Atmospheric Capital of the Southern Province, Galle boasts of a long history stretching back centuries, even before the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial days. Some scholars believe it to be the "Tarshish" of the Old Testament to which King Solomon sent his merchant vessels.

.....

Today it is home to the historic 90-acre preserved Dutch Fort, declared an archeological reserve by the UN since 1969. This walled city is the slow-beating heart of Galle, bearing witness to it's past through the near crumbling architecture of grand old buildings, street names, and Dutch churches, still active. Join Galle's citizenry by taking a promenade at dusk around the old walls, ending up at the Star Bastion, front and center to one of the loveliest sunsets in the Indian Ocean. Or let us drive you down in one of our eclectic antique cars for drinks on the ramparts.

What makes Galle special is that despite attempts at modernistic face lifts, it is the only place in Sri Lanka that still retains a unique old-world atmosphere . The sounds of Galle are the call to prayer from mosques, Pali chants from buddhist temples, fish sellers and tinkers hawking their wares on Main Street. It's fine old colonial mansions, narrow streets and antique cars roaming the town make the Galle Fort a hauntingly beautiful escape into the past.

For those in search of beach life , Unawatuna Beach, is 5 km east of Galle town and is the closest large beach with a wide, sheltered bay good for swimming and a clear reef for diving. Cottages and small restaurants line the winding path to the bay and there is a beautiful picturesque temple dagoba at one extremity of the beach. Despite it's fading-hippy atmosphere, it is considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and is certainly the least "touristified". Even in the windy season it is a swimmable beach .