Talalla Retreat

Top choice in The South

LoginSave

One of the island's foremost retreats, many guests at this healthy sanctuary are on yoga, wellness or surf-instruction packages. The location is inspirational, set back from the shore with views of the ocean from the wonderful restaurant. Some accommodation, however, is poorly designed: many rooms are open-sided (windowless) so expect visits from raiding monkeys and squirrels, and some noise issues.

There are five different accommodation options and a total of eighty rooms, a spa and a 20m pool.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Mirissa Beach

    Mirissa Beach

    10.98 MILES

    A vision of tropical bliss, Mirissa Beach boasts powdery pale sand, while its azure water is framed by an arc of coconut palms. The west side is the…

  • Staircase at the Mulkirigala rock temple.

    Mulkirigala Rock Temples

    14.88 MILES

    Dangling off a rocky crag 16km northwest of Tangalla and nestled away among a green forest of coconut trees are the peaceful rock temples of Mulkirigala…

  • Tea tasting in the he Handunugoda Tea Estate and Tea Museum.

    Handunugoda Tea Estate

    18.18 MILES

    This exquisite tea plantation in the hills above Koggala offers (free) highly informative tours of the estate. You'll sample and learn how they produce…

  • Old fort, Galle, Sri Lanka

    Flag Rock

    28.2 MILES

    Flag Rock, at the southernmost end of the Fort, was once a Portuguese bastion. Today it is easily the most popular place to catch a sunset. During…

  • Star Fort in Matara.

    Star Fort

    4.9 MILES

    This fort was built by the Dutch to compensate for deficiencies in the neighbouring rampart, but it’s so small it could only have protected a handful of…

  • Dutch Reformed Church in the Fort Galle.

    Dutch Reformed Church

    28.29 MILES

    Originally built in 1640, the present building dates from 1752. Its floor is paved with gravestones from Dutch cemeteries, while other impressive features…

  • Tuk tuk drives through the entrance of the old Dutch gate with British Coat of Arms above.

    Old Gate

    28.2 MILES

    A beautifully carved British coat of arms tops the entrance to the Old Gate on the outer side. Inside, the letters VOC, standing for Verenigde…

  • Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum

    Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum

    20.31 MILES

    This interesting museum includes the house where respected Sinhalese author Martin Wickramasinghe (1890–1976) was born (the traditional southern structure…

View more attractions

Nearby The South attractions

1. Dondra Head Lighthouse

2.3 MILES

The landmark Dondra Head Lighthouse provides an exclamation mark to the southernmost point of Sri Lanka. Visitors are not currently permitted to enter the…

2. Tenavaram Kovil

2.39 MILES

The original vast complex of Tenavaram Dondra was destroyed in 1587, and this compound is now the the largest temple in town. Sadly, a couple of (chained)…

3. Weherahena Temple

3.08 MILES

On the east side of Matara, turn inland 1km off the main road for this gaudy temple that features an artificial cave decorated with about 200 cartoon-like…

4. Temple

4.84 MILES

This modest structure overlooks the river.

5. Parey Dewa

4.84 MILES

A pedestrian bridge near the bus station leads to a small island, Parey Dewa (Rock in Water), which is home to a tiny Buddhist temple with a very fancy…

6. Star Fort

4.9 MILES

This fort was built by the Dutch to compensate for deficiencies in the neighbouring rampart, but it’s so small it could only have protected a handful of…

7. Dutch Rampart

4.95 MILES

The smallish Dutch rampart occupies the promontory separating the Nilwala Ganga from the sea. Built in the 18th century to protect the VOC’s kachcheri …

8. Matara Fort

5.08 MILES

This historic, though run-down district, was once the heart of Dutch, and later British, Matara. There are no real sights, but it's an intriguing area…