01. Galle Dutch fort
In 1505, Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka by accidently and landed in the Galle area. Then they granted the permission to do their business from the king of Kotte. Gradually he Portuguese captured the coastal areas of the country. They have selected the Galle harbor as their main harbor and they built a fortification. In 1640, Dutch captured the Galle fort and gained the power in the coastal areas gradually. They expanded the Fort of the Galle and built many buildings. Even as of now we can see many of them. Due to the historical value & colonial buildings UNESCO declared Galle Fort as a world heritage site in 1988.Light house tower, Clock tower, Dutch reformed church and other churches, maritime museum, old mosque, Shopping experience, Hotels and restaurants attract tourist to the Galle Dutch fort.
02. Unawatuna beach
Unawatuna beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka and located around 6Km away from the Galle city. Shallow sandy beaches, elegant restaurants and hotels attract many tourists to the Unwatuna. Coral reef in the sea is one of the best places to snorkeling and to see the Sea turtles. Roomassala forest area, Japanese peace pagoda, Jungle beach are nearby attractions.
03. Hikkaduwa beach
Hikkaduwa is one of another beautiful beach in Sri Lanka located around 15Km away from the Galle City and located in the south west coast of the country. Hikkaduwa is one of the main tourist spot from the beginning of the Tourism industry in the Sri Lanka. Surfing, snorkeling and other watersport activities are popular among the tourist and the sea food is one of the prominent thing in the area.
04. Boat safari in the Madu river mangroves
Madu river boat safaris are conducted in the Balapitiya area, which is around 37 Km away from the Galle City. Madu river Estuary area is one of the Ramsar wetland in Sri Lanka and can be seen various types of Mangroves and ecosystems. There are around 25 small islands in the area and Cinnamon plantations and fishing are the main occupation of the people living in the area. Riding through mangrove caves, visiting Cinnamon islands, touching baby crocodiles & Fish therapy could be one of your life time experiences.
05. Moonstone mines in Meetiyagoda
Sri Lanka is one of the main Gem (precious stone) exporters in the world. Thirty out of thirty Eight gemstones in the World are available in the Sri Lanka.Moonstone is one of the semi-precious stone found in Meetiyagoda of Sri Lanka and located around 28 Km away from the Galle city. Gem mining is doing in few mines in Meetiyagoda and demonstrations of the process and Gem Shops are available in here.
06. Sea turtle conservation centers
Sri Lanka is one of the best countries in the world to see the sea turtles. There are seven species of Sea turtles in the world and five of them can be seen in the Sri Lanka. South west and southern coastal line is famous for the Sea Turtles. Specially Hikkaduwa, Kosgoda, Unawatuna, Dalawella, Dickwella, Rekawa beaches are popular among the tourist to see the Sea turtles. Sea Turtles lay their eggs in the beaches. In order to safeguard the eggs from the predators, Sea turtle conservations centers brings the eggs and hatch them and release the baby turtles to the sea. This Conservation centers treat the injured Sea Turtles and release them back to the sea. Famous Sea Turtle conservation centers are located in the Ahungalla, Kosgoda, Galle, Ahangama and Rekawa areas.
07. Snake farm visit
Sri Lanka is home to 108 species of Snakes and 15 of them are living in the sea. Among the snakes in the land, five of them are highly venomous. In the visit of the Snake farm, you may see the highly venomous, mild venomous and non-venomous snakes and you’ll get a chance to touch some of them. Educating the people about the Snakes done in this Snake Farms. Visiting the Snake farm is a popular thing to do in the Galle area.
08. Sinharaja rainforest
Sinharaja is a rainforest located in the south west part of the country and around 175 Km (4.5 hours) away from the Colombo city and around 96 Km (3 hours) away from the Galle City. Due to the rich biodiversity UNESCO declared Sinharaja rainforest as a world Heritage. Around 60% of the trees are endemic and around 50% of the endemic animal species are can be find in the Sinharaja.95% of the Endemic birds of Sri Lanka are resides in the Sinharaja rainforest. Trekking the Sinharaja rainforest is one of the popular tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.
09. Whale watching at Mirissa
Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world to see the Blue Whales, Humpback and the Sperm whales. Mirissa is a small town around 25 Km away from the Galle city and it is the best place to go for the Whale watching in Sri Lanka. Best time to do the whale watching is November to April. Whale watching tours start 6.00 am from the Mirissa fishery harbor.
10. Water sports at the Bentota
Bentota is a town located 55 Km (1 hour) away from the Galle city. Water sports is a one of the main attraction in the Bentota area.Jetski rides, Banana boat rides, Speed Boat rides and Sofa rides are the main water sports in Bentota. Apart from that Para-motoring is another adventurous activity you may experience in the Bentota.