Top Things to do in Galle District
10 Free Things to do in Galle District That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Galle District, Sri Lanka including Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications, Handunugoda Tea Estate, Seenigama Muhudu Viharaya, Rumasalla Mountain, Galle Fort, Mihiripenna Beach, Tsunami Honganji Vihara, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Bentota Beach, Saffron Robes.
Restaurants in Galle District
1. Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,489 reviews
Reviewed By LesleynD - Perth, Australia
We visited Galle on a day trip from Negombo. It's very clean and surprisingly not many people around except many courting couples hidden in the nooks and crannies behind a strategically placed umbrella :) We have a lovely walk around the Clock Tower and enjoyed the views of the ocean, Internation Cricket Ground and activities going on around the fort. A few vendors around the place touting their wares but not pushy. Nice historic fort to visit for a few hours.
2. Handunugoda Tea Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 524 reviews
Reviewed By LizzyLeeton - Leeton, Australia
Another tea estate we thought but we were really glad we decided to come here. You are taken by tuk tuk and given an individual tour of the plantation and given a great cup of tea along the way. You then go tothe factory where you can see, touch and smell the tea making process which was fascinating. You also learn about the Virgin White Tea which this estate is famous for. There was a shop at the end but there was nopressure to buy anything. There were numerous teas available for taste testing, which we did, and ended up buying some , including the Virgin White Tea. We also bought a great souvenir inthe form of a book called The Suicide Club which is the story of the founder, and thattoo was very enjoyable.
3. Seenigama Muhudu Viharaya
4. Rumasalla Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By B6073ASvijayk
A visit to Galle Dutch Fort is incomplete without a visit to Rumassala Kanda. The Dutch fort lends you a picturesque landscape to the eyes. A great place to watch the sea at play with the contours of the beach running along as far as the eye can see and then you see the Rumasalla Kanda. It is very fascinating indeed. In the sea to land rise evolution, one invariably find the sea with the beach and the land rising slowly up with the vegetation coming along. There is always a definite angle and slope to it. But here at Galle you find the Rumassala Kanda piece of land jutting out like a dolphin nose and one can see that it is out of place in this geography along the coast with its unique rocky topology. This lends great credence to the folklore that it is the piece that fell of the mountain which Lord Hanuman was carrying with him while flying over Lanka, bearing the Sanjeevani herb meant to cure Lord Lakshman. Awesome sight from the Dutch Fort. Must visit and also see the Japanese Peace Pagoda, lovely piece of architecture.
5. Galle Fort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,404 reviews
Galle is located in the south of Sri Lanka. Close by are magnificent beaches, rainforests and other attractions.
Reviewed By K5433XUjanm - Ostrava, Czech Republic
Nice walk around the old fortifications, fine breeze from the sea :-) i do reccomend in the morning or evening :-)
6. Mihiripenna Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
Reviewed By dr_nilusha - Colombo, Sri Lanka
One of the safe and sound beaches in Galle. It is a great place to stay at sunset. Sea bath also making us fresh. The only problem is the parking problem.
7. Tsunami Honganji Vihara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 611 reviews
Reviewed By seevalid - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Five of us visited Tsunami Honganji Vihara on 26th December 2019, exactly fifteen years after the 2004 boxing day tsunami - the most destructive natural disaster to hit Sri Lanka. Over 2000 lost their lives at this village, Peraliya. 1700 of these were caught hapless inside an express train that was plying from Colombo to Galle along the rail-track only a short distance from the sea. The train had halted as there were people on the railway line that was lying above the surrounding land filled with water from the first wave of the tsunami. When the train stopped people climbed on to the stationary train. The second more forceful wave swept the train off the ground along with the people. Most people on the train perished. Thousands of families were devasted in this village. There were many visitors at this temple on that fifteenth anniversary day to remember the lost and loved ones. We too participated in the Buddhist commemoration activities conducted in the evening. The yellow coloured compassionate serene statue standing in the middle of a lake is said to be the replica of the Bhamian Buddha in Afghanistan destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. The 30-metre statue gazes out into the Indian ocean that brought such destruction to that "Peraliya" coastal village. The statue had been built with Japanese assistance. Entrance is free. Since this is a place of worship visitors are required to be modestly dressed. Footwear are left at the entrance. Whilst there, we heard stories of the disaster from several survivors. It was a moment and a place for quiet contemplation remembering and imagining what it would have been for the unsuspecting victims!
8. Japanese Peace Pagoda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 906 reviews
Reviewed By otahala - Prague, Czech Republic
Very nice and religious place with beautiful views. I recommend a walk along the gallery of the pagoda, soaking up the atmosphere, of course, bare feet. Negative are only local residents who want a small contribution even for greeting. I recommend a visit.
9. Bentota Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,256 reviews
Reviewed By SheranFernando - Rome, Italy
Bentota Beach Hotel, an icon in Sri Lankan architecture and a property with a rich history reconstructed by Bawa’s student, Channa Daswatte is a true tribute to Sri Lanka’s most famed architect Geoffrey Bawa. Standing on the balcony of the Geoffrey Bawa Suite, you see the sea on the right and the Bentota river on the left, and Sripada and the central hills on the far right, all in one view. This view, according to architect Channa Daswatte makes this property the one that links the land and the sea. The ‘new’ Bentota Beach is not merely a recreation or a restoration. The main building of the old hotel has been reconstructed newly, as it was built by Bawa. This showcases Bawa’s wide architectural influences ranging from Bali to ancient Sri Lankan monuments. Inside the hotel has the signature of Geoffrey Bawa and the period it was constructed in, but in a modern and functional representation. The lead architect Channa Daswatte has done an amazing job, not only to archive an iconic construction but also through his brilliance, make it a fresh, modern and functional. It is a museum and treasure trove of art and architecture, that concurrently delivers a guests expectections from a modern luxury hotel.
10. Saffron Robes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By 487infinityh
I buy there masks, luxury paintings, can use visa/mc. Very friendly stuff and music... 4 floors, with terrase with sea view.
