What to do in Beruwala, Sri Lanka – Activities and places that’ll make your trip truly memorable

This beach has a quality that other beaches don't possess – it exudes the feeling of mystery as is the case with secluded places. The beach is indeed an attraction, but it isn't as congested with people as other beaches are. The golden sand, the soothing sea breeze and the wailing of seagulls make you wonder if you've stepped into a world of fiction. You can see a few vendors trying to make a living, and Bentota hotels surrounding the area, but aside from that Bentota Beach is your very own world of wondrous beauty that isn't interrupted by much commotion.

If you like to treat your eyes with a fine specimen of artistry, visit Brief Garden, the former residence of Bevis Bawa, the garden has capsuled natural beauty with sculptures, homoerotic artefacts and decorative furniture. Brief Garden is the perfect blend of modern and traditional artistry. Every corner of the garden secretes creativity which gives inspiration to those who visit the place.

Walk down a few paces from Cinnamon Bey Beruwala, and you'll find Beruwala Beach. The perfect blend of greyish blue sea and golden sand darkens the atmosphere slightly in the evening. Jet skiing, parasailing, windsurfing are a few watersports you can enjoy at the beach. When you are all worn out and need some sustenance, you don't have to go too far away from the beach to find a café – there is a number of cafes and restaurants dotting the area.

This is a must-visit if you are holidaying in Beruwala. An epitome of old architecture, Richmond Castle was brought into existence by a romantic notion – the owner of the castle wanted to impress a girl he was in love with and to compete with his counterparts in India, as far as he could see, the only way of achieving both ends was to build a magnificent castle with charming splendour. The garden complements the interior of Richmond Castle. There's also a room that's naturally ventilated as though it is air-conditioned.

One of the main fishing harbours in Sri Lanka, Beruwala Fish Harbour is another touristy highlight of the city. If you walk down to the harbour in the morning for a calming stroll, you can see fishermen hauling their daily catch. With colourful boats mooring alongside the waterfront and fishermen busy with their daily tasks, the harbour paints a perfect postcard-worthy picture.

The hatchery was founded with the purpose of preserving turtles. It regulates turtle activity and protects nesting sites. The place also stores rescued turtle eggs in the project sanctuary.

About 16km away from Beruwala is Kande Viharaya. The name Kande is down to the fact that it is located at a mountain top. There isn't a single day when the temple doesn't see hundreds of worshippers who want to pay respects. The Relic Chamber, Image House, Bo Tree, Stupa and various houses of deities are the main highlights of the temple.