Unique holidays in Galle
Galle, the capital of the Galle District of Sri Lanka’s Southern Province, is an extraordinary place. Perfect for anyone wanting to visit somewhere truly unique and to get a sense of Sri Lanka’s patchwork of colonial history, Galle holidays take advantage of a truly remarkable city. Easily reached as a day trip from Hikkaduwa or Unawatuna the city is now attracting more visitors in its own right, many of whom choose to stay at one of the delightful boutique hotels within its walls.
Galle: the history of Sri Lanka
Considering that Galle is undeniably in Sri Lanka it isn’t really very Sri Lankan, except for the fact that it is. Explanation is clearly required. Well, the promontory that comprises the older part of Galle, 36 hectacres to be exact, is mostly occupied by a colonial Dutch fort. However, the current fort isn’t the first to have stood there. Galle really is a time capsule of Sri Lanka’s colonial history because before the current structures stood, the Portuguese built a fort named Santa Cruz on the site in 1589. The Dutch removed virtually all traces of it and began building their own fort in 1663; this is the fort that be seen today, but overlaid with the Portuguese, British, Muslim and of course Sri Lankan cultures that have passed through.
Although designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, holidays in Galle don’t feel like holidays in a museum. The mish-mash of buildings and architectural treasures house a thriving, functioning community with a unique energy. The city can still be accessed through it’s original entrance, which has the date 1669 carved on its inner archway. The encircling city walls make an excellent viewpoint for looking inwards over the town or outwards for a stunning view of the ocean.
Holidays in Galle offer a range of accommodation to suit every kind of traveller. Within the fort there are increasingly popular boutique hotels and outside it there’s every kind of accommodation you could wish for, from modern luxury resorts to friendly beach cabanas. The gorgeous beach at Unawatuna lies only 6km southeast of Galle city centre. With a laid-back, mellow atmosphere it attracts travellers from all over the world with its clean white sand and perfect opportunities for swimming.
Holidays in Galle: remarkable and affordable
You’d think a holiday in a place so unique and uniquely beautiful would have to be expensive, but lastminute.com makes it easy to book cheap holidays in Galle. With easy access to fabulous beaches, incredible history around every corner and a wealth of accommodation to choose from, Galle holidays are a fantastic way to experience Sri Lanka. Book all your holidays to Sri Lanka with lastminute.com