Galle Holidays

The locals hit pause on life in Galle a while ago, so the old town’s a real snapshot of centuries gone by. Portuguese and Dutch traders set up shop in the 17th century, and left their stamp by building European churches, hospitals and fortifications. They did such a cracking job of keeping the city centre safe, that it looks near enough the same these days. All that’s changed is the clientele, with boutique shops and cafés piling in to the colonial buildings, and tourists tagging in for seafaring spice traders.

Beach days around here are a little different to the norm. Chucking down a towel and getting some vitamin D plays second fiddle to ogling the locals. They teeter above the shallows on wooden poles and fish for mackerel. Boat trips and watersports make a dent in sunbathing time, too – the beaches here are the start line for whale-watching jaunts and scuba sessions. There’s loads of room if flaking out’s your bag. Unawatuna Beach is a roomy spot for soaking up the rays, and it’s only 15 minutes’ drive from the old town.

Galle’s the leader of the pack when it comes to south coast sightseeing. The part of town dubbed Galle Fort, because of its castle-like walls, is brimming with old-school bits and bobs. Walking the ramparts feels like you’ve been transported to the Med, with whitewashed churches and a Western-style lighthouse in sea-view seats. Sri Lanka’s National Maritime Museum’s made its bed in a caramel-coloured warehouse that dates back to the 1600s. And you can get a double whammy of history and retail therapy at the Old Dutch Hospital, which has been revamped as a shopping and dining hub.