Galle District

Southern Province Last Updated:

Galle District picture
Galle Light house and Port
Weather
28-30℃
Province
Southern
Postal code
80000

The District of Galle is located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. Galle District is one of the Districts of Sri Lanka which listed in the UNESCO world heritage sites, for its significant venues. The area is densely populated and all the four ethnicity lives in diverse range while Sinhalese stand a prominent place. The District is a good choice for tourists to enjoy the mixture of traditional historic sites with modernized rest-points.

Climatic Condition

As because of the location, the District faces a significant rainfall. The annual rainfall of a year could be 2000mm while the temperature fluctuates from 24 to 27 degree Celsius. Year beginning could be the dry season for the District and the wet season starts from October. But the months March and April could be the warm season. August, September months are favourable for the tourists.

Geographical Location

Latitude: 6.03 ° N Longitude: 80.20° E

The District is located in the down South West coast of Sri Lanka & the area is bounded by Indian Ocean to the West and South, North by Benthara River and the East by Matara, Ratnapura Districts. Almost the area is flat and mean to sea level, but a few humps can be observed in the hinterlands of the District. Even from the prehistoric times the location of Galle values a lot to the country. As because of the existence of natural harbour, the District gained importance and existed as a busy trading point of the island during the ancient times. Only after the construction of Colombo harbour the port of the Galle District lost its prominent place. Ptolemy’s world map is the best evidence to prove the importance of the district in ancient times.

How To Reach?

By road – When you choose to go by bus of National transport Commission or private public transport it will take around 3 – 4 hrs to cover the 128km. Bus starts from main bus stand located in the Colombo fort and routed along the Galle road while passing major cities. The ticket fair varies from 135 Sri Lankan Rupees to 400 Sri Lankan Rupees and don’t expect a comfort travel. Only plus of this route is to enjoy the scenic view of the coast.

The Southern express way buses are available between Maharagama bus stand Colombo and Central bus stand, Galle. Traveller can get the bus for Colombo fort from Bandaranayake International airport and then need to get the (138 No. bus) bus for Maharagama to catch the Southern expressway bus. The Southern express way busses are available from 5am and for every 20minutes bus runs from. Here, you can expect a comfort travel, as because the buses are luxury and air-conditioned. The ticket fair is nearly 500 Sri Lankan Rupees.

For a better comfort travelling, passengers can hire a taxi from Bandaranayake International airport to Galle, which will cost around 10000.00 Sri Lankan Rupees to 15000.00 Sri Lankan Rupees for a 3hrs journey.

By train – Train is the best choice for the Colombo – Galle journey as it takes less time, low cost and better comfort when compare to the rest. Although the distance is nearly 115km, the travel time is not more than 2 hrs. Many train services scheduled for a day and travellers can check the Sri Lanka railways website to plan their journey. A luxury train service is also available between Colombo – Galle station with a catering compartment too. The normal train service ticket fair varies 100 to 360 Sri Lankan Rupees depending on the train class.

To do’s in Galle

The district is famous for the ancient historic and colonial buildings. The Galle fort, Galle gate, Dutch church date back to 18th century, light-house, National museum of Galle, historical mansion museum, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Maritime Archaeology Museum, Galle Clock Tower, Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya, Meeran jumma mosque, Rumassala Sanctuary are some of the structures where the tourist can admire and loss themselves to enjoy.

Other than these some natural elements exist to treat the visitors. Unawatuna Beach, Jungle Beach, Galle Fort Ambalama, Koggala Beach, Dharmapala Park, Mihiripenna Beach, sea turtle farm and hatchery, tea plants, Sinharaja forest, whale watching and kite surfing are some of the natural entertainment venues of the district.

Tourists can enjoy shopping local Jewelery items, woodworks, antiques, textiles and other local products for cheap rates. Also, restaurants, café, street boutiques offer fresh and tasty refreshments to enjoy in a colonial spot. 

Villages in Galle