The southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, has no shortage of glorious beaches for sun worshippers to enjoy. With the vividly turquoise Indian Ocean lapping at the white sandy shores, the towering coconut palms interspersed among the lush greenery that shelters the beaches from the rest of the world, and the general serenity of the locals, you’ll be hard-pushed not to find relaxation and peace in Galle’s super- soothing atmosphere.

Head to Unawatuna for true tropical bliss; the area’s renowned for its beautiful beaches and laid-back heritage. According to local mythology, the coast is popular among bejewelled nymphs, gods and demons, and it’s not hard to see why the beach was voted one of the best in the world – the shores are pristine, the sand powdery and while there’s plenty of bars and restaurants nearby, it’s not too touristy. Beachfront eatery Wilma’s offers some of the best seafood around and is definitely worth checking out – ask for the lobster and butter fish.

Chill out with an Ayurvedic massage, they’re cheap as chips and at the Calm Spice Garden, just outside of the main Unawatuna town, you can get a particularly good one – a mother and daughter team offer a traditional, hour-long four-handed massage which is blissful; they also do a whole range of herbal treatments, based on their extensive knowledge of local alternative therapies.

Don’t expect any vibrant beach parties – the nightlife is pretty lacking, but there are plenty of smaller bars, which lead out onto the beach that offer an intimate atmosphere for quiet evening drinks with friends. Sundowners on the sand are very popular; the sunsets are spectacular, and definitely fab for photo-ops!

And you can stay in luxury at The Fortress, a brand new resort that follows the style of the old Dutch architecture that’s so prominent across the region, with it’s ocean-view rooms and must-try Lime Spa.

While you’re there...

Back to nature
Escape the heat under the vast canopy of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, an enormous national park that’s teeming with endemic wildlife, including leopards and elephants. It’s been made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is definitely worth packing your walking shoes for.

Get cooking
Unuwatuna resident, Karuna, teaches visitors how to master the Sri Lankan style of cooking. Based in Sonja’s Health Food Restaurant, you’ll scour the local food markets together, learn how to make delish curries and then have your own recipe book to take home.

Island hopping
Lined up along the beaches you’ll find any number of boats willing to take you on day trips to the various islands off the Sri Lankan coast for very reasonable prices. Pack a picnic, haggle on the price and spend a day relaxing on the sea and shore.