Hambantota / Sri Lanka

On the southern coast of Sri Lanka, on the shores of the Indian Ocean, lies Hambantota. The city in the district of the same name has about 12,000 inhabitants.

In ancient times, the region was home to a successful civilization and fertile fields, yielding a rich harvest. The first Europeans to arrive on the island of Ceylon were the Portuguese in the early 16th century, who were replaced by the Dutch in the mid-17th century. At the beginning of the 19th century, the country became a British colony, gaining independence in 1948. In 1972, the former Ceylon became a republic and received its current name, Sri Lanka. In 2004, the area was hit by a devastating tsunami, and today the city is one of the country's most important economic centers and a gateway to the southern part of the island.

Hambantota boasts interesting colonial architecture, reminiscent especially of the time of British rule over the island. The Martello Tower on a rocky promontory was built in the early 19th century and offers beautiful views of the ocean. Those who want to delve into the colorful history of the area can visit the Magampura Ruhunu Archaeological Museum with a wide collection of paintings, photographs, and other artifacts from ancient times to the present. A short visit to the beautiful botanical garden with a variety of exotic plant species is also worth it.

The city is a great starting point for exploring nearby national parks, archaeological sites, and cultural and religious monuments.

Just a stone's throw to the east, the Bundala National Park stretches along the shores of the Indian Ocean. It offers an interesting mix of ecosystems from beautiful lagoons to beaches and sand dunes to forests, home to more than 200 species of birds, including elegant flamingos, but it is also possible to spot elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, monkeys, or turtles here. Yala National Park, northeast of Hambantota, is a popular place for jeep safaris: mighty elephants are a rule, and with a bit of luck, you might even encounter beautiful leopards.

The Kataragama temples, about a 50-minute drive to the northeast, are an important destination for pilgrims not only from Sri Lanka but also from India, for example. One of the most significant temples is dedicated to the Hindu god of war, but most of them are Buddhist, and there is also an Islamic mosque to be seen here.

The city's coastline is lined with beautiful sandy beaches, ideal for swimming and relaxation. You can also enjoy relaxation by visiting the Madunagala hot springs north of the city.

Gastronomy lovers can taste lamprais, a mixture of rice and meatballs with curry baked in banana leaves, or appam, a pancake made from rice flour and coconut milk, often served with an egg or sweet with honey, washed down with Ceylon tea, considered one of the tastiest in the world.

Places worth seeing

Mirijjawila Dry Zone Botanical Garden – Admire the exotic flora of the "dry" part of the country in a beautiful botanical garden.

Martello Tower – Explore the British fortress from the early 19th century and enjoy the nice views from here.

Magampura Ruhunu Heritage Museum – Get acquainted with the fascinating history of the region through a great collection of artifacts from the earliest times to the present.

Yala National Park – Embark on a jeep exploration of the beautiful nature of the national park, home not only to elephants but also to elegant leopards.

Madunagala Hot Springs – Relax in the natural, earth-emerging hot springs north of the city.

Kataragama – Don't miss a visit to the significant pilgrimage site of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam with a shrine, reportedly dating back more than 2,000 years.

Kumana Bird Sanctuary – Be enchanted by more than two hundred species of birds, including pelicans, cormorants, or flamingos in the lagoons of Kumana National Park.