Take A Tour Around Galle

The historic and quaint town of Galle lies in the southern province of Sri Lanka, approximately a 2-hour drive from the city of Colombo. The town of Galle offers beautiful views of the glistening Indian ocean and you would be able to explore the colonial architecture with Dutch influences throughout the town.

Galle attracts many tourists from different countries throughout the year, making it one of the must visit spots during your visit to Sri Lanka. It is the perfect location for every history buff, shopaholic and foodie to explore.

You can visit Galle by bus, train or a private vehicle making it fairly easy to travel to Galle. You can visit Galle throughout the year, however, the months from May to October usually brings about heavy rains due to the monsoon season. Hence, the best time to visit Galle would be from December to April.

Whether you are visiting Galle with your family, partner or your friends, here are all the places you need to visit:

The Old Gate & Main Gate

Galle Fort is one of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which carries a lot of rich history that goes back over 400 years. Initially the fort was built by the Portuguese in 1588, they had only reinforced the northern land-bound side of Galle as they believed that no one could attack the fortress by sea. However, when Sri Lanka was overtaken by the Dutch in 1649, they fortified the area of Galle from all sides.

There are two gates which can be used to enter the Fort;

The Old Gate - The only part of the Portuguese fortifications that remains, it is integrated with the Maritime National Museum. The gate has an inscription with the date 1669, the letters VOC (the initials of the Dutch East India Company which stands for Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie) and lanked by the carvings of two lions, and a rooster between them.

The Main Gate – Situated directly to the south of the Galle International Cricket Stadium which is flanked by the Star, Moon and Sun Bastions. The Main Gate was built by the British as they continued to heavily fortify the old fort after the Dutch.

Galle National Museum & Maritime National Museum

If you’re a history lover, Galle has rich history and culture engrained on to the architecture throughout the fort and in the churches, mosques and temples. If you want to learn more about the stories of this town then you should definitely visit the Galle National Museum and the Maritime National Museum.

Galle National Museum – Located within the oldest standing Dutch building in the Galle Fort, it exhibits objects and artefacts from Sri Lanka’s time under the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British before Sri Lanka gained their independence.

Maritime National Museum – Majority of the archaeological objects that was housed in the Maritime National Museum was lost due to the tragic tsunami that hit Sri Lanka in 2004. It was rebuild after three years and it now showcases the types of watercraft that was used in Southern Sri Lanka and artefacts that were collected from shipwrecks dating back 800 years.

Galle Lighthouse

The Galle Lighthouse is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Galle and it flocks many tourists during their visit to Galle. It is Sri Lanka’s oldest lighthouse, dating back to the mid-19th century where you would be able to watch a beautiful sunset in the evening.

Galle Clocktower

Another one of Galle’s famous landmarks is the Galle Clocktower which was built in the late 19th century in honour of Dr Peter Daniel Anthonisz, a Colonial Surgeon born in Galle who cared for the people of the Southern Province.

The clocktower stands over 25 meters tall and overlooks the central Moon Bastion and Galle Cricket Stadium.

Dutch Hospital

The Dutch Hospital was built in the 17th century as a hospital and it has now been restored to a popular shopping and dining precinct, where you would be able to enjoy gorgeous views of the Indian ocean.

Explore the boutique shops at the Dutch Hospital where you would be able to indulge in souvenirs, teas, gems and more.

Groote Kerk

The Groote Kerk is also known as the Dutch Reformed Church was built in 1755 and won the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage for restoration. The grandiose church will leave you in awe where you would be able to see the colour stained glass windows and the floors are made of gravestones.

Explore the Cobbled Stoned Alleys of Galle Fort

Rent a bicycle and explore the cobbled stoned alleys of Galle Fort or you could simply just walk around the Fort. There are many boutique shops where you would be able to buy souvenirs or even stop by for some gelato to beat the heat.

If you are a fan of Italian food, I would recommend visiting AQUA Forte in Leyn Baan Street. An authentic Italian fine dining restaurant that serves delectable dishes that are paired along with exquisite Italian wines to elevate the flavours of the dishes. The wide range of dishes are all made with key ingredients brought down from Italy.

The elegant and sophisticated yet cozy and warm restaurant offers a unique experience through its intricate details. The walls are adorned with etchings by the famed Italian artist, Walter Valentini creates a feeling of stepping into a modern restaurant in Italy.

I would recommend trying their degustation menu, which is a seven-course menu with their signature dishes along with wine pairings.

Kanneliya Rainforest

For a unique experience in Galle, visit the path less travelled and explore the Kannerliya Rainforest. Situated 35km northwest of the city of Galle, home to many rare plants and animals species of lowland Sri Lanka. The forest also offers breathtaking views of streams and waterfalls which will make for a memorable holiday.

During your visit to Galle, I would recommend staying at Jetwing Lighthouse which was designed by the famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. The gorgeous hotel offers breathtaking views of the India Ocean from the luxurious rooms where you would be able to enjoy a comfortable stay. The main attraction of the hotel is the staircase which depicts the tale of the Battle of Randeniya.