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Bentota to Galle Day Tour: The Ultimate Day Trip Guide

Sanjeewa Padmal (Seerendipity)
3 Days In Sri Lanka, Bentota To Galle Day Tour

Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure along Sri Lanka’s stunning southern coast? Look no further than a day trip from Bentota to Galle! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make the most of your journey, from must-see attractions to insider tips and tricks.

Table of Contents

What is Bentota To Galle Day Tour?

This is one day trip to Galle from Bentota. The tour intended to serve the large number of beach holiday lovers, who spend their beach holidays on the west coast beach. The Galle one-day tour from Bentota includes a large number of tourist attractions from the herbal garden to the Mask museum to the Galle fort and many more.

Simply Sri Lanka 8 Days Private Tour with Luxury Accommodation- This eight-day private tour takes you to the most important tourist places on the island such as Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla golden temple, and the tooth relic temple of Kandy, the national park of Udawalawe. Towards the end of the trip, you will be anchoring on the empty beaches of Mirissa.

Why Galle Should Be on Your Sri Lanka Itinerary

Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a gem on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. With its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture, it’s no wonder that Galle has become a must-visit destination for travelers from around the world.

Why Choose the Bentota to Galle Day Tour?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of your adventure, let’s explore why this day tour is a must-do for any Sri Lanka enthusiast:

  1. Diverse Experiences: From golden beaches to colonial architecture, this tour offers a perfect blend of nature and culture.
  2. Efficient Exploration: Cover multiple attractions in a single day, maximizing your time in Sri Lanka.
  3. Scenic Coastal Drive: Enjoy breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean as you travel along the southern coast.
  4. Rich History: Discover the colonial heritage and ancient traditions of southern Sri Lanka.
  5. Culinary Delights: Sample authentic Sri Lankan cuisine and fresh seafood along the way.

Best Time to Visit

The southern coast of Sri Lanka is beautiful year-round, but the best time for this tour is typically from December to April. This period offers the most favourable weather conditions with less rainfall and calmer seas [source: best time to visit Sri Lanka].

Transportation Options

  1. Private Car: The most comfortable and flexible option, allowing you to customize your itinerary.
  2. Tuk-Tuk: For the adventurous traveler, this iconic three-wheeler offers a unique local experience.
  3. Public Bus: Budget-friendly but less convenient for multiple stops.
  4. Train: Scenic but limited in terms of flexibility for sightseeing.

Pro Tip: For the best experience, consider hiring a local driver-guide who can provide insights into the area’s history and culture.

Bentota: Your Starting Point

Bentota, known for its golden beaches and water sports, is the perfect launching pad for your coastal adventure. Before hitting the road, consider these activities:

  1. Bentota Beach: Take a morning stroll along the pristine shoreline.
  2. Water Sports: If time allows, try jet-skiing or windsurfing at one of Asia’s best water sports destinations [source: https://www.srilanka.travel/bentota].
  3. Brief Garden: Visit this hidden gem, a tropical paradise created by renowned landscape artist Bevis Bawa.

The Journey Begins: Bentota to Hikkaduwa

As you leave Bentota, your first stop will be the vibrant coastal town of Hikkaduwa. Here’s what not to miss:

Hikkaduwa Highlights

  1. Hikkaduwa Beach: Known for its surf-friendly waves and coral reefs.
  2. Turtle Hatchery: Learn about conservation efforts and maybe even release baby turtles into the sea.
  3. Hikkaduwa National Park: Take a glass-bottom boat ride to observe colorful coral and tropical fish.

Local Insight: Don’t miss the chance to try some fresh seafood at one of Hikkaduwa’s beachfront restaurants.

The Allure of Galle Fort

At the heart of Galle lies its iconic fort, a testament to the city’s colonial past. Built by the Portuguese in the 16Th century and later fortified by the Dutch, Galle Fort is a living museum that showcases a unique blend of European and South Asian architectural styles.

Galle Fort

Built by the Portuguese and later fortified by the Dutch, Galle Fort is a living testament to Sri Lanka’s colonial past [source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/451/].

  1. Walk the Ramparts: Enjoy panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.
  2. Old Dutch Hospital: Now a shopping and dining complex, it offers a glimpse into colonial architecture.
  3. Galle Lighthouse: One of the oldest lighthouses in Sri Lanka, it’s a perfect spot for photos.

Historical and Cultural Sites

  1. National Museum of Galle: Housed in a 17th-century Dutch building, it showcases the region’s rich history.
  2. All Saints Anglican Church: A beautiful example of colonial religious architecture.
  3. Meeran Mosque: This unique blend of British and Islamic architectural styles is worth a visit.

Shopping and Dining in Galle

  1. Pedlar Street: Browse boutique shops selling artisanal crafts, jewelry, and spices.
  2. Galle Fort Cafes: Enjoy a cup of Ceylon tea or a refreshing king coconut at one of the charming cafes.

1. Galle Fort Walls

Start your day by walking along the fort’s ancient walls. This 3-kilometer stroll offers breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and the city below. Don’t miss the iconic Galle Lighthouse at Flag Rock, a perfect spot for photos.

2. Dutch Reformed Church

Built in 1640, this stunning church is one of the oldest Protestant churches in Sri Lanka. Its intricate details and historical significance make it a must-visit site within the fort.

3. National Museum of Galle

Housed in a beautiful Dutch colonial building, this museum showcases artifacts that tell the story of Galle’s rich cultural heritage. Learn more about the museum.

4. Galle International Cricket Stadium

Cricket fans shouldn’t miss this iconic stadium, known for its picturesque setting next to the fort. If you’re lucky, you might catch a match during your visit!

Hidden Gems and Local Experiences

1. Galle Fish Market

For a taste of local life, visit the bustling fish market early in the morning. Watch as fishermen bring in their fresh catch and experience the vibrant atmosphere.

2. Jungle Beach

Escape the crowds and relax at this secluded beach, just a short tuk-tuk ride from Galle Fort. It’s perfect for swimming and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.

3. Traditional Mask Workshops

Discover the art of traditional mask-making at one of Galle’s local workshops. You can even try your hand at creating your own mask as a unique souvenir.

What are the 10 best things to do on the Bentota to Galle day tour?

  1. Indulge in the Ayurveda massage
  2. Visiting Museum
  3. Snorkeling/Glass bottom boat tour to see Underwater living beings
  4. Boating in Inland lagoon/bird watching
  5. Visiting Buddhist Temple
  6. Walking tour of Galle Fort
  7. Visit Tsunami monument Peraliya
  8. Shopping souvenirs
  9. Tasting delicious fresh seafood
  10. Stroll on the west coast beach

What are the 10 best places to visit on the Bentota to Galle day tour?

  1. Ayurveda herbal and spice garden
  2. Mask museum, Martin wikremasinghe folk museum and Galle maritime museum
  3. Galle Fort
  4. Hikkaduwa marine sanctuary
  5. Koggala lagoon
  6. Kathaluwa Buddhist Temple
  7. Hikkaduwa beach
  8. Tsunami monument Peraliya
  9. Sea turtle conservation project
  10. Moonstone mines and Handicraft center

Planning Your Day Trip from Bentota to Galle

Distance and Travel Time

The distance between Bentota and Galle is approximately 75 kilometers (47 miles). Depending on your mode of transportation and traffic conditions, the journey typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

Best Time to Visit

While Galle can be visited year-round, the best time for a day trip is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. This period offers pleasant weather and minimal rainfall, perfect for exploring the city’s outdoor attractions.

Transportation Options

  1. Private Car or Taxi: The most convenient option, allowing for flexibility and comfort. Expect to pay around 6,000-8,000 LKR (30-40 USD) for a round trip.
  2. Train: A scenic and budget-friendly option. The journey takes about 1.5 hours and costs around 220 LKR (1 USD) for a second-class ticket. Check the latest schedules at Sri Lanka Railways.
  3. Bus: The cheapest option, with fares around 200 LKR (1 USD). However, buses can be crowded and less comfortable.
  4. Tuk-Tuk: For the adventurous traveler, a tuk-tuk ride can be an exciting way to travel. Negotiate the price beforehand, typically around 4,000-5,000 LKR (20-25 USD) one way.

Must-See Attractions in Galle

Why should I do the Bentota Galle day tour?

“Why anyone should make a Bentota to Galle day tour? and what can we see on the Bentota to Galle day tour?” someone might ask you, well what would be the answer for it? You might be wondering. I justify the Bentota to Galle day tour in this manner, “Well it’s the best way to see the important tourist attractions on the west coast of Sri Lanka including the best-preserved Dutch forts, which were originally built by the Portuguese in 1505 and later occupied by Dutch and English.

The religious importance of Galle

Galle is the birthplace of Buddhist resurgent after the harsh British colonial rule, the home town of Galle district has the amazing collection of galleries, museums, shops, eateries, the vibrant and colourful city”. Outside of the city many important places such as marine sanctuaries, beaches, museums, wetlands, wildlife reserves, archaeological sites, and ancient religious institutions.

On reflection, most tourists that visit Galle are not really surprised at the banter. Galle and many attractions in the region are still under the cosh of its popularity as being run-down and a little unpopular. Yet Galle, especially the Galle Fort, has spent the last several decades going through a resurgent process where forlorn mansions and iconic buildings have been and are still being restored. Galle city was given an improvement in the past to make it one of the most attractive cities on the island.

Visiting Fort on Galle tour from Bentota

The Fort is the most historical part of the city and is included in most Sri Lanka tours. The busiest part of Galle is the fortress, where the largest concentration of hotels, bars, museums and many other tourist attractions are concentrated. A large number of well-preserved mansions and houses, dating back to the 15s and 16s are converted to hotels, bars, restaurants, galleries, shops, and museums. Several well-preserved and partly restored churches are still serving the devotees.

In any case, Galle, part of the southern province of Sri Lanka, is known for several amazing attractions, most of which are very important for the island’s economy. One important attraction of Galle is the pristine beaches with torque water, an amazing collection of natural attractions such as lagoons, diving sites, patches of forests and cultural attractions along with colonial heritage are the other key tourist attractions in Galle.

Indulge in the Ayurveda massage

Rejuvenate you with Ayurveda- Ayurveda is one of the most ancient healing systems in the country and it is being practiced in the country for more than 2000 years. Our featured resort has a well-equipped Ayurveda treatment center and provides a wide range of Ayurveda healing packages that can be differentiated into rejuvenation packages, body purification packages, slimming packages, Body Immunization packages, Stress Management packages and Beauty Care packages.

If the guests do not wish to have a comprehensive Ayurveda package they can choose a small Ayurveda treatment such as 30 minutes head massage or full body massage or else they are also free to refrain from using Ayurveda at all.

Using Ayurveda for tourism

Sri Lank is a country with a well-developed Ayurveda healing system and is very popular among the local people. Maybe it is not very popular among foreign travelers, however, Sri Lank attracts a large number of foreign travelers, who are enthusiasts of Ayurveda treatments. There is a large number of hotels that are particularly targeting those Ayurveda treatment seekers. Most such Ayurveda health retreats are to be found in beach areas such as Bentota beach, Beruwal and Kalutara.

Must tour the Martin Wickramasinghe folk museum

Galle has a long history connected to the veteran writer Martin Wickramasinghe. Martin Wickramasinghe is widely known as the father of modern Sinhalese literature. Most of his works were carried out in search of the lifestyle and cultural aspects of the Sri Lankan people. He was very keen to explore and apply modern knowledge in social and natural science, linguistics, literature, education, the arts, philosophy, religion and comparative religion.

What to see in the museum

The museum is one of the important places to visit on Sri Lanka’s south coast. A visit to the Martin Wickramasinghe museum is a must if you are an enthusiast of foreign culture, history and lifestyle of the people. The museum is a large snapshot of Sri Lankan life depicted through a massive collection of items such as arts and crafts, kitchen utensils, household items, farming items, fishing gears, hunting equipment, furniture and even bullock carts.

At the martin Wickramasinghe museum, you will get to see the well-preserved village house of Martin Wickramasinghe along with his household items, such as beds, writing tables, chairs etc. The museum exhibits a large collection of items dating back many generations. The folk museum is visited by many hundreds of people and schoolchildren every day.

This 2-day Sri Lanka tour includes 2 most important tourist attractions in southern Sri Lanka Yala and Galle Fort, on this 2 days private tour you will be visiting many tourist attritions such as the Madu River estuary, Yala national park, Galle Fort, Moonstone Mines, sea turtle conservation project, Galle fort as well as Yala wildlife reserve. The tour includes a full-day safari at Yala national park with a picnic lunch. The tour includes entire ground transportation places to visit in Sri Lankan, a live guide, accommodation, and all taxes

National maritime museum of Galle

You can also visit the maritime museum of Galle, which is located within the borders of Galle Fort, near the Wolvendaal church. The maritime museum showcases a large collection of artifacts discovered in the sea off southern Sri Lanka. Most of these artifacts were rescued from the merchant ships that perished in the sea. The museum itself is housed within one of the oldest buildings of the fort. It had been the storage complex of the Dutch East India Company, where the large stock of export products such as spices, ivory, and gems was stored before the shipment.

What to see in the national maritime museum of Galle?

There is an impressive collection of artifacts numbering more than 200 in the museum that are recovered from the seabed during the exploration and some of the items are nearly 800 years old. Some of the important artifacts recovered from the seabed represent a ship anchor of a ship that sank in the 1800s, the soda bottles dating back to the 1600s and the remnants of the ship that was transporting them, fossils of sea creatures and a miniature skeleton of a whale.

One of the most important exhibits of the museum is a diorama of historical inhabitants in the Hambantota district. They are believed to be lived about 7000 years earlier. Another valuable artifact is a tri-lingual stone inscription that is written in Chinese, Tamil and Persian languages. It is believed to be written 600 years earlier in China and later brought to the island.

It also shows the methods of traditional fishing, fishing gears and fishing vessels of the country. Some of the articles among the exhibits are ropes used in vessels, old canons, porcelain items, smoking pipes, maps, and shipwrecks. A valuable artifact of the museum is the model of the ship Avondster (evening star) that sank in the port of Galle. The model of the ship and the artifacts recovered from the ship can be witnessed in the museum. The ship perished in 1659 AD.

Galle maritime museum was established by the Central Cultural Fund of Sri Lanka under the conservation program of the Galle world heritage site. The museum showcases the cultural and religious aspects of the people of southern Sri Lanka. It gives an idea of the convergence of Sri Lankan culture, trade, language and tradition with other foreign nations.

One of the important functions of the museum is to educate the people on the fragile maritime ecosystem of the sea. It shows a specimen of a large number of sea creatures such as fish, corals, seagrass and algae. One can see the causes of sea pollution and coastal erosion and precautions that one needs to observe to stop the destruction.

One can visit the laboratory of the archaeological museum and witness the process of conservation of items with historical value. It provides a rare opportunity of acquiring hands-on experience in conserving items in a laboratory. The historical value of the artifacts represents the period from 8000 B.C to the present millennium.

Must see some underwater living beings

Unawatuna located about 10 km from Galle city, is the most loved beach holiday destination in the region and it is the home to a cluster of small hotels, guest houses and rest houses with occasional star-class accommodation providers.

Unawatuna beach just south of Galle is one of the all-year-round sea bath places in Sri Lanka. Unlike many other sea bathing areas on the southern and west coast of Sri Lanka, where sea baths can be dangerous during the southwest monsoons, Unawatuna enables you to dip into the ocean and have a sea bath at any time of the year. The coral reef off the sea of Unawatuna provides protection against the underwater current while downgrading the force of waves. These coral reefs also harbor a large collection of exotic fish species, sea turtles, sea plants and many other sea creatures.

This 10-day private Colombo package includes 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites: Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Golden Temple of Dambulla, Galle Fort, and Temple of the tooth relic with Sri Lanka mountain resorts, southern national parks, and western and southern beach resorts.

Kathaluwa Buddhist Temple

In addition to the natural attractions and scenery, Kataluwa Purana Raja Maha Vihara (Kathaluwa Buddhist Temple) is one of the important cultural, religious and historical attractions in the lagoon and is included in most Bentota to Galle day tours. The temple featured very valuable Buddhist paintings dating back more than a century. Some paintings are depicting scenery from the colonial era and in one of the paintings, Queen Victoria commemorates her support for local Buddhism while the British government supports the British missionary Christianity in the backdrop.

Galle Fort must include on the Bentota To Galle Day Tour

Galle Fort is the iconic tourist attraction in Galle and naturally, it is a part of every Bentota to Galle day tour. For an unforgettable eyeful of splendor take a tour of Galle Fort, hundreds of thousands of architectural masterpieces ornate the Galle Fort, which is one of the most popular landmarks in southern Sri Lanka. Galle Fort is a UNESCO world heritage site and the fort is surrounded by a gigantic wall. The fort served as the administrative capital of southern Sri Lanka during the Dutch colonial era. Today it serves as the single most important tourist attraction in Southern Sri Lanka and is included in most tours such as 5 days southern Sri Lanka trip. Dutch Fort enables the tourist to see many hundreds of well-preserved Dutch architectural buildings dating back to the 15s.

The Portuguese arrived in Galle in 1505 AD and built Galle Fort, on the southwest corner of the island, bordering the Indian Ocean. Galle is the major city between Deep South Sri Lanka and the commercial capital of Sri Lanka known as Colombo. Later, the Dutch and British left their mark. The old town (Galle Dutch fort) occupies the western corner of Galle city and lies well above Galle city.

Without a doubt, the Galle Fort is very easy on the eye. Picture a scene of tightly packed stone dwellings scattered on a flat surface, houses and buildings are so tightly compact that most of the time there is no distance between 2 buildings. All building is in Old Dutch style with a steep roof, a big verandah, big windows and large doors.

Rows of picturesque houses, shops and mansions line the narrow cobbled streets painted in various distinctive pastel shades and the view from the southern part of the rampart is dominated by the Wolvendaal Church, originally built by the Dutch as a church.

Indulge your taste buds in mouth-watering seafood

Hikkaduwa is one of the best places to feast on seafood. Hikkaduwa has one of the biggest fishing harbors on the island, therefore fresh seafood is freely available here. Seafood is a big scene here and hundreds of seafood restaurants line up along the beach. In all seafood restaurants, there are a plethora of fish species on offer but for me, the best seafood dish is the mixed seafood plate, which is comprised of dozens of fish varieties such as tuna fish, calamari, shrimps, barracuda, cuttlefish etc. For non-seafood lovers, there are items like meat items, salads, potatoes, pasta, pizza, spaghetti etc

Hotels, restaurants, pubs, shops, boutiques, money changers, tour operators, guest houses, rest houses, and diving centers are lined up along the main road due to the large concentration of foreign travelers in Hikkaduwa. Usually, all accommodation facilities are fully packed during the peak holiday season (November to April). Therefore do not expect to find a place for an overnight stay in Hikkaduwa at the last moment during this period. During the off-season (from April to November) you will not find crowded streets, beaches, restaurants and hotels due to the lowered number of foreign travelers.

However, November to April is the best season to encounter Hikkaduwa beach due to the nice and clear waters of the Indian Ocean with no alarm of underwater currents. November to April marks the dry season on the west coast of Sri Lanka resulting in very low rainfall dominated by warm sunny weather.

Must take a walk on the walking path on Sri Lanka trip to Galle from Bentota

The maritime walking path which stretches along the high-rise wall of the fort is quite something special every evening on warm sunny days when the diminishing sun reflects in the sea. It is a safe haven for many couples to enjoy the romance of nightfall. Many families are also occurring here as the days wind up to chill out by the sea breeze.

Tsunami monument Peraliya

The tsunami monument was built in view of remembering the people who were affected by the Tsunami in 2004, located in Peraliya between Galle and Bentota, along the main road. As the waves hit the ground a train was sub-merged killing more than 1500 people. Peraliya is the spot where the train was destroyed by the waves. Today near the railway track, where the train was destroyed is a monument to remember the people, who sacrificed their lives. Near the monument one can see a museum with a collection of photos of the Tsunami, however, it can not be recommended for sensitive people, because some of the photos are very tragic and shock visitors.

Visiting Kande Vihara on Bentota To Galle day tour

Kande Vihara Buddhist temple is located near Bentota beach and is one of the most visited Buddhist temples on the west coast of Sri Lanka. Undoubtedly Kande vihara is one of the most visited and sacred temples in the southern province of Sri Lanka.

Temple is visited by a large number of devotees from all parts of the country. Being situated very close to the popular holiday resorts of Bentota, Beruwala, Alutgama and Kalutara, it is visited by a large number of tourists, during their holiday in the country. The especially well-maintained temple has been able to convince foreigners about the commitment of Buddhists to their religion. The temple is able to create a good impression among foreigners about Buddhism.

This beautiful temple is located some half a kilometer from the Kaluwamodara Junction on the Colombo–Galle main road. The temple is picturesquely located on a mountain and surrounded by lush green vegetation.

The history of the temple goes back to the reign of King Rajadhi Rajasinghe. The temple started with a small dagoba during the Kandyan period and later developed to the present size. The temple had been started as a branch of the renowned Bentota Galapata Vihara, which was resided by Velivita Saranankara Thera.

The relic house of Kande Vihara is built to deposit the sacred relics same time it houses very valuable religious paintings that date back several centuries. The relic deposited here enhances the importance of this holy place. Another important part of the temple is the sacred Bo-tree (Ficus religiosa). It is planted in a house or Bodhigara, which is built in an octagonal shape; it is believed to be an architectural invention of ancient Sri Lankan architects.

Recently added gigantic meditation Buddha statue measured 107 meters, it is located near the entrance of the temple and adds grandeur to the temple. A beautiful image house is built below the statue. The entrance of the Image house is adorned by a rare type of Makara Thorana. The main doors of the image house are constructed with cement while figures of animals such as lions and floral decorations are carved on the doors. The image house shows a close relationship between typical Dutch architecture.

The temple is conducting many religious programs for visitors; daily Gilanpasa Pooja, Deva Pooja, annual Kiripidu Pooja and Muruten Pooja are some of the important events. Vishnu Devala of Kande Vihara is considered to be one of the most important places in the temple. It houses a beautifully decorated statue of God Vishnu.

Tips for a Perfect Day Trip

  1. Start early to make the most of your day.
  2. Wear comfortable walking shoes and sun protection.
  3. Carry cash, as some small shops and vendors may not accept cards.
  4. Be respectful when visiting religious sites by covering your shoulders and knees.
  5. Stay hydrated! The tropical climate can be intense.

Extending Your Stay: Nearby Attractions

If you have extra time, consider visiting:

Practical Tips for Your Day Tour

  1. Start Early: Leave Bentota by 7-8 AM to make the most of your day.
  2. Dress Appropriately: Modest clothing is required for visiting religious sites.
  3. Stay Hydrated: Carry water, but don’t miss trying fresh king coconut water along the way.
  4. Currency: Keep some local currency (Sri Lankan Rupees) handy for small purchases and entrance fees.
  5. Photography: Always ask for permission before photographing locals or inside religious sites.

Sustainable Tourism: Traveling Responsibly

As you enjoy your day tour, remember to travel responsibly:

  1. Respect Wildlife: Observe animals from a distance and don’t encourage unethical animal tourism.
  2. Reduce Plastic: Carry a reusable water bottle and say no to plastic bags.
  3. Support Local Communities: Buy souvenirs from local artisans and eat at locally-owned restaurants.

Conclusion: Making Memories in Galle

A day trip from Bentota to Galle offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. From exploring the ancient fort to indulging in local cuisine, Galle promises an unforgettable experience for every traveler. So pack your bags, charge your camera, and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!

If you wish to take this Bentota To Galle Day Tour please do get in touch with us at admin@seerendipitytours.com

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