Galle Travel Guide

Galle, on Sri Lanka's southern coast, is around a four-hour drive from capital Colombo. Its Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a bustling place enclosed by ramparts where locals gather at sunset to fly kites, play cricket, and stroll to the lighthouse. The narrow, cobbled streets house laid back cafes, boutique hotels, and artisan workshops. Outside the fort's walls are long stretches of beach backed by coconut palms and lush hillsides.

Beaches

Beside Galle Fort lies Lady Sea Baths, the locals' preferred beach, where modest Muslim women venture in fully clothed. Ideal for diving, snorkeling, surfing or having a midday snack at a beach cafe, the golden Unawatuna Beach lies in the district of Galle. Sea turtles wade ashore here to lay eggs between October and April. Stilt fisherman perched on stakes out at sea are visible from Kalukanda or Ahangama beaches near Weligama, just to the east (30km/19 miles) of Galle.

Things to Do

Koggala Lake, south of Galle, has a scattering of islands you can cruise around by boat. Temple Island is home to Buddhist hermits. Nineteenth century frescoes adorn the remote Kataluwa Purvaraman Mahavihara Buddhist Temple, in dense jungle around 10km (6 miles) from Galle. Get up close to sea turtles at the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Sanctuary off Galle Road outside the city center, where a hatchery and enclosures protect baby turtles before they're released into the sea.

Eating and Drinking

A staple of the Sri Lankan diet is curry with coconut milk, with rice, pickles, and chutneys. Sambol chutney, the national favorite, is ground coconut, chili, dried fish, and lime. The kavun snack cake is covered with treacle and deep fried golden brown. Galle's restaurants offer a mix of local curries alongside seafood and Western-inspired meals. Arrack, the potent local brew of choice, is fermented fruit, grain or coconut palm -- though a gin and tonic is a more sober option.

Shopping

Church Street, running through Galle Fort, is a shopper's paradise where boutique sells Sri Lanka's famous blue sapphires and silk batik. Visit the Elephant Walk boutique for sarongs and rattan homewares. Choose your own gemstones and have them cut into a bespoke piece of jewelry at MM Ibrahim Gems & Jewellery or Millennium Gems. Browse paintings and antiques in Suthuvil and designer clothes and accessories in Mimi Mango boutique, both on Leyn Baan Street.