Best Things To Do in Galle, Sri Lanka

Are you looking for what to do in Galle?

PLACES TO SEE

  • Kalutara Temple: Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple, also known as Kalutara temple is around 200 yrs old and offers free humanitarian services to the Sri Lankan Community bases in and around Kalutara.
  • Seenigama Temple: Located in Hikkaduwa, Seenigama temple is a popular tourist attraction. The temple is situated on the sea coast and is 1300 years old.
  • Peace Pagoda: One of the most tranquil tourist attractions of Galle, the Peace Pagoda is the best place for those who are in a search of spirituality. Also, the breathtaking view of Galle from there makes it a must visit place in Galle.

THINGS TO DO

  • Take a walk along the Galle Fort walls.
  • Shop inside the Fort as it is the best tourist shopping destination at Galle.
  • Visit turtle hatcheries beside the coast.
  • Dine at Royal Dutch Cafe and listen to the mesmerizing stories about Galle.

Below we have a list of things to do in Galle and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Galle getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Galle with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Galle

Here is the list of things to do in Galle and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Galle Dutch Fort

    Outdoors, Educational Site, Castle, Historical Site

    Built by Portuguese and fortified by Dutch, Galle Fort is declared as one of the living world heritages as an exceptional presentation of ‘an urban ensemble, which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries.’ The Fort is known for the ‘Ramparts of Galle’. Recognized by UNESCO for its cultural herita...Read more
  2. Jungle Beach

    4.4 (2295 Votes)
    Jungle Beach

    Outdoors, Beach, Entertainment

    Located between Galle and Unawatuna, the jungle beach is a petite beach that can even be reached on foot. The beach is very easily accessible and is clearly visible from the Japanese Peace Pagoda in Galle. Jungle Beach is perfect for snorkeling and is very popular for the same. Pick a day out to enjoy some great snorkeling around the rocks of the bay amidst reef fish, moray eels, barracudas, tr...Read more
  3. Sinharaja Forest Reserve

    4.5 (1122 Votes)
    Sinharaja Forest Reserve

    Forest, Nature

    The Sinharaja Forest Reserve will be a true jungle experience with some wondrous adventures. Sinharaja is Sri Lanka’s last major undistributed rainforest of primary tropical vegetation. More than half of the trees in the forest are rare and so are the other living species like mammals, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies and insects. There are 22 villages that surround this forest.
  4. Ethamala Ella

    Outdoors, Wildlife Park, Play, Neighborhoods

    Ethamala Ella is situated near Akurassa near Matara district. It got it name so as an elephant is said to have died after flowing along in the forceful water. The area around the waterfall is lively and vibrant with wildlife.
  5. Dutch Reformed Church

    4.4 (1839 Votes)
    Dutch Reformed Church

    Church, Religious Site, Architecture

    The Dutch Reformed Church is an ancient construction which was erected in 1755. Elegant calamander was imported wood from Malaysia to make the pulpit of the church while the floor is paved with gravestones from the Old Dutch cemetery. The guy who looks after the church will politely explain historic facts about the tombstones. There is an antique organ in the church that also belongs to the 17t...Read more
  6. Bundala National Park

    Outdoors, National Park, Garden, Park

    Bundala National Park is a wetland sanctuary that harbors around 197 species of birds (resident and migratory), mainly the Greater Flamingos. It was selected as a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and again corroborated as a national park on 4th of January, 1993.
  7. Japanese Peace Pagoda

    4.6 (1589 Votes)
    Japanese Peace Pagoda

    Religious Site, Temple

    Japan - Sri Lanka Peace Pagoda is one of the most important landmarks in Bandarawela. It is one of the 4 stupas in Sri Lanka that represent peace and harmony. This Buddhist temple welcomes locals and tourists alike. It is located along Pallewela Road and is hardly 8 kilometers away from the center of Bandarawela. If you are looking for a peaceful site to spend some quality time, this is the pla...Read more
  8. Maritime Archeology Museum

    4.2 (1085 Votes)
    Maritime Archeology Museum

    Museum, Archaeological Site , Exhibition , Specialty Museum

    Located at a walking distance from the famous Galle fort, the interesting Maritime Archeology Museum showcases an impressive display of artifacts like the statues which were once washed ashore, ancient Chinese pottery, fishing boats, fish gallery and other Mari time articles. If you love the vintage look, this museum would be a pleasant surprise.
  9. Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum Complex

    Museum, Outdoors, Nature, Exhibition

    The fame and popularity of the Sinhalese author Martin Wickramasinghe brought the urge and inspiration to establish the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum Complex. Tall trees, short shrubs, birds, in a comely atmosphere surround the house that has still kept the writer’s works alive. The complex also houses a book shop selling the work of Martin Wickramasinghe and relevant stuff on local c...Read more
  10. Mount Calvary Church

    Church, Religious Site, Outdoors, Historical Site

    Maunt Calvary Church is located in Hiniduma, Galle. In this village, the crucifixion of Christ, on a hill aptly named mount Calvary opposite the Hiniduma Church is represented through a series of scenes making this village very popular among tourists.
  11. Madunagala Hermitage

    Religious Site, Temple, Outdoors, Historical Site

    This serene spiritual destination is located at Madunagala in Hambantota district. This Buddhist Hermitage is one great place to visit if you are seeking inner peace.
  12. Kirala Kele

    Outdoors, Water Body, Garden, Park

    Kirala Kelle is a mangrove forest covering an area of 750 acres and is reachable from Matra- Hakmana and Matara-Akuressa roads and 3 km from Matara. It comprises marshlands, irrigation cannels, and mangrove habitation. One can find home gardens in the immediate boundary of the wetland.
  13. Rekawa Lagoon

    Outdoors, Beach, Observatory, Entertainment

    Rekawa lagoon is a beach area enriched with bio-diversity. Situated in the small village of Rekawa, it is filled with many species. A wide variety of wildlife – mammals, reptiles, aquatic creatures and almost 150 resident and migratory birds can be seen here.
  14. Hummayana

    4.3 (407 Votes)
    Hummayana

    Outdoors, Beach, Geological Formation, Observatory

    The only blowhole in Sri Lanka, Hummayana, is well known attraction sight in southern province. Located at Kudawella, it is an amazing geological formation that spurts water high up in the air with a noisy sound. It is a must see as there have been only seven blowholes that have been identified in the whole world so far.
  15. Dooli Ella

    4.5 (378 Votes)
    Dooli Ella

    Outdoors, Observatory, Entertainment, Adventure

    Dooli Ella is located in the southern fringe of Sinharaja Forest Reserve, around 120 km from Colombo. The fall emits a dust like spray by the flowing water and hence got its name as dust is called duli in the local lingo.