Your cultural journey through Sri Lanka isn’t complete until you’ve visited Galle. Not many people know that Sri Lanka was once a Dutch colony. In the 17th century, the Dutch VOC built their fort in Galle on the Sri Lankan coastline, which was later taken over by the British. The 2004 tsunami severely impacted Sri Lanka, but Galle Fort withstood this natural disaster due to its high city walls. UNESCO has declared Galle Fort a World Heritage Site, ensuring the old streets remain as beautiful as they’ve always been. Nowadays, the fort has been transformed into a charming town with lovely shops, restaurants, and several beautiful attractions. Below, I’ll share my tips for Galle and what you can do in this picturesque town.
Visiting Galle: A Day Trip or Planning for Multiple Days?
Staying in Galle for one or two nights is definitely enjoyable. It gives you a bit more time to enjoy a nice dinner in the evening and take a beautiful walk early in the morning. If you don’t have enough time to stay overnight, Galle is also perfect for a day trip from places like Mirissa or Ahangama.
What to Do in Galle?
Galle is a small but delightful town, creating a relaxed atmosphere where all attractions are within walking distance. As Galle attracts many visitors, it’s advisable to plan your visit outside of weekends and holidays.
Explore the Cultural Attractions of Galle Fort
Galle Fort is so compact that it’s perfect for exploring on foot in just a few hours. You’ll find several old cultural buildings like the Groote Kerk, All Saints’ Church, and the Old Dutch Hospital. With the Galle Clock Tower at the entrance of the Fort and the Galle Lighthouse on the other side by the ocean, you’ll cover all the city’s major icons in a short time.
Tip: Follow my walking route through Galle Fort and let it guide you along all the beautiful sights that Galle Fort has to offer. The walk takes less than an hour, but you can take as much time as you want and easily fill a whole day with it. Stop here and there to dive into a shop, grab a bite to eat, or cool off with a refreshing drink.
Walk along the city walls and watch the sunset from Galle Fort
Galle Fort is surrounded by the ocean on three sides, and the large city walls with cannons protected the city long ago. These walls still stand and now serve primarily as a pleasant walking route. The best way to start your visit to Galle is in the morning with a visit to the lighthouse. It’s beautiful to see the sun rise behind it, and early in the morning, it’s not as crowded and hot. The city walls are also a nice place to end the day. After exploring Galle for a day, you can enjoy the most beautiful moment of the day here: the sunset. Around this time, locals also come to the city wall, making it a lively atmosphere.
Score beautiful souvenirs at the many charming boutique shops
As you stroll through the cozy streets of Galle, you’ll come across plenty of charming shops. From beautiful boutique shops in elegant luxury buildings to smaller souvenir shops that are a bit more tucked away. You’ll find lots of handmade souvenirs and beautiful clothing there. Due to tourism in Galle, prices may be a bit higher than in the rest of Sri Lanka.
Especially on Pedlar Street, you’ll find plenty of charming shops. At the popular Stick No Bills, you can purchase beautiful cards and posters. Also, make sure to stop by KK Boutique. Here, in addition to clothing, you’ll find some cool art pieces. For handmade souvenirs, visit the trinket shop Chris. This shop isn’t marked on Google Maps, but this is the exact location. At Orchid House, you’ll discover all sorts of lovely souvenirs, from spices and handicrafts to gemstones.
Explore Local Art and Enjoy a Coffee at Coffee Brunch Gallery
Artist Tomas Clausen beautifully showcases how much beauty can be found in the old weathered walls of Galle in his art gallery on Pedlar Street. His colorful abstract artworks aren’t paintings as you might initially think. They’re photos of details from old walls, cracks, and crevices in Galle and other parts of Sri Lanka. He’s managed to photograph and frame them in such a way that they become stunning artworks that fit perfectly into a modern interior. You’ll encounter his works in various restaurants and hotels in Galle. The gallery also houses a coffee shop so you can grab a (iced) coffee and enjoy a refreshing breeze amidst the beautiful artworks.
Fun Fact: Like many of the walls in Galle, the wall in the courtyard of this gallery is covered in moss. In the sun, it’s dried out and has a dark brown, black color. But when it rains, it comes back to life. The walls absorb the water, and within half an hour, the moss turns bright green again. Locals often say, ‘The walls breathe, and the city lives.’
Must-Do: Create Your Own Unique Jewelry in Galle
Forget about all the expensive jewelers in Galle because it’s much more fun to create your own unique piece of jewelry! The jewelry-making workshop was one of the most enjoyable workshops I’ve ever done while traveling. Plus, it’s entirely different from all the other activities in Sri Lanka, making it an even more exciting addition to your trip.
The workshop starts with a brief lesson on gemstones from the jeweler. Within a few minutes, you’ll learn how to distinguish real from fake gemstones and literally feel what the truly precious gemstones are, so you can confidently navigate a jeweler’s shop in the future. After this, you’ll select your own gemstone to work with.
During the workshop, you’ll go through the different phases of creating jewelry. From melting the silver to hammering, flattening, and shaping it. Being a jeweler is a skill, so don’t expect to assemble a piece of jewelry entirely on your own. The jeweler will demonstrate how certain things work, and then you’ll get to try it out yourself. In the end, the jeweler ensures that it becomes a perfect piece of jewelry, and you’ll have a unique piece from Sri Lanka for the rest of your life.
Good to Know: During the workshop, you have the option to create a piece of jewelry that they can eventually sell or, for an additional fee, to create your own piece of jewelry. The costs depend on which materials and design you choose. Just as an indication, I paid €35 for my custom-made ring with a gemstone, on top of the workshop costs.
Tips for Great Restaurants in Galle
Within Galle Fort, there’s no shortage of excellent restaurants. Because large parts are protected by UNESCO, you’ll still see many old stone walls, often beautifully combined with modern decor. Prices in restaurants here are a bit higher than in the rest of the country. You’ll easily pay Western prices for a coffee or lunch.
Kixi – All-day brunch bowls and waffles. Enjoy pleasant air conditioning inside!
The Pasta Factory – This authentic Italian restaurant prepares delicious fresh pastas.
The Bungalow Galle Fort – A beautiful location with a garden where you can sit under the trees in the shade. Nice atmosphere, friendly service, and delicious food.
Aqua Forno – A relaxed breakfast spot and bakery with tasty sandwiches.
Dumplings Cafe – Cozy cafe serving mainly dumplings and bao buns. The “Yellow and Green” drink, with mango, matcha, and coconut cream, is recommended.
Maru Galle Fort – Delicious poke bowls packed with vitamins and flavors.
Lucky Fort Restaurant – Here you can enjoy delicious Sri Lankan food for a reasonable price.
Chambers Restaurant – You’ll find excellent Turkish or other Middle Eastern dishes on the menu at Chambers.
Dairy King – For a tasty artisanal ice cream in Galle.
Our Favorite Spots in Galle
Just a 6-minute drive from Galle Fort, you’ll find Windy Garden, a perfect hotel for budget travelers. In the green garden, there’s a lovely swimming pool, and the price includes a delicious breakfast. The staff is incredibly friendly and always up for a chat. Brixia Cafe & Guest is the best choice for a mid-range hotel in Galle. This hotel is just outside Galle Fort. The Italian and Sri Lankan owners are always there for you and are happy to go the extra mile. You’ll stay in a spacious double room with a comfortable bed, lovely shower, efficient air conditioning, and a balcony. For the ultimate experience in Galle, book a hotel within the city walls of Galle Fort. Arches Fort is one of the best affordable accommodations in Galle Fort. The characteristic building is beautiful, and in the morning, you’ll get a delicious Sri Lankan breakfast.
 Windy Garden |
 Brixia Cafe & Guest |
 Arches Fort |
