Galle

Galle is in Sri Lanka.

Travel to Galle - Visa Requirements

From Colombo you can take the train or bus. Both travel right next to the beach coast and have beautiful views. This is why getting in is one of the best things about Galle. Don't forget to stop at the famous "Monis Bakery" on your way there. (Where is the Monis Bakery?)

Depending on traffic, or how many stops the train makes, traveling from Colombo city can be anywhere from 2.5 to 4 hours.

Tours and Getting around Galle

Tuk Tuk or on foot is your best bet if you are traveling in Galle or close by.

The bus is an easy and cheap way to get to Matara or Hikkaduwa from Galle.

Galle tourist attractions and sightseeing

• The Kalutara temple is a place you must not miss.
• Always make a donation and say a prayer at Seenigama temple for good luck.
• A walk along the Fort's walls at sunset is very pleasant if you don't mind being hassled to buy table cloths, fake antique 'Dutch' coins, or powdered milk.

• The Peace Pagoda and the view from on a clear day is also quite lovely.
• An around the world sailboat rally (30 boats in 2007) stops in Galle. The rally sails west to the country of Djibouti on the African Continent. Generally, from January to March boats sail in the direction of the Suez Canal.

Galle city tours

• Galle Fort - Shopping for gems and antiques
• Visit one of the turtle hatcheries along the coast

Galle souvenirs and shopping

You will find the best tourist shopping inside the Fort. But you will need to go into town if you want fresh fruits and veggies or clothing.

Galle Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

• The Rampart Hotel inside the fort on the south ramparts does good local and "international" meals and serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. It is quite expensive by local standards though at about R1600/- (US$15) for a meal with a couple of drinks.

• In the Fort, there is also a great little cafe called The Pedler's Inn on Pedler Street. The milkshakes are a must for a hot day, and the sandwiches are pretty good, too!

• Also just inside the fort is the small friendly and family run Anura's Restaurant, which serves a mixture of local foods, pizzas, sandwiches and other snacks.

• For a treat, try the all-you-can eat buffet at the ultra posh Lighthouse Hotel for only about R1200/-. (You might not get any further than the hors d'oeuvres.)

Galle nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

• The Sydney Hotel is one of the more splendidly seedy bars on earth, beloved of the "Barmy Army"[1] of England cricket followers, and near the bus station opposite the International Cricket Stadium. The beer is cheap, the environment sordid and the only time the toilets have ever been cleaned was on boxing day 2004.

Galle cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

Galle has quite a few small boutique hotels and more seem to be cropping up after the tsunami. Within the Galle Fort there is Amangalla (within the renovated Oriental Hotel) and the Galle Fort Hotel. On the outskirts of Galle there is the Sun House.

On the road into Galle from Colombo there is the Lighthouse Resort designed by Bawa, famous architect.

Budget

• The rooms at the family run Rampart View Guest House (tel. 4389566, 37 Rampart Street) have a shared balcony overlooking the ramparts at the southern end of Galle Fort with the Indian Ocean beyond, and it has a small roof garden. The rooms are clean, with air-con, and the owners are friendly and helpful. The breakfasts include lots of fresh fruit, bread, eggs and good rich tea.

Mid range

Splurge

The Lighthouse Hotel - Has a luxurious environment and excellent service.

Get out

• Unawatuna [5 km to the south, on Route A2] A beautiful beach - take a swim; enjoy the best eating places

• If you're staying in the fort get a bit of brisk exercise by walking around the ramparts first thing in the morning, as a lot of the locals do. (and take the advice above in the evenings.)

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