Galle is a deeply enriched city that stands gloriously and imperiously on the southwestern coastline of Sri Lanka, looking out to the glittering Indian Ocean. Taking a walk through its lanes can and will see you get happily lost in history, culture and art.

At its heart is Galle Fort, a heavily fortified city first established in the 1500s by Portuguese colonists at a time when adventurer Vasco de Gama was roaming the southern seas on his many explorations.

The arrival of the Dutch saw the town fortified and converted into a major trading hub for spices over the next few centuries before the British steamed into then-Ceylon and made it a Crown Colony in 1807.

Although Ceylon was renamed Sri Lanka and attained independence from the British in 1972, the centuries of influence have left their mark. Whether it’s speaking the English language, the beautiful architectural styles, or their European atmosphere, all seamlessly combine with the Sri Lankan’s own stamp of culture, art and history.

It is within Galle that all these influences converge to leave the traveller bedazzled.

Galle, Sri Lanka - Where Past and Modernism Seamlessly Combine - The Wise Traveller - Fort

Pausing within Galle Fort gives you a great opportunity to realize the genius of the street plan. It was originally star-shaped and designed to withstand cannon fire. The fort’s 14 bastions were created to ensure a stout defence from all angles. You can now appreciate from bastion-level panoramic views of the ocean and looking inwards, the Fort sprawls out over 130 acres.

The fort is packed with bustling little streets and alleyways offering tempting views of past grandeur. Ancient homes, boutique shops, and restaurants nestle under terracotta roofs.

Indeed, the Unesco World Heritage site is a major delight for history enthusiasts as they can indulge in buildings such as the Dutch reform church built in 1750, British wooden bungalows, and other colonial architecture. Whether it’s the beautiful 1848-built lighthouse, the clock tower, the Maritime Museum, or the Meeran Mosque, Galle Fort reeks of history from every pour without being boring.

Even cricket, a popular sport among Sri Lankans, was noted as being played in Galle in 1875 when the Galle Cricket Club hosted a team of military cricketers then stationed there.

In this cauldron of culture, visitors will also be more than charmed, inspired and fed by Galle’s art, culture and gastronomic delights. It is teeming with an array of fine dining establishments, quirky cafes and eateries, all hoping to coax them in for quality food. Further enriching the scene is a starry collection of bars and taverns.

Galle, Sri Lanka - Where Past and Modernism Seamlessly Combine - The Wise Traveller - Coastline

To add to the stay is, indeed, the opulence of the hotels in the area. For example, the Fort Bazaar is a delightful 17th-century merchant’s house-turned-boutique hotel, with a Middle Eastern vibe.

For shopping, there is a boutique buzz about the place. Even if you are hankering after an ice cream, Galle does it with aplomb. The Piccadilly Parlour began in 1949 and was the first ice cream parlour in Sri Lanka. It was revived and has become a firm favourite. While choosing one of 45 delicious flavours, check out the funky décor, which offers a distinct retro feel.

There are also many art galleries to disappear into and while away many hours out of the blazing sun. And if you are in the right place at the right time – February 6-9, 2025 – you can enjoy the Galle Literary Festival.

Conclusion:

Galle is a wonderful place to enjoy at any time of the year, even in the rain. It is a place that, once visited, will always have you thinking of visiting again and again.


Andy Probert - The Wise TravellerAndy Probert is an independent PR writer and journalist who writes about travel experiences, airlines, airports, new tech and business. His work has appeared on the BBC, in The Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph, The Sun, Daily Mirror, as well as many newspapers/magazines globally.