Things to do in Galle
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Rampart Hotel
This ancient place has an ornately carved wooden staircase that would make redevelopers drool. But you won't drool over the long menu of dull Chinese, local and Western fare served in the cavernous dining room on the 2nd floor. Rather, come here for a drink and the amazing sunset views.
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Thowfeek
Exceptionally cheap prices on name-brand clothes. The store is above a vendor selling cheap kitchenware.
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Ibrahim Jewelry
A recommended jeweller that is several cuts above (ahem) the omnipresent gemstone vendors.
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Suthuvili Gallery
This small shop has simple displays of elaborate and beautiful polychromatic masks.
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The Fort Walls
One of the most pleasant strolls you can take in town is the circuit of the Fort walls at dusk. As the daytime heat fades away, you can walk almost the complete circuit of the Fort along the top of the wall in an easy hour or two. You’ll be in the company of lots of locals, shyly courting couples and plenty of kids diving into the protected waters.
The Main Gate in the northern stretch of the wall is a comparatively recent addition – it was built by the British in 1873 to handle the heavier flow of traffic into the old town. This part of the wall, the most heavily fortified because it faced the land, was originally built with a moat by the Portuguese, and was then subst…
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Shoba Display Gallery
Beautiful lacework made right here in the shop – many of the finished products are used in the costumes of big-budget period dramas. The shop is the base for innovative charity Power of Hands Foundation (www.powerofhandsfoundation.com), which teaches local women dying crafts and ensures them a fair price for their work. Even if you’re not buying, pop in to witness the process of making lace – amazing! If you’re interested in a more hands-on approach, then (with advance notice) they’ll teach you how to weave your own lacy wonder.
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Dutch Reformed Church
The Dutch Reformed Church, near the Amangalla Hotel, was originally built in 1640, but the present building dates from 1752 to 1755. Its floor is paved with gravestones from the old Dutch cemetery (the oldest dates from 1662); the friendly caretaker will tell you where remains are held in the walls and under the floor. The organ from 1760 still sits in the building and the impressive pulpit, made from calamander wood from Malaysia, is an interesting piece. Services are held each Sunday.
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Historical Mansion
If you think you’ve got a lot of clutter filling up the shelves at home, then just wait until you get a load of the Historical Mansion, which is the private collection of one serious hoarding squirrel. Set in a well-restored Dutch house, it’s not really a museum, as many of the exhibits have price tags. It’s a junkyard of colonial artefacts, including collections of antique typewriters, VOC (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie) china, spectacles and jewellery. There’s also a gem shop.
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Serendipity Arts Cafe
This photo-crammed hole-in-the-wall cafe has a fusion menu that includes Western sandwiches and Eastern curries, brilliant juices and shakes, bacon-and-egg hoppers and proper filter coffee. They claim that some of the recipes are generation’s old family secrets – though we’re assured that the ingredients aren’t as old! It’s an ideal place for lunch or breakfast. The cafe is owned and run by Juliet Coombe and her husband.
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National Museum
The National Museum is housed in an old Dutch building near the Main Gate. The museum, with just a little more effort, would be superb; however, as it is, it has sad displays of traditional masks, information on the lace-making process, a few examples of the luxury items that once passed through the port, and religious items, including a relic casket.
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Galle Fort Hotel
The restaurant at this hotel serves superb, though very pricey, Asian fusion cuisine at tables set along the deep inner veranda. The dinner menu changes nightly. At other times there are baked goods, classic breakfast dishes, salads and sandwiches. The bar, overlooking Church St, feels like a colonial retreat, and is popular with the expat community.
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South Ceylon Industrial Agency & Handicraft Factories
This place employs traditional craftspeople from villages that specialise in the various handicrafts. You can watch jewellery, leatherwork, batik, lace and machine embroidery being created. And yes, gemstones are polished. Prices are negotiable. A three-wheeler from the station costs about Rs100.
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Mama’s Galle Fort Roof Café & Guest House
Eat under the twinkling star-lit sky with views of a spinning lighthouse at this guest house, which conjures up some of the most sensational curries in Galle – all at dirt-cheap prices. If the food really grabs you, ask about joining one of their cookery courses.
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Juliet Coombe
Author, photographer, historian, chef and just generally multitalented Juliet Coombe leads small group or individual tours of Galle, as well as child-friendly tours. She can normally be found at the Serendipity Arts Café. Tours cost Rs 1500.
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National Maritime Museum
Entered via the Old Gate, the National Maritime Museum was closed for renovations at the time of research but will be open by the time you read this. Word is that it will be a very different creature from the fusty old dear of before.
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Anura's Restaurant
This tiny, bright-orange, hole-in-the-wall place serves fantastic light curries, various pastas and even what are reputed to be Galle’s best pizzas. The paintings on the wall give it a trendy cafe-gallery feel.
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Young Men's Buddhist Association
Housed in another mouldering colonial gem of a building, the YMBA is a local social club that has a wonderful café hidden away on the main floor. The superb curries are served at communal tables.
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South Ceylon Bakery
Opposite the bus station, this highly popular lunch spot, with its impossible-to-resist sweet and savoury short eats, and gut-bursting curries, is the most convenient place to eat in the new town.
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Nescafe Shop
There’s no sign, but you can’t really miss the rotti-slapping going on at this dark little cave of a cafe opposite the lighthouse. By far the cheapest place in the Fort to stuff your face.
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Pedlar's Inn Cafe
A groovy little place in an old colonial house. Shakes, coffees and sandwiches can be enjoyed at long tables that are good for lounging. As well as a cafe, it doubles as a jewellery shop.
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Elephant Walk
An arcade containing a collection of shops selling something that’ll look just perfect on the wall or mantelpiece back home, as well as a small range of English-language books.
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Adventure Asia International
Hot-air ballooning is a romantic and wonderful way to see Galle and its surroundings from an entirely new angle. Contact Adventure Asia International.
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Exotic Roots
French artist Catherine creates beautifully colourful bowls and house decorations while her daughter mixes up the colours in striking paintings.
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Kanthisiri
This is a huge and bustling fabric vendor. The cottons are top quality and come in a dizzying array of patterns. Best of all, prices are fixed.
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