It’s quite clear why the Portuguese and then the Dutch chose Galle as a strategic location. The peninsula naturally offers protection against external threats. The walls encompass the entire old town, with the main fortifications and the sole entry gate facing north towards the mainland. The total width of the entry point is only 400 meters, making it easily defensible.

Within these walls, one can discover numerous colonial buildings from various periods. The most notable structures, aside from the fortifications, are the churches and the administrative buildings near the old entry gate. However, it’s challenging to highlight any specific building. For us, the experience was primarily about strolling through the city and soaking in the views.

Galle is often praised for its culinary offerings. The city is lively, with a plethora of dining options and a walkable old town. This was something we initially struggled to appreciate during our first days in Sri Lanka. Only after venturing into the countryside and realizing the difficulty of finding good food elsewhere did we come to fully value what Galle has to offer. Personally, Galle is the one place where I could have envisaged extending my stay.

Getting There

The World Heritage Site (WHS) encompasses only the fortification-enclosed peninsula. Within the walls, most hotels occupy historic buildings, so if you’re seeking a luxury or beach hotel, you’ll need to look outside the fortifications.

For those arriving in Sri Lanka by plane (or departing), you can arrange for a driver to take you directly to or from the airport to Galle, bypassing Colombo. I have mixed feelings about this, but Colombo isn’t essential to visit for a world heritage traveller. We traveled from Colombo and stayed for two days before proceeding to Sinharaja and Udawalawe National Park. In retrospect, Galle would have been an ideal final stop to unwind after an extensive tour of the country.

While You Are There

Along the coast, there are numerous turtle sanctuaries. It should be self-evident, but please ensure they are accredited by third parties and treat the animals humanely before paying for entry.

A day trip to Sinharaja is entirely feasible with a driver.

Between Colombo and Galle, you’ll find several Bawa-designed locations, with the Lighthouse hotel being the closest. Continuing south, you can visit the Ruhuna University campus. My personal highlight was visiting Kathaluwa Poorvarama Maha Viharaya, which boasts remarkable paintings. These, along with Bawa’s works, may eventually be added to the tentative list.