Nestled in the Southwestern Sri Lanka, Galle is a historically rich city embellished with serene pagodas, glistening beaches, cozy cafes, intriguing museums and tranquil settings. Apart from a multitude of attractions, day trips from Hale is another element that travelers can incorporate in their trip. From the exotic wildlife of Yala National Park to the scintillating beaches of Bentota to metropolitan vibes of Colombo, there’s so much to explore near Galle. With a few hours of drive from the city, experience the vibrant colors of Sri Lanka and gather memories for a lifetime. Here is a detailed list of some of the best day trips from Galle that you can enjoy.
7 Day Trips from Galle
While visiting Galle, don’t get confined to just one city as there are several other places to witness the best of Sri Lanka. Following are some intriguing places to make the most of you day trip from Galle:
1. Colombo
Nestled on the west coast of the island and south of the Kelani River, Colombo is a major port of the Indian Ocean. From serene temples to delightful weather to pristine beaches, and a lot more, Colombo never fails to enthrall visitors. With attractions like the National Museum of Colombo, Seema Malakaya, Dutch Period Museum, Independence Memorial Park, etc, the destination makes it one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka. With just a short drive of around 2 hours, you can reach from Galle to Colombo.
Distance from Galle: 125.3 km
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2. Weligama
Positioned on the southern coast of the island nation, Weligama is an ideal place to indulge in water activities like snorkeling, kayaking, surging, fishing, and more. Apart from water activities, taking a tour of Handunugoda Tea Estate and indulging in invigorating spa therapies at famous spa centres are a few other things to do in Weligama. Moreover, its sandy beaches, breathtaking sceneries and glistening rivers make it a perfect place for nature lovers. The drive from Galle to Weligama drive is quite scenic and you can reach the place within just 45 -minutes. For travelers seeking a secluded place with a lesser crowd and abundance of nature, Weligama is the place to be.
Distance from Galle: 35.6 km
3. Bentota
Located in the Galle District of the Southern Province, Bentota is an ultimate place to indulge in an array of water activities. Whether you are a beginner or a pro swimmer, you have numerous options to choose from such as snorkeling, canoeing, diving, surfing, and more. Apart from this, the city’s other elements including lagoons, beaches, delightful weather, and estuaries also make Bentota a perfect choice to head on a day trip from Galle. For vacationers wanting to ditch crowded areas, Bentota is one place to find all the tranquility they’re wishing for.
Distance from Galle: 71 km
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4. Yala National Park
Designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, Yala is widely renowned for Yala National park that houses numerous animals including rare and endangered species as well. Enjoy your trip while hiring a jeep to have a ride across the jungles of the sanctuary. Sri Lankan elephants, wild water buffalo, painted Stork, Sri Lankan leopard, black-headed Ibis, etc. are some of the animals that you can spot here. So, if you are a wildlife enthusiast or a nature lover, Yala is the place for you. Notably, you can complete the journey from Galle to Yala National Park in just two hours.
Distance from Galle: 147 km
5. Ella
Positioned right in the middle of the gorgeous countryside, Ella is touted as a hiker’s paradise owing to its numerous trekking trails that are meant for beginners as well as pro trekkers/hikers. To enjoy such an experience, you can enjoy trekking to attractions like Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock. Besides this, taking a dip in the Ravana Falls, enjoying the tour of the Ceylon Tea Factory, and capturing alluring vows from Lipton’s Seat are a few experiences to enjoy in a day.
Distance from Galle: 198.6 km
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6. Mirissa
Mirissa is a crescent-shaped beach village offering a heavenly abode for beach lovers and peace seekers. From soaking in the serenity of Mirissa Beach to strolling around the palm tree forest to go beach hopping, there are numerous things to do in Mirissa. To make the most of your day trip from Galle, you can also experience the lively nightlife of Mirissa while heading to some of the best clubs. Furthermore, Mirissa Beach, Polhena Beach, Unawatuna Town, Galle Fort, Dewmini Roti Shop, etc. are some major attractions that can be covered in a day.
Distance from Galle: 35.1 km
7. Negombo
Known for white sandy beaches and an old fishing industry, Negombo is a great destination to enjoy a day trip from Galle. A less-explored destination which is just 2.5 hours drive from Galle, Negom lies on the west coast of Sri Lana. From walking down the small fishing villages to exploring attractions on a guided canal boat ride to relishing a meal on a catamaran, you can indulge in a wealth of experiences in the city. To enjoy the city tour, make sure to add major attractions lik Fishing Village, Dutch Fort, St. Marys Church, Negombo Beaches, Kelaniya Buddhist Temple, and Hamilton Canal to your itinerary.
Distance from Galle: 157.0 km
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Now that you have all the essential information on the best day trips from Galle, plan a trip to Sri Lanka with your loved ones right away. With places like Colombo, Kandy, Bentota, Dambulla, you have numerous options to add to your itinerary. So, wait no more and pick from the customisable packages at TravelTriangle. Happy Vacation!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Day Trips from Galle
Which are the best day trips from Galle?
Colombo, Mirissa, Bentota, Negombo, Dambulla, Kandy, Ratnapura, Unawatuna, and Sigiriya are a few places that offer you the best day trips from Galle. All the destinations are easily accessible by train, bus, and car.
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
December is the best month to visit Sri Lanka owing to calm seas, pleasant temperatures, and less rainfall. While the beaches have clear skies, the climate in Sri Lanka (which is mostly humid) remains perfect to explore hill stations and coffee plantations.
Which are the best attractions in Colombo?
Some of the best places you can visit in Colombo are Galle Face Green, Gangaramaya Temple, Viharamahadevi Park, Independence Memorial Hall, National Museum of Colombo, Beira Lake, Seema Malakaya, Old Parliament Building, Pettah Floating Market, and Paradise Road.
What is the distance between Gale and Yala National Park?
Yala National Park lies around 147 km from Galle.
How many days are enough to explore Galle?
A trip of 2–3 days would be enough to explore the best of Galle. However, if you wish to add day trips from Galle to your itinerary, you must spare at least 6-7 days.
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