The old port city of Galle on the south-western coast of Sri Lanka is dominated by its striking fort and within its walls, the remnants of three European conquests (by the Portuguese, Dutch and British) is clear to see.
Around two hour’s drive from Colombo, we visited the city for a day trip during our stay on the south coast. It was around a 45 minute drive from our hotel in Welligama and well worth looking around to absorb some of Sri Lanka’s colonial history.
Galle (pronounced ‘gawl’) is separated into an old town and a new town. As we entered the gates of the fortified old town, the impressive Galle Fort stood before us with its tall imposing clock tower looking down on us (it was undergoing work when we visited).
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Galle Fort is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers. Although started by the Portuguese in the 16th century the Dutch completed the fort in the 17th century. Galle then served as the main port of Sri Lanka for around 200 years until it moved to Colombo.
In more recent history, when the Boxing day tsunami hit in 2004, the walls of the Fort helped limit damage to the old town (and no doubt save countless lives) although the new town was badly hit and 4,000 people were killed.
Galle Fort is impressive to walk around with fantastic views over the ocean and, of more interest to my husband, you also get a good view of Galle International Cricket Stadium.
The area is touristy and we were a little uneasy with the snake charmers lining the walkway up to the Fort (my husband hates snakes) and I wasn’t keen on the pet monkeys some of the sellers had with them –  attached to a rope lead. But, they were harmless enough, along with the persistent hawkers. We ended up buying a lace dress for our daughter “made by my mother and sister” only to discover half a dozen more around the corner – with the same story. Still, it’s a cute dress.
There is plenty to see in Galle. We spent much of our time wandering the streets filled with arty and boutique shops and admiring the architecture built by the various European invaders. If are keen to shop there is no shortage of arty and boutique shops selling everything from fabrics to crafts and jewellery (although our driver informed us you get a better price on gems if you veer out of the touristy old town and go to the new town).
Along the defence walls of the old town stands an 18 metre lighthouse built in 1938 which is still in use today. The area was busy with more hawkers and tourists gazed out at the views across the ocean.
As  the day neared to an end, the locals washed off the heat of the day in the sea.
As we wandered back through the town, we came across young men performing wheelies on their bikes and playing cricket in a square in the shadow of a very impressive tree.
With our time in Galle almost up, we headed to the Amangalla Hotel for a drink and to cool down. The 5-star hotel provided a relaxing refuge after an afternoon walking the hot streets. The oldest part of the colonial building  dates to 1684 and the complex was completed in 1715 by the Dutch. If you were looking to stay the night in Galle in 5 star luxury this looks like the place to do it.
With our driver ready to take us back to our hotel we headed off as the sun was setting. As we were leaving, a game of cricket was being played under the walls of the fort, just opposite the cricket ground. The perfect scene to end a very pleasant afternoon in Galle, Sri Lanka.
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I loved Galle! So many cool boutiques there, it was a real joy to just wander around up and down the little lanes
Yes definitely! Great to explore and good shopping too
looks great!
Tanja (the Red phone box travels) recently posted…Ferarri ISN’T made in Ferrara
It’s fab! X
It’s so interesting to see a different part of Sri Lanka besides the touristy beach areas we always see! #CityTripping
Thanks…there’s so much more to the country than the beaches (although they are great).
What an exotic destination! Amangalla Hotel looks like such a nice hotel to end off the day. Looks pricey though. :p
Bumble Bee Mum recently posted…Gotemba Kogen Toki No Sumika – Slow House Villa Review
It was a great end to the day…I was on the soft drinks but don’t think it was too bad (but then I do live in London)!
We visited Galle a few years ago for a wedding and stayed at the Amangalla — it was fantastic. The guys played a game of cricket on that ground and we walked the wall. It’s a lovely place — and I bought a fantastic ring from one of the boutiques on the little streets near the water. Thanks for bringing back some great memories. #citytripping
Jennifer Howze recently posted…10 bars every American should visit in London
Ah, great memories…glad to have brought them back! Amangalla definitely looks like the place to stay – bet it was lovely.
Fascinating…I haven’t been to Sri Lanka yet. I think like you I’d try to avoid the snake charmers, but it must have been fascinating coming into contact with all that history.
Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com recently posted…A walk in Oslo’s Nordmarka Forest
Thanks Nell, it was a really interesting exploration of a city which has so much history.
Amusing to find that pretty much everything I know about Sri Lankans, which is that they are mad about cricket, comes across loud and clear to the casual visitor! And I am quite cheered to hear that the colonial fortress came in handy in actually protecting them a bit in the tsunami.
Mama Herself recently posted…Central Children’s Store at Lubyanka, Moscow
Yes- they are totally cricket mad! The fort certainly did prove its worth although the country as a whole was badly hit.
So interested in this post as you know Elizabeth as we are planning a trip to Sri Lanka later this year (in the rainy season I might add but not much choice). Love all your pics – Galle looks beautiful – you’ve captured it’s vibe really well…thanks for some good tips – off to read your Kandy post now!:)
Thanks Abbie, you’re going to have such a fantastic time. Hope I’ve provided some inspiration. x
Sri Lanka is really one of those places that has roused some interest in me lately 🙂 I think I might add it to my travel list. Did you do a lot of planning before the trip?
Lia recently posted…Mindfulness on the Road – How to experience more
It’s a fascinating country – definitely worth adding to the list. Yes, we did a fair bit of planning before we went…will be writing our itinerary up at some point. Thanks for reading and commenting.
It looks really interesting. I loved the colonial Dutch architecture in Cochin in southern India and there seems to be some similarities. Thanks for teaching me how to pronounce it – I wouldn’t have guessed it was ‘gawl’! I love the look of the hotel too. #citytripping
Clare Thomson (Suitcases and Sandcastles) recently posted…The Ten Best Free Things to do in London
Thanks Clare. I can imagine it’s pretty similar to southern India.
I love being able to see how European architecture and culture survives in other parts of the world. Thank you for sharing these photos with us!
Christy Swagerty (whatupswags) recently posted…Prague in Photos
You’re welcome Christy…thanks for commenting and linking to #citytripping x
We never made it as far south as Galle – giving us plenty of reason to return to Sri Lanka again, such an enchanting place! #citytripping
Keri recently posted…Exploring Phnom Penh Cambodia with Kids
We loved it as well! Would definitely go back sometime.
hehe we did something similar in China with these pictures. we were told they were hand stitched by mother/daughter – takes years etc etc. how stupid were we haha! #citytripping
Haha – I know – glad its not just me Emma! I knew it probably wasn’t totally true but we literally went around the corner and the sellers were churning out the exact same line AND offering a cheaper price. Oh well.
I remember doing lots of shopping in the little boutiques in Galle although no snake charmers and monkeys when we went for a walk around the fort – I also remember it being incredibly humid there though so maybe they’d gone somewhere cooler! #citytripping
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…City Tripping #26
Haha – maybe! Or perhaps the allure of tourists is too great for them now.
You can certainly see the colonial influence in your photos! I’m not very good at sitting on beaches so a visit to Galle would definitely appeal. Glad to see that tourism has helped it bounce back after the tsunami too. #citytripping
Christine recently posted…How we spent 48 hours in Belfast
I’m with you on that Christine… I am not great at relaxing and sunbathing so having cities like Galle close by was perfect to get a culture fix while on the coast.
So lovely to relive memories of Galle via your photos. I loved walking along the wall and chilling out with some cocktails as the sun set .. pre kids! #citytripping
Katy recently posted…Photo journal – trip to Hobart, Australia
Sounds like a lovely trip Katy – glad to have brought happy memories back.
I’m enjoying your posts on Sri Lanka, another place for the bucket list. The Amangalla Hotel looks stunning and it’s so interesting to see the various influences of the European occupiers. #CityTripping
Cindy recently posted…Snapshots from Fano, Italy #2
Thanks Cindy, Sri Lanka is definitely a country to visit
This is a city I would like to visit. The colonial charm and history are so appealing to me. Everything sounded great until you mentioned the snake charmers. I am like your husband. I will need to enter that fort with my eyes closed.
Ruth recently posted…Saint Jean de Luz: Pure Basque Charm
Haha – the snake charmers (and monkeys) were not a highlight for me!
I had never heard of Galle, thank you for introducing me to it! It is always interesting for me to see the remains of colonial times: the only real experience I have of it in Asia it’s Macau and this reminds me of it somehow (minus the snakes and monkeys 🙂 ) #citytrippin
Marta recently posted…Of chipmunks and men: camping in Quebec with kids
That’s interesting. Never been to Macau but I’m sure the Portuguese influence is similar.
Aside from all the history which sounds fascinating the street sellers always make an interesting study don’t they? We had big fun with the camel sellers in Dubai….
They do! They are certainly big characters!
so interesting. it isn’t somewhere I have been to. Yet. I think I’d be avoiding the snake charmers too! 😉 #citytripping
Rebecca | AAUBlog recently posted…A Quick Overnight Stay in Denver
I like the ‘yet’ Rebecca! Ha, yes, I am not a fan!
Sri Lanka isn’t a place that I’ve heard much about, so it is interesting to read about your trip, no less with a kid! How was it to visit Sri Lanka with a child?
Hi Elizabeth, it was fine going there with a child. The Sri Lankans are really welcoming and she got lots of attention. There were quite a few other families on holiday in the south coast. It’s quite hot there (especially on the coast) but we stayed out of the midday sun as much as possible.
I’ve never been to Sri Lanka, and know little about it, actually, so it was great to see it through this post!
Diana Elle, Travel Tuesday Co-Host recently posted…The Best of Travel Tuesday
It’s a great country! We loved it there.
Really interesting and not what you’re used to seeing when you think of Sri Lanka. Not somewhere I’ve ever been
Glad you found it interesting! Sri Lanka is a really diverse country..lots to see and experience. x
Wander Mum recently posted…10 Sights To See In Sicily With Kids
So interesting, I had no idea the history was so complex. And how amazing that those ancient walls held strong in a modern crisis! How do you feel the country was recovering from the tsunami in general?
This sounds like a great place to visit, I hope I can make it one day.
It seems as though it had recovered pretty well. Along the south coast the tsunami has changed the coastline quite a lot but there were no real signs left of the devastation it caused. You should definitely visit one day xxx