Guidebook for Hikkaduwa

Prasad
Guidebook for Hikkaduwa

Sightseeing

Galle Fort, in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage monument, which even after more than 423 years maintains a polished appearance, due to extensive reconstruction work done by Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. The fort has a colourful history, and today has a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population. The Sri Lankan government and many Dutch people who still own some of the properties inside the fort are looking at making this one of the modern wonders of the world. The heritage value of the fort has been recognized by the UNESCO and the site has been inscribed as a cultural heritage UNESCO World Heritage Site under criteria iv, for its unique exposition of "an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries." The Galle Fort, also known as the Dutch Fort or the "Ramparts of Galle", withstood the Boxing Day tsunami which damaged part of coastal area Galle town. It has been since restored. History Galle’s earliest historical existence is traced to Ptolemy’s world map of 125–150 AD when it was a busy port, trading with Greece, Arab countries, China and others. Its mention as a "port of call of the Levant" is made in the cosmography of Cosmas Indicopleustes. This is the harbour where the Portuguese, under the leadership of Lourenço de Almeida, made their first landing in 1505 on the island and caused a notable change in developments on the island with their close friendship with Dharmaparakrama Bahu (1484–1514), the then king of the country. Before the Portuguese arrived here, Ibn Batuta had touched base at this port. This was the beginning of the fort’s history, which was built by the Portuguese, along with a Franciscan chapel (now mostly in ruins) inside the fort in 1541. The fort also, in later years, served as prison camp to incarcerate Sinhalese natives who opposed the Portuguese. The Portuguese had moved to Colombo from Galle as they preferred the latter. In 1588, however, they were attacked by the Sinhalese King Raja Singha I (1581–93) of Sitawaka, which forced the Portuguese to return to Galle. At Galle, they initially built a small fort out of palm trees and mud. They called it the Santa Cruz, and later extended it with a watch tower and three bastions and a "fortalice" to guard the harbour.
Dutch Gallery
33 Church St
Galle Fort, in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage monument, which even after more than 423 years maintains a polished appearance, due to extensive reconstruction work done by Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. The fort has a colourful history, and today has a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population. The Sri Lankan government and many Dutch people who still own some of the properties inside the fort are looking at making this one of the modern wonders of the world. The heritage value of the fort has been recognized by the UNESCO and the site has been inscribed as a cultural heritage UNESCO World Heritage Site under criteria iv, for its unique exposition of "an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries." The Galle Fort, also known as the Dutch Fort or the "Ramparts of Galle", withstood the Boxing Day tsunami which damaged part of coastal area Galle town. It has been since restored. History Galle’s earliest historical existence is traced to Ptolemy’s world map of 125–150 AD when it was a busy port, trading with Greece, Arab countries, China and others. Its mention as a "port of call of the Levant" is made in the cosmography of Cosmas Indicopleustes. This is the harbour where the Portuguese, under the leadership of Lourenço de Almeida, made their first landing in 1505 on the island and caused a notable change in developments on the island with their close friendship with Dharmaparakrama Bahu (1484–1514), the then king of the country. Before the Portuguese arrived here, Ibn Batuta had touched base at this port. This was the beginning of the fort’s history, which was built by the Portuguese, along with a Franciscan chapel (now mostly in ruins) inside the fort in 1541. The fort also, in later years, served as prison camp to incarcerate Sinhalese natives who opposed the Portuguese. The Portuguese had moved to Colombo from Galle as they preferred the latter. In 1588, however, they were attacked by the Sinhalese King Raja Singha I (1581–93) of Sitawaka, which forced the Portuguese to return to Galle. At Galle, they initially built a small fort out of palm trees and mud. They called it the Santa Cruz, and later extended it with a watch tower and three bastions and a "fortalice" to guard the harbour.

Everything Else

The seas around Sri Lanka offer the chance to see Blue Whales in concentrations not seen elsewhere in the world. Blue Whales do not move in groups like Sperm Whales for example. However, off the south coast they gather for feeding, with mothers often seen with calves. On our trips recently we had at least six, possibly ten individuals, within a quadrat of half a kilometer square. A concentration of blue whales of this nature is something which whale watchers can only dream about. We can arrange a professionally designed Whale watching tour or can also offer Whale watching extensions to your general naturalist holiday inSri Lanka. We also work closely with Dr.Charles Anderson, a professional marine biologist who runs a Whale and Dolphin watching company in Maldives. He has been living in the Maldives from 1983, and has a wealth of experience on marine life. Dr. Charles also offers and leads Whale watching tours in Sri Lanka.
16 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Mirissa Fisheries Harbor
81740 Harbour Road
16 người dân địa phương đề xuất
The seas around Sri Lanka offer the chance to see Blue Whales in concentrations not seen elsewhere in the world. Blue Whales do not move in groups like Sperm Whales for example. However, off the south coast they gather for feeding, with mothers often seen with calves. On our trips recently we had at least six, possibly ten individuals, within a quadrat of half a kilometer square. A concentration of blue whales of this nature is something which whale watchers can only dream about. We can arrange a professionally designed Whale watching tour or can also offer Whale watching extensions to your general naturalist holiday inSri Lanka. We also work closely with Dr.Charles Anderson, a professional marine biologist who runs a Whale and Dolphin watching company in Maldives. He has been living in the Maldives from 1983, and has a wealth of experience on marine life. Dr. Charles also offers and leads Whale watching tours in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s first five star PADI Dive centre and PADI five star Instructor Development Center Since 1973 Poseidon has been diving and teaching in the waters around Sri Lanka. With over 40 years experience they have built up the best reputation for safety in diving, professionalism and friendliness. Their five star dive center offers a range of diving experiences, from try dives and the beginner’s PADI Open Water Diver course up to instructor development courses.
9 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Poseidon Diving Station
304 Galle Rd
9 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Sri Lanka’s first five star PADI Dive centre and PADI five star Instructor Development Center Since 1973 Poseidon has been diving and teaching in the waters around Sri Lanka. With over 40 years experience they have built up the best reputation for safety in diving, professionalism and friendliness. Their five star dive center offers a range of diving experiences, from try dives and the beginner’s PADI Open Water Diver course up to instructor development courses.

Shopping

You can buy your day to day groceries from Cargills
9 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Cargills Food City Express - Hikkaduwa
162 Galle Rd
9 người dân địa phương đề xuất
You can buy your day to day groceries from Cargills

Arts & Culture

Mask Museum - Ambalangoda The town Ambalangoda situated in the south along the coastal road is home of devil dancing, masks & puppets from the past. The traditional masks are carved from light Balsa like Kaduru wood where trees grow in the marshy lands bordering paddy fields. The wood is smoke dried for a week in preparation.The hand carved & hand painted masks in traditional dance dramas are vibrant & colorful. The colourful & vibrant naga raksha (Cobra demon) mask of the Raksha Kolama (Demon dance), consist of a ferocious face with bulging, popping & staring eyes, a bloodthirsty carnivorous tongue lolling out of wide mouth armoured & armed to the hilt with set of fanglike teeth, & all topped by a set of cobra hoods. A private mask centre Ariyapala Mask Museum is an established mask craft center and sales outlet where it wooden masks worn during ritualstic folk dances and operas. Now mostly produced for home decorations and for export. Masks are associated with exorcism which are performed as dances. All masks are associated with ledgends and depict humans, demons and animals such as birds or snakes. Some masks patterns are a combination of various types such as snake and a demon or a bird and a demon. The mask museum displays a selection of 120 hand carved masks, visitors to the museum could not only view these magnificent creations, but they also have an opportunity to investigate into the mysteries, legend, myths and psychology in the world of mask dances. Observe the traditional mask makers busy in their craft at their workshops and purchase an authentic hand carved mask.
18 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Ambalangoda
18 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Mask Museum - Ambalangoda The town Ambalangoda situated in the south along the coastal road is home of devil dancing, masks & puppets from the past. The traditional masks are carved from light Balsa like Kaduru wood where trees grow in the marshy lands bordering paddy fields. The wood is smoke dried for a week in preparation.The hand carved & hand painted masks in traditional dance dramas are vibrant & colorful. The colourful & vibrant naga raksha (Cobra demon) mask of the Raksha Kolama (Demon dance), consist of a ferocious face with bulging, popping & staring eyes, a bloodthirsty carnivorous tongue lolling out of wide mouth armoured & armed to the hilt with set of fanglike teeth, & all topped by a set of cobra hoods. A private mask centre Ariyapala Mask Museum is an established mask craft center and sales outlet where it wooden masks worn during ritualstic folk dances and operas. Now mostly produced for home decorations and for export. Masks are associated with exorcism which are performed as dances. All masks are associated with ledgends and depict humans, demons and animals such as birds or snakes. Some masks patterns are a combination of various types such as snake and a demon or a bird and a demon. The mask museum displays a selection of 120 hand carved masks, visitors to the museum could not only view these magnificent creations, but they also have an opportunity to investigate into the mysteries, legend, myths and psychology in the world of mask dances. Observe the traditional mask makers busy in their craft at their workshops and purchase an authentic hand carved mask.

Essentials

Sandagiri Supermarket has variety of imported food items and wine. Highly recommended place to do your groceries.
33 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Sandagiri Super Market (Pvt) Ltd
369 Galle Road
33 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Sandagiri Supermarket has variety of imported food items and wine. Highly recommended place to do your groceries.

Drinks & Nightlife

Friday Night Party at Vibration Vibration music bar also know as Friday night party in hikkaduwa. which is the best club in Hikkaduwa since 15 years. here we have our special unique percussion session, live dance drum beats from our own band. “janaka and the friends” on special fridays. and our DJs are good for the Electronic Dance Music Lovers. the club is open every night, please join our facebook fanpage if you have been to our club
34 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Vibration Hotel
A2
34 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Friday Night Party at Vibration Vibration music bar also know as Friday night party in hikkaduwa. which is the best club in Hikkaduwa since 15 years. here we have our special unique percussion session, live dance drum beats from our own band. “janaka and the friends” on special fridays. and our DJs are good for the Electronic Dance Music Lovers. the club is open every night, please join our facebook fanpage if you have been to our club
The Best Place to Party on Thursday Night at Hikkaduwa. There's no place like home in Hikkaduwa except the Funky De Bar! With staff that will welcome you like your family! Don't miss Funky De Bar on Thursday nights with the newest beats playing by Well known DJ in the Country.
22 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Funky De Bar
538 A2
22 người dân địa phương đề xuất
The Best Place to Party on Thursday Night at Hikkaduwa. There's no place like home in Hikkaduwa except the Funky De Bar! With staff that will welcome you like your family! Don't miss Funky De Bar on Thursday nights with the newest beats playing by Well known DJ in the Country.

Food Scene

Located in the heart of Hikkaduwa “Refresh” is Specialist for sea food, Living lobsters, Crabs and Jumbo prawns. Their chef also makes delicious Italian dishes with Fresh Fish or Chinese food to your liking.
20 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Refresh Restaurant
A2
20 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Located in the heart of Hikkaduwa “Refresh” is Specialist for sea food, Living lobsters, Crabs and Jumbo prawns. Their chef also makes delicious Italian dishes with Fresh Fish or Chinese food to your liking.