I am not sure what I was expecting, but after spending one day in Galle, Sri Lanka, I realized the place was very different from what I anticipated. There are not a ton of things to do in Galle, Sri Lanka, but I managed to spend a lovely day there. I walked away with fond memories of this old Dutch fort town perched on the southern coast of Sri Lanka.
Blog posts I had read before visiting Sri Lanka had me envisioning a beachy town. I thought Galle was more about sand and water. And while Galle is, indeed, coastal, the reason to spend a day here is for the old town, the wandering streets, the fort walls the Dutch constructed centuries ago.
Galle is a working place, where people live and shop and eat and play and lovers cuddle on the fort walls overlooking the Indian Ocean. If you want a bohemian beach town, head to Sayulita, Mexico. If you want a town with outdoor cafes, Indian spices, twinkling lights at night, and epic sunsets, head to Galle.
About Galle, Sri Lanka
The city of Galle, Sri Lanka, is the largest in the southern region of the country, although still considerably smaller than Colombo at a population of 112,000 (compared to Colombo’s five million!).
The first thing you will notice is that it was a fortified city. Old walls emerge, supporting the buildings with layers of years on them.
The Portuguese began building Galle as a port city in the 16th century, but when the Dutch took over in the 17th century and invested in building here in the 18th century, Galle became what we see today. The Dutch influence is prominent.
The famous Galle Fort was built by the Dutch in 1663, before the British took over Sri Lanka in 1796. The Dutch used Galle as a very busy seaport throughout their occupation of the country.
Today, Galle Fort itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site (which we love here!), and Galle, the city, is an enchanting historic area that meanders under crumbling rock and open skies.
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Things to do in Galle, Sri Lanka
Walk the Old Fort
Of course, seeing the old fort is the thing to do here. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is beautiful.
From the top, there are views across endless waters. In some areas, the walls are still quite intact. Look for the map of what the fort used to look like and what you are seeing.
It is very cute, too –Â young couples often come to the fort to spend time together. So don’t be surprised if you see some significant public displays of affection…
See the Lighthouse
Located near the old town and against the fort, is the Galle lighthouse. The original lighthouse was built in 1848. In 1939, a fire tore through the area and burned the original lighthouse.
What stands for visitors to gaze at today is 330 feet from the original location and was built by the British in 1939. Made of concrete, it stands 26.5 meters high (87 ft).
Visitors cannot go up in the lighthouse; it is still used as a navigation aid and is active. However, it is worth seeing and is easily discoverable due to its proximity to everything.
Go Inside the Old Church
Near the entrance to the fort is the Groote Kerk or Dutch Reformed Church. This church was built in 1755. It is a Protestant church still in use today, and I loved it. It had layers of history and life. Nothing in here is immaculate or screams wealth and opulence. It is a place that works and provides a spiritual hug.
Walk the Streets of Galle
I had the most fun, honestly, meandering the streets with a fresh juice (there is also a lot of ice cream to be had if that’s your preference) and taking it all in. Galle was both vibrant and lazy all at once. It was laidback while incredibly hip.
There aren’t that many blocks to walk, but adding those areas to the fort walls, you can meet your steps goal for the day (and some).
Find an Excursion
Shop & Eat
I am not a huge shopper, but Galle is a great place to purchase things while in Sri Lanka. The prices seemed good compared to other places we shopped (Ella prices seemed a bit higher), and there were so many cute stores in Galle to visit. My companions bought artwork, scarves, tea, and more. I loved walking around and taking in all the textures and colors.
We also managed to get totally turned around and lost while wandering! We wanted to backtrack and find a boutique store we liked, and had the hardest time finding it again! It was all very fun, not to mention memorable.
Galle is a place to wander and relax.
Stay for the Sunset
The most moving sunset experience I had in Sri Lanka was at the Galle Face hotel in Colombo, but this is also a great place for a gorgeous sunset. Up on the old fort walls, the sun sets over the ocean with wide, expansive views all around. Crowds gather to enjoy the breeze, waves, and colors.
In the Area...
Galle and the Galle Fort area do have a beach area, but it isn’t the best. To get a full sense of the beach life in Sri Lanka, you should consider staying in Unawatuna, which is a short drive or tuk tuk jaunt away.
I didn’t pick it, but our group stayed at Hotel J in Unawatuna and took transportation to and from Galle. The hotel was clean and modern, although certainly budget-friendly and simple. I enjoyed it.
Overall, Galle was a memorable stop for me while touring Sri Lanka, and so different from other places I visited in the country. I certainly felt as though one day was long enough to experience what I wanted to here. Yet I am also grateful I was able to see it.
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