Villa Malena

Top choice in Unawatuna


On a quiet road off the main Galle–Matara highway, this fine modern guesthouse has immaculately clean and inviting rooms with high-quality furnishings and four-poster beds. It's exceptional value for money, though you are 2km from the beach (Rs 400 in a three-wheeler). There are bikes for hire.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Unawatuna attractions

1. Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya

0.72 MILES

Just 4km inland from Unawatuna, the Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya is a quiet rock temple with a 9m reclining Buddha. The mural-covered walls are painted in…

2. Jungle Beach

0.82 MILES

One of those 'secret' spots that everyone seems to knows about, Jungle Beach is a pretty bay just west of Unawatuna. There are a couple of slim-line sandy…

3. Rumassala Peace Pagoda

0.93 MILES

On the hillside west of Unawatuna, this impressive pagoda was built by Japanese Buddhist monks of the Mahayana sect in 2005, as part of their scheme to…

4. Buddhist Temple

1.29 MILES

This small Buddhist temple at the west end of the beach has amazing bay views and also a vigilant monk ready to chase away anyone who is hoping to feign…

5. Lighthouse Beach

2.18 MILES

A slim swathe of sand right on the east side of the Fort. However it's not that great for a dip as there are rocks offshore and the beach is often…

6. Aurora Bastion

2.18 MILES

East-facing bastion, with fine views of Galle harbour. Look out for blocks of coral in its walls.

7. Lighthouse

2.19 MILES

Guarding against the rocks at the southern end of the Galle promontory, this elegant 27m working lighthouse dates from 1939, though there's been a…

8. Dutch Hospital

2.19 MILES

Now fully restored and home to myriad upmarket boutiques and restaurants, this vast, colonnaded colonial landmark dates from the 18th century. Its size…