Wadduwa Holidays

Wadduwa isn't one you usually see in tourist guides, and it's all the better for it. This hidden gem offers unspoiled snapshots of traditional Sri Lankan life and plenty of down-tempo relaxation, with the nearby capital filling up slots for urban cultural options.

The main attraction in town's the beach, a serene little strip of sand ringed with coconut trees and a few chilled-out restaurants. It's the perfect environment for sunbathing and sipping drinks, or you can relax away from the sea spray with a visit to the beachside Ocean Spa.

Take advantage of the easy one-hour drive to Colombo, and you'll have a whole different energy to soak up. This low-tech city's a treasure trove of cultural delights, from historic museums to rooftop bars. Shop your heart out in the bustle of Pettah market, or go glitzy at the House of Fashions department store.

Wadduwa's immediate neighbours are worth getting to know. Drive 15 minutes and you'll stumble across a gold-plated Buddhist temple and a 1000-year-old tree at Kalutara. To let someone else do the driving, sign up for a tour of Sri Lanka's must-see spots, using the town as your base.