5 Things Not To Miss in Galle, Sri Lanka

Galle is a coastal city 130 kilometres south of Colombo. There are two main areas to visit in Galle: the Galle Fort and Unawatuna. No visit to the south is complete without seeing both of these areas. A perfect combination of beach and culture, Galle has it all. Keep reading to discover the top 5 things to see and do in Galle, Sri Lanka.

* Dutch architecture

When the Dutch ran the East India Company out of Galle Fort, they left behind plenty of constructions. The ramparts themselves are a pretty impressive architectural construction, but there are others worth seeing. The Maritime Archaeology Museum in a building inside the ramparts was once the Dutch Warehouse. Another great example of Dutch architecture is the Groote Kerk and the Amangalla hotel.

* Kottu roti at Galle Things Roti

You’re probably going to get hungry from all the walking and shopping, so best to have some kottu roti for lunch. Kottu roti is a Sri Lankan favourite and the best one available in the Galle Fort is from a cute little eatery called Galle Things Roti. Kottu roti is a dish made with bits of roti, vegetables, eggs chicken and cheese if you want.

* Go surfing

Unawatuna, the beach town in Galle, has pretty good waves for surfing. They aren’t particularly big, but they are perfect for some fun in the ocean. They are also great for new surfers, especially beginners. Get in touch with Surf South Sri Lanka to grab some lessons if you still haven’t mastered the art of standing on a board! They also rent boards for travelling surfers that don’t have one.

* Go scuba diving

Unawatuna is a little bay with white sandy beaches and a coral reef off the shore where you can do some scuba diving. Sea Horse Divers will take you out to the reef or to a wreck dive that’s only a 30-minute ride away. The Rangoon is a 100-year-old British ship that sank with its mast intact.

* Visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda

For some culture and history after all the fun, visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda. You can see the pagoda from the actual beach during the walk and because it is up on a hill, the views are spectacular.