Galle
Welcome to our Galle travel guide, where we explore one of the star attractions of Sri Lanka’s south coast. Most well known for it’s UNESCO World Heritage Dutch Fort, which is home to a growing number of stylish restaurants and boutique hotels, Galle is also a thriving, working city with a good selection of attractions to see nearby.
The construction of Galle Fort started in 1500’s by the Portuguese and was later adapted by the Dutch. Many remnants and ruins of the fort still remain today with a number of attractions throughout the area to see them. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, the Fort is the centre piece of the city and is what attracts many tourists to the area. This has resulted in a growing number of higher end restaurants and hotels popping up in the area. Outside of Galle Fort, is the city of Galle which is home to many locals and a thriving working community. The mix of the two areas, the prettier heritage site and gritty urban area, are what makes visiting the city interesting and keeps it diverse, unique and a must see for southern Sri Lanka.
Galle Travel Guide Contents
Galle Travel Guide
Getting to and from the airport
Bandaranaike International Airport, often referred to as Kutanayake or Colombo International Airport (CMB) is the largest and main airport in Sri Lanka. Although the airport is 154km from Galle, it is the closest airport and really the only option for flying into Sri Lanka. The airport has 2 terminals, with the newer, terminal 1, serving domestic flights and the older, terminal 2, serving international flights. Terminal 2 is a little dated but does have a selection of shops and restaurants to cater to passengers. Most visitors coming to Galle will likely come straight from the airport or from Colombo (or another area on the west coast of Sri Lanka) so here are the most popular ways of getting to and from the airport and Colombo city:
- By Bus & Train, the Colombo Express airport bus takes you to Colombo Fort train station and from there you can catch a train to Galle. The bus costs Rs110 ($0.55) for a one way ticket, runs from 5.30am-8.30pm and takes approx 1 hour to get to Colombo Fort Station. From here, a train to Galle will take 1hr 50min (express train) and will cost anywhere between Rs200-550 ($1-$2.75), depending on class type. Trains run throughout the day but the express trains are the quickest. This is a good option for those on a budget but can be a gruelling journey if you have just arrived from a long haul flight
- Private Airport Transfer, a convenient option for most travellers to book in advance, available 24 hours, taking approx 2-3 hours from the airport to Galle or 2-2.5 hours from Colombo city. There are no waiting times as drivers will usually meet you in arrivals. Costs for the journey range from Rs8000 - 12,000 ($40-$60). Compare companies online or ask your accommodation for a quote
- Taxi from taxi rank, not a highly recommended option due to drivers often overcharging, you should agree a price with the driver beforehand. As a guide, a trip to Galle from the airport should cost around Rs8000 - 12,000 ($40-$60). This price should be reduced if you are travelling from Colombo city rather than the airport
- Uber/PickMe, PickMe is the largest and most popular ride hailing app in Sri Lanka and offers tourists with a more convenient option, rather than having to haggle the price for every trip. A trip to Galle from the airport should cost around Rs4000-7000 ($20-$35) depending on the method of transport chosen, this should be slightly reduced if you are travelling from Colombo city to Galle
Areas to stay
Although it is a city, Galle is still reasonably small and the areas to which tourists are likely to stay are quite compact. There are three options of areas to stay in and around the city which are the following:
- Galle Fort, this is the most popular area to stay in the city as it is where the key attraction is and where most of the tourist orientated restaurants, bars and shops are. Accommodation will be slightly more expensive than in the working city, but there are some beautiful boutique hotels and guest houses to stay in. This is our recommendation of area to stay
- Galle City Centre, accommodation in the working city centre is slightly cheaper and there are some good options for budget hotels and guest houses. There are plenty of supermarkets and shops in this area but a smaller range of restaurants and eateries so walking or getting a tuk-tuk into the fort area or dinner at the hotel for the evening is likely
- Dewata Beach, located just outside of the main city centre and Galle Fort, this is the closest main beach to Galle city centre and where to stay if being close to the beach is your priority. There are a number of beach restaurants, hotels and budget hotels and hostels here and Galle Fort is 5-10min away by car or tuk-tuk
Getting around
Galle Fort is very compact so you won't require any transport while in the Fort area. If you are looking to travel into the Fort area from the city or a nearby area, you will likely need some transport, particularly at night. Getting to some of the nearby attractions to the city will also require a ride. Here's a quick guide to the most useful types of transport available:
- Taxi, unfortunately drivers can often overcharge and will not use the meter so when using a taxi, agree the fare in advance
- Uber/PickMe, the PickMe app is the largest and most popular ride hailing app in Sri Lanka. In Galle, the wait for a driver can vary, so it is not always the most convenient option. Prices are shown on the app which avoids issues with overcharging. Despite inputting the drop off location in the app, it is quite common to then have to explain this further when with the driver. Even without using PickMe, using the app as a guide to taxi and tuk-tuk prices can be very useful
- Tuk Tuk, the cheapest and easiest way to get around, hail a moving tuk-tuk and agree a fare before. Alternatively, ask a member of staff in your hotel or a restaurant to call one for you
Accommodation
As a city, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southern Sri Lanka, Galle has plenty of accommodation options to choose from. The most common types of accommodation available are hotels, ranging from budget and boutique and some larger hotels too. Guest houses are also very common. There are a few hostels in the area, particularly more in the beach areas, but it is more common to find a budget hotel which will likely come in at a similar price to a hostel
Things to see
We don't want to bore you with a list of everything to see and do in Galle and the surrounding area, so here are our top 5 things to see and do:
- Galle Fort, the Portuguese started construction of Galle Fort in the 1500's, and it was later adapted by the Dutch, which is where the majority of the architectural influence can be seen today. Inside the walls of the Fort are museums, shops, restaurants, cafes and a Dutch Hospital shopping precinct, amongst other things. This is the highlight of the city and a must see while visiting
- Jungle Beach, located approx 10-15min by car or tuk-tuk from Galle Fort, this beach is a secluded beach which can only be accessed by taking a trail and steps down through the trees from the main road. In dry season the water is calm, sheltered and clear
- Japanese Peace Pagoda, just a few minutes from Jungle Beach, this Buddhist Temple sits high on the hill and overlooks the nearby sea and landscape, offering great ocean views
- Unawatuna, 10-15min by car or tuk-tuk from Galle Fort, Unawatuna is a coastal sea town which boasts a long sandy beach, and great waters for snorkelling, diving and surfing. There are many restaurants, bars and shops located all along the beach too, making it great for a day trip
- Galle Lighthouse, built in 1848, this lighthouse is the oldest in Sri Lanka and is an important and culturally significant landmark. Entry inside is not possible but the lighthouse is worth seeing alongside views across the coastline nearby
What to eat
Sri Lankan food is a mix of Indian and Indonesian influences, meals are generally served up as a variety of dishes to share and enjoy with others. As well as some of the national favourites, you'll find a selection of dishes with ingredients from the nearby sea in Galle. There are lots of great restaurants in Galle, from higher end establishments to cheap eats. If you want to try some of the local dishes of Galle and Sri Lanka, then here are our top picks of the local cuisine:
- Seafood, being close to the sea, there is an abundance of fresh seafood in Galle. Top picks to try are crab and prawns which are usually served in the shells, with part of the experience being to break them open and enjoy the fresh taste!
- Kottu Roti, a staple street food made with roti mixed with finely shredded vegetables, meat, soy sauce, spices, ginger and garlic. A must try!
- Dhal, usually made with coconut and lentils, amongst other ingredients, dhal is a side dish and perfect for scooping up with roti's and breads
- Fish curry and rice, this dish is common across Sri Lanka, but particularly closer to the sea. It is usually spicy and best served with fluffy rice
- Coconut Roti, common at breakfast, these are made from shredded coconut and are smaller and more dense than a standard roti
Money
The currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (Rs). Credit & Debit cards are accepted in higher end establishments, larger hotels and shopping malls but many small shops, hotels and restaurants will only accept cash. There are ATM's in Galle, spread out across the city mostly but also some in Galle Fort. Some ATM's accept foreign cards but there are some that don't, try the next ATM if the first doesn't work. A service charge is generally not added to the bill so you can leave a tip, if you are happy with the service. A tip of 5-10% is the norm and generally expected in Sri Lanka. Even in higher end restaurants and hotels, prices are generally quite reasonable and affordable for Western travellers. Here's a guide for what you can expect to pay (per person) for:
- A local draught beer, Rs300-400 ($1.50-$2.00)
- A coffee, Rs350-450 ($1.75-$2.25)
- Kottu Roti, Rs200-600 ($1-$3)
- Budget restaurant meal, Rs200-600 ($1-$3)
- Mid-range restaurant meal, Rs1000-2000 ($5-$10)
- High-end restaurant meal, Rs3000+ ($15+)
When to go and for how long
The best time to visit Galle is between January and March, when it is the dry season for the west to south coast. We would recommend spending 2-3 days in the city while on a larger trip exploring Sri Lanka.
Local language and phrases
The languages in Sri Lanka are Sinhalese and Tamil, although Sinhalese is the more widely used of the two. English is also widely spoken across the country so you should have no issues in communicating. Some useful Sri Lankan phrases in Sinhalese are:
- Hello or Goodbye - Ayubowan
- Thank you - Istuti
- Please - Karunakara
- Yes - Ow
- No - Naa
Useful info
- Galle is a relatively safe area although travellers should exercise caution when it comes to scams, taxis and the main road running through the town centre, which can be very busy to cross with cars and buses driving quickly
- Galle, and Sri Lanka in general, is a hot and humid country. Ensure you stay hydrated and be wary of the sun
- The tap water is not safe to drink, always drink bottled water
- The tourism industry in Sri Lanka is relatively new compared to some countries and is still developing so some areas are less developed for tourists
Galle Travel Guide written in September 2021 based on visit in April 2021.
