Backpacking in Galle, Sri Lanka.
I take notions and it’s been a while since I wrote anything about backpacking in Sri Lanka, so here goes! Galle Fort sits old, worn, pretty and significant on the south west coast of Sri Lanka. In the city of Galle which houses around 90,000 people. It’s a really cool place to stop off at while your’e backpacking in Sri Lanka and we headed there to see what all the fuss was about. We were pleasantly surprised – we liked Galle and Galle Fort. My Mum and Dad joined my girlfriend and I on this bit of travelling as well which made it extra special.
Backpacking in Sri Lanka with Mum and Dad – Galle Fort
There is no doubt that the beauty of Galle for me is just staring all around you and taking it all in – it’s a very picturesque town and a photo friendly one, hence why I’ve encapsulated it into a 23 cool things I noticed when touring it.
1. Galle Library
A very old school, tiny library worth a quick peek.
Backpacking in Galle – Galle Library
2. Maritime Archaeology Museum
As Galle is a coastal town with a harbour, this Maritime Museum gives a decent overview of the naval history of Galle and from an unusual archaeological perspective.
Backpacking in Galle – Maritime Archaeology Museum.
3. Galle Magistrates Court
Every old town and fortress has its crime and a magistrates court is within the compounds.
Backpacking in Galle – Galle Magistrates Court
4. Old Dutch Hospital Building
The Dutch were here as well as the British and lots of their architecture and buildings remain including this old hospital building.
Backpacking in Galle – Old Dutch Hospital Building.
5. British Red Post Box
Evidence unchanged from the British rule in Sri Lanka comes in many forms, one of which are surviving red post boxes, of the same style used in England.
Backpacking in Galle – My Dad and I by an old red British Post Box.
6. Police Barracks
A police barracks headquarters can be seen inside the walls of Galle Fort.
Backpacking in Galle – Police Barracks.
7. Beaches
There are a few beaches too on the edge of the fort, though these are not really frequented by swimmers.
Backpacking in Galle – yes there are also some beaches on the outer parts of the fort.
8. Market Stalls
Anything from hats to Sri Lankan souvenirs to fruit to drinks are sold in the many market stall around the Fort.
Backpacking in Galle – Hats for sale.
9. Galle Lighthouse
Again evidence of Galle’s use as a defining port of entry is clear from the existence of the Lighthouse.
Backpacking in Galle – the Lighthouse
10. Mosque
Different religions exist all over Sri Lanka and a massive white Mosque dominates the skyline near the Lighthouse.
A Mosque in Galle
11. Islamic Cultural Association
Next to the Mosque is an Islamic Cultural Association building.
Backpacking in Galle – a centre of Islamic Culture.
12. Fake Pizza Huts
Yes I thought this was a cool idea – steal from the best – a rip off of Pizza Hut! Similar to the Stars and Bucks I saw in Palestine.
Backpacking in Galle – A Fake Pizza Hut
13. Sri Lankan Flags
A proud nation and Galle Fort flies some Sri Lankan flags on the streets and out towards the sea.
Backpacking in Galle – Sri Lankan Flags
On one of the streets, I also flew my Northern Ireland flag vertical and next to a Sri Lanka one.
Backpacking in Galle – Northern Ireland flag next to a Sri Lanka one.
14. Blackbirds on a Wire
I’m not an ornithologist but the sights of a load of blackbirds on a wire was worth capturing so I did. As I said, just walking around Galle Fort at leisure brings these excellent moments. They’re probably not actual blackbirds, though they are birds and they are black.
Backpacking in Galle – Blackbirds on a Wire
15. Gems, Jewellery and Antiques
Shopping is never far away in Sri Lanka and Galle gets in on the act too.
Gems and Antiques for sale in Galle
16. Side Streets
A dander down the wee poky side streets will be full of more surprises – tea shops, more souvenirs, people’s homes.
Backpacking in Galle, Sri Lanka – exploring the side streets.
17. Cricket Posters
Cricket is an obsession in Sri Lanka, just as it is in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. You can get some old school cricket posters from when the country was ruled by the British and called Ceylon.
Backpacking in Galle, Sri Lanka – an old cricket poster of Ceylon v. England.
18. Galle Cricket Club
While you’re in Galle, you might as well check out the cricket stadium too, which is just on the edge of the Fort, in fact from the entrance to the fort you get a good view down in.
Backpacking in Galle, Sri Lanka – Cricket Stadium.
19. Bell Tower
There’s a massive bell tower within the walls of Galle. Worth stepping underneath and ringing the bell!
Backpacking in Galle, Ringing the bell.
20. Dutch Reformed Church
This Dutch Church still has a service on every Sunday, the original building on this site dates back to 1640.
Backpacking in Galle – Dutch Reformed Church
21. Galle Post Office
As ever, I used Galle Post Office to send some postcards to my kid brother.
Backpacking in Galle – posting postcards from the post office.
22. The Main Gate
The Main Gate offers good views into the fort and back into the town. Climb up to the top.
View back into the town of Galle from the main gate
Tower at the main gate at Galle Fort
23. Tea
Well yes – this is Sri Lanka so you can’ t (or you shouldn’t) go anywhere without sampling tea. You can buy tea in local shops and you can sit down and drink it.
Backpacking in Galle – Sri Lankan Tea.
SO that’s 23 cool things I personally noticed, photographed and enjoyed while touring Galle Fort in Sri Lanka. Galle Fort is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site and is totally worth a visit.
Relaxing in Galle by the water on the edge of the Fort.
For me the charm of the whole place was summed up in this post – random unrelated interesting sights that catch your eye and leave you feeling inspired and content. While walking the walls and streets of Galle, my Dad and I also had a Lion Beer, yet another travel highlight from a special country.
Touring Galle Fort in Sri Lanka.
In case you missed them, here are a few of my other posts on Sri Lanka:
– Hiking Adam’s Peak
– Climbing Sigiriya
– Exploring Kurenegala
– Exploring Dambulla
– Visiting Dambatenne Tea Factory
– Kandy such a joy to me
– Friday’s Featured Food – Devilled Beef
– Thirsty Thursdays – Sunset Beers in Colombo
– Thirsty Thursdays – Beers in an Elephant Shop in Pinnawala
– Elephant Trekking in Pinnawala
– Elephant Parade in Pinnawala
– Whale Watching in Mirissa
– How to get a Sri Lankan Visa
My videos from Galle:
I’ve never been to Sri Lanka, but those pictures look amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the comment Frank – yes Sri Lanka is a great place and Galle is certainly a picturesque town. Safe travels. Jonny
We had been travelling around in Sri Lanka last year. It is an amazing country, really special and we felt in loved with this country immediately. We hope we can come back one day. We had seen a lot of places you wrote about and a lot of memorys came up when I saw your pictures. We loved the tea and took some tea with us home. But the best souvenir from Sri Lanka is our son and even this makes this country so specia for us.
Wow Nina – great to hear from you and had no idea you were also there last year and that you have a son, how amazing! Congratulations and hope to see you again someday. Stay happy. Jonny
We just returned from a two week trip to Sri Lanka–what an amazing country! I saw the exact same cricket poster and wanted to go back to buy it at the end of the day, but didn’t have time. Do you happen to know the name of the store you saw it at? Or where I could find it online? Thanks so much. Happy travels.
Hi Reid – thanks for the comment. Yes Galle and Sri Lanka overall was a cool place! I have bo idea of the name of the shop! But it was in the side streets of the city – maybe ask around and you’ll find it, good luck! Jonny
I’m a new reader of your blog and I won’t be ashamed If I say I’m the new subscriber of your blog or website because the way of explaining is just amazing and the skills of writing are superb.
Hi Maria, thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed my post on Sri Lanka. Apologies for the late response. I have been suffering from deep depression the last few years caused by liars and I haven’t checked or responded so quickly. Stay safe. Jonny