Places to Visit
Enhance your journey by exploring the vicinity of our location, where a multitude of attractions and activities await – from surfing to snorkeling and beyond.
Places and Activities
Nestled within a tapestry of enchanting destinations, Garden Villa Talalla resides in a captivating locale. Access further pockets of beauty with ease, whether by bus or the iconic tuk-tuk, to enhance your exploration.
Talalla Beach
1 min. walk from hotel
The southern coast of Sri Lanka is lined with many large and small picturesque beaches. Although tourists generally tend to flock around Unawatuna and Mirissa beaches, there are many beaches that are equally beautiful and worth visiting. Talalla is one such hidden gem of Sri Lanka. Although this place is beautiful in its own way, many tourists and visitors seem to miss this little hidden gem.
One of the best things about Talalla Bay Beach is the sheltered, crescent-shaped cove, lined with palm trees and about two kilometers long. Talalla beach constantly receives southwest and west winds and you can do nothing and relax in this place while having the whole place almost to yourself.
Source : https://traveltriangle.com/
Hiriketiya Beach
Distance from hotel : 12km | Accessible by Tuk Tuk or bus
Dikwella is a small town in the southern part of Sri Lanka. Dikwella (officially Dickwella) is popular for its great surf spots on Hiriketiya Beach. Hiriketiya beach (also called Hiri) is a great small bay to chill out or surf. The water is beautifully clear.
Waves at Hiriketiya Beach are getting famous so more and more surfers find Hiri as a place to hang out for a while. Rent a board and maybe get a lesson directly from the guys on the beach.
Source : https://www.saltinourhair.com/
Dondara Lighthouse
Distance from hotel : 10km | Accessible by Tuk Tuk or bus
Considered to be one of the more iconic lighthouses in the entire island, the Dondra Head Lighthouse serves to be the island’s tallest lighthouse, standing at a height of 160 feet. As it is located in the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka, it also serves to be one of the more important lighthouses still in operation.
The lighthouse consists of 7 floors, which can be accessed by the 196-step stairway, which can be quite strenuous to the legs if you are to take the journey to the top. The view from the top is simply breathtaking, as it is possible to even the Bulutota Mountain Range if you look north. However, keep in mind that access to the top is only granted through special permission from the authorities.
Source : https://www.lovesrilanka.org/
Hummanaya Blow Hole
Distance from hotel : 25km | Accessible by Tuk Tuk
Hummanaya Blow Hole is the only blowhole in Sri Lanka and the second-largest one of its kind in the world, Hummanaya is an incredible natural landmark that attracts hundreds of tourists every season. Situated in the little village by the sea named Kudawella in the Southern Province-after Matara and Dikwella-it is a great natural fountain that sprays up into the air from in between two large rocks.
The spray is often between eighty and a hundred feet tall during the high tide or a storm.
Source : https://www.tlc.lk/
Wewurukannala Viharaya at Dikwella
Distance from hotel : 10km | Accessible by Tuk Tuk or bus
The Wewurukannala Vihara temple is dominated by an image of a seated Buddha. It is 160ft high, the largest statue in all of Sri Lanka and dates back to the time of King Rajadhi (1782 – 1798).
The temple has three parts, the oldest being about 250 years old; however this is of no particular interest. The next part has life size models of demons and sinners shown in graphic detail. If you don’t follow the path to enlightenment this is what happens to you. Punishments include being drowned in boiling cauldrons, sawn in half, disemboweled and so on. Finally there is the enormous seated Buddha that is as high as an eight-storied building.
Source : https://amazinglanka.com/
Weherahena Poorwarama Rajamaha Viharaya
Distance from hotel : 10km | Accessible by Tuk Tuk
Weherahena ( Veherahena) is popular temple among the buddhist pilgrims. Although there is nothing of historical significance, the story of the temple is quite interesting. In addition, the temple is said be the largest and the first tunnel temple in the world.
Source : https://amazinglanka.com/
Blue Beach Island
Distance from hotel : 16km | Accessible by Tuk Tuk or bus
Blue Beach Island is situated in the Southern Province in Sri Lanka. The reason behind getting the name Blue Beach Island is that this island is stunning surrounded by the blue beach. It is connected by only a small dune but on rainy days it could be covered in seawater.
At Blue Beach Island you can go on snorkeling, swimming, and rest for the day.
Source : https://www.thingstodosrilanka.com/
Udawalawe National Park
Distance from hotel : 100km | Accessible by car
Udawalawe National Park was established on 30th June 1972. Primary objective of this declaration was to protect the immediate catchment areas and to provide a safe refuge for displaced wild mainly Elephants as a result of the Walawe Basin Development project. Udawalawe is the third most visited national park and an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants (Elephas Maximum Maximus). Thus, Udawalawe National Park is one of the most recommended places to visit during your wildlife photography tour / family holiday in Sri Lanka managed by Department of Wildlife Conservation of Sri Lanka (DWC).
Source : https://www.ceylonexpeditions.com/
Mulkirigala Rock Temple
Distance from hotel : 35km | Accessible by car
Mulkirigala Rock Temple, also known as Mulkirigala Raja Maha Viharaya in the local dialect, is located in Tangalle and makes for a great day excursion. The temple is embedded into a 673-foot-tall rock and requires you to climb to the summit to admire its beautiful stupa and surrounding views. The rock is affectionately referred to as ‘Little Sigiriya’ due to its stunning architectural style; just not as popular as the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Recognized as an important archaeological site, visit the temple and admire the various paintings, sculptures and architectural structures, which comprises of five key areas; namely, the Siyambalamaluwa, Bomaluwa, the Royal Temple Compound, the Upper Temple Compound and the Lower Temple Compound.
Source : https://www.lovesrilanka.org/
Galle
Distance from hotel : 55km | Accessible by Tuk Tuk or bus
Galle is a jewel. A Unesco World Heritage Site, this historic city is a delight to explore on foot, an endlessly exotic old trading port blessed with imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient mosques and churches, grand mansions and museums. Wandering its rambling lanes you’ll pass stylish cafes, quirky boutiques and impeccably restored hotels owned by local and foreign artists, writers, photographers and designers.
Source : https://www.lonelyplanet.com/
