Galle

Galle is a major port city located on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka and is the capital of the Southern Province. Its main attraction is the Dutch Fort, built in the 17th century. The fort covers an area of 36 hectares, and massive ramparts surround nearly the entire city of Galle. Behind these strong walls lie small houses, museums, and churches. For locals, this is very convenient because the city is always quiet and peaceful. Galle is one of the country’s main tourism centers. Besides the Galle Fort, other notable landmarks include St. Mary's Cathedral (built by Jesuits), as well as numerous Hindu and Buddhist temples.

About 5 km from the city lies Unawatuna Beach, surrounded by coral reefs and known for its crystal-clear waters. Near Galle, there is also a turtle farm where turtle eggs collected from the coast are brought, and later the hatched turtles are released into the ocean. Another important “must-see” is the Sinharaja Rainforest (“Lion King”), one of the few places on Earth where pristine tropical rainforests remain untouched by humans. The rainforest is a designated biosphere reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From Galle, visitors can go on jungle tours, jeep and horseback safaris, or visit the watersports and diving club to enjoy activities such as water skiing, windsurfing, surfing, rafting, kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, or deep-sea fishing.