Galle / Places to visit

1. Beaches
2. Wildlife safaris
3. Polonnaruwa
4. Anuradhapura
5. Sigiriya
6. Dambulla cave temples
7. Galle
8. Sacred city of Kandy
9. Southern Hill Country
10. Colombo

The Sri Lankan port of Galle (pronounced Gaul) lies close to the island’s southernmost point, and is Sri Lanka’s fourth largest city. The old Dutch quarter known as ‘The Fort’ is the heart of modern Galle, though somewhat separate from it. It is Sri Lanka’s best-conserved area of colonial architecture.

The Fort has some of the most splendid and intact colonial structures in South East Asia, from 16th century Portuguese to 17th and 18th century Dutch, with some 19th century British buildings.

The area was made an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, and has a quiet, understated charm; it is an old but working village complete with post offices, courts, schools, shops, and religious buildings, several of which have not changed for over a century.

The massive stone walls separate the fortified Sri Lankan colonial town from the bustling modern town of Galle. The Fort is surrounded by coral and small private beaches, easily able to give visitors a couple of pleasurable days of trundling around the atmospheric old streets and walls, enjoying the relaxed pace of life. Here are some of the world's best hotels, spas and food, making it the perfect place to rest and recuperate from the stressful western lifestyle.