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01
Visit Dutch Fort
Dutch Fort is one of the most extraordinary historical and archeological sites of the world. The fort was first constructed by Portuguese in the late sixteenth century and fortified expansively by the Dutch in the mid-seventeenth century. It is a stunning blend of archeology, architecture, and history in the backdrop of the tropical atmosphere.
Its appeal lies in that it is not just a historical monument. Even today the life is buzzing inside it, with a museum, gorgeous villas, administrative offices, antique shops, cafes, bookstores and lifestyle stores.
Location: Situated in the Southern Sri Lankan Coast in the Bay of Galle just 132 KM from Colombo.
Highlights: A stroll on the streets will let you experience the beautiful architecture of the colonial style buildings that still exudes the warmth and charm. Visit National Maritime Museum, stop by Meera Mosque and enjoy delicacies at Lucky Fort Restaurant and Galle Fort Hotel Restaurant.
Timing: Opened 24 hours a day
Best Time to visit: The absolute best month to be here is in February
You May Also Like To Book: Sri Lanka Tours
Starting from
$ 46.81
$ 38.38
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02
Lagoon & Village Cycling
The best way to get away from the monotonous life in the city is to cycle through the quaint village of Galle. Lagoon and Village cycling in Galle is a perfect way to spend your weekends. Ride at your own pace and you will be able to cover 12 km easily.
The cycling routes in Galle are usually the less travelled ones into the gravelled paths, through the mangroves, paddy fields, grasslands, local villages and their shopping stalls and sparse jungles.
Highlights: Three to four hours of utmost pleasure. The cycling expedition takes you by the local industries, lagoons and mangroves. Also, in the local village, you can learn to make coconut ropes or catch crabs from the villagers.
Timings: The activity starts at 8:30 AM and ends at 2 PM
Must Book & Checkout: Sri Lanka Tour Package for Couple
03
Lagoon Canoeing Tour at Unuwatuna
Canoeing is a beautiful experience in Galle and also one of the best activities to do in Galle. Unawatuna is an astounding island where most of the adventure sports happen in Galle. It is brimmed with canals, lagoons, beaches, rivers and reservoirs.
Canoeing can take you in the midst of the Natural beauty of flora and fauna characterised by changing landscapes and fascinating mangroves.
Location: Unuwatuna Lagoon, GalleHours and timings: starts at 8- 8:30 am and comprised of two hours of paddling
Highlights: Canoeing trip includes a local guide, water and refreshments and a life jacket. You can reach the Unawatuna Lagoon by a tuk-tuk. You would get to explore coastal flora and fauna untouched by the human civilization, the deeper sector of mangroves etc
Timing: Morning or Evening time is suitable for this tour.
Best Time to Visit: November to May
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Canoeing can take you in the midst of the Natural beauty of flora and fauna characterised by changing landscapes and fascinating mangroves.
Location: Unuwatuna Lagoon, GalleHours and timings: starts at 8- 8:30 am and comprised of two hours of paddling
Highlights: Canoeing trip includes a local guide, water and refreshments and a life jacket. You can reach the Unawatuna Lagoon by a tuk-tuk. You would get to explore coastal flora and fauna untouched by the human civilization, the deeper sector of mangroves etc
Timing: Morning or Evening time is suitable for this tour.
Best Time to Visit: November to May
Starting from
$ 27.43
$ 23.35
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$ 41.00
$ 31.54
per adult
04
Explore the Galle Lighthouse
Galle Lighthouse or Pointe de Galle Light is the oldest lighthouse in Galle. The lighthouse was established in 1848 and stands tall today at 26.5 meters at the shore of Galle.
The bright white lighthouse with the background of the blue skies, turquoise blue and green ocean, the golden sand of the shore and the lush green paddy fields makes for a very picturesque view. The same view also makes visiting this lighthouse one of the best activities to do in Galle.
Location: Rampart Street, Galle Fort, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka
Highlights: Oldest Lighthouse, Picturesque Views
Best time to Visit: 2 pm to 4 pm (Open 24 hours)
Also Checkout & Book: Sri Lanka Group Tour Packages
The bright white lighthouse with the background of the blue skies, turquoise blue and green ocean, the golden sand of the shore and the lush green paddy fields makes for a very picturesque view. The same view also makes visiting this lighthouse one of the best activities to do in Galle.
Location: Rampart Street, Galle Fort, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka
Highlights: Oldest Lighthouse, Picturesque Views
Best time to Visit: 2 pm to 4 pm (Open 24 hours)
Also Checkout & Book: Sri Lanka Group Tour Packages
05
Explore the Maritime Archeology Museum
Visiting Maritime Archeology Museum is one of the best things to do in Galle if you’re a fan of museums and century-old objects. The museum houses models of boats, ships and century-old items retrieved from shipwrecks.
You will also find several maps and artilleries in the museum. The 2004 Tsunami has caused a significant amount of damage to the museum and its collection but with the help of donations, it was repaired and opened to visitors again in 2010.
Location: Queen’s Street, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka
Highlights: Shipwrecks, boat models, century-old objects
Price: 20 LKR/person for Local
You will also find several maps and artilleries in the museum. The 2004 Tsunami has caused a significant amount of damage to the museum and its collection but with the help of donations, it was repaired and opened to visitors again in 2010.
Location: Queen’s Street, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka
Highlights: Shipwrecks, boat models, century-old objects
Price: 20 LKR/person for Local
300 LKR/ person for Foreigners
Best time to Visit: December to April. Museum open from 9 am to 5 pm
Suggested Reads: Colombo Visiting Places
Best time to Visit: December to April. Museum open from 9 am to 5 pm
Suggested Reads: Colombo Visiting Places
06
Visit the Historical Mansion Museum
The Historical Mansion Museum is one of the biggest private museums in the world. The museum houses a huge collection of antique jewelry, cameras, typewriter, etc. But one thing the museum is well known for is its collection of traditional crafts like beeralu lace embroidery.
A centuries-old Dutch house, this museum is an antique in itself and the building of the museum probably dates back to the 1700s. Exploring the huge collections in this museum is one of the best activities to do in Galle for history enthusiasts.
Location:31, 39 Leyn Baan Street, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka
Highlights: Beeralu embroidery, Dutch House, Antiques
Best time to Visit: 9 am to 6 pm
Recommended Read: Visiting Places In Kandy
A centuries-old Dutch house, this museum is an antique in itself and the building of the museum probably dates back to the 1700s. Exploring the huge collections in this museum is one of the best activities to do in Galle for history enthusiasts.
Location:31, 39 Leyn Baan Street, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka
Highlights: Beeralu embroidery, Dutch House, Antiques
Best time to Visit: 9 am to 6 pm
Recommended Read: Visiting Places In Kandy
- 4H
$ 37.91
$ 29.20
per adult
- 7H
- Galle
$ 47.88
$ 37.38
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07
Visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda
The Japanese Peace Pagoda or Unawatuna Peace Pagoda is one of the three Buddhist stupas in Sri Lanka which makes visiting this place one of the most popular activities to do in Galle. The stupa is a paperwhite dome near Unawatuna Beach and lies amidst a thick forest. The circular deck and architecture, the golden statue of Buddha and the stunning views of the blue ocean makes this place in Galle, a must-visit.
Location: Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
Highlights: Buddhist Stupa, Unawatuna Beach
Best time to Visit: 1 pm to 2 pm, 5:30 pm
Also Read: Places In Colombo For Couples
Location: Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
Highlights: Buddhist Stupa, Unawatuna Beach
Best time to Visit: 1 pm to 2 pm, 5:30 pm
Also Read: Places In Colombo For Couples
08
Stroll on The Flag Rock
Image Credit : Dave Lonsdale
After a tiresome day, if you wish to end it with some peace and watch the sun set on the horizon, hear the seagulls beckoning you and also observe the waves crash the rocks forming a soulful music then Galle Flag Rock Bastion is where you need to go.
The Flag Rock an ex-Portuguese Bastion, situated at the southernmost end of the Galle Fort, today is a popular destination for tourists to witness the sunset. This Rock was a natural defence center during the Dutch period, from where ships were alerted about dangers lurking and also from the unseen rocks underwater by firing Musket shots from the Pigeon Island.
Location: Rampart St. Galle
Highlights: Scenic surrounding; to your west, you will be able to locate the lighthouse and the Gunpowder Museum opposite to the Meeran Masjid.
Timings: 9:00 AM - 7:30 PM (All days of weak)
Best Time to visit: Spring is the most conducive time for a visit to Flag Rock.
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The Flag Rock an ex-Portuguese Bastion, situated at the southernmost end of the Galle Fort, today is a popular destination for tourists to witness the sunset. This Rock was a natural defence center during the Dutch period, from where ships were alerted about dangers lurking and also from the unseen rocks underwater by firing Musket shots from the Pigeon Island.
Location: Rampart St. Galle
Highlights: Scenic surrounding; to your west, you will be able to locate the lighthouse and the Gunpowder Museum opposite to the Meeran Masjid.
Timings: 9:00 AM - 7:30 PM (All days of weak)
Best Time to visit: Spring is the most conducive time for a visit to Flag Rock.
09
Enjoy the Serenity at Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya
This is one of the holiest and ancient temples in Galle and all of Sri Lanka. The temple is home to several monks who have been residing here for the past 1500 years or so. The temple is also well known for the murals and paintings on its walls that are of the Kandian period.
Surrounded by huge paddy fields and lush green villages, the temple is also a delight for the stunning views of its surroundings- which can be enjoyed at the end of its long ascending flight of stairs. These beautiful views of the paddy fields make visiting this place one of the most popular activities to do in Galle.
Location: Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
Highlights: Kandian murals, Ancient Temple
Best time to Visit: 1 pm to 2 pm
Surrounded by huge paddy fields and lush green villages, the temple is also a delight for the stunning views of its surroundings- which can be enjoyed at the end of its long ascending flight of stairs. These beautiful views of the paddy fields make visiting this place one of the most popular activities to do in Galle.
Location: Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
Highlights: Kandian murals, Ancient Temple
Best time to Visit: 1 pm to 2 pm
Day Tours
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$ 64.86
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10
Stroll Dutch Reformed Church
Image Credit : yeowatzup
One of the finest and most traditional Tourist attractions in Galle which is worth to visit and admire is the Galle Fort. The Dutch Reformed Church is the ancient building located in the premises of the fort. The building’s date goes back the 18th century during the Dutch period.
A walk through the Fort ground along with the humble caretaker, immersing in his never-ending fancy stories will take you back to the era whence it was built. The Church is also known as Groot Kert.
Location: Church Street, Galle fort
Highlights: Many tombstones dating back to the 17th can be observed; this church also is a Cruciform with shorter transepts separated by two arches. The floor is marked with gravestones. The beautiful pulpit made from Malaysian wood, calamander is a beautiful sight and near to the pulpit is the memorial of De Ly Family.
Timings: 9 am to 5 Pm
Best Time to visit: The best month to visit this place in February
Suggested Reads: Places To See In Galle
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A walk through the Fort ground along with the humble caretaker, immersing in his never-ending fancy stories will take you back to the era whence it was built. The Church is also known as Groot Kert.
Location: Church Street, Galle fort
Highlights: Many tombstones dating back to the 17th can be observed; this church also is a Cruciform with shorter transepts separated by two arches. The floor is marked with gravestones. The beautiful pulpit made from Malaysian wood, calamander is a beautiful sight and near to the pulpit is the memorial of De Ly Family.
Timings: 9 am to 5 Pm
Best Time to visit: The best month to visit this place in February
Suggested Reads: Places To See In Galle
11
Explore Rumassala Sanctuary
Rumassala Sanctuary is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Galle. The sanctuary is a mix of wild exotic plants, medicinal herbs and beautiful shrubs. You can also see many rare species of birds here amidst the wild.
To reach the sanctuary, you have to drive at the Jungle Beach Road which runs along the Jungle Beach and gives beautiful views of the blue ocean. The stunning views from the Rumassala Hills make visiting this place one of the best things to do in Galle for trekkers and nature enthusiasts.
Location: Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
Highlights: Exotic plants, Rare species of birds
Best time to Visit: 1 pm to 2 pm
To reach the sanctuary, you have to drive at the Jungle Beach Road which runs along the Jungle Beach and gives beautiful views of the blue ocean. The stunning views from the Rumassala Hills make visiting this place one of the best things to do in Galle for trekkers and nature enthusiasts.
Location: Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
Highlights: Exotic plants, Rare species of birds
Best time to Visit: 1 pm to 2 pm
12
Mountain Bike Tour at Mirissa and Unawatuna
Image Credit : Dai Williams
Mountain biking is more fun than normal cycling and it is treated as one of the amazing things to do in Galle. The rocky paths, gravelled roads, tracks unused for years and the adrenalin rush to speed up are the absolute reasons to try this jaunt. At Galle, Unawatuna is the place where you would find centres for this sport.
You can choose your type of bikes from an array of selection and you will be provided with a local guide, helmets, and refreshments. The guide helps you to know the place better with his narrations and titbits of information.
Location: Biking centres at Mirissa and Unawatuna
Highlights: You would get to see the real Sri Lankan villages, peacocks, chameleons, buffalo, mangroves, coconut farms and tropical forests. You can also eat homemade authentic food in one of the many villages you would come across.
Timings: 8:30 AM or 2:30 PM as per your convenience
Best Time to Visit: December to Feb. is a suitable time for Mountain Biking
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You can choose your type of bikes from an array of selection and you will be provided with a local guide, helmets, and refreshments. The guide helps you to know the place better with his narrations and titbits of information.
Location: Biking centres at Mirissa and Unawatuna
Highlights: You would get to see the real Sri Lankan villages, peacocks, chameleons, buffalo, mangroves, coconut farms and tropical forests. You can also eat homemade authentic food in one of the many villages you would come across.
Timings: 8:30 AM or 2:30 PM as per your convenience
Best Time to Visit: December to Feb. is a suitable time for Mountain Biking
Starting from
$ 27.83
$ 25.44
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$ 41.00
$ 31.54
per adult
- 4H
$ 37.91
$ 29.20
per adult
- 7H
- Galle
$ 47.88
$ 37.38
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13
Go for Whale Watching
Image Credit : Selbe Lynn
Whale watching is an interesting fun activity in Galle. Sri Lanka is surrounded by the ocean which makes it more accessible to observe these huge sea mammals and quite a number of dolphins too. You have to start quite early to the beach to catch a boat. If you have come to Galle for a holiday then most of the Hotels provide a trip to ‘whale watching’. Otherwise, you can get into the beach directly and go for it.
Location: Mirissa Beach, Naval Harbour and Dondra Point
Highlights: Boat ride into the ocean just as the sun is about to rise is gorgeous. You should definitely carry a camera and binoculars to capture the experience. If you are lucky enough you might also get to see blue whales along with the normal ones and dolphins. Please carry medicines if you are prone to sea sickness.
Price: Approximate price starts from Rs.5280.
Best Time to visit: The best time for this fun activity is during the month of November to April
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Location: Mirissa Beach, Naval Harbour and Dondra Point
Highlights: Boat ride into the ocean just as the sun is about to rise is gorgeous. You should definitely carry a camera and binoculars to capture the experience. If you are lucky enough you might also get to see blue whales along with the normal ones and dolphins. Please carry medicines if you are prone to sea sickness.
Price: Approximate price starts from Rs.5280.
Best Time to visit: The best time for this fun activity is during the month of November to April
Starting from
$ 82.24
$ 61.68
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14
Enjoy Scuba Diving
Image Credit : Silke Baron
Another best things to to do in Galle in Scuba Diving. Water is aplenty in Sri Lanka and Galle is quite celebrated for water sports such as Scuba Diving. This sport is an underwater experience where divers wear oxygen apparatus and dive deep into the sea to observe the sea species living underneath. The noiseless world under the water is soothing and is a kind of meditation.
Scuba Diving in Unawatuna is one of the best places for this sport. The center is a 10-minute drive from Galle city. The diving institutes offer different levels of courses such as open water dive, refresh dive course, fresher’s dive, master level diving, reef diving, night diving etc.
Location: Unawatuna Beach diving sites include Napoleon Reef, Galapita gala
Highlights: Includes certification courses, a dive to Rangoon ship wreck 30 ft under the sea
Price: Approximate price starts from Rs.1700 per dive and if you are opting for a course it starts from Rs. 21,000
Best Time to visit: The best time to visit this place is during the month of November to May
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Scuba Diving in Unawatuna is one of the best places for this sport. The center is a 10-minute drive from Galle city. The diving institutes offer different levels of courses such as open water dive, refresh dive course, fresher’s dive, master level diving, reef diving, night diving etc.
Location: Unawatuna Beach diving sites include Napoleon Reef, Galapita gala
Highlights: Includes certification courses, a dive to Rangoon ship wreck 30 ft under the sea
Price: Approximate price starts from Rs.1700 per dive and if you are opting for a course it starts from Rs. 21,000
Best Time to visit: The best time to visit this place is during the month of November to May
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15
Snorkelling
Image Credit : Nico Aguilera
Snorkelling is a water sport where snorkelers swim on the surface of the water or dive deep into the water wearing a plastic mask with a tube attached, known as a snorkel. People also wear fins and wetsuits for better navigation.
The Jungle beach in Galle, which offers a perfect location for Snorkelling, is a semi-hidden bay enclosed in a jungle. It is one of the best activities to do in Galle. The reef is not dangerous as it is partially dead. The water is current is not strong so you can safely swim near the rocky edges.
Location: 30 mins walk from Unawatuna
Highlights: There is a small restaurant that serves simple delicious snacks and beverages. The snorkelling is offered by professional instructors from PADI. You may see reef fishes, crabs, moray eels, turtles, barracudas and parrot fishes; Walk to sunset point.
Timings: The best time for this activity starts from early morning to sunset.
Price: Approximate price starts from Rs. 200 to Rs. 300
Best Time to visit: February to April is the best time for snorkelling at Galle.
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The Jungle beach in Galle, which offers a perfect location for Snorkelling, is a semi-hidden bay enclosed in a jungle. It is one of the best activities to do in Galle. The reef is not dangerous as it is partially dead. The water is current is not strong so you can safely swim near the rocky edges.
Location: 30 mins walk from Unawatuna
Highlights: There is a small restaurant that serves simple delicious snacks and beverages. The snorkelling is offered by professional instructors from PADI. You may see reef fishes, crabs, moray eels, turtles, barracudas and parrot fishes; Walk to sunset point.
Timings: The best time for this activity starts from early morning to sunset.
Price: Approximate price starts from Rs. 200 to Rs. 300
Best Time to visit: February to April is the best time for snorkelling at Galle.
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- 5H
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About the Galle Fishing Tour:
- This activity will allow you to go Galle fishing like a local fisherman in Sri Lanka.
- You will get to ride in paddle boats to let you experience the entire fishing process.
- The operator will provide all fishing equipment.
- The activity will be conducted at Hikkaduwa Lagoon.
- Galle fishing tour is a guided by the instructor.
- An English-speaking guide will walk you through the entire procedure, and teach you the skill of getting a good catch.
- It has been designed in a way to let one experience a few hours of a fisherman’s life.
- The duration of this activity is for two hours.
- Pickup and drop facility is included in the cost of this package.
- Unwind with relishing lunch at a local restaurant after spending the scheduled hours in the ocean.
- The cost of tea and lunch is included in this package.
- You can book this package as a solo traveller or as a group (two-three or four-seven).
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17
Go for Spa at Unawatuna
You have come for a holiday and you don’t go to a spa and massage, then ideally you have wasted your vacation by 10%. The best thing you could gift to your body is complete nourishment through Galle’s Spas. Hence, it is also treated as one of the best things to do in Galle.
They are widely known in the country for their services, therapy, and massages. Galle fort is considered one of the best in the city with natural rejuvenating therapies such as Ayurveda. Few Spas also offer Yoga and meditation as packages, Unawatuna Island is the major center for authentic spas and wellness therapy in Galle.
Location: Unawatuna, Galle
Highlights: The Spa therapy includes physiotherapy, body massage, deep tissue massage, face massage, hand and feet nourishments, total body care, yoga and a variety of combo offers. Other provisions include reflexology, waxing, detox treatments etc. and all these are obtained at the most serene atmosphere surrounded by overwhelming nature.
Timing: 10 AM to 7 PM or 9 AM to 10 PM
Best Time to Visit: You can go for the spa at Galle anytime you want.
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They are widely known in the country for their services, therapy, and massages. Galle fort is considered one of the best in the city with natural rejuvenating therapies such as Ayurveda. Few Spas also offer Yoga and meditation as packages, Unawatuna Island is the major center for authentic spas and wellness therapy in Galle.
Location: Unawatuna, Galle
Highlights: The Spa therapy includes physiotherapy, body massage, deep tissue massage, face massage, hand and feet nourishments, total body care, yoga and a variety of combo offers. Other provisions include reflexology, waxing, detox treatments etc. and all these are obtained at the most serene atmosphere surrounded by overwhelming nature.
Timing: 10 AM to 7 PM or 9 AM to 10 PM
Best Time to Visit: You can go for the spa at Galle anytime you want.
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