Galle City Tour by Mahaweli Tours & Holidays
Galle is one of the major cities of Sri Lanka and is situated 116km away from the capital, Colombo. It is considered the provincial capital and the largest city in the southern province of the country. The city is a popular tourist attraction with a mix of cultural and historical values. Galle has a long history, it was the place Portuguese landed Sri Lanka the first time in 1505. Then the city became significant for Portuguese, Dutch, and British people between 1505 and 1948. If you are a foreigner who is looking for the best destinations to visit in Sri Lanka, Galle City is the place you should not miss on your Sri Lanka itinerary. Now you can plan a Galle City Day Tour with Mahaweli Tours & Holidays. We will now take you to the most significant places in the city, where you will be unforgettable for a lifetime.
Our Galle City Tour Itinerary
- 7.30 to 8.30 a.m. – We will pick you up at your hotel or other preferred location. Our pickup locations are: Colombo, Bentota, Matara, Mirissa, Yala, Tangalle, Weligama, Dickwella and Galle City itself.
- 9.00 a.m.–10.30 a.m.: A walk to the famous Galle Fort
- 10.30 am–11 am: A visit to the National Maritime Museum
- 11 a.m.–12.30 p.m.: Shopping at Galle Fort
- 12.30 p.m.–2 p.m.: Lunch time
- 2pm – 4.30pm – Beach time: You will now visit Unawatuna, Dalawella, or a nearby beach for water activities.
- 5 pm–6 pm: A visit to Meera Mosque/Galle Harbor or a boat tour to the Koggala Lake according to your preferences.
- 6pm–6.30pm: Droff off to your hotel or your preferred location.
Places to Visit During Our Galle City Tour
Galle Fort
Galle Fort is one of the Unesco World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. It was a military building during the colonial era of Ceylon (1505–48). The fort was first built by the Portuguese in the late 16th century. Then it was fortified by the Dutch in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, you can see these historical walls and buildings inside the galle Fort. There are many government offices, restaurants, and shops inside the fort. The Galle Lighthouse and Old Clock Towers are attractive buildings situated in the Galle Fort. If you visit during those times, you can see the beautiful sunrise and sunset from the fort.
National Maritime Museum:
The National Maritime Museum, or somebody called ‘National Maritime Archaeology Museum’, is one of the major sites you will visit during our galle city tour. The museum is also situated in the Galle Fort, where you can easily visit it. It was first opened in 1992 to the public. On those days, the museum contained most of the flora and fauna of the nearby Indian Ocean, which included Artifacts consisted of underwater artifacts and scaled-down models of whales and fish. The museum displayed a variety of exhibits connected with seafaring, maritime trade, fishing, and sea-life, including relics retrieved from the 20-odd maritime archaeological sites around Galle. The museum was heavily damaged due to a tsunami incident in 2004. Later, it was reopened in 2010 with the aid of Netharland. Now you can see Exhibits of marine artifacts found in underwater explorations are showcased in the museum. There are maps, naval craft, ropes, earthenware, beer mugs, smoking pipes, barrels, and a and a vast number of articles, including artillery guns and sailor shoes. Ship wrecks in the sea off the southern coast are where these artifacts were recovered, some of which are nearly 800 years old.
Unawatuna Beach:
The southern province of Galle is a place rich in many beautiful beaches, and Unawatuna is a top beach spot you should no longer miss having on your Galle city tour. It is situated just 5 kilometers away from the beach, which is gorgeous and attractive to anyone. The golden sands, turquoise water, and palm tree line will surely provide a fantastic feeling for you. It is considered that Unawatuna Beach is a superb spot for swimming. The little child can bathe safely here due to the shallow water level. You can now rent a sunbed and enjoy the sunshine while watching the beauty of the Indian Ocean.
Meeran Mosque:
The Meeran Jumma Mosque, commonly known as the Galle Fort Mosque, is a mosque located within Galle Fort. The current two-story building was commissioned in 1904 by Ahmed Haji Ismail, allegedly on the site of a Portuguese Catholic church. Although it is claimed that it was the original site of a mosque built in the 1750s, predating the Portuguese occupation, The numerals painted on the front wall of the mosque state the year 1325 Hijri, which supports the notion that a prayer space existed here before the 20th century. Ismail was a devout, wealthy Muslim, who also commissioned mosques in Weligama and Poruwa. The mosque is named in honor of Meeran Saheb of South India, who is buried in Nagore Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, India, and was widely regarded the patron saint of you sailors to and from Sri Lanka. Jumma Mosque in reality means “Friday Mosque,” or commonly, the principal mosque. The mosque was constructed in a mixture of Victorian/Baroque architecture styles, with Islamic detailing.
Book Your Galle City Tour with Mahaweli Tours & Holidays
Mahaweli Tours & Holidays, we are a leading tour agency in Sri Lanka with more than 1000+ Tripadvisor reviews. With over 10 years of experience, we provide you with an unforgettable experience in Galle. This is a private tour where we will provide you with private vehicles. You can further customize the above places or the itinerary according to your preferences and wishes. Our certified guides will pick you up and drop you off safely at your hotel. So, here are our contact details for more details or to book your Galle City tour with us!
Feel free to WhatsApp us at +94777 111 553, Email us at info@mahaweli.lk, or just give us a call at +94777 111 553.