Galle has earned a huge tourist attraction for its location that mainly consists of coastal vicinity. It is the capital city of the Southern Province Sri Lanka. It is a paradise for thalassophilia. When you come to Galle to spend the vacation or travel around, there are several places where you can go. Some of them are Galle Dutch Fort, beaches like Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Akurala and Koggala, Galle Harbour, Jungle beach, Old Slave Quarters, Rumassala Sanctuary, Mahamodara Sea Turtle Hatchery Centre, Churches and Mosques (some of them are built by colonial rulers and stand intact even upto date), Galle Lighthouse, Maritime Museum, and The National Museum of Galle. The list is not exhaustive because every step that you tread on the grounds of Galle in Sri Lanka is an ideal spot to travel and enjoy. Vishmi Travels assures our travelers that you won’t get disappointed once you visit Galle because this place is rich with a lot of places to visit and a lot of things to do.
Galle Dutch Fort
Initially the Galle Dutch Fort was built by Portuguese people during the colonial period. After, the Dutch also did alterations and fortified the place. Dutch Fort has attracted not only foreign travelers but local travelers also for the beautiful scenery of the horizon and the breeze coming from salt water in the unfathomable sea. It is not just a fort. You won’t believe the wonders and the beauty inside the Fort. The inside of the Fort is densely populated by different communities and you can roam around, taste both local and foreign food at restaurants, buy handcrafted products from galleries in the Fort and last but not the least to take beautiful pictures by capturing the mind-soothing ocean. Since Galle Fort has both historical and archaeological value, UNESCO has listed this place as a world heritage also.
Beaches in Galle
If you are a beach lover, Galle and its surrounding areas are ideal for you to come. Almost all the sea shores in Galle are traveler attractions. However, for your easy reference we will list out several beaches where you can go and enjoy. Hikkaduwa is a must visit and Hikkaduwa is most famous for its coral gardens. In addition, Unawatuna, Akurala, Koggala, Pitiwella, Sahana, and Mihiripenna beach are also worth paying a visit.
Galle Harbor
Galle harbor is important as a tourist attraction because it is a natural harbor and has existed serving as a harbor from historical periods. And, it is one of the most important harbors in the country as well. The value of the place was enhanced after the first underwater maritime museum was built. You can have an outstanding experience at an underwater museum for an affordable price.
Jungle beach
If you need a tranquille beach holiday, do go to Jungle beach. Jungle beach is caressed by the greenery of nearby woods. This shade of forests makes the Jungle Beach experience a unique one. You will be fascinated by the blue water and the golden salt on the shore. And, you won’t get bored because you can have a mesmerizing view of Rumassala Hill and the Indian ocean.
Old Slave Quarters
Unlike other places, this is not a place to visit and enjoy because what this place reminds us is a gloomy history. Even though Galle has been bequeathed with grandeur of colonial buildings, nobody seems to have an interest to explore who built these massive constructions, especially the Galle Fort. Colonial period was inevitably marked by barbaric slavery. Thus, they brought 15 000 Africans as slaves and detained them like prisoners in these slave quarters. The irony as always is that, while these slaves made spacious massive buildings they had to stay in compacted places. Places like these are also a must visit because we should not forget those who sacrificed their freedom and lives for the sake of colonial glamor.
Rumassala Sanctuary
This is situated in Unawatuna, closer to Jungle Beach. What is most fascinating about Rumassala sanctuary is that history says this place is a part of Himalaya which was uprooted and dropped in Sri Lanka by Hanumantha. This story is in Ramayana. And, this place has an abundance of endemic plants, species and minerals. This is a wonder you MUST witness in your life span.
Madol Doova
This is a well-known island among local people for the reason that the great writer Martin Wickramasinghe in Sri Lanka wrote a children’s novel weaving the story around this island. Almost all the kids get this book to read. There is an English translation of this book too. The story is somewhat similar to Enid Blyton’s Famous Five children’s adventures. If you are interested, read the book first and then go and visit this famous little island.
Mahamodara Sea Turtle Hatchery Center
If you need to see a loving and caring scenery, we assure you that this place will definitely fill your heart with the warmest love. Turtles who have been caught up in traps for selling and for meat are rescued here. Anybody who needs to know about turtles can come here.
Temples, Churches and Mosques
There is no dearth of religious places in Galle. There are churches, temples and mosques dispersed around the premises of Galle. Some of them are Dutch Reformed Church, Japanese Peace Pagoda, St Joseph’s Chapel, St Mary’s Cathedral Galle, Meeran Jumma Mosque, and Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya.
Galle Lighthouse
This was built by the British in the colonial period. You can get a wide view of the blue ocean and ships sailing from the top of the light house.
Museums
There is a cluster of museums in Galle. National Museum Galle, National Maritime Museum Galle, Historical Mansion Museum, Martin Wickramasinghe House and Folk Museum, Dutch Mansion Museum are several of them. There is no wonder why Galle is archaeologically valuable.
The above list is not exhaustive. There are a plethora of activities that you can do in Galle. For example cycling, seeing blue whales, visiting galleries and shopping at local stores where you can buy local products. There is no shortage in Sri Lankan food as well as foreign cuisine. Vishmi Travels invites all the wanderers there to come and see this paradise and It is everyone’s responsibility to keep these places clean and intact for the exhibition to future generations also.
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