A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.
Visit the Galle National Museum. Housed in an old Dutch building in the center of the fort, the museum features exhibits on colonial weaponry, including a collection of Portuguese and Dutch swords, stone cannon balls, and battle axes made of brass and iron. Native handicrafts like turtle-shell ornaments and decorative pieces are also on display.
If you are interested in game fishing, your boat will take you eight miles off the coast, where the continental shelf drops off and such fish as tuna, sailfish, marlin, and wahoo are common.
To the north of Galle to visit the beautiful, untouched Hiyare rainforest, which surrounds a 51-acre lake. A wildlife guide from the reserve will accompany you and illuminate the many interesting species of animals and plants that are found there. Hiyare has established its own tree nursery, and it is possible to plant a tree as part of their carbon offset program.
Visit the nearby port town of Koggala. Take a cruise down the Koggala River and its estuaries with a naturalist who will tell you about the various types of bird and wildlife that make Koggala their home.
Visit the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery and witness how the newborn turtles are being cared for until they are ready to be released back to the ocean. The wide, sandy beaches that dot the coasts of Sri Lanka are utilized by several species of marine turtles as nesting sites.
Explore the 40,000 square-foot Galle Maritime Archeology Museum. If one is available, meet with a curator. The original museum building was entirely destroyed by the 2004 tsunami, but its collection has been reestablished in the newly renovated Dutch warehouse in Galle Fort. The exhibits of artifacts discovered on the ocean floor around Sri Lanka include the Avondster, a Dutch ship that wrecked off Galle Fort in 1659.
Spend the day on a boat trip out of Mirissa Harbor, a 40-minute drive to the east of Galle. The harbor is home to an Indonesian fishing trawler that has been restored for leisure cruising in Weligama Bay. Go swimming and snorkeling from the boat, and try fishing with a hand line.
A great way to get an overview (literally) of Galle is to circumambulate the small historic center via the centuries-old Dutch ramparts that encircle the fort area.
Visit the temples of Yatagala and Rhumasala. Sitting atop a 120-step staircase, the 1,200- year-old Yatagala Temple, carved directly into the rock of a hillside, is one of the oldest in the region, and is set in a beautiful valley lined with rice terraces. On a lovely headland across from Galle fort, Rhumasala is a brand new temple, built as a gift from Japan, and boasts wonderful views across the water towards Galle.
Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below.
Spend 10-days exploring the best of Sri Lanka from the cultural triangle, to tea country, and down to its sandy southern coast. You’ll stay in some of Sri Lanka’s most luxury hotels, as you explore Sigiriya Rock Fortress in Dambulla, spot wild elephants on a safari, travel tea country by railway, and learn about turtles at a sanctuary.
The Grandest Tour returns in 2025 offering guests six Aman sanctuaries in seven different countries, in just one journey by private jet.
Get away on an exciting honeymoon to the magical destinations of Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Qatar. From lush tea plantations and wildlife safaris on the island of Sri Lanka to idyllic days on white sandy beaches and turquoise waters of Maldives to Qatar’s unique landscape of heady traditional culture fused with modern metropolis. This 15-day journey promises romance, relaxation, and a dose of adventure.
Take a thrilling trip through India and Sri Lanka, spending 17 days meandering from Mumbai’s iconic Bollywood, down the backwaters of Kerala, exploring colonial Cochin. You’ll fly onwards to Sri Lanka, where you’ll explore its ancient wonders like the Temple of Tooth, all the while staying in luxury hotels.
On this two-week tour of beautiful Sri Lanka, discover the country’s hidden treasures, from historic colonial towns to its lush jungles, rainforests and tea terraces. Savor the views and allow yourself to be enchanted by ancient culture.
Step back in time without leaving any luxury behind on this 14-day journey through Sri Lanka’s most important heritage sites. Picnic atop an ancient rock fortress, take an exciting safari through Yala National Park and visit the revered UNESCO site, Anuradhapura. This adventure offers insight into ancient cultures.
Experience Sri Lanka’s natural beauty on this luxurious 17-day adventure. Observe wild elephant herds in their natural habitat, trek in the lush Sinharaja Rainforest, explore multiple UNESCO sites, hike through an ancient monastery and still have plenty of time to unwind by the turquoise sea in stunning Galle.
Spend nearly an entire month - 26 days - traveling in luxury through India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. You’ll visit religiously-important and UNESCO-listed sites including temples and palaces, watch baby sea turtles hatch in Tangalle, and relax at your luxury beachside resort on the stunning Kaafu Atoll.
This 14-day itinerary is a wildlife adventure for the whole family, from the plains and coastlines of Sri Lanka to the open grasslands of Abu Dhabi's Sir Bani Yas island. Discover rich cultural heritage and unwind at luxurious hotels while getting up close and personal with the flora and fauna of these two completely different and fascinating countries.
Located just 20 minutes away from the coastal city of Galle, the four-bedroom ISHQ Luxury Villa offers a secluded space for a family or group to relax and simply enjoy time away together. Part of a collection designed by acclaimed architect, Bruce Fell Smith, the oceanfront villa offers a private beach area as well as a team of staff including an in-house chef, a personal butler and a personal fitness trainer.
High ceilings and open-air spaces can be found throughout the villa and the 4 air-conditioned bedroom suites were designed with abundant storage space in mind. Each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with an outdoor rainwater shower.
Practice yoga in the dedicated yoga space and relax at the villa’s swimming pool, which is bordered by a patio with a lounge area and poolside bar. If you wish, take a locally inspired cooking class outdoors in the garden or enjoy a round of golf along the ocean. Poolside dinners, as well as beachside dinners, can be arranged. The villa also has a gym space with air conditioning and an en-suite shower room. Visit nearby historical Galle to explore the city’s 16th century fort and markets. The villa is located approximately 2 hours away from the Colombo International airport.
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