Galle holidays: Sri Lankan hospitality in a Dutch atmosphere
Galle is the capital of Sri Lanka’s southern province, and the European influences which helped shape it are still visible today. A holiday in Galle lets you experience the wonderful hospitality Sri Lanka has to offer in a Dutch atmosphere which is still very much alive and part of the fabric of the city.
By far the most popular attraction is the historic fort area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Portuguese, and then heavily fortified by the Dutch, the fort also has visible British influences in its architecture. But it’s not just a historical monument to a bygone age. It remains very much a living and working administrative centre.
We love the boutique hotels, cafés and shops that are nestled in many of the narrow streets within the fort, some of which are historical sites in their own right.
From your hotel, you can walk the ramparts of the fort and stroll along the streets with their tall, thin Dutch-colonial houses before exploring the local coffee shops or picking up a souvenir from one of the many artisan jewellers.
Unawatuna beach is just 6 km southeast of the city centre and perfect for a spot of relaxation. It’s fairly quiet most of the year but can get busy between October and April before the monsoon season sets in.