Galle

Understand

Galle has been an important port for centuries. Long before European colonisers arrived, traders from Persia, Arabia, Greece, Rome, China, India, and Malaysia conducted business through Galle’s port. Around the 12th and 13th centuries, Sinhalese refugees escaping northern conflicts settled in the area. The famous Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta stopped by in 1342, and in 1411, Admiral Zheng He left the Galle Trilingual Inscription—a tablet engraved in Chinese, Tamil, and Persian. Portuguese sailors accidentally landed in Galle in 1502 after a storm pushed them off course. They later took control of the area and built the first fort in 1588. In 1640, however, the Dutch ousted the Portuguese and greatly expanded the fort into what visitors can see today. When the British seized power in 1796, they kept the fort intact, using it as an administrative centre. The fort has survived centuries of use and even the 2004 tsunami, maintaining its charm and historical significance. Its community is vibrant and multicultural. In the fort area you’ll find cobblestone streets, colonial-era buildings, museums, shops, eateries, places of worship, beaches and ocean views.

Getting there

From Colombo you can take one of many southern line trains to Galle, or the bus. Both routes follow the coastline and have beautiful views.

By Bus By bus from Colombo: at Kotuwa bus station, Terminal 2, platform 12/13, "luxury" air con 22 seater mini coach, price Rs 715. Large non A/C old type bus, ticket Rs 400. There are 2 options for bus transport between Colombo and the main bus station in Galle:

Private A/C minibus. Smaller than the typical big buses, it seats only about 25 people (plus another 7 people will be jammed inside standing). 3 hours in normal conditions; 4+ hours if Colombo traffic is bad. This option is more convenient than the Southern Expressway bus if you need to start or end in central Colombo. Also more comfortable than the train: on the bus, you can be sure to get a seat if you start at either Galle main bus station or Colombo Fort, whereas getting a seat on the train is a matter of luck (and ability to push). Beautiful ocean views during almost the entire trip (the road is even closer to the ocean than the train tracks and spends much more time on the edge of the water). Rs 270. (updated Nov 2022) Southern Expressway bus. 1½ hr. Bus goes from Maharagama station, not Colombo Fort. Direct, comfortable "luxury" bus runs every 20 minutes in both directions. Travels via the Southern Expressway, a very modern, smooth and essentially empty toll highway. Views of forests (many palm trees), but no ocean views. Much faster and direct than the private a/c buses which start and end at Colombo Fort, but not so convenient for tourists who want to be at Colombo Fort. Colombo Fort to Maharagama is around 60 minutes or more on the crowded public buses; luggage bigger than a small bag can be very difficult, but definitely easier than on the private a/c minibus. Rs 780. (updated Nov 2022) From Ella/Badulla: There is one public bus in the morning from Badulla at 6:30AM and Ella around 7AM to Galle. From Badulla the ticket costs Rs 346 (May 2018).

By Tra

Getting around

Tuk Tuk or on foot is your best bet if you are traveling in Galle or close by. The Old Town of Galle and its fortifications are within walking distance from the central bus station, so it's better to walk rather than to take a tuk-tuk. The bus is an easy and cheap way to get to Matara, Unawatuna or Hikkaduwa from Galle.

2 Tourist Information Center, Colombo Rd (NE corner of the Dharmapala Park).

See

1 All Saint's Church, Church St, Fort. Masses: F Su 8AM. Anglican Church. Kalutara temple. is a place you must not miss Seenigama temple. Always make a donation and say a prayer for good luck.

2 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 for everybody.. (updated Oct 2021) Peace Pagoda. the view from on a clear day is also quite lovely 3 Galle Port, Matara Rd (1 km east from the Bus Station). 4 Meeran Masjid, Fort Galle, Rampart St. 5 National Sea Museum, Queens Street, ☏ +94 91 22 42261. It is housed in the old Dutch East India Company VOC Warehouse in Galle Fort. 6 Dutch Reformed church, Church Street (Middle St corner). Look inside. 7 St-Mary's Cathedral (Kaluwella Catholic Church), Kaluwella, between Templers Rd and Prison Rd. 8 Arabic College (Al Bahjathul Ibrahimiya Arabic College), New Lane 2 (in the Fort, Church St corner). Found: 1892. 9 Historical Mansion Museum, 31-39, Layn Baan St, Fort (near Front Cross St). Small Green Mosque.

Do

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 1 Dharmapala Park, Colombo Road (opposite to the Galle Railway Station). 2 Galle International Cricket Stadium, Colombo Road (opposite to the Galle Central Bus Station). 3 Galle Library, Church St. 4 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 exercise by walking around the ramparts first thing in the morning, as a lot of the locals do. The evenings are lovely too. Galle Fort. Hear all the interesting stories about the Galle Fort. Audios will play automatically as you explore the ramparts using the curated route maps. Will work offline once downloaded. $1. (updated Jan 2023)

Buy

Banks

1 Commercial Bank, 22 Church St, Matara (in the Fort, south of the Church Cross St), ☏ +94 91 2 232223, fax: +94 91-2242770, [email protected]. Open weekdays 9AM to 3PM. Other unit: Galle City Branch, No. 130, MAIN St., Tel:+94 91-2225786/ +94 91-2234469 /+94 91-2234446, Fax:+94 91-2234356, [email protected]. Open weekdays 9AM to 3PM, weekend & holidays 9AM to 1:30PM 2 National Savings Bank, Colombo Rd (west to the Galle Railway Station).

Markets 3 Fruit and Flower Market (Municipal Fruits Market), Sea St (next to Municipal Shopping). 4 Fish Market, Fish Market St (Sea Street at corner of Dickson Street (across from ocean, next to Fruits Market)). A fish market opened in 2011, paid for by the UN and BASF [1]. 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)). 5 Green Market, Market Cross Rd.

Others You will find the best tourist shopping inside the Fort. But you