Day Tour Galle from Kandy by Lux Tours Lanka
Description
Galle is a jewel. A Unesco World Heritage Site, this historic city is a delight to explore on foot, an endlessly exotic old trading port blessed with imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient mosques and churches, grand mansions and museums. Wandering its rambling lanes you'll pass stylish cafes, quirky boutiques and impeccably restored hotels owned by local and foreign artists, writers, photographers and designers.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Flag Rock, at the southernmost end of the Fort, was once a Portuguese bastion. Today it is easily the most popular place to catch a sunset. During daylight hours you may see daredevil locals leaping into the water from the rocks. Numerous vendors sell good street food such as fresh papaya with chili powder from carts.
Beautifully carved British coat of arms tops the entrance to the Old Gate on the outer side. Inside, the letters VOC, standing for Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (Dutch East India Company), are inscribed in the stone with the date 1669, flanked by two lions and topped by a cockerel. A section of the fortifications here also served as a spice warehouse.
Now fully restored and home to myriad up market boutiques and restaurants, this vast, colonnaded colonial landmark dates from the 18th century. Its size was necessary as both the voyage to Ceylon and life in the tropics proved very unhealthy to the Dutch, who died in droves from various diseases and the tropical heat. There are fabulous bay views from its upper balcony.
Originally built in 1640, the present building dates from 1752. Its floor is paved with gravestones from Dutch cemeteries, while other impressive features include the organ and an imposing pulpit made from calamander wood and topped by a grand hexagonal canopy. You may encounter the friendly caretaker who will likely point out the (slightly bizarre) carved wooden memorial dedicated to a former Commander of Galle, Abraham Samlant – the tiny cotton shirt is said to be the one he was baptized in.
The Amangalla was built in 1684 to house the Dutch governor and officers. Later, as the New Oriental Hotel, it was the lodging of choice for 1st-class P&O passengers travelling to and from Europe in the 19th century. During much of the 20th century, it was in a decades-long slow decline and was run by the legendary Nesta Brohier, a grand lady who was actually born in room 25.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(8)
We had the absolute pleasure of spending two days in Kandy and the surrounding areas with Laxman Liyanage, and it was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Sri Lanka! Laxman is an outstanding guide — professional, incredibly knowledgeable, warm, and genuinely passionate about what he does. From the very beginning, everything was flawlessly organized — punctual pick-up, a well-thought-out itinerary, comfortable transportation, and excellent communication. Laxman shared not only historical and cultural insights but also local stories, personal experiences, and useful travel tips. Thanks to him, we felt we were experiencing the real soul of Sri Lanka, far beyond the usual tourist path. His kindness, attention to detail, and positive energy made us feel truly cared for every step of the way. It’s clear that he loves what he does — and it shows in every moment of the tour. We wholeheartedly recommend Laxman to anyone wanting an authentic, smooth, and memorable experience in Sri Lanka. Thank you for the unforgettable memories!
Had a fantastic tuk-tuk tour in Kandy! Our driver was friendly, knowledgeable, and took us to all the must-see spots, plus some hidden gems. The ride was smooth, and he made sure we were comfortable the whole time. Perfect way to explore the city—highly recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
That’s one of the best days I had in a long time thank you for sharing all the information and kindness. What a wonderful person
The guide was super nice and happy to help either everything during our trip 🙏🏻 we enjoyed a lot our tour and learned about sri lanka culture
Laxman is amazing tour guide, he took care of all our needs (from A-Z) and kept on adding options that will suit our needs. We came to Kandy from Ella by train (ask Laxman to get your tickets in advance and he will book them for you, it's better to do it than the same-day ticket) We had only one day in Kandy and we went to: - Kandy viewpoint - Royal botanical flower garden - Ranawana holy temple - British tea factory that still works with the same machine (100 years old) - Bahirawakanda big buddha temple - must see! - Epalek viewpoint He planned everything in advance for us according to what we wanted at the same time he was very flexible during the tour and attentive to our needs and desires. I had a flight from Colombo the following night and he also helped me a lot and took care of everything. Fair price, great English, very attentive and caring. Next time I'm planning to hire him for 10-14 days across the island I definitely recommend checking with him before any plans to visit Sri Lanka. Thanks for everything! Adva
Everything was perfect! It was a good ride from Kandy to Galle with a nice driver. We made a few stops during the trip
Very respectful,local guid was ver good,he take we every where in kandy,and many information about Sri Lanka,he has many friend s in Sri Lanka to help you
Kandy the city is amazing and our tour guide was the best. He is a kind helpful gentleman. His name is Laxman Liyanage. We highly recommend him. He took us everywhere in a short time, helped us a lot getting around and finding the best prices and free areas that are hidden gems. He also carried my friends heavy bags long ways. From east to west Laxman is the best.
