Best Places to Visit in Galle
The old city of Galle was declared as a UNESCO world heritage site. A pristine port city is a jewel to whole down south. The ancient old trading port, characterized by the stately Dutch-colonial buildings, primitive mosques, and churches. There are grand mansions and museums as well. Perched on the southwest coast, this city wears its history on a sleeve.
The seaport located in 116km south of Colombo city, in the southern province of Sri Lanka. The Galle harbor is an amazing natural harbor, which had been gained the attention of sailors since the 12th century. It became the main seaport in old Ceylon in the 14th century and remained until the government constructs Colombo harbor in 1873. The world heritage site, VOC Galle Dutch Fort built by the Portuguese in 1589. It was used by the British government after the invasion. The most important thing is, most of them are remain functional. The public buildings, churches, even the lighthouse.
The ramparts receive immense visitor attraction providing a great viewpoint for the travelers. The breathtaking scenery of the Indian ocean blend with the sunset, old fortress in aside is a magical sight for evening strolls. Below the ramparts, is the Galle international cricket stadium. Well renovated and conspicuous bungalows conflate the place an antique beauty.
The Dutch reformed church, Fort clock tower, the old gate, Historical Mansion Museum, Maritime Museum, and St. Joseph’s Chapel are the most attractive locations in the fort. Beyond them all, the city is consisting of fine beaches. Form north to south, Unawatuna, Thalpe, Koggala, Habaraduwa, and Ahungalla.
Weather in Galle
Galle has a tropical rainforest climate. The environment is hot and humid on most days of the year. The temperature shows very little variations over four seasons. The average temperature of the city sits around 26°C. Maximum temperature records from January to May, 29°C to 31°C. The wettest period for the city is from May to September with higher rainfall.
Are you planning to Visit Galle?
Check out the places we recommend you to visit on your trip to Galle.
Galle Fort
The “Dutch Fort” in another name, A UNESCO world heritage site, was first built by the Portuguese in the late 16th century. That construction was quite simple compared to the modifications done by Dutch in the 17th century. At the present, it had become an icon of archeological, architectural, and historic momentum to illuminate European influence in south Asian colonialism.
The fort is consisting of important sections inside. The Groote Kerk or the Dutch reformed church, near the entrance of the fort, is one of the oldest protestant churches in Sri Lanka. A popular landmark, The Galle clock tower overlooks central moon Bastian at the site of the former guard room. A fine decorative carving on the top of the entrance, and VOC letters carved inside. The old gate of Galle poses an ancient look for the viewer.
The Historical Mansion Museum restored a Dutch house inside the Galle fort. This fascinating and fortuitous museum is a private collection of Abdul Gaffar. Possibly the largest private collection of Sri Lanka. National Maritime Museum is located in a warehouse above the old gate of the Fort. It’s the only museum aware of marine biological and anthological sectors of southern coastal areas. St. Joseph’s Chapel is a small roman Catholic church situated in the fort.
Galle fort jumping is kind of Bungee jumping, or a lot more dangerous than that. The jumpers don’t use safety ropes and they jump without a clear landing point is a breathtaking scene for the viewer.
Galle Fort Location on the Map
Hikkaduwa Beach
Another popular beach resort on the south coast of Sri Lanka, consummate with lovely palm-fringed bay beaches. This is a Well-known area for water sports lovers, diving among coral reefs, watching beautiful sea fishes and snorkeling include the list. People who are early visited, are highly recommended snookering here. Hikkaduwa beach also earned a reputation as a protective surfing beach. You can enjoy surfing here from November to March when the waves rise.
Hikkaduwa bay is a shallow beach, begird by a beautiful coral reef. The coral sanctuary is located several hundred meters offshore. It says there are approximately seventy varieties of colorful corals. It’s an amazing marine sanctuary with various types of rainbow-colored sea fishes. This is a very famous place for large turtles as well. This beach is an ideal place for visitors who wish to examine aquatic life very closely. There are facilities supplied to watch corals and sea fishes through glass-bottomed boats.
Hikkaduwa is considered as a crowded beach due to the extra publicity among natives and foreigners. But, not overcrowded at all. If anyone has a chance to visit Sri Lanka, this will be an extraordinary marine experience for the rest of lifetime.
Hikkaduwa Beach Location on the Map
Jungle Beach
Jungle beach is a small and isolated beach close to Galle and Unawatuna beaches. The place remains it’s pristine and natural charm without large number crowds, due to the secluded location. Nice soft golden sand, a perfect spot for swimming with no waves or current. It is a nice break from travelers who visited the crowded Unawatuna beach of Galle beaches before.
The first part of the beach could be a little busier with people with sunbeds. But, if you walk a little further, then you come to the next part, where it seems almost deserted. You will barely see a visitor here, it’s fully peaceful and silent. If you look around, you will see an extensive pagoda (Japanese Peace Pagoda) in the middle of the jungle, glistering among the woods.
It also offers the best experiences in water sports. If you are interested in snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, even boat ridings are available here. Coral reefs are prominent from water, a few meters offshore, making a safe site for snorkeling. Colorful sea fishes, moray eels, encounter crabs, barracudas, triggerfishes, and many more reef-dwelling creatures are homing among reefs.
If you are interesting, whale watching, visiting historical ruins, even hiking are available for adventurous travelers.
Jungle Beach Location on the Map
Galle Lighthouse
Sri Lanka’s oldest lighthouse, ‘Pointe De Galle’, or the Galle Light House was established in 1848 by the British. 80m feet high, first creation occupied with fixed pointed light with prolate reflectors and constructed with imported cast-iron plates. The plates were specially imported from England by the designer, British architect Alexander Gorden. That shine was visible for 19 kilometers and it was destroyed by fire. The recreated new concrete lighthouse was built in 1939, 100 meters erected from the original basement. The original light in the lighthouse was furnished with a glass prism lens which was powered by a weight-driven machine.
At present, this onshore lighthouse is maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. 26.5m high construction is located southern end of the promontory. Approximately, 6m higher from road level on the ramparts. inside the Galle Fort. A viewer at the top of the tower can have a full view of all ships entering the Galle harbor. The lighthouse is automated by now.
Light House of Galle is a UNESCO world heritage site and a popular tourist attraction spot in Sri Lanka. If anyone wishes to visit the place, it’s open for visitors in all 24 hours and free entrance.
Galle Lighthouse Location on the Map
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sinharaja (Lion King) forest is Sri Lanka’s last viable tropical rainforest situated south-west of the island. A UNESCO world heritage site is also called a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. Endemic wildlife, mammals, birds, reptiles, butterflies, this is can be a perfect example to show what biodiversity be like. More than 60% of endemic trees, 50% of endemic mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and home for 95% of endemic birds.
It’s an eco-tourism site in Sri Lanka. Due to the dense vegetation, wildlife cannot be seen so easily as in the dry zone. Beautiful and colorful birds noise and move around the sky in mixed feeding flocks. There are dozens of streams that come with crystal clear water is the main water source of villagers around the forest. If someone wishes to enter the forest, they have to walk, as no cycles or vehicles are allowed inside the forest. Being accompanied by an experienced guide or forest ranger will make your tour efficient and safe.
Natives and foreigners trekked through the woods from north to south for their annual pilgrimage. The Forest Reserve spans over 8,864 hectares for now. And it has faced some threats of illegal logging, unauthorized settlements, cardamom cultivation, and gem mining, etc.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve Location on the Map
Other important tourist places that you can visit along with Galle
Places inside the Galle Fort
Old Gate
Galle Fort Clock Tower
The National Museum of Galle
Dutch Reformed Church
Old Slave Quarters
Historical Mansion Museum
Maritime Museum
St Joseph’s Chapel
Galle Fort Jumpers
Sea Turtle Hatchery
Rumasalla Mountain
Japanese Peace Pagoda
Dalawella Beach
Koggala Beach
Lighthouse Beach
Pitiwella Beach
Beach of Bonavista
Mihiripenna Beach
Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya