Luxury Galle
Tours made for you
Galle Fort
A 17th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site
Art and culture
A fusion of European and South Asian influences
Landmarks and museums
Galle Lighthouse, National Maritime Museum and All Saints Church
The historic jewel of southern Sri Lanka
Galle is a stunningly atmospheric town at the southern edge of Sri Lanka with fascinating history evident at every turn through its eclectic assemblage of architecture.
Galle Fort itself is sat on an angular promontory that juts out into the sea. An important seaport for the spice trade long before the arrival of Europeans, the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century only to be usurped by the Dutch who built the impressive granite fort – the largest of its kind in Asia – that encloses and demarcates the old town, before they in turn were replaced by the British.
Today the walls and everything inside them are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with beautiful Dutch fusion architecture, a commanding Victorian lighthouse, grand churches and mosques, all in a sultry tropical setting.
But the town also refuses to become a relic, with numerous civic buildings still fulfilling their original purpose and the modern town extending inland. Spice traders and merchants have been replaced by an equally cosmopolitan crowd of artists, writers, designers and poets, and its small streets are packed with boutique shops, buzzing little bars and cafes as well as a smattering of charming hotels. The fishermen sat over the waves on their stilts carry on angling as they always have done.
Highlights
Explore Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Browse its boutiques and local markets
Visit the National Maritime Archaeology Museum
Learn all about one of the world’s most popular drinks at the Handunugoda Tea Museum
Galle is a captivating blend of history and coastal charm. Wander the cobblestone streets of the fort and watch the sunset over the ramparts, it's a place where every corner tells a story.
Keith Jarman
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Galle
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Where to go
Colombo
Hot and busy, recent years have seen Colombo gradually transform from a place visitors could not avoid to a fascinating destination well worth exploring.
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Cultural Triangle
Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa were the three great Sinhalese capitals, and together they form the area known as the Cultural Triangle.
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Gal Oya National Park
Gal Oya National Park is something of a hidden gem, one of Sri Lanka’s least visited national parks due to its remoteness and dearth of accommodation, yet it is a place of beautiful landscapes home to vibrant wildlife.
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Kandy
A world of ancient kings, ornate temples, lush gardens and vibrant traditions – Kandy is the second largest city in Sri Lanka and its cultural capital.
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Koggala Lake
A short way east along the coast from Galle Fort, Koggala is a small town fronted by one of the longest beaches in Sri Lanka and backed by a large lake.
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Tangalle
A meandering stretch of rugged cliffs and beautiful sandy bays on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, all protected by a vast enclosing reef, you’ll find a collection of the island’s best beaches and a small collection of blissful resorts west of Tangalle.
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Tea Country
Dotted across lush ranked fields, women quickly but meticulously harvest leaves by hand, baskets slung across their backs. Stretching across the island’s midsection, this is Sri Lanka’s tea country and quite possibly the origin of your favourite morning cuppa.
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Yala National Park
Occupying the south-eastern corner of the island, the vast Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s second largest national park and also its most popular.
Discover moreMeet your Indian Subcontinent team
When to visit
The south coast is at its peak between November and March – the seas are considered unsafe for swimming outside of these respective months. The monsoons bring rain in May and June, with an inter-monsoon affecting October and early November. Average temperatures are 27-30° but a sea breeze can make it feel a little cooler.
Monsoon rains
May–June
Water activities
November–March
Plan your trip to Galle
Whatever you want from your adventure in Galle, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.
