The historic city of Galle (Sri Lanka) is located on the southern coast of the country, 116 km from Colombo and only 5 km from Unawatuna Beach. Built in the 16th century by Portuguese navigators, the port embodies South Asian traditions and elements of European architecture, being a UNESCO-protected site.
Prior to Colombo, Galle remained a major city and the main port of the country for 400 years. Then it was recaptured by the Dutch, making a redevelopment of the entire defensive system. The city was conquered from the Dutch by the British, who did not change anything, so the atmosphere of that era is still preserved here. In the late 19th century, the British expanded the borders of Colombo, making it the main port.
Galle was once Sri Lanka’s largest trading hub for Persian, Arab, Indian, Greek and Roman merchants. It is home to just over 100 thousand inhabitants, including Buddhists, Hindus, Islam and Catholicism. Such industrial sectors as textile, food and glass are developed.
Galle has many good hotels and restaurants, and although the city is located on the coast, tourists prefer the beach resorts of Unawatuna or Hikkaduwa. Despite the clear water of a greenish-turquoise hue, there are stones everywhere under the water, the city does not have a sandy beach.
Galle Fort
The city of Galle in Sri Lanka is divided into an old and a new part. The border is marked by three powerful bastions above the cricket stadium. Here you will find many old buildings designed in the European style. Popular attractions in Galle include Galle Fort, built by the Dutch from granite in the late 17th century.
Interesting fact! The fort is the largest defensive structure in Asia, built by Europeans.
The fort hasn’t changed much since colonial times, so you should definitely visit the old part of the city for a sense of that atmosphere. Above the gate you will see the symbol of the Ottoman Empire-a stone with the image of a rooster. According to legend, the lost Portuguese navigators only thanks to his cry swam out to the nameless harbor, after which the city was named.
The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Especially interesting are the architectural structures of the fort. The weight of roofs is supported only by walls, without the use of internal supports. Inside the fort, you can walk all day, in fact, it is an entire area. There is a Miran Jumma mosque and a church, restaurants and cafes, several museums, antique and jewelry shops.
Galle Fort is home to a popular New Oriental Hotel. This is the oldest hotel in the country, and it was built in the late 17th century for the governor. Here and now high-ranking officials and wealthy people prefer to relax.
The port of Galle in Sri Lanka still accepts fishing and cargo ships, as well as private yachts. The most prominent part of the fort is the lighthouse, which lights the way for distant ships in the evening. The harbor has its own unique and unique atmosphere, which is so loved by tourists. Photos of Galle in Sri Lanka show that you can admire there not only historical buildings, but also the beautiful Indian Ocean and unique sunsets.
On a note! What dishes of national cuisine are worth trying in Sri Lanka are described in this article with photos.
New City
In the new part of the city there is a shopping center with shops and small cozy cafes. Train stations and the central market are located on the banks of the Dutch Canal. Tourists enjoy visiting St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Although there are almost no significant monuments of antiquity, modern Galle is considered the heart of the city. The narrow streets of Moriche Kramer Strat and Lein Bahn still have open windows with wooden shutters, terraces and spacious rooms in the best Dutch traditions.
Galle Attractions
You will always find something to see in Galle. The city is usually visited for excursions to learn more about the culture of this region.
Museums
On Church Street (Church St) is the National Museum of Culture (Galle National Museum), where you can learn all about the history of the city. Admission is paid, visiting time is from 9.00 to 17.00 from Tuesday to Saturday.
Noteworthy is the National Maritime Museum on Queen Street. On the ground floor you will find an exhibition dedicated to fishing life. The Museum can be accessed from 9.00 to 17.00. Working days are Tuesday-Saturday.
The Museum of the Dutch period (Historical Mansion Museum) displays the most interesting exhibits of the era of the Dutch rule. The museum is located in private houses at 39 Leyn Baan Street. Admission is free, visiting time is from 9.00 to 18.00 daily.
Temples
Tourists also like to visit the ancient Gothic church Grote Kerk, which is located near the Amangalla Hotel, on Church Street. There you will find ancient tombstones with images of skulls and bones.
Mosques are built behind the Catholic Church of All Saints. Tourists especially like the Meera Masjid, but you need to visit this place in appropriate clothing.
Opposite the Dutch church is the house of the Dutch rulers with original stoves inside. Rumor has it that it’s haunted.
Cricket Stadium
Cricket is a popular sport here, and the local national team has won quite a few prizes. The cricket field is considered perfect for this game and is located among the oldest and most valuable monuments near the Galle Fort, which makes it even more unique.
What to see in the surrounding area
Taprobane Island. In the central part of Veligama Bay is the beautiful island of Taprobane or Yakinige Duwa in Sinhalese. At the beginning of the XX century, a luxurious house was built here by the French Count de Manet, and the writer P. Bowles used it in his novel “The House of the Spider”. Now this place is a private resort where you can rent a villa.
Unawatuna. The secluded Unawatuna Beach is surrounded by coral reefs on all sides and is just 5 km from Galle. A highway runs through the central part, unlike the neighboring Hikkaduwa beach, so it is quite lively here. This popular resort area is popular with tourists and locals alike, because here you can not only relax and swim, but also go diving and snorkeling.
Mirissa. In this small resort village near Veligama, you can spend your holidays economically. In addition to the spacious beaches, there are excellent conditions for snorkeling and surfing in Sri Lanka. Especially here will appeal to tourists who appreciate a relaxing holiday.
A selection of the best beaches in the country can be found here.
How to get to Galle
Inside the city, the transport interchange is quite developed and has many branches. The city is connected by rail to the nearest major cities of Colombo and Matara. You can get to Galle by train, bus and taxi, and at the train station you can always find out where the city of Galle is located and how to get there.
Train
From Colombo. From the train station to Galle station. Class 2 and 3 only, or Rajadhani Express cars, which can be purchased online. Travel time is 2.5-3 hours.
From Nuwara Eliya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Kandy, take the train to Colombo Fort, then change to the Colombo Fort – Galle train. Before traveling, check the current railway transport schedule and ticket prices on the official carrier’s website — www.railway.gov.lk.
Bus
There are many bus services from Colombo Bus Station to Galle. The highway can be reached in 2-3 hours. If the route runs along the coast, it will take about 4 hours to get there. The Galle bus station is located across the street from the Fort, the city’s main attraction.
From Bandaranaike International Airport, you will first need to take the No. 187 express bus to Colombo Bus Station.
- From Colombo. By express bus to Galle, 1.5-2 hours on the way. From Pettah Bus Station, take bus No. 02 Colombo-Galle and bus No. 02 Colombo-Matara. Travel time is 3.5-4 hours.
- From the southern town of Tangalle. By bus number 32-4 towards the capital. Travel time is 2.5 hours.
- From Matara. Take the No. 350 Galle Matara bus or any bus to Colombo. Travel time is 1.5 hours.
- From Tissamaharama. No. 334 \ 1 Matara-Tissa and then take bus No. 350 Galle – Matara or any other bus towards Colombo.
- From central Sri Lanka by bus or train to Colombo from mountainous Nuwara Eliya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Sigiriya, Dambulla.
Recommendations
- When walking in nature reserves, use mosquito repellents.
- Holidays in Galle are slightly more expensive than in other major cities. The cost of food, accommodation and services is higher here.
- For drinking and cooking, use water from plastic bottles instead.
- The city of Galle has an active traffic flow, so be careful on the roads, in fact, as in other places in Sri Lanka.
Weather conditions
Access to this resort center is available at any time of the year. Galle (Sri Lanka) is always warm. Summer and winter are characterized by slight temperature changes — +29…+31°C in the daytime and +24…+27°C in the dark. The lowest precipitation falls from December to April. Even from May to November, short-term rains do not interfere with sightseeing.
