6 km
from city center 1 out of 15
Places To Visit in Beruwala

Sprawling four kilometres, Bentota beach overlooks the mesmerising Indian Ocean along Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. Flaunting clean, soft blond sand and luscious palms, it is ranked among the country’s top water sports destinations offering swimming, snorkelling, parasailing, jet skiing and speed boating. Many holiday resorts dot the shore, attracting families and travellers. Try local toddy here, an alcoholic beverage made from coconut nectar.

3 km
from city center 2 out of 15
Places To Visit in Beruwala

Sheltered in a calm bay protected from strong waves and currents by a verdant natural coral reef, Beruwala Beach adjoins the estuary of the Bentota River. Its mile-long stretch of grainy golden sands, tropical foliage, and the aqua-blue ocean are perfect for long walks, beach camping, and swimming. In addition, Beruwala Beach’s shallow, warm water is great for snorkelling, bodyboarding, banana boats, windsurfing and water skiing.

5 km
from city center 3 out of 15
Places To Visit in Beruwala

Established in 1929, Brief Garden is the legendary Garden and former home of landscape architect Bevis Bawa. Built on the rubber plantation Bawa had inherited, Brief Garden spans five acres of manicured tropical flora, cobbled pathways, and stone statuettes. Bawa’s home is fashioned around a particular frangipani tree, said to be the Garden’s first. Walk in for refreshing Ceylon tea, and explore the gallery showcasing eclectic artwork.

3 km
from city center 4 out of 15
Places To Visit in Beruwala

Half a mile off Beruwala town’s shores, Barberyn Island Lighthouse sits on a tiny, uninhabited namesake island spread over eight acres. Also called Beruwala Lighthouse, it flaunts an archaic 122-feet-tall round, white, conical granite tower and continues to illuminate the sea through a blanket of coconut trees and vacant sandy stretches since 1889. You can also explore the island and beach.

14 km
from city center 5 out of 15
Places To Visit in Beruwala

Erected between 1900 and 1910, Richmond Castle is the erstwhile country seat of Mudaliyar Don Arthur de Silva Wijesinghe Siriwardena, a high-ranking native colonial-era headman. Boasting exemplary Edwardian and eastern architecture, the magnificent castle sits amidst 42 acres of orchards on a hill adjoining River Kalu Ganga. It is currently owned by the Public Trustee, and its sixteen gorgeous rooms are all open to visitors.

3 km
from city center 6 out of 15
Places To Visit in Beruwala

One of Sri Lanka’s most treasured archaeological monuments, Kande Viharaya, is an ancient Buddhist temple discovered in 1734. A 160-feet-tall cross-legged Buddha statue guards the moonstone entrance. This temple has an invaluable library, a bell-shaped Stupa, a Bo tree, a Relic Chamber with antiquities and Kandyan frescoes, an Image House with fascinating murals of Buddha and Jataka tales, and five devalas for rituals.

2 km
from city center 7 out of 15
Places To Visit in Beruwala

Ketchchimalai Mosque, also known as Kechimalai Dargah, sits on a rocky, tree-lined headland overlooking Beruwala’s fishing port. Believed to be the spot where Arabs first landed in Sri Lanka in 1,024 AD, Ketchchimalai Mosque is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest mosques. It flaunts Arabic architecture, an unusual domed minaret with a crescent-and-star, an ornate arched exterior, and curving Dutch-style gables. Thousands of pilgrims attend Eid festivities here.

2 km
from city center 8 out of 15
Places To Visit in Beruwala

Built-in 920 AD by Arab spice traders, Masjid ul Abrar Jumma is the first and oldest mosque in Sri Lanka. Fronted by a large pond, this mosque in Beruwala sits amidst a landscape garden, part of which forms the cemetery. Having undergone three phases of refurbishment, Masjid ul Abrar displays stunning blends of Sinhalese and Islamic craftsmanship. Currently, it can accommodate 3,000 devotees at a time.

1 km
from city center 9 out of 15
Places To Visit in Beruwala

Among the biggest fishery harbours on Sri Lanka's western coast, Beruwala Fish Harbour is said to have been used as a port by merchant vessels for hundreds of years. Filled with colourful, docked traditional fishing boats, the harbour and its walkway add colour to Beruwala's coastline. At six in the morning, fishermen sail out for a fresh catch. They sell it at the bustling harbour market, where stalls also offer deliciously cooked seafood.

13 km
from city center 10 out of 15
Places To Visit in Beruwala

Nestled immediately south of the Kalutara Bridge, Kalutara Bodhiya, or Kalutara Chaitya, is a highly revered Buddhist Stupa. It is one of the world's only few hollow Buddhist stupas, and its interior contains 74 murals depicting different aspects of Lord Buddha's life. The temple is centred around an intact Bodhi tree, identified as one of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi's 32 sacred saplings, planted in the 2nd century BCE.

14 km
from city center 11 out of 15
Places To Visit in Beruwala

The Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery is devoted to the breeding and nurturing of local endangered turtles, disabled turtles and those at risk of being hunted during fishing activities. Opened in 1988, the centre shelters rare Olive Ridley, Hawksbill turtles, and three other species. A day tour of the hatchery shows visitors through the incubation centres and nests where new hatchlings are released and offers information about their conservation.

12 out of 15
Places To Visit in Beruwala

Located close to Beruwala, Wadiya Fishing Village sits on a pristine beach with beach bungalows, seafood restaurants and bars. The hardworking and skilful fishermen can be seen sailing out for their day’s catch early in the morning. On returning, they sell fresh fish and seafood assortments at the beach market, where you can also relish freshly cooked delicacies. Local boat houses also offer fishing tours.

3 km
from city center 13 out of 15
Places To Visit in Beruwala

Tucked between Bentota and Beruwala beaches, Moragalla Beach is a less-touristy haven for tranquil seaside getaways. Laden with golden sands and thick mangroves, it sits adjoined to Bentota River’s estuary, which protects the shoreline from strong and fast ocean currents. This makes Moragalla beach perfect for snorkelling, swimming, windsurfing and other water sports. There is also a temple and several trendy beach bars.

3 km
from city center 14 out of 15
Places To Visit in Beruwala

Among the largest resorts on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, Cinnamon Bey Beruwala takes pride in its Balinese-themed gardens, dramatic Indian Ocean views, and Turkish architecture. The beachfront 5-star resort boasts vibrant rooms and suites with living areas, balconies, and private pools. Enjoy elaborate dining at their seven restaurants, bars and open-air sushi bar, relax at the two outdoor pools, gym and spa, or host meetings at the business centre.

38 km
from city center 15 out of 15
Places To Visit in Beruwala

The colourful underwater coral reef gardens in Beruwala make it a fantastic destination for snorkelling, diving, scuba diving and other adventurous water sports. In this resort city, Beruwala Beach, Moragalla Beach and Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary are home to reefs with 180 species of flora, 60 species of hard coral fish, luminescent reef fish, harmless reef sharks and friendly turtles. Diving centres in Beruwala offer equipment, training and guides.