Galle

Galle is in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.

Galle's old town with its fortifications have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

• All Saint's Church, Church St, Fort. Massses: Fri,Sun 8AM. Anglican Churh
• Kalutara temple. is a place you must not miss
• Seenigama temple. Always make a donation and say a prayer for good luck.
• Fort's walls, Rampart Rd. A walk here at sunset is very pleasant if you don't mind being hassled to buy table cloths, fake antique 'Dutch' coins, or powdered milk. Be wary of unauthorized local or foreign guides who offer you a walk round the Fort for a fee. Walking round the Fort is free. Local Authorities do not charge any fees.
• Peace Pagoda. the view from on a clear day is also quite lovely
• Galle Port, Matara Rd (Cca. one km east from the Bus Station.
• Meeran Masjid, Fort Galle, Rampart St.
• National Sea Museum, Queens Street, +94 91 22 42261. is housed in the old Dutch East India Company VOC Warehouse in Galle Fort
• Dutch Reformed church, Church Street (Middle St corner. Look inside
• St-Mary's Cathedral, Kaluwella, between Templers Rd and Prison Rd.
• Arabic College, New Lane 2 (In the Fort, Church St corner. Found: 1892.
• Historical Mansion Museum, 31-39, Layn Baan Streeet, Fort (Near to Front Cross Street.
• Small Green Mosque.

All Saint's Church, Church St, Fort. Massses: Fri,Sun 8AM. Anglican Churh

Kalutara temple. is a place you must not miss

Seenigama temple. Always make a donation and say a prayer for good luck.

Fort's walls, Rampart Rd. A walk here at sunset is very pleasant if you don't mind being hassled to buy table cloths, fake antique 'Dutch' coins, or powdered milk. Be wary of unauthorized local or foreign guides who offer you a walk round the Fort for a fee. Walking round the Fort is free. Local Authorities do not charge any fees.

Peace Pagoda. the view from on a clear day is also quite lovely

Galle Port, Matara Rd (Cca. one km east from the Bus Station.

Meeran Masjid, Fort Galle, Rampart St.

National Sea Museum, Queens Street, +94 91 22 42261. is housed in the old Dutch East India Company VOC Warehouse in Galle Fort

Dutch Reformed church, Church Street (Middle St corner. Look inside

St-Mary's Cathedral, Kaluwella, between Templers Rd and Prison Rd.

Arabic College, New Lane 2 (In the Fort, Church St corner. Found: 1892.

Historical Mansion Museum, 31-39, Layn Baan Streeet, Fort (Near to Front Cross Street.

Small Green Mosque.

• Walk around the ramparts of Galle Fort, wander the streets inside the fort shopping for gems and antiques
• Visit one of the turtle hatcheries along the coast
• Dharmapala Park, Colombo Road (Opposite to the Galle Railway Station.
• Galle International Cricket Stadium, Colombo Road (Opposite to the Galle Central Bus Station.
• Galle Library, Church St.
• Talpe Beach, 1042, Matara Rd, Thalpe. Beach club with great vibe and excellent drinks. Bring your towel and enjoy the day there.
• 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.)

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.

Dharmapala Park, Colombo Road (Opposite to the Galle Railway Station.

Galle International Cricket Stadium, Colombo Road (Opposite to the Galle Central Bus Station.

Galle Library, Church St.

Talpe Beach, 1042, Matara Rd, Thalpe. Beach club with great vibe and excellent drinks. Bring your towel and enjoy the day there.

• Commercial Bank, 22 Church St, Matara (In the Fort, south of th Church Cross St, +94 91 2 232223. Open weekdays 9.00AM to 3.00PM. Other unit: Galle City Branch, No. 130, MAIN St., Tel:+94 91-2225786/ +94 91-2234469 /+94 91-2234446, Fax:+94 91-2234356, gallecity@combank.net, Open weekdays 9.00AM to 3.00PM, Weekend & holidays 9.00AM to 1.30PM
• National Savings Bank, Colombo Rd (West to the Galle Railway Station.

Commercial Bank, 22 Church St, Matara (In the Fort, south of th Church Cross St, +94 91 2 232223. Open weekdays 9.00AM to 3.00PM. Other unit: Galle City Branch, No. 130, MAIN St., Tel:+94 91-2225786/ +94 91-2234469 /+94 91-2234446, Fax:+94 91-2234356, gallecity@combank.net, Open weekdays 9.00AM to 3.00PM, Weekend & holidays 9.00AM to 1.30PM

National Savings Bank, Colombo Rd (West to the Galle Railway Station.

• Fruit and Flower Market, Sea St (Next to Municipal Shopping.
• Fish Market, Fish Market St (Sea Street at corner of Dickson Street. (across from ocean, next to Fruits Market).. Relatively new fish market opened in 2011, paid for by the UN and BASF. The old colonial style market built by the British in the 1890s was destroyed in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. There were fourteen fish stalls, trading in the traditional style. The new facility is more hygienic than the majority of fish stalls on the beach. Prices are typically 10-40% higher than for the same fish direct from fishermen on the beach (for example, compared to the informal market located a 5-minute walk away to the northeast (along the water towards Unawatuna)).
• Green Market, Market Cross Rd.

Fruit and Flower Market, Sea St (Next to Municipal Shopping.

Fish Market, Fish Market St (Sea Street at corner of Dickson Street. (across from ocean, next to Fruits Market).. Relatively new fish market opened in 2011, paid for by the UN and BASF. The old colonial style market built by the British in the 1890s was destroyed in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. There were fourteen fish stalls, trading in the traditional style. The new facility is more hygienic than the majority of fish stalls on the beach. Prices are typically 10-40% higher than for the same fish direct from fishermen on the beach (for example, compared to the informal market located a 5-minute walk away to the northeast (along the water towards Unawatuna)).

Green Market, Market Cross Rd.

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

• Lihiniya Gems, 42A.Hospital St, Fort (Opposite the lighthouse tower, +94 91-2234600. Established in 1983, this small family-run business deals in precious and semiprecious gems and hand made jewellery. Approved by the SriLanka Government.
• There is a good "gift" shop on Pedlar Street called Shoba - it is opposite the Peddlar's Inn and stocks a large range of handmade goods which are direct from the craftsman/women who have made them. It is a good alternative to the large retail chain "Barefoot" which you will find is often over-crowded with tourists. The owner is very nice and will stop and chat to you about the very interesting history of Galle if you are willing to listen. Their website says that they offer traditional craft courses (Dec 2012).
• Municipal Shopping, Main Street / Sea St (East to the Galle Central Bus Station.

Lihiniya Gems, 42A.Hospital St, Fort (Opposite the lighthouse tower, +94 91-2234600. Established in 1983, this small family-run business deals in precious and semiprecious gems and hand made jewellery. Approved by the SriLanka Government.

Municipal Shopping, Main Street / Sea St (East to the Galle Central Bus Station.

• Seafood Restraurant. Literally a hole in the wall located just behind the main Galle Fish Market. 1kg of fresh crabs cooked at local restaurant behind the Fish Market. Total cost for 2 people: 1200 rupees, including crabs, coconut curry, rice, vegetable and lentil curries. it's a tiny, one family-operation: father cooks, mother prepares plates and cleans. Only 5 plastic chairs and a small counter, not enough space to turn around. For adventurous travelers looking for a truly local restaurant outside the typical tourist restaurants or the made-only-for-foreigners "authentic cooking experiences", it's by far the best option for seafood in Galle. Buy your seafood fresh yourself, either at the market directly in front of this restaurant or at any other market. Bring your seafood to this restaurant around lunchtime, and the owner will cook it for you with spices and coconut curry. 1kg of crabs costs around LKR700 in the market, pay the restaurant 500 more, so for 1200 total (=USD $9, eur 7) you have a huge feast for 2 people: 1kg of freshly cooked crabs in coconut curry with unlimited rice, dahl (lentils) and vegetable curries. Nowhere in Galle or the surrounding beach towns offers such a good deal, neither in price or in taste. Tuna, prawns, squid... you choose whatever you want, you can get it fresh and cooked in delicious coconut curry.
• Anura's Restaurant. serves a mixture of local foods, pizzas, sandwiches and other snacks.
• Karunadasa Restaurant, 23 Light House St (In the Fort.
• Mama's. Authentic Sri Lanken food. Mama and her daughter run two cooking classes daily (morning and noon) which includes sitting down to eat the food you learn to cook. It is often difficult to get a table at the roof top restaurant so we found it easier to book the afternoon cooking class which included dinner. The cooking class was a highlight of Galle.
• Serindipity. A good option for dessert. It is can be quite hard to get them to serve you food as they often close their kitchen for cooking classes during the day and also closes quite early at night (went at around 9PM and they refused service due to kitchen shut). Despite being refused twice, the food is some of the best we ate in Galle and I would return there for it again.
• Cafe The Pedler's Inn, 92, Pedler Street (In the Fort. The milkshakes are a must for a hot day, and the sandwiches are pretty good, too! If staying for dinner be sure to finish it off with the home made chocolate brownies with ice cream.
• Ice cream parlour signed by a large 'Dairy King' poster, Church street. The products are a mixture of home made and bought produce. The home made mango and the home made coconut is particularly good. The brownies are better at the "Fort Galle Hotel".
• Lighthouse Hotel, See at 'Stay' chapter. For a treat, try the all-you-can eat buffet at this ultra posh palce for only about R1200/-. (You might not get any further than the hors d'oeuvres.)

Seafood Restraurant. Literally a hole in the wall located just behind the main Galle Fish Market. it's a tiny, one family-operation: father cooks, mother prepares plates and cleans. Only 5 plastic chairs and a small counter, not enough space to turn around. For adventurous travelers looking for a truly local restaurant outside the typical tourist restaurants or the made-only-for-foreigners "authentic cooking experiences", it's by far the best option for seafood in Galle. Buy your seafood fresh yourself, either at the market directly in front of this restaurant or at any other market. Bring your seafood to this restaurant around lunchtime, and the owner will cook it for you with spices and coconut curry. 1kg of crabs costs around LKR700 in the market, pay the restaurant 500 more, so for 1200 total (=USD $9, eur 7) you have a huge feast for 2 people: 1kg of freshly cooked crabs in coconut curry with unlimited rice, dahl (lentils) and vegetable curries. Nowhere in Galle or the surrounding beach towns offers such a good deal, neither in price or in taste. Tuna, prawns, squid... you choose whatever you want, you can get it fresh and cooked in delicious coconut curry.

Anura's Restaurant. serves a mixture of local foods, pizzas, sandwiches and other snacks.

Karunadasa Restaurant, 23 Light House St (In the Fort.

Mama's. Authentic Sri Lanken food. Mama and her daughter run two cooking classes daily (morning and noon) which includes sitting down to eat the food you learn to cook. It is often difficult to get a table at the roof top restaurant so we found it easier to book the afternoon cooking class which included dinner. The cooking class was a highlight of Galle.

Serindipity. A good option for dessert. It is can be quite hard to get them to serve you food as they often close their kitchen for cooking classes during the day and also closes quite early at night (went at around 9PM and they refused service due to kitchen shut). Despite being refused twice, the food is some of the best we ate in Galle and I would return there for it again.

Cafe The Pedler's Inn, 92, Pedler Street (In the Fort. The milkshakes are a must for a hot day, and the sandwiches are pretty good, too! If staying for dinner be sure to finish it off with the home made chocolate brownies with ice cream.

Ice cream parlour signed by a large 'Dairy King' poster, Church street. The products are a mixture of home made and bought produce. The home made mango and the home made coconut is particularly good. The brownies are better at the "Fort Galle Hotel".

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

• Rampart Hotel, Rampart St (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.
• The Sydney Hotel, No. 10, Gamini Mawatha (Near the bus station opposite the International Galle Cricket Stadium, +94 91 2226840.

Rampart Hotel, Rampart St (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.

The Sydney Hotel, No. 10, Gamini Mawatha (Near the bus station opposite the International Galle Cricket Stadium, +94 91 2226840.

• Internet Cafe, Church St (Betweeen Small Cross St and New Lane 1.
• Galle Main Post Office, Main Street (East to the Galle Central Bus Station, +94 91 2 223250.
• Sri Lanka Telecom & Mobitel, Wackwella Road (500 m North of the Galle Central Bus Station, +94 91 2 222231. Services:Fault Reporting, New Connection, Prepaid Cards, Purchase CDMA, Bill Payment

Internet Cafe, Church St (Betweeen Small Cross St and New Lane 1.

Galle Main Post Office, Main Street (East to the Galle Central Bus Station, +94 91 2 223250.

Sri Lanka Telecom & Mobitel, Wackwella Road (500 m North of the Galle Central Bus Station, +94 91 2 222231. Services:Fault Reporting, New Connection, Prepaid Cards, Purchase CDMA, Bill Payment

• Unawatuna 5 km to the southeast on Route A2. A beautiful beach - take a swim; enjoy the best eating places. Buses run every 10-15 minutes in both directions, cost 20 rupees, take 10-15 minutes. Can be very crowded and play loud music. Tuk-tuks ask for 400-500, can usually be bargained down to 250-300.
• Matara, end of railway line from Colombo, approximately 50 km south following the coastline.
• Mirissa
• Hikkaduwa 20 km north following the coast
• Madu River, 40 km north following the coast across the Balapitiya area, Take a boat tour. This extraordinary estuary with a cluster of 64 small islands scattered along its impressive breadth, most of which are covered with mangroves and uninhabited, and is also a haven for crocodiles.
• Kanneliya Forest Reserve — (Galle district). The waterfall “Naranga Ella” is one of the highlights. There is a safe place for bathing in Nannikitha also close to the entry to the Forest Reserve. There is a nature trial to Kabbale Kanda Mountain.
• Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage — is home to the biggest captive herd of elephants in the world. - Bathing times (1000hrs and 1400hrs) are a particular treat, as the elephants are led down to the nearby river.
• Sinharaja Forest Reserve — (districts of Ratnapura, Matara and Galle) is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rainforest in Sri Lanka. A World Heritage Site since 1989.
• Yala National Park — (141 km away) is open to the public, and is mostly made up of parkland and scrub jungle but also contains beaches, lagoons, freshwater lakes, rivers, enormous rocky outcrops and dense jungle.
• Ratnapura — Udawalawe National Park near Ratnapura is an area just over 308 sqkm and consists of dry lowland forest, thorny scrub jungle and grassland; several areas of the park have been planted with teak. One of the main attractions of its is the majestic Udawalawa Reservoir. There are also several large herds of Asian elephants, and species of large animals such as deer, buffalo and more.

Kanneliya Forest Reserve — (Galle district). The waterfall “Naranga Ella” is one of the highlights. There is a safe place for bathing in Nannikitha also close to the entry to the Forest Reserve. There is a nature trial to Kabbale Kanda Mountain.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage — is home to the biggest captive herd of elephants in the world. - Bathing times (1000hrs and 1400hrs) are a particular treat, as the elephants are led down to the nearby river.

[[Ratnapura]] — Udawalawe National Park near Ratnapura is an area just over 308 sqkm and consists of dry lowland forest, thorny scrub jungle and grassland; several areas of the park have been planted with teak. One of the main attractions of its is the majestic Udawalawa Reservoir. There are also several large herds of Asian elephants, and species of large animals such as deer, buffalo and more.