Places to see in Galle -Discover Natural and Man-made Wonders

First built by the Portuguese colonists in 1688, and then extensively fortified by the Dutch from 1649 onwards, the Galle Dutch Fort is a magnificent structure that's been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to UNESCO, the fort is "an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries."

Take a walk along the cobbled streets of the Fort and you'll discover many curious and charming houses, boutiques and other buildings. These are all built according to the distinct colonial-style which many hotels and villas in Galle, Sri Lanka the likes of Era Beach by Jetwing are designed to provide guests with a vintage, colonial experience.

Even after 400 years or so, the fort still remains one of the best preserved historical monuments in the country and is of immense archaeological, historical, and architectural importance.

Located within the Dutch Fort, the Galle National Museum provides an excellent insight into the past glories of Galle. Built according to the characteristic Dutch architect, the building is situated along the Church Street. Some of the curiosities you will see here range from artifacts belonging to the famous Chinese explorer, Zheng He to ancient masks and Dutch weapons, furniture, as well as some plated featuring elaborate Moorish art. Before it became a museum, the building was used as the barracks for junior officials from the Dutch East India Company (VOC). It's actually one of the oldest buildings found within the Dutch Fort.

This beautiful church located along Church Street, is built according to the Victorian Gothic revival style with certain modifications to suit the local climate. Once upon a time, the church was said to have a weather cock and a bell which have both unfortunately disappeared. But, not to worry, there are still plenty of things to see and admire here such as the fine teak woodwork of the pews embellished with the Star of David and stunning stained-glass windows.

his is one of Galle's most popular and of course, gorgeous, of beaches. The Jungle Beach is about 16 minutes away from Galle, and is situated within a hamlet known as Unawatuna. The name of the beach is derived from the fact that you need to trek through a bit of jungle to get to the beach. The Jungle Beach since of recent times was a hidden gem until local and foreign tourists found out about its amazing joys such as crystal clear waters great for swimming as well as snorkeling. About 100 meters away from the shore, is a coral reef by the name of Bonavista.

MAdu Ganga (river) is an amazing estuary which is home to the Madu Ganga wetland, a complex coastal wetland ecosystem of high biological, ecological, and aesthetic significance. It features a thriving mangrove eco system which provides shelter to an extraordinary array of wildlife such as exotic birds, giant water monitors and ferocious crocodiles!