Top Things to do in Mannar
The 9 Best Free Things to do in Mannar, Northern Province
Discover the best top things to do in Mannar, Sri Lanka including Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu, Thanthirimale, Mannar Island, Mannar Fort, The Doric at Arippu, Baobab Tree, Yodha Wewa, Thiruketheeswaram Kovil, Adam’s Bridge.
Restaurants in Mannar
1. Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By chathuandishanka - Kalutara, Sri Lanka
The major Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. People visit this place with so much faith and they believe that miraculous things happens after worshiping at this place. Non Catholics also can visit the place and experience the church and how the Catholics do their prayers. The church is located in dense jungle and survived the civil war which lasted for 3 decades. Now the access roads are very well built.
2. Thanthirimale
3. Mannar Island
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By chathuandishanka - Kalutara, Sri Lanka
You have many places to visit at Mannar island although many simply ignore this place due to the extreme hot weather and less facilities. But it’s a must visit at least once. Mannar is famous for flamingoes in the migratory season. You can see them beside the road connecting Mannar and main island. Some of the major attractions are Mannar fort, thaleimannar pier and light house, thaleimannar beach, adam’s bridge, Keeri beach. The Adam’s bridge is a must visit from all of this. Specially visit in evenings, the sunset view would be amazing. If you can get navy permission they’ll take you on a boat ride towards the first island of town he adams bridge. On the way to Mannar you can visit Doric bungalow, arippu fort, Madhu church and thanthrimale temple.
4. Mannar Fort
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By 307kamalp - Byron Bay, Australia
Currently in the process of getting restored and conserved Mannar Fort is on its way to show a bit of its past glory. Built with blocks of coral and brick in the year 1560 by the Portuguese at the entry point of Mannar Island facing the lagoon, had been captured by the Dutch in 1658 and subsequently fallen to British in 1795. Structures within, had stood the test of time with most standing sturdy minus the rooves and the wooden components of doors and windows. It is well fortified with ramparts, moats, and once guarded entrance. Fort is square shaped and the visitor can walk on the rampart almost its full length seeing different views from different directions. From the ramparts there is a beautiful view of the vast span of lagoon that surrounds it. With the low tide boats that are moored in the vicinity gives the appearance that they have collapsed to a side and beached. The church building within the fort is a very interesting site with many ancient burial plaques still remaining in their original spots with beautiful carvings and inscriptions. Stairs leading to a pulpit is visible in the church. Ponds to collect fresh water and wells to supply the needs of the occupants of the Fort are still found with significant levels of water. Fort is one of the must-see places in Mannar.
5. The Doric at Arippu
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By 307kamalp - Byron Bay, Australia
On an information board there is a beautiful artist’s impression of the Doric Bungalow during its prime when Sir. Frederick North was living there. If this same picture stood there today in real form, it would have been one of the majestic buildings in the region. Weathering due to wind action, the collapse of the sea side portion of the building due to wave action and sea erosion has resulted in the exposed brick body that is visible now. Walls have been built very thick to hold immense weight of an upstairs and a strong roof. Bricks have been skilfully locked in and plastered to form beautiful arches giving access to various rooms of the building and a very broad staircase still survive leading to a non-existing upstairs platform or a balcony which would have provided more than 180-degree clear view of the “Palk Strait”. From top of the stairs this grand vista can still be seen. Bungalow has been built in a strategic place along the sea front with one of the grandest views of the ocean.
6. Baobab Tree
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By samvijf - Negombo, Sri Lanka
If you are traveling mannar i suggest everyone should visit this place to look at this giant tree.. and we were lucky that we met an amazing person who told us the story behind this tree.. I hope you too will get that chance if you visit this place.
7. Yodha Wewa
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By 295gihanw
Wanted to see elephants at the far end but was not lucky beautiful vast expanse of fresh water excellent for bird watching pelicans storks migratory ducks corporates unknown birds take a good pair of binoculars
8. Thiruketheeswaram Kovil
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By ManojDK - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Located almost in the middle of no where, except by a beautiful little lake, is the kovil dedicated to Lord Shiva! Supposedly dating back to pre Vijaya, this ancient temple is now under renovation, even though, it's still absolutely worth a visit. All the original statues are located in a temporary housing, adjacent to the kovil and poojas are conducte thrice a day, 8am, 12 noon and at 6pm. The surrounding area is calm and peaceful, so soothingly spiritual! There was a strong breeze when we visited the temple at noon, which made it very comfortable in spite of the heat. Families of monkeys dwell in the many trees growing around the vicinity of the temple. This temple is one of the 5 Pancha Ishwaram temples in Sri Lanka, the others being; Koneswaram in Trincomalee, Naguleswaram in Jaffna, Munnesawaram in Chilaw and Tenavaram in Matara.
9. Adam’s Bridge
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By chamiljaya - Colombo, Sri Lanka
This is a chain of sand islands between India and sri lanka just 32 km apart from each other. You can walk on the Sri Lankan island number 1. This spot is even famous for kyte surfing.
