnificent beaches, rainforests and other attractions.
Reviewed By K5433XUjanm - Ostrava, Czech Republic
Nice walk around the old fortifications, fine breeze from the sea :-) i do reccomend in the morning or evening :-)
5. Sithulpawwa Rock Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Sithulpawwa rock temple is historically significant and identified as one of the greatest 2nd century sites of Buddhist scholarship. With a history of over 2200 years, this is an ancient place of worship in the Hambantota district. The modern name Sithulpawwa is derived from the ancient ‘Cittalpabbata’, ‘The hill of the quiet mind’.
Reviewed By 824sanjeewap
You have to climb a very steep stairway which is cut through a rock. When you go up you will be able to see a Dagoba which is said to have been built by King Kawantissa. In addition to this, there are more other small stupas. There is a specific cave temple that consists of beautiful ancient paintings that are believed to belong to the 3rd century BC. The drawings are done on a thin layer of plaster and have used red and yellow colors. It is stated that the rock temple which is a very sophisticated cave consisted of 12000 monks who attained the highest level in mind according to Buddhism.
6. Goyambokka Beach (Sriyanga Sanjeewa)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 516 reviews
Reviewed By Stevieh01 - Wendover, United Kingdom
Came back here for the second year as this is my favourite beach in the world. Although the waves are powerful the natural breakwaters lead to a wash that reaches 20 metres so everyone can get in. Swim further out and you have regular 3 m waves. Great fun. The beach bars, particularly Bamboo do juice, food and beer. I’ve travelled to Thailand, Malaysia, Africa and other countries and I love this beach. Perfect sand. The deserted beach at Rekawa is lovely but you cannot swim due to the rip-tides.
7. Tsunami Honganji Vihara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 611 reviews
Reviewed By seevalid - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Five of us visited Tsunami Honganji Vihara on 26th December 2019, exactly fifteen years after the 2004 boxing day tsunami - the most destructive natural disaster to hit Sri Lanka. Over 2000 lost their lives at this village, Peraliya. 1700 of these were caught hapless inside an express train that was plying from Colombo to Galle along the rail-track only a short distance from the sea. The train had halted as there were people on the railway line that was lying above the surrounding land filled with water from the first wave of the tsunami. When the train stopped people climbed on to the stationary train. The second more forceful wave swept the train off the ground along with the people. Most people on the train perished. Thousands of families were devasted in this village. There were many visitors at this temple on that fifteenth anniversary day to remember the lost and loved ones. We too participated in the Buddhist commemoration activities conducted in the evening. The yellow coloured compassionate serene statue standing in the middle of a lake is said to be the replica of the Bhamian Buddha in Afghanistan destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. The 30-metre statue gazes out into the Indian ocean that brought such destruction to that "Peraliya" coastal village. The statue had been built with Japanese assistance. Entrance is free. Since this is a place of worship visitors are required to be modestly dressed. Footwear are left at the entrance. Whilst there, we heard stories of the disaster from several survivors. It was a moment and a place for quiet contemplation remembering and imagining what it would have been for the unsuspecting victims!
8. Mihiripenna Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
Reviewed By dr_nilusha - Colombo, Sri Lanka
One of the safe and sound beaches in Galle. It is a great place to stay at sunset. Sea bath also making us fresh. The only problem is the parking problem.
9. Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara
10. Mirissa Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,033 reviews
Reviewed By Sunshine760116 - Cairns, Australia
It’s a great beach for swimmers and surfers little areas where you can snorkel like turtle beach and surf locations in front of coconut tree hill and night plenty of locations where you can have a drink or fresh seafood
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