Galle is definitely one of the top tourist destinations in Sri Lanka and it is no wonder why. For one thing, it is near the beach, so while in Galle you can easily access different beach activities like snorkeling, scuba diving and surfing. Galle is also littered with heritage sites where tourists can explore and appreciate its rich culture, heavily influenced by Sri Lanka’s colonial era. Also, food is a wildly interesting thing to explore while in Galle. There are an abundance of restaurants and street food stalls around Galle to try out-and any experience is a better experience with food. So grab some snacks while I bring you through some of the fun things to do around Galle!
1. Galle Fort
Built by the Portuguese in 1588 and fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century, it is no surprise that this beautiful and historical landmark is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides being filled with great food and a gorgeous view of the sea, Galle Fort has so much more to offer. As you stroll through the fort, you’ll pass through churches, museums, antique shops, cafes, bookstores, lifestyle stores and so much historical architecture that will give you a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s past.
Galle Fort
Address: 59 Church St, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka
Price: Free
Contact: +94 (0) 91 223 2568/9
Website: Galle Fort
2. Treat yourself with a Sri Lankan massage
Relax, Enjoy, Rejuvenate @ The Fortress Resort and spa... #thefortress #srilanka #spa
Posted by The Fortress Resort & Spa on Wednesday, 9 November 2016
You have arrived in the land of Ayurvedic herbal massages and there is no way you should leave without getting one. Sri Lankan massages are based on Ayurvedic principles using natural ingredients and might begin with a consultation from an Ayurvedic doctor to first diagnose treatments according to body type. Galle massage and spa houses are well known for natural rejuvenating therapies such as Ayurveda, massages and even yoga and meditation class. Whatever you’re looking for, you just might find it inside one of these relaxing spa houses littered around Galle.
Spa Naturel at The Fortress
Address: Koggala, Habaraduwa, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Contact: +94 91 4 389400
Prices: from 20 USD
Website: Spa Naturel, The Fortress
3. Taste delicious local cuisine
Galle food is incredibly yummy. What’s more is that you can explore a lot of it in one convenient spot-the Galle Fort. Rows and rows of restaurants and street food stalls line the cobblestone streets inside the fort. And because Galle is right next to the sea, be prepared to sample fresh seafood alongside delicious Sri Lankan curries and lovely desserts or Sri Lankan sweets. And it doesn’t hurt eating when you have a view of the sea right beside the fort. Heck, just buy a bunch of street food and a mat and make a picnic out of it! It would be one glorious experience.
Galle Fort
Address: 59 Church St, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka
Contact: +94 (0) 91 223 2568/9
Entry: Free
Website: Galle Fort
4. Visit the old Dutch Market
This is a place that will tantalize all your senses. Soak up the vibrant atmosphere of the old Dutch market that sits beneath a 300-year-old columned roof. The city’s activity hub since 1861, it is filled with rows and rows of vendors, haggling with both locals and tourists for the prices of fruit, vegetables, spices and so much more. It would be an exciting adventure to see what you could buy there with as little money as possible. Also, you’ll get a taste into the everyday lives of the locals who frequent this market for their groceries and of course, the vendors that earn their keep there daily.
Dutch Market
Address: Main St Galle, Sri Lanka
Entry: Free
Access: located in the main street next to the Bodhi temple
Galle Tour Guide
Lahiru Mihiran
Welcome to my tour page, where I extend a heartfelt "Ayubowan" to you, wishing you a long and prosperous life. I am Mihi, a native Sri Lankan from the southern region, passionate about showcasing the beauty of our island nation to travelers worldwide. With over a decade of experience in tourism, I have crafted exceptional tour experiences for international visitors, exceeding expectations ever... Read more
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5. Dutch Reformed Church
Also known as the Groote Kerk, this is one of the finest attractions within Galle Fort and worth a visit. Built in 1640, this austere and ancient structure has many hidden secrets. A caretaker there will bring to life the church’s intriguing tales of human remains embedded into the walls and under the floors. Or how part of the church’s floor is paved with Dutch cemetery gravestones. Come here for an air of mystery, history and beauty. The building houses an antique organ and a gorgeous wood pulpit made from Malaysian calamander, definitely a sight worth gazing upon.
Dutch Reformed Church
Address: Church Street, Galle fort
Entry: Free
Opening Hours: 9am - 5pm. Closed on public holidays.
6. Scuba diving
Sri Lanka is an island after all, and Galle is at the tip of it, so scuba diving is a no-brainer. Unawatuna Beach, one of the best places for this activity, has great diving sites like Napoleon Reef and Galapita Gala. There are various diving institutions that offer different courses for different levels of experiences and if you look, you may find dives to the Rangoon ship wreck, 30 ft (over nine meters) under the sea (if you’re not a beginner that is). So, spend a day in the still and calm of the water and admire the world that we so rarely venture into. It will be an adventure worth taking.
Unawatuna Pearl Dive Centre
Address: Padi Resort & Water Sports Centre, Riddem, Peellagoda,Unawautuna, Sri Lanka.
Price: Approximate price starts from 25 USD per dive and if you are opting for a course it starts from 300 USD.
Opening Hours: 7am - 6pm. Closed on public holidays.
Best seasons: November to May
Contact: +94 77 790 3430
Website: Unawatuna Pearl Dive Centre
7. Go on a cycling tour around Galle (from USD 50.0)
A common activity in Galle, especially in the fort, this is a quick and convenient way to explore the city. You can choose to follow a group on a trail around Galle, where you will get to see real Sri Lankan villages, wildlife, mangroves, coconut farms and tropical forests. You may even get to eat homemade authentic food in one of the villages you pass by on your trail. Either that or you can just rent a bike and go explore at your own pace and preference. This will be a fun activity that will bring you closer to both the nature and the people of Sri Lanka.
35km Mountain Bike Day Tour in Galle
Duration: 7 hours
8. Surfing
A 30 minute drive away from Galle lies Hikkaduwa, a beach popular for surfing. Here, you can easily get a thorough surfing lesson before you are escorted into the water by a guide to catch your first wave. If not Hikkaduwa, you can also drive out to Arugam Bay, north-east of Galle. Arugam Bay gets Antarctic winter swells that hit Indonesia’s southern shores and, during the months of May till November, is one of the world’s best surfing spots.
Ahikava Surf School
Address: No 248, Matara Road, Dewata Beach, Galle, Sri Lanka. (Behind Sahana Snack Bar)
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Contact: +94 91 2235665, +94 77 5903527
Website: Ahikava Surf School
9. Hadunugoda Tea Estate
Posted by White Tea Plantation - Sri Lanka on Friday, 11 December 2015
The draw to explore this estate comes from its exclusive white tea which has natural antioxidant properties. Here, visitors get to taste the tea and walk through the process of harvesting and cutting the crop. Stalks are left undisturbed during the entire length of the process. It is said that this tea which originally comes from China, was only consumed by emperors in the past, which is why white tea today is planted and harvested with utmost care and respect.
Hadunugoda Tea Estate
Address: Handunugoda Rd, Ahangama, Sri Lanka
Opening Hours: 8am - 4.30pm. Closed on public holidays.
Entry Fee: Free
Contact: +94 77 771 3999
Website: Hadunugoda Tea Estate
10. Stilt fishing tour
Stilt fishing is as iconic to Sri Lanka as its tea and tuk tuks. Some tours offer to bring you in a private boat to observe and fish alongside the fishermen in Galle. It would be a sight to behold and an experience to never forget.
Bottom Fishing Tour At Galle In Sri Lanka
Address: Galle
Price: from 32 USD
Departure Time: 7am - Pick up from your hotel.
Duration: around 4 hours required.
A must visit-city in Sri Lanka
Galle itself offers a pretty well-rounded view and experience of Sri Lanka. So, if you have limited time in the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, you should definitely stop by Galle to absorb Sri Lankan culture and food as much as possible. A pretty place to be and especially tourist friendly, Galle is definitely at the top of my list of cities to visit in Sri Lanka. Hope you’ll have as much fun as I did there!
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