Along the coastal drive to Galle, Kalutara offers visitors the first taste of a Southern Sri Lankan holiday. Explore the area’s natural wonders, coastal heritage, and rich history, with a guide to the best places to visit in Kalutara.
Kalutara Bodhiya
Looming over the bridge to Kalutara, this impressive temple complex is home to a 2,000-year-old sacred Bo tree that represents the region’s rich Buddhist heritage. The “Bodhiya” sits alongside one of the world’s only hollow stupas, the Kalutara Chaitiya.
Kalu Ganga
The Kalu Ganga (“Black River”) flows gracefully through Kalutara, spilling into the sea. Lending its name to the charming coastal town, explore its tangle of mangroves, riverside wildlife, and communities along the banks, just a short distance from most hotels in Kalutara.
Brief Garden & Lunuganga Estate
Art and architecture enthusiasts will marvel at Brief Garden and Lunuganga Estate, former homes and gardens of renowned Sri Lankan artists Bevis and Geoffrey Bawa. Pioneers of tropical modernism, the two architecture powerhouses expertly blend Kalutara’s stunning landscapes with elegant designs at the estates, available to explore through excursions from Avani Kalutara Resort.
Image via Avani Kalutara Resort
Richmond Castle
This stunning Edwardian mansion, built in the early 20th century, showcases the fusion of Eastern and Western architectural styles. Once the home of a wealthy landowner, Richmond Castle is now a museum that offers insights into the luxurious lifestyles of Sri Lanka’s colonial era.
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