The Capital City of Southern Province
Galle is a world heritage city located on A2 road about 115 km away from Colombo, the Capital of Sri Lanka.
Galle town has been declared as a protected city due to the historical Dutch fortress and other Dutch monuments within the Galle Fort. The city of Galle that was badly damaged by the tsunami of 2004 has been restored to its original look thanks to its being a World Heritage city.
Galle city is frequented by both local & foreign travelers due to its very beautiful coastal area & warm climate. Traveling in the narrow streets inside Galle Fort is truly a memorable experience where one will be treated to watching the glorious sunset. Also, Dutch monuments like the Old Dutch Reformed church, Old Dutch buildings and the Dutch museum are important places to visit, apart from the light house nearby.
Just 3km away from Galle is the Rumassala Mountain & Jungle Beach for travel. Located on the legendary Rumassala hill of Unawatuna, the Rumassala sanctuary is a nature lover’s paradise since it boasts a variety of rare plants and medicinal herbs along with endemic species of birds in the country. The Indian epic ‘Ramayana’, also mentions about this Rumassala hill. Unawatuna is world famous for its beautiful beach & the Welle devalaya,”Kovil in the sea”provides for a serene visit inside.
Sinharaja Rain Forest (a UNESCO World Heritage Site),which is the last viable remnant of Sri Lanka’s tropical lowland rainforest is just 84 KM away from Galle which can be accessed from on A7 road.
For gourmets of seafood, Galle is an ideal place where a large variety of seafood, such as crab,oysters,lobsters and prawns, is available. Though the food is normally spicy, one can order them non spicy.
As for souvenirs hunters, Galle is famous for the Batiks clothes, pillow lace and clay ornaments, in addition to the gems and jewellery available mainly in shops within the Galle Fort.
