The port city of Galle is situated along the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. Primarily known for the famous Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city has played a significant role in the country’s lengthy colonial history. Housing innumerable and diverse attractions within its precincts, the Galle Fort is undoubtedly the highlight of the city. The attractions include the Dutch Reformed Church, Old Dutch Hospital, Galle Clock Tower and Galle Lighthouse. The National Maritime Museum, also located at the fort, offers fascinating insights into the country’s maritime history; some of the objects on display are believed to be more than 800 years old! If you’re looking to explore the fort at a leisurely pace and understand its features, there are a plethora of fabulous hotels that you could stay at, most notably the 17th-century building-turned-luxury resort Amangalla.
The National Museum of Galle
If your life’s passion is driven by the history of the world, then the National Museum of Galle is ‘the’ place for you. It is amongst those tourist places in Galle that allows you to study the times gone by of Sri Lanka from the 4th Century.
Starting from architectural designs, relics and masks, shells, wooden carvings and Beeralu Collection to other archaeological objects that take you into the deepness of this country is all preserved in this educative building. The influence of the Dutch in Sri Lanka can be witnessed through various items on display like the weapons and vessels.
Location: Church Street
Timings: 09.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m.
Entry Fee: 35 LKR (USD 0.20) for adults and 20 LKR (USD 0.11) for children
Historical Mansion Museum
Here’s another place for the history enthusiasts who do not just want to look at the remains from ancient times, but also want to buy some for their collection back at home. A number of antiques from the Dutch period like the typewriters, jewellery, cameras, lamps etc. is on exhibit on the valuable shelves of this private museum.
A visit to the gem house is a wowing experience that will let you witness live embroidery and also the cutting & shaping of sapphire. The Dutch-era well is not just a wonderful relic to look at, but also a great place to grab some pictures.
Location: Leyn Baan Street
Timings: 09.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m.
Entry Fee: Free
Sea Turtle Hatchery
Some people of Sri Lanka have dedicated their lives to animals around the Seas, and the Sea Turtle Hatchery is run by one such family. Every member is steadfast towards helping out the sea turtles who need medical help, or those who are pregnant.
In fact, they even help the sea turtles breed, and provide them with a safe environment to lay their eggs and care for them. The reason why it is one of the best places to visit in Galle is that, you will get to witness all of that at once during a short detour to this turtle abode.
Location: Sea Turtle Hatchery & Rescue Center A2, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
Timings: 07.30 a.m. to 06.00 p.m.
Entry Fee: 500 Sri Lankan Rupees (USD 2.83)
Maritime Museum
It is a known fact that Sri Lanka and the Galle harbour is known for its trade through the sea. The Maritime Museum is amongst those tourist places in Galle takes you back to the Dutch East India Trading Company’s trade routes and relics. This place is a great way to understand the history of Sri Lanka and the attacks it faced. You can see some marine items, boat models, etc. in this valuable warehouse.
Location: Queens Street, Galle Dutch Fort
Time: 08.30 a.m. to 05.00 p.m. (08.00 a.m. on Saturday)
Entrance Fee: 20 LKR (USD 0.11) for adults and 10 LKR (USD 0.057) for children; 300 LKR (USD 1.70) for adults and 150 LKR (USD 0.85) for children
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Sinharaja Forest Reserve (kingdom of the lion), is a paradise for nature and wildlife lovers. It is home to a vast number of endemic species of birds and mammals of Sri Lanka. About 95 per cent of Sri Lankan endemic birds and more than 50 per cent of endemic mammals are known to have their habitats in this Forest Reserve.
Year round, the forest is covered by plenty of rain clouds. It is one of the famous places to visit in Galle. You can experience the leisurely pace of wildlife and the splendour of dense and copious evergreen rainforests.
Location: Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Southern Province
Timings: Opens daily from 6:30 AM to 6 PM
Price: Approximate price ranges from INR 260 to INR460 (664 LKR to 1160 LKR)
Rumassala Sanctuary
Rumassala Sanctuary is one of those places to visit in Galle that takes you back on an epic journey of the tale of the Ramayana. It is told that Hanumana dropped his mountain somewhere here during the episode when Princess Sita is kidnapped. This sanctuary grows several herbal and medicinal plants.
You will also spot quite many species of birds if you have an eye for it. This panoramic hilltop was once used to transport valuable stones and spices to ships and other travellers.
Location: Jungle Beach Road, Unawatuna
Timings: Morning to Evening
Galle has a major attraction for wildlife enthusiasts—the Kanneliya Rainforest Reserve, which harbours numerous endemic flora and fauna. Tourists can marvel at and buy antiquities at the Historical Mansion Museum, owned and operated by a local family. The city also hosts an annual international literary festival known as the Galle Literary Festival.
Undoubtedly, no tour of Sri Lanka is complete without a trip to Galle—a city synonymous with the country’s utterly fascinating colonial-era history.
How to Reach Galle from India
Flights are available from Bangalore, Tirupati and Tiruchirappalli to Colombo.
How to reach Galle by flight
Galle has no airports so one cannot fly directly to the place. However, one can fly to Colombo and then take a bus or train to Galle
How to reach Galle by road
People can take a taxi or rent their own car but these are not options much favoured.
How to reach Galle by train
Serviced by the Sri Lankan Railways Coastal Line, Galle railway station is also a major station.
How to reach Galle by bus
Galle is connected by a number of buses; some take the Southern Expressway.
Tuk tuks and travelling on foot are the two best ways to get around Galle.
Tuk tuks and travelling on foot are the two best ways to get around Galle.
The best time to visit Galle is from December to March since the rainfall in the city is at its lowest at this time; this is ideal for touring the fort and its attractions. Additionally, these months are excellent for water sports at the immensely popular beaches of Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna, which are near the city. Also, the Galle Literary Festival takes place here every January.
The off-season at Galle is usually from May to September, as the southwest (Yala) monsoon occurs at this time of the year.
Kahanda Kanda
Sri Lanka's standout Kahanda Kanda hotel is an artistically-styled and couples-orientated boutique hotel in the Galle hills. It features 10 gorgeous suites encircled by tropical, tea-fringed gardens. Its interiors are a lesson in elegant tropical style – timeless yet contemporary at the same time.
Tri
Tri's serene natural setting beside vast Koggala Lake, near Galle, makes this an inspiring place for relaxation. Its inventive cuisine is exceptional and the hotel has a super spa with yoga shala and visiting practitioners.
Why House
Set in spacious gardens, just inland from Galle's palm-studded coastline, Why House is one of those rare hotels that suits couples and families alike. It's also a favourite with returning guests charmed by its accommodating staff, tranquility and home-from-home vibe.
Aditya
Aditya is one of Sri Lanka’s original boutique hotels – a vast building accessorised with antique furnishings and home to 16 indulgently spacious suites and villas. It opened in 2005 yet is still one of the island’s most popular small hotels, and serves consistently good food.
Galle is Sri Lanka's most popular destination for day outs. It's not too far, but it's out of Colombo, and known to be pretty safe. With sun, sand, beach, and ramparts it looks like it straight up came out of a postcard from Old Havana. Meaning, tropically aesthetic backdrops for pictures.
Anyway, choosing a place to eat here can get a tad stressful, because there are dozens of eateries inside Galle Fort itself. Which is why we decided to compile this list of best restaurants in Galle, which would help you to make up your mind without a hassle (we hope!).
Galle Fort Hotel
28, Church Street, Galle
With a picture-perfect ambiance, well spiced Sri Lankan food, and contagiously happy staff, Galle Fort Hotel is a tad expensive, but rightly so because they're, in fact, a hotel. In our experience, their breakfast spread was top notch.
Dumplings Cafe (Galle)
58 Pedlar St, Galle 80000
When in Galle, if you're looking for Dumplings, we suggest going with the Dumpling Cafe. The staff is super friendly, the place can get a bit crowded but the dumplings are delicious. At Rs. 980 for 8 (2 of each variety: beef, veg, chicken and prawn), the dumplings were silky smooth and all in all, some of the best we've had.
The Tuna & The Crab
Galle Dutch Hospital, Hospital Street, Galle Fort, Galle
Judging by our experience last time, The Tuna & The Crab is a safe bet if you're craving for some sushi in Galle. It's a venture by Dharshan Munidasa, so basically you'll be offered with the best hits from Ministry of Crab and Nihonbashi.
Go surfing and scuba diving
Sri Lanka is an island which means its coastline provides endless adventures including surfing and scuba diving. You can head about half an hour outside Galle to Hikkaduwa, which was once a fishing village and is now a popular surf town. Unawatuna, meanwhile, offers terrific scuba diving opportunities. You can approach the Unawatuna Diving Center, which is a PADI 5 Star IDC Dive resort.
Spend time at Flag Rock
Owing to its strategic location, Flag Rock was once used to signal incoming ships. Today, the huge rock at the end of Galle Fort is the perfect place to watch the sun set into the horizon. It’s a popular activity and as you make your way there, youll notice locals and tourists doing the same. Carry a camera to photograph the play of colors across the sky and the rock itself which rises out of the sea.
No vacation is complete without a luxurious spa treatment and Sri Lanka offers travellers numerous choices. One of the best things to do around Galle is to head to the spa in Galle Fort. You can get a facial, a full body massage or choose a combo treatment that includes a scrub, massage and facial. If theres a special occasion like a birthday, hen party or a wedding, you can opt for a treatment to make you feel extra pampered.
Spend time at Unawatuna Beach
Unawatuna Beach is quite possibly one of Sri Lankas best. Palm trees and vegetation border one side while the sand and sea stretch out on the other. Spending the day here is one of the best things to do in Galle Sri Lanka especially when you want to take a break from sightseeing. Nearby, a small hill with a big Buddha statue provides lovely views of the area.
Galle is famous for its Portuguese architectural buildings and the Galle Fort which is a world heritage site and the many amazing places to visit in Galle.
Galle is just 5.8 kilometers away from Unawatuna and it will hardly take you 20 minutes to travel from one place to the other.
