Galle in Sri Lanka
The historic port city of Galle is probably the most beautiful city in Sri Lanka and the gem of the south coast.
The picturesque port was long considered the most important port in the country and the city's architecture is strongly influenced by the colonial era of the Dutch.
The old town within the fortress built by the Dutch, Fort Galle, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is surrounded by the sea on three sides.
Here, hip cafés line up alongside cute boutiques, stylish hotels and museums as well as mosques, old churches, schools, courthouses and government and office buildings - tourism has become the main source of income, but at the same time the everyday hustle and bustle of the locals is still clearly noticeable and visible.
The modern center of the new town has a well-developed infrastructure, inviting markets and stores as well as a large cricket stadium that is used for international matches.
Although the city of Galle had already existed for many years, it only gained prominence and importance with the arrival of the European colonists.
In 1505, a Portuguese ship on its way to the Maldives stranded in the port of Galles for the first time.
According to one legend, the city got its name because the Portuguese heard a rooster crowing - "galo" in Portuguese - on their arrival.
Other voices claim that the name was derived from the Sinhalese word "Gala" for rock.
In 1589, the Portuguese built a small fortress, which they named Santa Cruz, where they sought protection from their enemies in the Kingdom of Kandy.
They later extended it with further walls and bastions before the Dutch conquered the fortress in 1640 and destroyed all traces of Portuguese rule in Galle .
Galle was then the most important trading port in Sri Lanka for a good 200 years and a hub for ships traveling between Europe and Asia.
It was only when Galle fell into British hands in 1796 that trade was increasingly focused on Colombo and Galle lost its importance. Nevertheless, a few ships and yachts continue to sail here every day.
The best travel time for Galle
As Galle is located on the south coast of the country, the city is affected by the southwest monsoon between May and October.
The best time to visit Galle is therefore from November to April - but this is also when most visitors are out and about in the fort.
From May to October it is much less busy, although some cafés and stores may remain closed.
Places of interest in Galle
You can easily explore the old town of Galle on foot on your own. Alternatively, you can also book a guided tour on foot or by tuk tuk. There are also special tours such as an evening walk, a culinary tour and a Mystical Fort Tour.
What you should definitely not miss when visiting the port city is a walk along the old fortress walls built from granite and coral. Apart from short interruptions, the walk takes you all the way around the old town. It takes about an hour and offers great views of the sea, the old town and parts of the neighboring districts.
Galle's most famous sight is probably the palm-framed lighthouse, which is located on the eastern section of the city wall at Point Utrecht Bastion.
The historic clock tower is also a popular photo motif. You can climb it and get a good view of the cricket stadium from the top. The southernmost point of the fort, Flag Rock, is a former Portuguese bastion and is now the best place to watch the sunset. Delicious street food is on offer here during the day.
The Old Gate is the most beautifully preserved gate to the old town. From the outside, the British coat of arms is carved into the stone, while the letters "VOC" - Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie = Dutch East India Company - adorn the gate from the inside, framed by two lions and a cockerel.
Part of the gate is now used as a department store for spices.
The Main Gate is the northern and busiest entrance to the Old Town and is much newer than the Old Gate. It was built by the British in 1873 to divert the growing flow of visitors.
Other sights include the Dutch Reform Church from 1640, a historic Dutch hospital from the 18th century, which is now home to boutiques and restaurants, and a former Dutch manor house, where a private collection of a local family's possessions are on display or even for sale.
If you feel like culture, you can pay a visit to the museums in the fort. Here you will find the Marine Archeological Museum, where finds from ships that sank off the coast are exhibited, the National Maritime Museum, where you can not only marvel at a whale skeleton but also learn more about tsunamis and fishing, and the National Museum, which is located in one of the oldest Dutch colonial buildings in the city.
Cafés and restaurants in Galle
When visiting Galle , you should definitely not miss out on a scoop of gelato, the quality of which you won't find anywhere else in Sri Lanka!
Several ice cream parlours have set up shop in the old town and sell homemade creations. Good places to go are Pedlars Inn Gelato, Dairy King and the relatively recently opened Isle of Gelato.
Otherwise, in Galle you will find both local cuisine and a large selection of Western food - partly due to the colonial past and partly due to the number of visitors who come to the old town every year.
If you want to eat more traditionally and a little more cheaply, you should do so outside the fortress walls.
You can get authentic rice & curry inside the fort in the small but fine Spoon's Café in Pedlar Street, where there are only four tables and the food is cooked according to traditional family recipes.
At the Serendipity Arts Café western food is mixed with Asian curries to create a fusion cuisine. You can sit comfortably on the terrace and admire the many works of art.
At the Mamas Galle Fort Café Malini Perera and her daughter cook fabulous rice and curries as well as Western and Eastern breakfasts. For around 30 euros, you can take a cooking course with the pair and immerse yourself in the world of Sri Lankan curries.
You'll find a relaxed hipster atmosphere and creative, sustainable and international cuisine at Poonie's Kitchen and at The Heritage Café & Bistro.
A minute by TukTuk is located on the second floor of the old Dutch Hospital and offers a beautiful view of the sea. Here you can enjoy Sri Lankan cuisine as well as burgers and pasta and a good selection of cocktails.
At the Sugar Bistro is a small local chain with branches in Colombo and Galle. The menu consists of Western and local dishes, but the coffee, which is very good by Sri Lankan standards, is particularly recommended.
Accommodation and hotels in Galle Sri Lanka
If you don't want to explore Galle on a day trip, but also want to stay overnight, you will find a number of fine boutique hotels in beautiful colonial buildings in the old town.
These are generally a little more expensive than accommodation outside the fort, but there are still options for every budget.
One of the best budget accommodations in the old town is the centrally located Casa de Kalua mixture of hotel and homestay.
The hotel Fortaleza is a boutique hotel with a beautiful garden within the fort. In the restaurant you can not only eat well, but also enjoy a delicious drink or two in the evening.
Rather more expensive but unique with a historic atmosphere and impressive architecture from colonial times is the Galle Fort Hotel.
The building is one of the most famous in Galle and is several centuries old; it is said to have been a merchant's villa, a post office and a bakery before it was converted into a hotel.
Kikili House is a special kind of accommodation, although it is located just outside the fort, about a 7-minute tuk tuk ride away. The hotel is hip and colorful, with colorful blankets and pillows, fresh flowers and various works of art in every room.
Arrival & onward journey to Galle
Galle can be easily reached by bus or train.
The journey from Colombo takes around three hours by local bus or train.
You can also take a highway express bus to reach Galle from the capital in just 1.5 hours.
From Matara it is 1-1.5 hours by local bus or train and from Hikkaduwa the journey takes just half an hour.
The popular coastal town of Unawatuna is located right next to Galle, so you can also easily travel 10-15 minutes by tuk tuk.
Where is Galle actually located in Sri Lanka?
Packing list for Galle Sri Lanka
What you should take with you on your trip to Galle Sri Lanka
