Kalutara is a beautiful city located approximately 40 Km south of Colombo. It is the first major city that visitors come across during the journey down south of Colombo. Kalutara serves as the capital of the Kalutara district and is easily accessible....more
Kalutara is a beautiful city located approximately 40 Km south of Colombo. It is the first major city that visitors come across during the journey down south of Colombo. Kalutara serves as the capital of the Kalutara district and is easily accessible. The city is best known for its serene and uncrowded beaches. Kalutara has a special colonial charm that cannot be overlooked. The town is named after the Kalu Ganga river which merges with the ocean at Kalutara. The meeting point of the river and the ocean divides the city into two halves the Kalutara North (Mahawaskaduwa) and Kalutara South (Katukurunda).
The North beach of Kalutara is a scenic beach that attracts several visitors. The south beach of Kalutara is also quite attractive. The beaches of Kalutara are known for offering a wide range of water sports like jet-skiing, parasailing, wind-surfing, etc. The Richmond Castle in Kalutara is an ancient castle built over an area of 42 acres of gardens. The architecture of the castle is beautiful and combines Indian and British styles. Kalutara also serves as a great base for exploring the surrounding Sinharaja Rain forest and Ratnapura.
Kalutara is marked with various stalls and kiosks selling local handicraft items. There are numerous roadside stalls that sell coir rugs, reed mats and basket ware. Kalutara is known for its luscious mangosteens that are a must try if you visit during the season.
The nearest major airport to Kalutara is the Bandaranaike International Airport. The airport is located about 74 Km from Kalutara. From the airport visitors can reach Colombo by bus or taxi. From Colombo, Kalutara is about 40 Km and can be reached by bus, taxi or train. There are several A/C and non-A/C buses available from Colombo to Kalutara. The ride takes about 1 hour. Kalutara is located on the Colombo-Matara line. Express trains are available from Colombo and stop at Kalutara South. Train ride also takes about 1 hour.
Finding halal restaurants in Kalutara is easy. There are several halal restaurants along the Mosque Road in Kalutara where visitors can find delicious local and international cuisine. Most of the restaurants serving halal food in Kalutaraare famous as Muslim hotels; hence it is best for visitors to ask locals about Muslim hotels around the area.
There are a few mosques in Kalutara. Some of the prominent mosques in Kalutara include Hill Street Mosque, AlawiyathulNaqshabandiya Mosque, Kalutara Bazar Mosque, Kalutara Mosque, etc. These mosques can easily be located.