[2024 Galle Attraction] Travel Guide for Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications (Updated Sep)
Historical Sites
Historical Architectures
Address:
Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
Phone:
+94 76 508 1842
A must-see for working holidaymakers in Sri Lanka: overwater bungalows.
📣Good news! Sri Lanka has announced that it will be visa-free for China for 6 months from October 1, 2024~ Another destination for National Day travel!
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Sri Lanka, located in the Indian Ocean at the southern end of the South Asian subcontinent, is known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean💎 Not only does it have beautiful natural scenery, but it also has many precious cultural heritages~ 🐘It is also highly recommended for those who like wildlife~
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🏠Accommodation recommendation:
【Name】Kalundewa Retreat
【Location】Kalundewa Road, Dambulu Oya, 21100 Dambulla, Sri Lanka
【Transportation】24.6km from Sigiriya Airport, about 40 minutes by car~ 10 minutes walk to the natural constant temperature hot spring♨
【Room】In addition to the beautiful forest huts, there are also small overwater bungalows, who knows the feeling of floating on the water! There is also a small swimming pool
【Features】Surrounded by mountains, with mountains and water and shaded by green trees, it is a good medicine to get rid of the smell of the class! There is also a chance to see peacocks and other characteristic birds🦆
【Activities】In addition to jungle walks nearby, you can also ride bicycles, climb mountains, and fish🎣 There are many opportunities to get close to nature!
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👍Must-visit attractions
Colombo: The capital Colombo blends modernity and tradition, Beira Lake, Gangaramaya Temple and Independence Square are all worth seeing
Kandy: Kandy is the cultural center of Sri Lanka, and the famous Temple of the Tooth is a must-visit!
Galle: The ancient city of Galle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, strolling on the ancient city walls and streets, feeling the precipitation of history✨
Sigiriya: Lion Rock is a landmark attraction in Sri Lanka, climb this huge rock and overlook the magnificent scenery.
Yala National Park: This is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, where you can see elephants, leopards and various birds
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✅Characteristic experience
🌿Tea Garden Tour: Visit the tea gardens of Nuwara Eliya and taste fresh Ceylon black tea!
🏄Beach vacation: Sri Lanka's beaches such as Unawatuna, Mirissa and Bentota are good places to relax and surf!
🏕Jungle Adventure: Stay in a secluded jungle hut in Sri Lanka, experience close contact with nature, and enjoy hiking and yoga meditation!
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brynn_1627
The Slow Life of Galle Fort
In Galle, you will feel that time passes very slowly.
Galle Fort was built by the Portuguese and later fortified by the Dutch. This old town combines European and South Asian architectural styles and is said to be the most expensive place in Sri Lanka in terms of real estate.
The fort is very close to the train station and bus station. If you stay inside or around the fort, you can walk or rent a small electric vehicle to explore Galle.
There are many cafes in the fort, and I recommend a bar called Ropewalk, which has many innovative cocktails that you can try!
Galle has two Spa Ceylon locations, one near the exit and one in the old town. The one in the old town offers spa services, but you need to make a reservation in advance. Both locations offer a promotion: if you spend more than 30,000 rupees and buy one of their promoted products, you will receive a small gift pack containing six samples. The Colombo branch does not offer this promotion!
To see the stilt fishermen, go to the town of Katugoda, about a 20-minute drive away. However, don't wait until sunset to go, as the fishermen will have finished work and gone home. If you want to take photos, go earlier. You need to negotiate the price with the fishermen before they go up on the stilts; otherwise, you will only see empty poles. Taking photos of the fishermen costs one price, and going up on the stilts yourself costs another.
Lastly, I highly recommend a restaurant that I personally think is much better than Dutch Trails in Negombo: Black & White! It is located on a beach about a 15-minute drive from the old town. There are many tourists there. The restaurants are all on the beach, so you can enjoy playing in the sand while eating. Sitting there in the evening is very comfortable, with the starlit sky above. The seafood is very fresh, the seasoning is good, and the cocktails are quite strong.
The day we went, there seemed to be some local event going on, with many locals around. We joined in the fun but ended up getting stuck in the street and had a hard time getting out... Lesson learned: don't join the crowd when there are too many people; just go back the way you came!
You can take a seaside train from Galle to Colombo. It takes about 2-2.5 hours, which is not too long.
Stella Thompson 456
Sri Lanka｜Galle is simply a vacation paradise
Galle's history is also a history of colonization.
Galle Fort was first built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Later, the Dutch occupied Galle and built the city walls. Most of the buildings in Galle Fort today were constructed during the Dutch period. Afterward, the British drove out the Dutch and remained until Sri Lanka gained independence.
Today, Galle Fort has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a living ancient city. The place is filled with exotic charm, with the scent of spices and sea breeze in the air. If you visit Sri Lanka, you can skip other cities, but you must, must visit Galle.
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leona_ortiz_london
Sri Lanka, island circuit tour, whale watching at sea
Sri Lanka, an island nation in South Asia,
but this still does not affect the fact that Mark Twain called it the pearl of the Indian Ocean. Ocean, forest, plains, mountains, all the beautiful scenery you can imagine is here
A person's 18-day southern small circuit
Suggested route: Airport-Kandy (transfer)-Dambulla-Polonnaruwa-Nuwara Eliya-Mirissa-Galle-Colombo-Negombo (
Tips: Since Bandaranaike International Airport is an hour's drive from Colombo and only a 15-minute drive from Negombo.
Direct flight from Shanghai to Colombo, midnight flight, take the bus to Colombo city center, from there you can transfer to Kandy
More than 4 hours, from Colombo to Kandy city.
Attraction recommendations
Temple of the Tooth
The most famous in Kandy is the Temple of the Tooth, which enshrines the tooth relic of the Buddha
Highland Tea Plantation
Go to the highland tea plantation for free black tea, set off early in the morning to hike to the World's End on Horton Plains,
New Zealand Farm
Also went to the New Zealand farm to drink fresh milk, halfway through the walk I hitched a ride on the farm's milk truck
Mirissa
Took a bus from Nuwara to Mirissa for most of the day, went out to sea in Mirissa to watch whales,
Unfortunately, only saw the tail fin
From Mirissa to Galle, you can take the 950 bus around the sea,
Along the way, you will pass Weligama Beach and see stilt fishermen without hooks
Galle
Galle Old Town, a seaport city built by the Portuguese in the 16th century
British clock tower, Dutch church, Portuguese fortress,
The Galle to Colombo section is the train on the sea
Only a few meters away from the coastline, the waves will splash against the windows
Sri Lanka transportation: Colombo to Kandy-01 route Cost: 125 rupees
Kandy-Nuwara Eliya Train First class: 600 rupees Second class: 180 rupees Third class: 90 rupees
Nuwara-Mirissa Bus (Nuwara-Galle 31 route) 300 rupees
Mirissa-Galle Bus-350 route Cost: 100 rupees
Galle-Colombo Train Second class: 180 rupees
Colombo-Negombo Bus Cost: 56 rupees
Negombo-Airport Bus Cost: 35 rupees
Sri Lankan cuisine: chickpea fritters, hopper, seafood, mango, avocado, king coconut, passion fruit, black tea, curry rice
Accommodation: Here I recommend two particularly good places to stay
Nuwara: view lake holiday home
Galle: river park inn
diplomatical_leona
Sri Lanka | Galle Old Town Travel Guide (Highly Recommended)
| Galle Old Town Travel Guide (Highly Recommended). The old town of Galle is so beautiful and fun.
1⃣ Snorkeling by the beach (Beginner) 🌟🌟🌟🌟
If you're eager to try snorkeling but too scared to get into the water, this place is much more suitable than the Philippines. There is a small area of the sea enclosed by reefs near the beach of Galle Old Town, with clear water that blocks the big waves from the Indian Ocean. Just put on your swimsuit, goggles, and snorkel, and swimming every day is simply amazing. After swimming about 5-10 meters into the sea, you can see tropical fish swimming around.
Note: It's almost impossible to buy snorkeling goggles + breathing tube in Galle Old Town, so buy them in advance and bring your own.
2⃣ Beachside sunrise and sunset photography 🌟🌟🌟
The light is great from about 5:30 in the morning until 9 a.m.
👉 Find a raised mound (lawn) with the sky as the background, playful and cute.
👉 Sit on the fort wall, facing the sea for photos.
👉 The platform for the sea-jumping youth (you can see a small sign), it's especially great for watching the sunset there.
👉 There's a very small staircase, go down and wait for the sunset to photograph silhouettes playing in the water.
3⃣ Beachside stand fishing 🌟🌟
Take a taxi from Galle Old Town to Koggala, arrive around 4:30 p.m. to negotiate the price for stand fishing, photograph the fishermen at sunset, or pose yourself for a unique photo. Pay special attention:
👉 Taxi: Use the pick me app outside the old town (one-way 1200 local currency), cheaper than finding a tuk-tuk inside the old town (3000 local currency for a round trip).
💰 Stand fishing price: Always bargain and pay at the end, paying first may result in reduced time and fewer fishermen, which is very annoying.
Reference 6 fishermen posing + 3 people fishing on their own = 3000 local currency.
We insisted on paying first, and as a result, only 2 fishermen came, and we only had 10 minutes for photos, which was very untrustworthy.
3⃣ Visit the gem shops in the old town, the various styles and loose stones are quite attractive, but if you can't distinguish and judge, it's better to be cautious about purchasing. Find a nice-looking store or cafe to take some photos, and it's great.
EthanHenderson16
Galle Ancient City, Sri Lanka
Galle, Southern Province
On December 21, 2023, in Sri Lanka
The afternoon itinerary is to drive to the Galle Ancient City for a visit.
The Galle Ancient City and Castle were built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. This ancient city, located at the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka and built on rocks, was once a military fortress and still retains its artillery. Looking far away, the vast Indian Ocean is in sight, and the quiet ancient city has small streets crisscrossing. Portuguese and Dutch colonial-style buildings can be seen everywhere, revealing the old colonial atmosphere everywhere.
The mottled city wall is not only a witness to the changes in Galle during the colonial period, but also protected the entire ancient city in the 2004 South Asian tsunami; the tall clock tower has been in use for more than 400 years and is still quite accurate; at the other end of the ancient city, a white lighthouse stands by the sea, providing guidance for passing ships.
It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage in 1988.
Galle Ancient City Galle Castle Clock Tower
AdventurousVoyager
Trip to Sri Lanka - Galle Fort
November 25, Merissa - Galle Fort,
It is said that Merissa is an excellent place to watch whales at sea, but like watching the aurora, it is a matter of luck. Perhaps we were unlucky, chasing whales all morning without even seeing a sea turtle.
After lunch, we set off for Galle Fort, checking into the Orchard House Galle guesthouse inside the fort around 3 pm. The location of the guesthouse is excellent, close to the city gate and the lighthouse.
Galle Fort is an ancient city where people still live today and is one of the world's cultural heritage sites. Sri Lanka was once a Dutch colony, and the Dutch built Galle Fort to rule Sri Lanka. The solid and sturdy old city walls are the iconic landscape of Galle Fort.
I am always irresistible to the old city. After putting down my luggage, I went out for a stroll. The fort is not large, and the most comfortable thing is to take a walk around the city wall of the fort. Because the fort and the old city are connected, you can wander aimlessly along the roads that lead in all directions in the old city. The not-so-wide streets are occasionally passed by bicycles and cars, giving the illusion of being in a European country. The old city, full of strong European style, is full of exquisite shops everywhere. Perhaps a coffee shop or a painting studio will stop you. The terrain of the entire old city is not flat, and the roads generally have some slopes. The buildings on both sides look new from a distance, but up close, you can see the mottled traces of time.
Walking along the old city, you can soon see the iconic building of Galle - the seaside lighthouse. The pure white lighthouse, the quiet and magnificent beauty, a casual shot is a postcard. Turning past the lighthouse is a large white mosque. There are several streets nearby where tourists shuttle back and forth. There are also the National Museum and the Maritime Museum. If you have time, you can visit them. Galle Clock Tower is another iconic building in the fort, located west of the main gate of Galle, built in 1883. This clock tower, which has a history of more than 400 years, is still in use today. It is said to still keep accurate time, which is also one of the must-visit places for tourists.
Galle Fort is even more charming at sunset. Many local young people, couples, and students gather here to play, chat, and make noise. I happened to meet a few handsome local guys, drumming, singing, and dancing. With the afterglow of the Indian Ocean sunset, the scene was too beautiful. This should be the most beautiful moment of the day in Galle Fort.
Galle Old City
Skyr0ck3t_@rt1f1c3r
A beautiful small city on the Indian Ocean - Galle Old Town
Galle Fort, one of the only remaining ancient cities in Sri Lanka, has been listed as a World Cultural Heritage, a port ancient city from the Dutch colonial period, a bit European, a bit Cuban...
It is the Galle Fort on the Indian Ocean that blends European and South Asian styles. It exudes a romantic atmosphere. The view from the city wall is excellent, the old city scenery is unobstructed, and you can see the panoramic view of the port. This is a relatively niche check-in place, and the photos are very good Galle Old Town
seraphina_4255
The ancient city of Galle - an ancient city with a variety of styles
Galle Fort is not only a historic city, but also a city full of charm. It has beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, Dutch colonial houses, ancient castles, churches... If you come to Sri Lanka, this is a must-see scenic spot.
Walking on the streets of the ancient city, many old buildings have been transformed into hotels and various shops, and the whole ancient city has become a colorful world, with a modern atmosphere amidst the strong ancient charm.
The ancient city of Galle is surrounded by the sea on three sides, with a boundless view of the deep blue and crystal clear sea water, gentle sea breeze, soft waves, and sandy beaches, forming a beautiful picture of the sea. Many tourists from all over the world, as well as sweet couples, have left their most beautiful and brilliant smiles here.
Travel tips:
Accommodation recommendation: During the off-season, it is recommended to search for a good room online and negotiate the price offline. This is our experience! It will be cheaper than online.
Visiting time: You can finish exploring on foot in one morning. It's very comfortable here, so it's suitable to stay for a few days if you're on vacation. It's also not far from Colombo.
Shooting tip: The colors here are vibrant, so it's recommended to wear warm-toned clothes for better photos. Colorful clothes also work well for shooting.
Opening hours: all day
Ticket: Free