The town of Kalutara, in Sri Lanka, will be an enthralling locality for the discerning traveller as it presents idyllic beaches, interesting cultural and religious attractions, sightseeing highlights and more.
Unwind at Kalutara Beach
During your holiday in this locality, you can take the opportunity to spend time at the scenic Kalutara Beach. You will find that this seashore with its extensive golden sands is a great place for sunbathing amidst the pleasant surroundings and taking leisurely strolls. One of the beach resorts in Kalutara to consider staying at and from which you could easily enjoy fun in the sun, sand, and surf is Avani Kalutara Resort.
Visit the Gangatilaka Viharaya
The Buddhist temple known as Gangatilaka Viharaya (also referred to as the Kalutara Temple) happens to be a noteworthy religious attraction that presents a captivating sight for the traveller. During your visit to this place of worship, you could admire the beautiful white stupa, view the picturesque bo trees and take in the lovely murals depicting scenes from Buddhist literature.
Head to the Kalutara Basket Centre
Kalutara is renowned for its outstanding basket weaving, with numerous skilled artisans occupied in this form of craftwork. You may take the opportunity to pay a visit to the Kalutara Basket Centre, where you will find baskets of every description, as well as handcrafted hats, purses, lampshades and coasters. You could also observe the expert artisans as they fashion their beautiful creations.
Explore the Brief Garden

Image by Wikimedia Commons
A very different kind of sightseeing attraction is the distinctive Brief Garden located in nearby Beruwala. It happens to be the work of Bevis Bawa, brother of the well-known architect Geoffrey Bawa. You will see that this wondrous creation is a breathtaking sight, filled with engrossing features such as picturesque sculptures, trees, pavilions, a water terrace and courtyards, in addition to other eye-catching elements.