Matale

Matale is a city in the Central Province of Sri Lanka about 150 km away from Colombo, and 25 km north of Kandy.

Matale has been inhabited for thousands of years. It was the centre of the Matale Rebellion against British rule in 1848. Most tourists visit the town as a jumping-off point for hiking in the Knuckles Mountain Range.

Matale has a tropical climate, like the rest of Sri Lanka.

The town has a mixed culture. The city centre has a majority of Sinhalese with a minority of Muslims and Tamils, very much like Sri Lanka as a whole.

Matale Railway Station (built 1880) serves the town which is at the terminus of the line. Trains arrive at Matale from Kandy and Colombo only.

The one train per day from Colombo which takes 4-5 hours and costs Rs 270 / 150 (2nd / 3rd class)

There are as many as 8 trains a day between Kandy and Matale, taking 1½ hours, Rs. 70 / 35.

• 7.46880.62481 Matale railway station, ☏ +94 66-2222271.  (updated Jun 2021)

The number 8 bus goes from Colombo Fort to Matale via Kandy. The 126/69 bus goes from Panadura bus stand in southern Colombo.

Matale is 25 km and 1 hour north from Kandy. Matale is situated on the A9 highway which connects Kandy and Jaffna.

Map of Matale

• 7.477380.62391 Sri Muthumariamman Temple.  (updated Jun 2021)
• Aluvihare Temple. The place where the Tripitaka was translated to Sinhala. 
• Hindu Tamil Temple. A temple for Tamils of Hindu religion. 

• Matale Rebellion memorial. Where the Matale Rebellion took place in 1848 (updated Oct 2021)
• Dole well.  

• Aluvihaya Temple from Aluviharay
• Rangiri Dambulla Temple
• NaLanda Temple ("GEDIGE")

• Home Seas Restaurant.  

• Rest house Matale, Park Rd (A-9 road), ☏ +94 66 222-2299. 4 air-con rooms and 10 fan rooms. 

• Kandy, 26 km to the south
• Hunnas Waterfall is located 20 km direction south east close to Elkaduwa village in Matale district