Discovering the west coast beaches on one-day tour from Colombo to Galle
There are immaculate beaches, mangrove lagoons, bays and bays with a rainbow of colors scattered over the Indian Ocean. Thus, you may see some of the best beaches and friendliest people on the island in Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Galle, and southern Sri Lanka during the one-day tour from Colombo to Galle. Discover the art of Ayurvedic medicine, which uses herbs and spices, and the efforts made by the locals to preserve endangered sea turtles. Walking tour of Galle Fort, the oldest continuously inhabited city in Asia and the best maintained in the world, is the highlight of your one-day tour from Colombo to Galle. The south and west beaches of Sri Lanka might captivate you with their personalised sightseeing tours and transfers, local knowledge, and stunning scenery.
Demand for one-day tour from Colombo to Galle
Both local and foreign tourists love to travel to Galle. Among the top 10 single-day travel destinations in Sri Lanka are Galle, along with other well-liked excursions like the Kandy tour from Colombo, the Bentota tour from Colombo, the Udawalawe National Park tour from Colombo, Negombo Beach, Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Golden Temple, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Sinharaja Rain Forest, and Yala National Park. Thus, all these day trip destinations may be quickly and easily visited from Colombo. Therefore, you ought to give the above stated place serious thought if you are looking for places to go for a day trip when planning a trip to Sri Lanka.
Why is Galle always on the trip schedules?
Galle is a well-liked day trip location in Sri Lanka and is frequently included in itineraries for the south coast of the nation. Most day excursions to Galle (from Colombo or any other city) include the eight sites below. These are the best places in Galle to spend a day. The Galle day tours are quite popular among tourists and are thought to be really beautiful excursions with lots of interesting places to see. On the Galle city tour, you will go to one of the most beautiful parts of Sri Lanka—the south.
Among Sri Lanka’s one-day trips are those to Galle, whale watching, and Bentota.
One-day tours in Sri Lanka are reasonably priced with Seerendipity Excursions. Go to www.seerendipitytours.com for additional information on a plethora of various one-day trips leaving from Sri Lanka.
Day tours departing from Colombo
Arrival in Galle from Colombo
If your time on a Galle tour is limited, suppose you can only travel for eight hours. You will love this classic Sri Lankan vacation to the south shore. One day travel from Colombo to Galle includes all of the main tourist attractions, including as Galle Fort, the Madu Estuary, Hikkaduwa, and the Kande Vihara Temple.
Cost of one-day tour from Colombo to Galle
The one-day trip to Galle from Colombo cost US$59 per person, based on two people. If you purchase the Galle excursion just for one person, there is a single extra, but it is doable. The price covers all ground transportation, including transfers for arrival and departure, and a qualified tour guide.
Two day-tour from Colombo to Galle
A popular two-day trip among Sri Lankan tourists is the trip to Galle. It is one of the most fascinating things to do in Sri Lanka and, if you can spare two days, provides a very unique mix of tourist sites and activities. This two-day tour of the south coast visits Galle, the Galle fort, the Spice Garden, the Moonstone Mines, the Mask Museum, the Buddhist Temple, and takes in trips to the mangrove lagoon, a whale watching tour, and a sea turtle conservation project. You’ll get the opportunity to relax at the end of Day 1 when the group spends the night at a south coast beach resort.
Three day tours from Colombo to Galle along the south coast
A three-day journey to southern Sri Lanka offers a great opportunity to see the most important natural, tropical, and cultural sites in the area; hence, it is well worth your time. Beach time is included in the vacation, along with two overnight stays. Stops on this three-day tour include the Sea Turtle Conservation Project, the Mask Museum, the Spice and Herbal Garden, the Galle Fort, and whale-watching cruises in Mirissa and Yalla Safari.
Can I book one-day tour from Colombo to Galle my resort?
One can organize from Colombo the 400+ beach resorts on the west coast, as well as the Galle one-day trip, Galle two-day tour, and southern Sri Lanka tour. If you arrange the Galle excursion from a beach resort like Negombo, the price may somewhat increase because of the additional transportation expenses.
Galle tour for two days with Mirissa from Colombo
This two-day journey to southern Sri Lanka covers a lot of important tourist sites, such as Hikkaduwa Beach, Mirissa Beach, the Mask Museum, the One Mines, and the Galle Fort. Additionally included in the package is an all-inclusive whale-watching cruise off Mirissa. The plan covers lodging, two meals a day, and transfers both ways.
Taking a one-day tour from Colombo to Galle
Both by car and train, Galle is easily reachable. Several rapid trains go between Colombo and Galle every day. Additionally available is bus travel, which leaves from the main bus stop of the fort on a regular basis. Galle is also served by air from most big cities, including Kandy and Colombo, however, it is more costly than other modes of transportation.
Demand for a Colombo to Galle transport
A one-day trip to Galle is among Sri Lanka’s most well-liked tourist destinations, both domestic and foreign. Given the short journey from Colombo to the international airport, this one-day excursion is very appealing to many transiting foreign tourists. In the same vein, it attracts a lot of cruise ship visitors who spend more time on the island. The one-day trip to Galle is marked as a day tour, but it can also be completed as a half-day excursion because the visitors have to travel around 100 kilometers from Colombo as well.
What is the ideal route one-day tour from Colombo to Galle?
If you choose to drive for your one-day trip, the A1 highway and the Galle-Colombo main road are your two options. Overall, taking the highway may reduce your travel time. But if you take the highway, you might have trouble seeing the sights that are part of the program. It makes sense to utilize the A1 highway in both directions if you plan to visit Galle Fort and a few other beaches nearby.
We suggest using the A2 main road as it offers simple access to well-known tourist spots included in the program, such as the Mask Museum, Kande Vihara Temple, Herbal Garden/Spice Garden, Sea Turtle Watching at the Conservation Center, etc. From Colombo to Galle or back, you must, in our experience, use the Colombo-Galle A2 route at least.
Driving the southern highway takes about an hour to reach the destination. Nevertheless, there won’t be any pauses along the route, so you won’t be able to explore the tourist attractions in Galle City or the regions between Galle and Colombo.
If you wish to tour the places on our Galle one-day travel itinerary, take the Galle-Colombo major road, which parallels the west coast beach. There are couple of big cities along the way, and the road is in great condition. All the important places on this route are conveniently close to the Galle-Colombo major road. Many times throughout the way, our guide will make stops at interesting locations.
Itinerary of one-day tour from Colombo to Galle
The duration indicated here could vary according to things like traffic jams and how long sightseeing takes. This day journey from Colombo to Sri Lanka leaves at six a.m.
7:00 AM: Colombo Hotel Pick-Up for Galle Sightseeing Tour
09:00 AM: Stopover at Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Centre
09:40 AM: Madu River boat trip and mangrove forest exploration
11.45 AM: Stopover by the Mask Museum in Ambalangoda
12:10 PM: Mines of moonstone and workshop
1:00 PM: Hikkaduwa lunch and beach exploration
2::30 PM: Enjoy a one-hour self-guided walking tour of the Galle Fort
04:00 PM: Leave the Fort
5.30 PM: Return to the hotel Colombo
Leaving from Colombo or west coast beach hotels, the private Galle one-day trip visits the most well-liked tourist spots between Colombo and Galle. Among the places you see on this trip are the spice garden, mask museum, Madu River Estuary, Hikkaduwa Beach, Bentota Beach, and Galle Fort.
For additional information about the one-day Galle City Tour, Fortress, Madu River Estuary, Sri Lanka, click here.
Galle journey over two days from Bentota
Galle Day trips leave from around 140 west coast beach resorts. The schedule below is for travelers starting their Galle Journey Exploration, Bentota, or another west coast beach resort.
8:00 AM: Leave Bentota for a hotel pickup and Galle sightseeing.
9:00 AM: Stop at Kosgoda Sea Turtle exploration
9:40 AM: Madu River boat trip and mangrove forest exploration
11:45 AM: Stop by the Mask Museum in Ambalangoda
12:10 AM: Mines of moonstone and workshop
1:00 PM: Hikkaduwa lunch and beach exploration
2:30 PM: Enjoy a one-hour self-guided walking tour
4:00 PM: Arrival at the Fort
5:00 PM: Back at the hotel in Colombo
What must one see on a one-day tour from Colombo to Galle?
- Study on turtle conservation
- Kosgoda beach
- a herb garden
- Madu River estuary (boat trip)
- Cinnamon island
- Hikkaduwa Beach
- moonstone mining and gem lapidary equipment
- Galle Fort
- A Galle City Tour
- Masks Exhibitions
References
Church of the Galle Dutch Reformed.
Tourist destinations in Galle.
The construction of the Galle Lighthouse saved millions of ships.
Galle Day Trip from Bentota
Galle, Sri Lanka, has palm-fringed beaches and old-world appeal.
Sri Lanka Fort Galle
Views of Galle During a Tour
What exploration a Colombo-based one-day trip to Galle
A very scenic one-day excursion to Galle takes in every beach on Sri Lanka’s west coast. You will have to enjoy the area’s immaculate palm-lined beaches, picturesque countryside, Dutch Fort, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, wildlife, and mangrove forests during the Galle city tour. The tour’s numerous noteworthy west coast tourism spots and a number of Galle day-trip locations will become public very soon.
Galle day trips
This is a whole list of the tourist sites in Galle. Seerendipity Tours can be reached at seerendipitytours@gmail.com if you would like to see every site on this list. Traveling to Galle from Colombo may take one day, two days, or three days, depending on how much time you have to spend sightseeing and relaxing.
- Dutch Fort in Galle
- Institute of Lace Weaving
- Conserving sea turtles project
- Airline reserve of Hikkaduwa
- Hunting around the Madu River
- Galle’s Marine Museum
- The Church of the Galle Dutch Reformed
- A folk museum managed by Martin Wickramasinghe
- Plantations of tea in Handungoda
- Jungle Beach, Unawatuna
- Galle’s submerged museum
- Rain forest next to the reservoir of Hiyare
- Devata Bay
- Anhangama Stilt Fishing
You could be curious as to the best day trip spots in Colombo before you leave for Galle. That is the reason you came onto this page. Thus, the best way to explore southern Sri Lanka is to take a sightseeing tour of Galle, which includes the colonial city that proudly lies at the southwest border of the country. Along with temples, museums, beaches, mangrove forests, and handicraft studios, the Galle tour also visits a plethora of other intriguing day-trip locations.
Galle, a significant city in southern Sri Lanka, is easily accessible by bus or train. An hour is all it takes for tourists staying on Sri Lanka’s west coast to go to Galle. While there are many of great public transit choices, thus you maximize your time in Galle. Engaging a knowledgeable driver or guide makes finding the attraction easy and saves time.
Only a few Sri Lanka holiday packages include Galle.
- 2 days to Sri Lanka
- 3 days to Sri Lanka
- 4 days to Sri Lanka
- 5 days to Sri Lanka
- 6 days to Sri Lanka
- 7 days to Sri Lanka
Colombo to Galle one-day excursion transportation
Driving in a private car reserved exclusively for your group will guarantee the highest level of privacy during your Galle city tour. All of our transportation is by modern, air-conditioned vehicles driven by well trained guides.
What is covered by the one-day Colombo to Galle trip?
Along with all entry costs per the tour itinerary and all taxes, ground transportation is included. Lunch will be spent making a stop at the seafood hotspot of the island, Hikkaduwa. Though they bear the cost of the purchases, visitors are free to make any purchases they see fit.
Tour of Galle City
Those who are allocated the time, Thus, there is a brief program called the Galle city tour. All the main southern Sri Lankan tourist attractions are included in the private Galle city trip. Visits to famous historical sites like the Galle Fort and stunning beaches like Bentota and Hikkaduwa are also part of the itinerary.
An excursion to Galle one day from Colombo via the Madu River
If you wish to take a Madu river boat tour as your day trip to Galle from Colombo or other west coast resorts in Sri Lanka, that is the ideal option. You won’t have to worry about transportation because the Madu River safari and the Galle excursion can be combined and local tour operators take care of the boat trip.
? biological importance led to the Ramsar Wetland certification for this site in 2003. Its importance as a wetland earned it the status of second-largest wetland in Sri Lanka. About 300 people live on 23 different-sized islands that make up the marsh, which spans over 915 hectares. Currently overseen as a Special Area Managed (SAM) and Tourist Development Area by the Coast Conservation Department. Through Balapitiya runs the “Madu Ganga” river.
Among the eight locations in Galle that are ideal for day outings is the boat tour on the Madu estuary. At the most important Ramsar wetland on the island, the Madu River estuary, visitors can take a boat trip to view the varied flora and fauna of the Sri Lankan riverine forest. Most visitors find that observing the cinnamon peelers use traditional instruments while on Cinnamon Island is a truly unique experience. It is pretty possible to spot a lot of animals and birds while on the boat trip. You might see coperators will, water monitors, monkeys, and a great deal of different bird species while on the boat trip.
Savor mouthwatering seafood on a one-day visit to Galle from Colombo
Every one-day trip to Galle starts in Colombo and stops at Hikkaduwa, one of the eight places that can be visited in a single day. Driving from Colombo It is currently the capital of southern Sri Lanka, we pass Hikkaduwa a few kilometers ahead.
There are numerous interesting places to see over this 118-kilometer trip. This blog post concentrates on eight Galle one-day excursion sites; frequent stops will be made at these places. At Hikkaduwa, you get a fantastic opportunity to spoil your taste senses with a feast of fresh seafood and other delicacy. Coral exploration could be included to the schedule of activities if time permits.
From Galle, it takes roughly eight hours to go all southern Sri Lanka in a single day. Daily departure time is 7:30 a.m. there in Colombo. The price also covers the airport transfer. Approximately eight hours of travel time is primarily determined by how much time you require at each stop. This vacation is hop-on, hop-off and offers a lot of activities including historical site visits, animal viewing, and beach hopping.
Galle day trip from Colombo to Bentota beach
Bentota Beach is one of Galle’s most important day-trip attractions. On the island, Bentota Beach is the most well-liked beach resort. Bentota Beach Resort’s unique location is one important element in its appeal as a beach vacation spot. At its most southern point, the island home of the Bentota Resort is joined to the mainland. A narrow band of land that runs mostly along the north-south axis makes up Bentota.
Like most other beaches on the islands, Bentota Beach Resort is located in a special location surrounded by both the sea and a river. Bentota is an island bounded by the Indian Ocean to one side and the Bentota River to another. Several hotels have been built to provide guests a peaceful holiday environment on this small piece of land. Seerendipity Tours offers very affordable online hotel reservations in Bentota.
- List of the top 17 Colombo and Bentota attractions
- Bentota River Safari
- Top 10 things to do in Bentota in a day
- The Blue Whale Highway of Sri Lanka: Whale Watching Bentota
- both to Galle from Bentota and Colombo.
- Bentota to Galle day trip
- Bentota Sri Lankan Ayurveda
Spend a day in Galle from Colombo visiting the sea turtle conservation project.
An often visited day trip location in Galle is the turtle conservation facilities. These programmes have been launched to save the turtle population that is in danger of extinction, and it has been shown that they are rather beneficial in bringing the turtle population back. These conservation centers are located around the western and southern shores of Sri Lanka, wherever turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Five distinct species of sea turtles call the beaches of Sri Lanka, including Rekawa, Bentota, Weligama, and Negombo, home. Turtles are visible from the south coast of Sri Lanka at Rekawa Beach to the northwest at Negombo.
To allow the heat of the sun to feed her eggs, the turtle digs a hole in the beach and covers them with sand. But many locals of the coastal area dig in the sand and discover the sea turtle’s hidden eggs; some of them sell the eggs, while others consume them.
The eggs are now bought by conservation organizations and developed organically in small areas where the birds have little chance to pick them up. The youngsters are now put into the sea at night, giving them a better chance of survival.
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The Madu River estuary, Yala national park, Galle Fort, Moonstone Mines, sea turtle conservation project, Galle fort and Yala wildlife reserve are just a few of the major tourist destinations in southern Sri Lanka that you will see on this two-day private tour. A picnic lunch is included in the full-day safari at Yala National Park. The trip covers lodging, all taxes, a live guide, and all ground transportation to Sri Lankan sites.
Day travel from Colombo to Galle to visit the spice garden
Bentota boasts a herb and spice garden. The early maritime traders were drawn to Sri Lanka by its spices, and the nation’s economy depends heavily on its food and medicine.
One day travel from Colombo to Galle to see the Buddhist temple
Famous Buddhist city Kalutara, 45 kilometers south of Colombo, is a popular destination for pilgrimages because of the Gangatilaka Buddhist temple. The history of Kalutara is extensisecond century BC. According to the historical records, Kalutara is one of the 32 sites that Rev. Mahinda identified to King Devanampiyatissa and that needed to be developed in order to plant one of the 32 saplings of the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree (Bo tree, ficus religiosa) in Anuradhapura. The King bestowed upon the tree his patronage.
According to the Sinhala Maha Bodhi Wansa (chronicle), the historical Kalutara Bodhi lived intact till the Portuguese captured the Maritime Provinces in 1505 A.D. The sixteenth century saw the construction of a Portuguese fort on this hallowed site. Though at that period people did not revere it, it is not thought that the Bodhi (Bo tree) was damaged.
The Kalutara temple became well-known after Pandyan King Wickrama Pandya planted the Bo tree there in 1042 A.D. Still famous on the lowest terrace is the Bo tree. Large numbers of Buddhist followers gather around the Bo tree every day to pay respect to the holy tree. Being a highly respected Buddhist temple, Kalutara Temple expects its guests to follow its rules, which include its dress code.
Originally a Portuguese, then Dutch, and finally British camp, the present top terrace is also referred to as the UDA Maluwa area. Starting in the later half of the 19th century, it functioned as both the Government Agent’s residence and office space during the British era.
On a one-day trip from Colombo to Galle, see Hikkaduwa Beach
Hikkaduwa is a very well-liked beach resort on the west coast of Sri Lanka. One of the best places in the world for water sports, Hikkaduwa offers a plethora of interesting activities including diving, snorkeling, boating and surfing. Most visitors to Sri Lanka come for leisure travel between November and April, which is the peak travel season. Visitors from Colombo planning a one-day trip to Galle may stop briefly here to see unique fish species in the Hikkaduwa marine sanctuary on a glass-bottom boat tour.
Pier at Galle Harbour
Galle Harbour, one of Sri Lanka’s ancient seaports, was a vital Silk Road stopover. A group of Portuguese sailors caught in a storm unintentionally arrived to Galle Harbour. Among the other sailors on board the ship was Lorenzo De Almeida. They later erected a small defense with the permission of the monarch of Sri Lanka. Afterwards, the same seaport was used for imports and exports by the governments of the Netherlands and Britain.
Just what is Galle Fort?
Situated on the western outskirts of Galle City, the Galle fort commands a view of the Indian Ocean. Between the sea and Galle City, it is wedged. The Galle Fort was built in the fifteenth activities, current with the arrival of the Portuguese. Portuguese acquired command of the sea region and erected a fort near the port of Galle. Assuming possession of Galle Fort from the Portuguese government in 1505, the East India Company set up one of its import and export offices there and dominated the spice trade in southern Asia for the following 150 years.
Galle Fort Record
Given to them by the Portuguese in 1505, the Dutch East Indian Company managed the fort’s growth and development. Now in superb shape, the fort has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the most famous mediaeval urban centres in southern Asia was The Fort.
Top tourist attraction in Galle is the fort. Wandering through the crowded, cobblestoned alleyways and hanging galleries is one of the most pleasurable experiences for most visitors. This also stands for a historical and bygone era journey.
A high granite wall separates the Fort, built to a Dutch design, from the outer world. Early on in the fifteenth century, the Portuguese had laid the foundation for the Fort. But the Dutch East India Company had expanded the fort and made it a major city. As such, it was chosen to be the administrative hub of southern Sri Lanka.
Worth of Galle Fort
Possibly the most important high point of the tour, the Galle Fort is one of the most important places to see. Galle Fort has been an important and necessary part of Galle for many years. Galle Fort is a major tourist attraction for the whole southern coast. There are no more recognizable Portuguese-built buildings in Galle Fort. The Dutch built structures took the place of most Portuguese-made ones.
Features of Galle Fort
Today regarded as a component of Sri Lankan history, Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Together with a number of smaller structures housing galleries, shops, and museums, the Fort consists of palaces built in the Dutch style throughout the fifteenth century.
One very active component of Galle City’s cultural heritage is The Fort. A fish market, seafood eateries, village bazaars, museums, galleries, and boutiques are just a few of the tourist destinations surrounding Galle Fort. Both traditional and unique crafts are available in many shops.
The Fort has developed into a closed city with a wide range of cultures and beliefs during the last few centuries. Along with many Dutch nationals who still own portions of the homes within the fort, the Sri Lankan government is hoping to make this one of the modern wonders of the world.
Galle Fort UNESCO site
The fort has been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site under criterion iv because of its special legacy as “an urban ensemble,” which shows how South Asian customs and European architecture interacted from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
Known by another name, the Dutch Fort, the Galle Fort survived the 2004 tsunami that destroyed thousands of lives and swept away a sizable section of the city. The enormous waves had seriously damaged the beachfront area, however the Fort was largely unaffected by its high-rise defensive wall. That was fixed since then.
Usually, the tourists have an hour or so to visit the historic area. The best approach to see the city is to go slowly through the labyrinthine cobblestone lanes, which are lined with shops, cafés, galleries, museums, churches, and hotels.
Along the little lanes that encircle the fort are old Dutch-style homes; most of these have been converted into lavish boutique hotels and are now occupied by foreign visitors.
Take a Southern Sri Lanka trip to view the major tourist destinations on the south coast of Sri Lanka, including wildlife parks, beaches, forts, museums, parks, and towns.
What are the top six Galle Fort attractions?
- Reformed Dutch Church
- Oceanographic Museum
- Gallé’s Fort Rampart
- Dutch jail with a clock tower
- Flagstaff
- retail & gallery
Heritage of lace weaving
A locally made textile, lace is a colonial legacy of Galle ladies. An exquisitely crafted blouse could take up to six months to produce. This is a uniquely local way of clothing manufacture that has been handed down over the years. Here are for sale a large selection of wooden carvings, animal figurines, masks, and other objects. Look for something modern with a Sri Lankan touch in one of the textile shops in the fort; they all carry the newest styles.
Take a one-day journey to Galle from Colombo to see Unawatuna Beach
Unawatuna Beach lies 125 kilometres from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, and just south of Galle, the largest city in the south. Unawatuna Bay in southern Sri Lanka is one of the best beaches on earth and provides year-round safe swimming. The main thing keeping the underwater current out of the bay and giving it its reputation as a safe swimming spot is a coral reef.
This beach is paradise to people who want to enjoy the peace of the sea and dive deeply into the blue waves. Among the other well-liked sports on the beach are snorkeling, swimming, diving and surfing. Within its reach is a snorkelling base on an approachable, usually well-preserved coral reef.
Days excursion to Hikkaduwa with Galle
Hikkaduwa is one of the most popular tourist spots in the southern part of Sri Lanka. Situated 98 kilometres south of Colombo, the town is made even more glamorous by its magnificent beaches. It is the place where you might catch a glimpse of the fascinating underwater world and the creatures that inhabit unfathomable ocean depths.
Popular for beach holidays, Hikkaduwa is also a great place on the island for surfing and diving. A few meters from the beach, the Hikkaduwa marine sanctuary is home to many amazing aquatic creatures, and renting a glass-bottom boat will allow you to see the magnificent corals without getting wet.
While traveling from Colombo to Galle, stop at the Maritime Museum.
Southern Sri Lankan city of Galle is home to the largest marine museum in Asia. Dutch storage facilities built in the colonial city in 1676 house the museum. The present museum, which occupies four large rooms in the 40,000-square-foot Dutch warehouse, opened in 2008.
There is a good collection of significant archeological objects at the museum. Important objects turned up on the seabed off the coast of Galle. Shipwrecks abound in the water around Sri Lanka, a popular destination in the region.
One of the most important exhibits in the museum is a diorama showing former Hambantota people. They were supposedly created around 7000 years ago. An other priceless relic is a multilingual stone inscription written in Persian, Tamil, and Chinese. Written 600 years ago in China, it is supposed to have been brought to the island later.
It also features the boats, gear, and fishing methods of the country. Among the items on exhibit are maps, shipwrecks, smoking pipes, old canons, porcelain items, and ropes used in ships. Priceless museum item is the model of the ship Avondster (evening star), which sank in Galle harbour. Visitors can view the replica ship and the artifacts recovered from it at the museum. That ship sank in AD 1659.
The Galle Maritime Museum was established by the Central Cultural Fund of Sri Lanka as part of the preservation work for the Galle World Heritage Site. The religious and cultural traits of the people living in southern Sri Lanka are displayed at the museum. It gives an image of the convergence of Sri Lankan culture, trade, language, and customs with those of other nations.
What the marine museum does
Teaching the general people about the fragile marine environment of the sea is one of the museum’s goals. It shows a selection of fish, corals, seagrass, and algae among other marine life. Both the causes of coastal erosion and marine pollution are obvious, as are the precautions that need to be done to stop the harm.
Visitors interested in seeing how historical artifacts are preserved are welcome to see the archeological museum’s laboratory. It provides a special opportunity to get real-world experience lab preservation of things. Historical relevance of the artifacts begins at 8000 B.C. right up to the year 2000.
Spending a day in Galle from Colombo visiting Dutch Reformed Church
A more than two-century-old archeological wonder housed within the Galle Fort, the Dutch Reformed Church is one of the main tourist attractions in Galle, Sri Lanka. Given its unique architecture and lengthy history, the Dutch Reformed Church is a must-see among all the historical sites in the city.
Situated on a strip of land that has been plunged into the Indian Ocean on one side, the fort of Galle, Sri Lanka, proudly owns this ancient church. Perched at the highest point in the city, the fort commands a spectacular view of the entire area.
On the southernmost point of the fort, close to the Galle Maritime Museum, stands the chapel. The old harbour of Galle and the Indian Ocean are breathtakingly visible from it. Some families who adhere to this faith nevertheless go to church on Sundays to hear the weekly sermon. They bow before the valuable, over 200-year-old spiritual artifacts hanging on the wall. That chapel was built by the Dutch East Indian Company. This is one of the oldest continually operating Protestant churches in the country.
History of the church begins during Dutch colonization. An other similar-faith site of worship in Colombo is the Wolvendaal church. These two churches are among the oldest ones on the island.
The building housing the Dutch Reformed Church is fashioned in the manner of classic Dutch building. The church had drawn a large number of Christians for many years in Sri Lanka throughout the Dutch rule. Since Dutch colonial power over the island ended, the number of adherents of the religion has, however, sharply declined. Few families adhere to this religion now.
Popular tourist attraction at the Galle Fort is the Dutch Reformed Church. UNESCO named the Galle Fort, one of the most historic parts of the city, a world heritage site. Even if the Church sees comparatively few locals these days, hundreds of thousands of tourists come every year. The Dutch Reformed church is not very big inside, although there are surely bigger churches in the city. The church’s unique feature is the gravestones of former workers of the Dutch East India Company. The floor is built mostly over hundreds of gravestones.
The church still exudes a very vintage look with its old-style construction and antique furnishings. Furniture including chairs is made from priceless hardwoods like ebony. The bulk of the furniture and woodwork dates back to the 17th and 18th century. The furniture collection of the cathedral is an uncommon and real gem.
The archeological department is in charge of maintaining the church, which is a protected archaeological site on the island. Dutch Reformed Church of Galle is among the oldest Protestant churches in the nation. With walls several feet thick, the church is built in the shape of a Greek cross using the then-traditional Doric architecture. The transepts are covered with a brick barrel arches and a central dome.
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Starting from Colombo and other main beach resorts on Sri Lanka’s west coast, this whale-watching day trip. An all-inclusive whale-watching excursion off Mirissa and a guided walking tour of Galle Fort are included in this one-day trip. On this day trip, you will also be seeing the mask museum, sea turtle conservation center, and spice garden. Included in the private tour are breakfast, a live guide, all taxes, and full ground transportation in a luxury car.
One day travel to Galle from Colombo to visit the Martin Wikramasinghe Museum
Being one of the most visited tourist spots in Sri Lanka, Galle’s Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum provides an opportunity for visitors to learn about the city’s rich historical past. There you can observe numerous more cottage businesses, fishing, hunting, and typical prehistoric agricultural methods. Large collections of “Thirikkala” bullock carts, which were once the main means of transportation in southern Sri Lanka, are housed at the museum.
Head to the Handungoda Tea Factory with Galle Day Tours
Tea aficionados will find Handungoda tea farm to be one of the top day trip destinations in Galle. Often absent from most Galle day trips, ask your tour guides to add the Handungoda tea factory on the itinerary.
The Handungoda Tea Factory offers the best opportunity to explore a tea factory and plantation on your day trip from Galle. The Handugoda tea factory allows tourists from beach hotels in Galle and the southern coast to observe how Sri Lankan tea is made, which is not the usual. Usually, one can only get this opportunity—to observe a tea factory—by traveling to the country.
Not only is tea grown on the Handgugoda Tea Plantation, but coconut, cinnamon, and rubber are also important commercial agricultural crops. A tea museum is another place visitors may observe machinery that was used on the island when Sri Lanka’s tea industry initially began. A century or more ago, several of these gadgets were invented.
Traveling from Galle to the Handungoda tea factory takes 40 minutes and is quite interesting because you pass through incredibly beautiful landscapes and verdant countryside.
Visit the Handungoda tea factory as one of your Galle Day activities to discover more about the numerous tea varieties, such as BOPF, BOP, and OP. One unique tea variety that the Handungoda tea factory produces is “saphire Oolong Tea,” which is incredibly unusual and only made by a very tiny number of tea manufacturers.
Colombo day tour to Galle with beach time
Galle offers day tours that include stops at the beautiful south coast beaches. Southwestern and southern coastlines of Sri Lanka are home to many enthralling beaches. Some of the beaches covered in day trips from Galle are Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Galle, and Unawatuna. Being very clean and perfect for beach holidays, these beaches are among the best in Sri Lanka. Tourists throng these beaches year-round, especially between November and April, when the northwest monsoon passes parallel to them.
Adventure beach tour
Nestled near to Unawatuna lies Forest Beach, a peaceful beach. Being a quite unpopular day trip destination in Galle, there aren’t many people here. This location is great to escape the crowd. This palm-lined, vegetated beach is a portion of the “jungle beach” at Unawatuna Beach and one of Galle’s best-secluded beaches for sun and sea bathing.
It is recommended to stop if you have time even if Galle day trips might not visit the rainforest beach. Great visibility and shallow seas make the best beaches for sunning and swimming. Jungle Beach is located around three miles off the main road into the rugged landscape. The beaches are reached by first descending a very high mountain.
See a Japanese Pagoda of Peace
Part of the tropical beach lies a Japanese peace pagoda on a nearby hill. Most tourists that join Galle day tours decide to go to this coastal temple with an amazing view of the sea and the rainforest beach on their own. Nevertheless, unlike most of the Buddhist temples on the island, it lacks the same historical value. It shows a totally original style that is intimately associated with Mahayana Buddhism. The temple offers a special experience to both locals and outside guests. It gives the resident Japanese priest of the temple great pleasure to greet you and give you a tour.
Investigating Galle’s underwater museum
Situated roughly 15 metres underwater, the Underwater Museum of Galle is the most recent addition to the city’s attractions. Though the name would suggest otherwise, it is more of a collection of sculptures immersed in the sea than a museum. New and finished with contemporary materials like cement, the shows are devoid of any historical or cultural value. Visitors to the underwater museum have to don a diving suit.
The concept of an underwater museum has been around for a very long time; Baiae, Italy, is home to several valuable objects with outstanding historical and aesthetic worth. Still, Galle houses the first museum of its kind on the island.
Sri Lankan Navy oversaw the entire underwater museum project. Its two main functions are to be a tourist attraction and to help create an environment that is favorable to fish and coral species.
One journey to Galle from Colombo to explore the Hiyare forest reserve
The Hiyare forest in the southern part of Sri Lanka is among the most beautiful rainforests. But Hiyare has always been an isolated, seldom-visited off-the-beaten-path tourist spot in Sri Lanka. The primary city of the southern province, Galle, lies roughly 18 km (or about a half-hour drive) from the rainforest.
Galle is a very popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka because of the many attractions in and around it that are listed in the list above. Though the Hiyare rainforest is important ecologically, relatively few Galle tourists travel the extra five kilometers to view it. The Hiyare rainforest is included into the Kottawa rainforest reserve. Technically speaking, the rainforest encircles the Hiyare reservoir, a man-made lake that was originally built to supply Galle City with water.
The well-connectedness of nearby towns makes the rain forest and the reservoir easily reachable from the most popular spots, such as Galle Fort, the south coast beach, the west coast beach, and Colombo. Numerous plant and animal species, some indigenous to the island, call Hiyare Rain Forest home. Still, Hiyare Rain Forest is mostly recognized as one of the best places to see birds.
One day travel from Colombo to Galle to see Devata Beach
Galle is well-known because of the Galle Fort, one of the world’s best-preserved medieval towns and a construct of the Dutch administration. Built originally in 1505, the Galle Fort has undergone continuous upgrades by the Dutch and British regimes. Apart from Galle Fort, the city is renowned for possessing some of the best beaches for seaside holidays. Galle is next to the lovely beaches with palm trees at Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, and Devata. Most of these beaches offer some of the best locations on the island for surfers and divers. Popular for snorkelling is the Hikkaduwa marine sanctuary. Still, diving and snorkelling are not very well-known at Devata Beach, which is south of Galle. But the most important thing that tourists can view just a few meters from the beach are the sea turtles, which are abundant, together with an incredible diversity of unique fish species.
Devata Beach is located just south of Galle Fort, a well-known and picturesque city on the south coast of Sri Lankan. Devata Beach is sometimes left out of the Galle day tours because of the short travel time. The Galle day tours from Colombo need a lot of travel, hence seeing Devita Beach is much more challenging. But you might have time to stop at Devata Beach and enjoy the stunning beaches if you start your Galle day trips from West Coat Beach Resort.
Fishing in Ahangama Stitt with a one-day tour to Galle from Colombo
On day visits to Galle, you get a rare opportunity to witness stilt fishing, one of the oddest fishing methods in the world. Only in Sri Lanka can one witness stilt fishing, also referred to as Ritipanna in the native language. This ancient, customary fishing style was developed by fisherman on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Easy access to the gale and well-known for this kind of fishing are many beaches, such as Ahangama, Weligama, Narigama, Koggala, Welipenna, Kathaluwa, and Thalarambe. With this type of fishing, a stick anchored to the ocean floor is fastened to a short pole. In an attempt to catch some fish, fisherman spend several hours positioned atop this stick. Plan a trip to Galle and include a visit to the stilt fishermen to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Why choose Seerendipity Tours to arrange a day excursion to Galle from Colombo?
Totaly owned locally, Seerendipity Tour is a travel company with its headquarters in Colombo. The highly qualified local staff of Seerendipity Tours is one of its main benefits; they can plan your perfect trip to Sri Lanka.
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