While Southern Sri Lanka is known for its stunning coastline fringed with swaying coconut palms—along with adventure sports like surfing—there’s more to the South than its beaches. The region houses tea gardens (yes, you heard it right!), dense jungles with roaring cascades, paddy fields where peacocks roam, and slow-living villages with century-old cottage industries. Much of the island’s spices and herbs grow and flourish here, while generational artists work meticulously to keep their crafts alive. By the rugged shoreline, you’ll find fishermen on stilts, a decade-old practice, while the surrounding ocean is home to whales, dolphins and other marine life. So here are the 10 best travel experiences in and around Galle, Ahangama and Weligama beyond the South’s sunkissed shores.

Today, Galle Fort is also perhaps Sri Lanka’s most exciting culinary destination with a host of fine dining venues, quaint cafes and lively taverns tucked away in its narrow cobblestone streets. The Fort’s gastronomic scene is as diverse as its cultural heritage—local produce and native spirits like arrack feature prominently at its newest hangouts while the Fort houses an increasingly evolving, refined international cuisine scene. Here’s our list of handpicked standouts for the best restaurants and bars in Galle.