Galle is a port city located on the southwestern coast of the tropical island of Sri Lanka. It used to be the largest trading center; now tourism has become one the main priorities for the city’s development. In this guide, you’ll find information about things do in Galle, as well as places to visit.
Galle City General Information
The word “Galle” means “rooster” in Portuguese. There is a legend on how the city got its name. Portuguese sailors crashed off the coast of Sri Lanka. The first thing they heard when they came ashore was the crowing of roosters.
They were surprised that the island was inhabited, and began to shout with enthusiasm: “Galle, galle!”. Since then, this place supposedly got its name.
Here is the travel guide to the most popular tourist attractions in Galle city, Sri Lanka. Keep reading to get the list of best things to do and places to visit in 2024.
Galle Beaches to Visit
Although Galle is located near the ocean, it’s not very popular beach resort in the country. But tourists who want to spend their holidays in Sri Lanka near the ocean on the soft, white sand usually choose other destinations. For example, the wonderful Unawatuna resort, which is not so far – the distance to it from Galle is only 5 km to the north.
Best Season to Visit Galle
The weather in Galle is hot almost all year round; humidity is high due to the tropical climate. It can be said that season in Galle lasts all year round. However, there is a period when it is better to avoid visiting this city: from May to September. These are the rainiest months of the year, sometimes with heavy rains, which make walking less pleasant. The best time to visit Galle is from January to March.
Places to Visit in Galle
As for Galle sights, there are a lot of them to check. The city is famous for its interesting architecture. Galle was founded by the Portuguese colonialists in the 16th century, and many historical buildings of the colonial era have been well-preserved till these days. Western architectural styles are perfectly combined with Asian ones. The result is a very curious, peculiar style, worth seeing at least once in your lifetime.
Fort Galle
One of the first things to do in Galle is visiting its famous fort. It occupies a huge area of 36 hectares and was built in the 16th century by the colonialists from Holland. It took about 150 years to build it. The construction of the fort is well preserved, with high walls that surround it along the perimeter.
Galle Lighthouse
If you’re going to visit fort, make sure to climb the lighthouse. From its height opens a breathtaking view of the urban landscape of Galle city and beautiful ocean. To enjoy this Galle attraction at its fullest, be ready to spend there at least half a day.
St. Mary’s Cathedral
A beautiful Church of St. Mary, built by the Dutch in the 19th century, is a must-visit place in Galle. It is one of the important landmarks of the city, which serves to around 400 families, belonging to this parish. On the territory of Galle there are a large number of Buddhist and Hindu temples. The Dutch and Maritime Museums are definitely worth a look.
Sea Turtle Hatchery Center
Not far from Galle is a sea turtle hatchery center Mahamodara. It is a conservation center, which main goal is breed and conserve sea turtles, living in Sri Lanka coastal waters. Visiting this place in Galle is worth it.
If you’re looking for some water activities, there many surfing, snorkeling, water skiing places to visit not far from Galle.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sinharaja forest reserve is another nature attraction in Galle. This natural biosphere reserve has been preserved since prehistoric times and is included in the UNESCO list. The biggest part of the territory of this rainforest is covered by endemic and rare tree species.
Enjoy Shopping in Galle
Galle is a fairly large city, with well-developed infrastructure. There are chain grocery stores, fish and fruit markets, a large number of souvenir shops.
In Galle, you can buy tea, spices, Buddha or elephant figures, popular carved masks and many other unique goods. You can also purchase jewelry with blue sapphires and rubies. If you want to purchase original product, visit only large retail stores, otherwise the chances to be scammed are very high.
