Sri Lanka Galle Fort

Galle Fort - Galle was an ancient port (referred to as the legendary Biblical Tarshish where King Solomon's ships called to take on gemstones, spices and scented woods), and Sri Lanka’s first international commerce and trade centre. Today, Galle is a bustling provincial capital and administrative centre of the south. The Galle Fort was largely built by the Dutch during the 18th Century and belongs to the exclusive set of Sri Lanka's World Heritage sites. Entering through the 'new' English gate or the 'old' Dutch gate is akin to stepping into a different realm. A melting pot of cultures inhabits the 600 odd houses, each with various degrees of renovation to their original Dutch architecture. Most of the Fort’s inhabitants are generations of Moor families, descendants of the Muslim traders along with Portuguese, Dutch, German and English families. The Fort covers 36 hectares and includes many well preserved buildings from the Dutch period, such as the church and government buildings, the old bell tower and the innovative Dutch tide-based sewage-system. The thick, high ramparts that protect and distinguish the Fort are today used for romantic evening strolls, early morning power-walks and convenient viewpoints to catch the sweaty action of local 'village' Cricket games and the international games held in the adjacent Galle Cricket Stadium. Several hours can be spent inside the Galle Fort wandering along narrow streets, taking in the sites, visiting museums, and browsing through art galleries and shops, including the newly opened `Barefoot’ on Peddler Street. Everyone’s doors are opened, so feel free to explore and find some of the Fort’s hidden treasures. There are several newly renovated interesting boutique hotels with excellent cafes and restaurants within the Fort, where you can stop for a meal.

Yatagala Temple - Just inland from Galle is Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya, a fine place to go and visit for temple lovers. This temple is built around and within giant boulder-like rock formations. Quiet and little visited, the temple looks out over paddy fields and small hamlets. It won’t take much time to visit but Yatagala is interesting as a comparison to the bigger, more famous temples in Sri Lanka or as a peaceful break from beach life.

Scuba Diving - Scuba diving in Sri Lanka is immensely rewarding and around Galle there are some of the country’s best dive spots. Run by PADI centers based in Unawatuna, diving is suitable for beginners and advanced divers alike. Spotting bright corals and exotic fish is easy and there is the opportunity to go both cave diving and wreck diving. One notable wreck is of the cargo ship the Lord Nelson which has a cabin large enough to explore in comfort. Sadly no rumours of hidden treasure though! Diving is best from December to March.

Rhumassala Temple Walk - High on the headland of Unawatuna Bay is Rhumassala Temple. With beautiful views stretching out over the Indian Ocean, a walk around the headland near the temple is very special. Famed for the natural medicinal herbs nearby you will walk through hidden villages and verdant jungle valleys eventually finding yourself on “Jungle Beach”- a little known and secluded beach. Aside from a few wandering dogs and local fishing boats there is little distraction on Jungle Beach.

Personal Yoga Instruction - There are a growing number of guesthouses, hotels and retreats offering Yoga now in Sri Lanka. However, some of our clients prefer private tuition and Red Dot is happy to organize this. The easiest area to do this is around Galle but private yoga teachers can also be employed in Bentota and Tangalle. We do not charge for this service and you would need to pay your Yoga teacher direct.

Lighthouse Spa - The hotel’s spa treatments draw inspiration from the rich heritage of Sri Lanka’s ancient healing wisdom and global trends. Ayurveda, as well as European health concepts, aromatherapy and traditional remedies found throughout South-East Asia are all practiced at this stunning hotel.The massages, wraps, and body works offer everything from a pampering experience for couples to a soothing treatment for sun lovers and those who just need to relax. There is even a Spa dining experience to try – pure indulgence. An array of natural ingredients are used in the scrubs, wraps, and massages. This includes coconut, cucumber, sesame, and honey all from local areas. The Adam Eve Spa experience includes a floral bath under the stars and a three-course dinner by the spa’s plunge pool.Your privacy is assured.

Ayurveda & Yoga at Villa de Zoysa - Located just a few kilometres north of Galle, Villa de Zoysa is a private home with an airy, colonial feel. If you want to escape hotel life, the villa offers a relaxing and homely environment. The balconies offer views of the ocean just a few minutes walk away. Two week Yoga programmes are conducted by local and European instructors with classes twice a day. Shorter courses are arranged upon request. Guided meditation sessions and Ayurveda therapies are also offered.

Amangalla Spa - Amangalla is home to arguably the best spa in Sri Lanka, known as the Baths. With a vast number of treatments available, in exquisitely calm surroundings, the Baths are expensive but ultimately will leave you refreshed, cleansed and energized. There are five private treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy and water massage pool, sauna, steam and cold plunge pool. The male area is bathed in natural light during the day and the female area looks onto a private garden. There is also a beauty treatment area and a traditional barber's shop. Adjacent to the Baths and positioned in a quiet part of the hotel gardens is a combined yoga and meditation pavilion.

Koggala Folk Museum - Martin Wickramasinghe, one of Sri Lanka’s famous writers, whose works are treasured by school children and adults alike, grew up in this small fishing village of Koggala. The Folk Museum was the author’s dream that was made a reality by the Martin Wickramasinge Trust. The Museum brings to life a little part of Koggala, which is so vividly depicted in Wickramasinghe’s writings. The various objects of folk culture acquired during his lifetime have been the starting point of the collection found in the museum, which was opened in 1981. The Museum is a growing repository of artifacts depicting the history of Sri Lankan folk culture, from ancient to modern times in order to remind the people of Sri Lanka of their cultural roots. An interesting place to visit if you can drag yourself from the glorious southern beaches.

Galle National Museum - Housed in an old Dutch period building in the heart of the Fort, the Galle National Museum represents all that is Galle – Portuguese and Dutch period history, the cultural and historical influences of the Moors, weaponry, porcelain plates used by the Moors of the area in the olden days, and indigenous crafts such as Beeralu lace making introduced by the Portuguese. Also on exhibit are masks from the Kolam folk dramas. The Museum is closed on Sunday and Mondays.