Why You'll Love Matara Matara has its own, smaller Dutch fort predating Galle's better-known one, along with a historic old town and star-shaped rampart walls — a working southern city that sees far fewer tourists than Galle despite similar colonial-era roots.
A smaller, less-visited Dutch fort with star-shaped ramparts, predating Galle Fort by several decades.
An unusual star-shaped fortification built by the Dutch in the 1760s, a short walk from the main fort area.
Matara marks a natural stopping point for travellers continuing on to Tangalle, Yala or the far southern coast.
