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Travel Destination Guide - Galle
Galle (Sri Lanka) 
Galle Information
Slideshow of Photos
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Galle, located on extreme SW corner of Sri Lanka (75 mls S of Colombo, 99 mls S of Bandaranaike international airport) is a 17th-century Dutch colonial fortress town and busy latter-day port. It is set on coastal strip with a large natural harbour, backed by paddy fields and verdant hills.
Galle is notable for its towering British-built lighthouse and well-preserved ramparts which encircle the old town's quaint narrow streets (many still have Dutch names). Several interesting churches and varied architecture, including Victorian mansions and several grand public buildings erected during British rule. Beyond the walls lie typically chaotic residential shanty developments, shoddy roads and motley businesses. Some of Sri Lanka?s most famous cricketers originate from Galle and the cricket ground is the site of international matches.
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History buffs and day-trippers from the more N resorts tend to love this area. There is a heavy German/Dutch presence in nearby beach hotel areas.
Accommodation consists of a selection of properties from small central hotels to modest beachfront establishments in the E reaches; one modern beachfront property on N outskirts of town.
The beaches here are relatively poor and studded with rocks but the hotel N of town has a better sandy section. Unawatuna Bay, E of town, has a good curving sandy beach protected by an offshore reef.
The town has a lively little bazaar, fish market and fruit and vegetable market; more suitable for viewing than participating. Best local buys include handicrafts, leather goods and gems from shops that serve the passing cruise-ship trade.
Local excursions consist of half day trips: Galle town tour; Kosgoda and Bentota turtle hatcheries. Full day trips: Yala National Park safari; Rawana Ella Falls.
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Population: 20.064.800
Languages: Sinhala 74% (official and national), Tamil 18% (na
Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
Currency code: LKR
Local Times:
Sri Lanka - Colombo
Country Dialling Code: +94
Voltage: 230V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
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For a small island, Sri Lanka has many nicknames: Serendib, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, Pearl of the Orient. This colourful collection reveals its richness and beauty, and the intensity of the affection it evokes in its visitors.
Head for the rolling hills to escape the heat of the plains in the cool of tea plantations. The entire island is teeming with bird life, and exotics like elephants and leopards are not uncommon. To top it all off, the people are friendly, the food is delicious and costs are low.
The island of Sri Lanka lies off the southern tip of India in the Indian Ocean, a verdant paradise that is the cradle of the Buddhist faith. Apart from hundreds of miles of the world's most beautiful palm-fringed beaches, Sri Lanka boasts no fewer than seven World Heritage Sites listed by Unesco, ranging from sacred cities, palaces and cliff-top citadels to colonial strongholds, spanning close to 3,000 years of history. To complete the picture of perfection, Sri Lanka is situated just three degrees north of the Equator, meaning the weather is constantly hot, humid and tropical. Sunny skies are the order of the day; even in the brief monsoon season there is always a daily spell of sunshine.
There has, however, been trouble in paradise. Modern Sri Lanka has experienced indigenous terrorism, particularly in the north of the island and the metropolis of Colombo city, but the beautiful beaches and towns of the south and southeast coast have been unaffected. Visitors who enjoy some mystery and wonderment will marvel at the ancient sites of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla and Panduwasnuwara, where the remains of a great civilisation are to be seen. The cities of Colombo and Kandy show the influence of the foreign colonial powers that fought for control over the strategic, lush island in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Dutch-inspired buildings stand cheek to jowl with Victorian British mansions and Portuguese fortifications. |
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Local Area Weather
Colombo, SRI LANKA |
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Partly Cloudy |
30°C
Feels like: 35°C |
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 Partly Cloudy |
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 Sunny |
Partly Cloudy |
| Wed |
Mostly Sunny |
Isolated T-Storms |
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