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Galle, Sri Lanka

Galle

Visit Galle

Introduction

Galle was said to be the ancient city of Tarshish. As legend has it, the port traded not only with Persians and Egyptians, but also with King Solomon. The place suits this romantic notion, for it remains something of a time warp and preserves a distinctive character - European architecture with South Asian influences. This is thanks to the fort built by the Dutch in 1663 and further fortified by the Portuguese, which continues to protect the buildings within. Walk through the fort gates, and wander and wonder at the beguiling collection of buildings and culture stretching back centuries.

Fort Galle remains a functioning community, with offices, local companies and people living and working here. Some of the old villas are now boutique hotels, and some vintage Dutch villas are now rental properties, adding further to the ambience, as does the Galle Literary Festival. The ramparts surrounding this eclectic mix make for a splendid walk with splendid views, particularly from the old magazine by the 20-metre-high lighthouse - built by the British in 1939. In one direction lies the ever-changing sea, on the other the preserved architectural delights of this World Heritage Site.

 

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Top itineraries in Galle

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Best of Sri Lanka

15-day tailor-made holiday from £5,260 pp incl. flights

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Elephants in Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan Wildlife and Whales

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Top places to stay in Galle

Pool, The Fortress Resort and Spa

The Fortress Resort and Spa, Galle

Contemporary resort

A boutique beachfront resort - and Wexas favourite - The Fortress Resort and Spa is styled like an ancient Dutch fort, blending Dutch and Portuguese influences with Sri Lankan motifs and furnishings.

Top View, Aditya Resort, Galle

Aditya Resort, Galle

Contemporary resort

Aditya Resort is an exclusive beachside resort, in a fascinating corner of Galle Island

AVANI Kalutara Resort, Sri Lanka

AVANI Kalutara Resort Sri Lanka

Contemporary resort

Set on a peninsula with the Indian Ocean on side and the mighty Kalu Ganga River on the other, the AVANI Kalutara Resort seamlessly blends authentic Sri Lankan culture, old colonial charm and contemporary design.

Galle articles

Romantic hotels around the world

With love in the air, what better time to take a look at some truly romantic hotels from around the world? Whether you're searching for a romantic escape, honeymoon paradise, once-in-a-lifetime getaway or simply some quality time with that special someone, these properties are guaranteed to impress.

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Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0613 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

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