Visit Galle
If you’re on the mood for sun, sea, sand, seafood, mystery and history, then Galle is where you want to go. It’s a natural harbour completed with a golden mile – or more – of pristine coastline, dotted with eclectic seaside cafes, hotels and a 400-year-old Fort sure to bring you back for more.
Located 120 km away from Colombo in the South of Sri Lanka, Galle is filled with sights, sounds, flavours and plenty of activities. There are many ways to reach the city, including a special Uber which takes you there in style. If you’re in the mood for doing it the local way, there are the grand and luxurious busses that travel the Southern Expressway or to really get down to it, the train which depart from Fort in Colombo and traverses the coast, taking in the fresh sea breeze at all times.
You’ll want to get to the Galle Fort early. Its grandeur and imposing outer rampart walls will stop you in your tracks but be weary of the life and cars moving in and out of it. Pass under the front arch of the Fort and you’ll most likely find a King Coconut vendor waiting to serve you your morning picked, fresh off the palms. Head to the Serendipity Arts Café on Leyn Baan Street for a wholesome Sri Lanka breakfast or an exciting fusion dish, that’ll give you all the energy you need for the wandering ahead of you.
Nearly every street in the Fort has something exciting to see from traditional art shops to gem merchants to the Maritime Museum. Don’t buy anything yet, you’ll want to save that for the evening once you watched the sun go to bed, from atop the ramparts. Exit the Fort into Galle town and take in the sights and sounds for the market, before journeying a few kilometres away to the Rumassala Mountain which under a radiantly majestic stupa, hides what’s called Jungle Beach.
Head further South towards the beach strip of Unawatuna which presents you with a wide variety of lunch options in addition to breezy reclining lounges for some calm afternoon serenity. If you thinking you can rest later, you can always take to the ocean, even on a paddleboard. Head back to the Fort and visit the Pedlar’s Inn for some refreshing afternoon tea before scaling the Western ramparts for a spectacular view of the sunset – an orange orb gradually diving into the azure Indian Ocean. Hurry! This is the part where you go buy everything you picked out in your mind – unless you’re staying another day.
For dinner, you can either head South to the Closenburg Hotel or further North to the Jetwing Lighthouse, designed by the originator of tropical modernist architecture, the late Geoffrey Bawa. Whichever option you chooce, you’re into an evening of fine food, a great atmosphere and riveting views of stars twinkling above in the dark sky.
For dinner, you can either head South to the Closenburg Hotel or further North to the Jetwing Lighthouse, designed by the originator of tropical modernist architecture, the late Geoffrey Bawa. Whichever option you chooce, you’re into an evening of fine food, a great atmosphere and riveting views of stars twinkling above in the dark sky.