Must see attractions in and around Galle – Historic marvels and natural beauty

Unawatuna is one of the most popular coastal attractions in Sri Lanka. Famous for its stunning corals and beautiful beach, Unawatuna is a suburb of Galle and is located about 5 kilometres from the city. The town is famous for its bio-diversity and is marketed as an eco-tourism destination. The area is home to over 60 different species of endemic birds including herons, terms, kingfishers, egrets and rare species such as the Asian palm swift and the whistling duck. Apart from bird watching, Unawatuna is a great spot if you are interested in seeing turtles laying eggs on the beach. The Indian Ocean is a major attraction in the town. Divers, swimmers and snorkelling enthusiasts can find plenty of amazing underwater scenery including beautiful coral reefs, reef fish, turtles and even a few shipwrecks. Visitors can also enjoy eco trekking in the Rumassala shrub jungles, located close to Unawatuna.

The fascinating Dutch Fort is located close to the southernmost point of Sri Lanka. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is admired by travellers from all around the world. The attraction spans across 90 hectares and features amazing architecture and fortifications unlike those found in the coastal Portugal. The magnificent ramparts, stonewalls and narrow streets of the fort feature an old world charm not commonly seen in Colombo. There are quite a few places to grab a delicious meal, snacks & drinks as well as to shop, right within the narrow streets of Galle Fort. If you are in search for a Galle hotel, look for a Jetwing Hotels establishment to make sure that you are presented with the finest facilities and easy access to amazing attractions in the area such as the Fascinating Dutch Fort.

Koggala is another highly sought after beach holiday destination, located within easy reach of Galle. Aside from the stunning beach, Koggala is also home to some fascinating cultural, religious and historical attractions. Located about 5 kilometres to the east of the town is the Kataluva Purvarama Maha Viharaya, a temple which was built in the 13th century. This beautiful structure is home to a great selection of Kandyan style paintings which date all the way back to the 19th century when the temple was renovated. Well, Koggala is where you can find these acrobatic fishermen who erect poles in chest deep water, a few meters off the shoreline and perch on it with their fishing rods cast out with the hopes of catching small fish.