Galle Itinerary & Travel Guide: Best Places to Visit and Things to Do in Sri Lanka
If you are visiting Sri Lanka, a day trip to Galle is an absolute must. This quaint, walkable town inside the historic Galle Fort offers everything you want from a coastal day trip: adorable cafes and restaurants, unique shops, beautiful ocean views, and the perfect spot to watch the sun set over the water. Whether you are into history, shopping, or just want to get lost in the charming streets, Galle has something for every traveler. In this travel guide, I will walk you through the best Galle itinerary, plus the top places to visit, things to do, and best restaurants, so you can make the most of your time in this beautiful Sri Lankan town.
Oh & as always practice sustainable tourism while traveling, please :)
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Galle, Sri Lanka Travel Guide & Itinerary
Me admiring Galle’s lighthouse in Sri Lanka.
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How to Get to & Around Galle
How to Get to Galle:
Getting to Galle depends on where you are coming from.
By Bus:
The best and closest major bus stop is the Galle Central Bus Stand, which is an easy 2-3 minute walk from the little downtown area of Galle.
Keep in mind that buses can be chaotic and crowded, especially during peak hours.
Bus Route Tips From…
Matara: Bus 350, around 1.5 or so ride.
Unawatuna: There are SO many buses from Unawatuna to Galle, but the best option is the 350, which takes around 25-30 minutes.
Colombo: From Makumbura Multimodal Transport Center, take Bus EX1 (around 2-hour ride). From Pettah, take Bus 32, which may take MUCH longer to arrive in Galle.
Always check with your accommodation for the most up-to-date routes and prices.
By Train:
The train is another option, with a long coastal ride from Colombo (Fort Railway Station) to Galle. The average travel time is 2-3 hours, and the arrival station in Galle is within a few minutes’ walking distance from the central downtown area. The train is your best option if you are traveling from Colombo to Galle.
Ride-Share, Taxis, & Rentals:
Local ride-sharing apps or taxis are another option, but can be quite costly in Sri Lanka. I tried ordering an Uber once while in Sri Lanka, but it was too expensive and not much faster than the bus or train. PickMe is another popular local app, but my experience was frustrating. Drivers would accept the ride, drive toward me, and then try to negotiate a higher fare (no, thank you).
Renting a tuk-tuk is another possibility, but it is more expensive (typically 15+ USD or more per day), requires a valid international driving permit, and can be less convenient than simply hopping on a public bus or walking.
How to Get Around Galle:
With everything being within walking distance, I found the best way to get around Galle was on foot! It is also the best way to really take in Galle’s beauty.
Best Time to Visit Galle
The best time to visit Galle, Sri Lanka, is between the “dry season” from December until March/Early April. Keep in mind that it can rain at any time of the year. When I was here in January/February, it still rained some days.
Best Places to Stay in Galle
If you want to have walking access to everything in Galle, I recommend staying either within the small peninsula area or just outside of it. If you want to do a day trip, I suggest staying in Unawatuna or Hikkaduwa.
Best Accommodation Options in Galle For Every Traveler…
Backpacker/Hostel Option: Wijenayake's or Sirène
Best Low-Budget: Arches Fort or Ivy Lane
Best Mid-Budget: The Fort House or Prince of Galle
Best High-End Budget: The Merchant or The Bartizan (Sea View Rooms)
Best Luxury Budget: Taru Villas, Rampart Street or Galle Fort Hotel
You can also find hotel deals at Agoda and Hostel World! You can help support my travel blog by clicking and booking through the links at no additional cost to you!
The Galle Itinerary
Galle’s charming streets.
Trying to find the perfect Galle, Sri Lanka magnet to take home!
Spend the morning enjoying a delicious coffee, browsing local shops, and soaking up Galle’s street charm.
Assuming you have woken up in Galle, or headed here quite early, first things first is COFFEE… well, and some breakfast probably. I recommend walking over to Kaffi or Coco and Date for something to help you get your day started. I suggest spending the entire day walking so you can fully enjoy Galle’s architectural beauty and charm. After an hour of breakfast, I recommend spending the morning simply wandering Galle’s streets, mixing shopping with some photography. Whether you want to be in the photos or not does not matter— the buildings can easily be the main focus of your shots.
Galle’s streets are lined with local shops showcasing craftsmanship, clothing, trinkets, and more. Taking the time to soak in the charm of each street and explore every corner is the best way to start your day. When you get a bit too toasty warm, you can hop in a store for a bit longer and enjoy some much-needed air conditioning or fans.
The Galle Fort.
Spend the afternoon enjoying some food, visiting the Galle Lighthouse and Galle Fort, and for history buffs, exploring a few of the museums!
After you have finished exploring all of Galle’s streets, it is time for some lunch! All of the options below have vegetarian, vegan, and some form of gluten-free options.
If you want something small, I suggest heading to Dumpling’s Cafe or Maru for a poke bowl.
If you want some delicious Sri Lankan food, try Coconut Sambol.
Craving Indian cuisine? Try Global Kitchen & Cafe.
Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Galle Lighthouse and walking along the edges of Galle Fort. Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s over 400 years old. It was first built by the Portuguese in the late 1500s, but most of what you see today was expanded and strengthened by the Dutch in the 1600s. On one side, you will see some of Galle’s beaches and coastline; meanwhile, on the right, you will see a span of greenery, Galle’s downtown, and perhaps a local cricket game if you are lucky. As you wander, you can mentally make a note of the spot you want to grab to catch the sunset later on!
The sunset from Galle Fort in Sri Lanka— one of the best things to do!
A view of the Galle Fort clocktower, with the sky changing colors as the sun is setting.
Finish the day with a cold ice cream or coconut while enjoying golden hour and the sunset!
Before we head to that sunset spot you picked, be sure to grab some ice cream or a cold coconut to enjoy while watching golden hour unfold over Galle. For my vegan friends, Cafe 82 has some delicious vegan ice cream you will not want to miss. Spend the next few hours relaxing and soaking in Sri Lanka’s coastline as the sun sets right before you. To wrap up the day, head to one of the spots I mentioned earlier that you have not tried yet, or even Puppets Restaurant & Cafe for some dinner.
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do in Galle
Another view of the charming streets in Galle, Sri Lanka.
Shopping is one of the best things to do in Galle, Sri Lanka!
Venture down the charming streets and take in the colorful buildings and unique architecture. This is a great place to appreciate your surroundings and also for some beautiful photos of buildings and streets. If you are into photography, this could be a great spot for you!
Shop and explore the local stores— Galle is full of shops showcasing local craftsmanship, clothing, trinkets, and more. With such visually appealing streets, walking around and browsing is the best way to take them in and experience Galle. It is also the perfect place to find some items to take home to friends and family.
Check out the Galle Lighthouse and the view surrounding it.
Walk along the edge of Galle Fort, a 400+ year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site, and take in the turquoise-blue waters, with Unawatuna on one side and the rest of the Sri Lankan coastline stretching out on the other.
Catch the sunset over the ocean from the edge of Galle Fort.
Taste the flavors of Galle and enjoy some of the delicious restaurants and cafes! (Check out the next section for some of my favorite spots.)
Watch a Cricket game at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. When I was there, I saw a local club playing a game, but you can find an official game happening in the stadium here. And, in case you have no idea what cricket is, you can either Google the game to better understand it, or check out this explanation.
Into history? Try checking out one of Galle’s museums— the National Maritime Museum, the National Museum, the Historical Mansion Museum, etc.
Best Restaurants in Galle
Dumplings Cafe in Galle, Sri Lanka. They have yummy gluten-free & vegan dumplings!
A view of the delicious vegan ice cream from Cafe 82 in Galle, Sri Lanka.
Dumplings Cafe (Gluten-free & Vegan Options)
Maru (Gluten-Free & Vegan Options)
Puppets Restaurant & Cafe (Veggie Options)
Global Kitchen & Cafe (Indian Cuisine, Veggie Options)
Coconut Sambol (Sri Lankan Cuisine)
Coco & Date (Gluten-Free & Vegan Options)
Kaffi (Great Coffee)
Cafe 82 (Vegan Icecream!!!)
Travel Tips for Visiting Galle
Stay in Galle Fort to make the most of your time and to be able to access restaurants and attractions easily. Otherwise, you can make Galle a day trip from either Hikkaduwa or Unawatuna.
If you have your heart set on a specific restaurant in Galle, I recommend trying to make a reservation or heading there early to beat the crowds.
Bring cash (Sri Lankan Rupee), as some of the shops do not accept cards. The best ATM is the Bank of Ceylon. Galle does tend to be slightly more upscale and therefore a little more pricey.
Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses if you are visiting during the day. Most of the walking is unshaded. I suggest exploring either in the morning or in the evening.
Some roads are cobblestones, so be sure to wear the right shoes.
Carry an umbrella or rain jacket—Don’t let the weather app fool you, it did rain a lot when I was in Sri Lanka in January/February.
Stay hydrated—grab a fresh coconut or carry water with you. DO NOT drink the tap water.
Do not miss the sunset over the ocean! You can grab a seat along the fort and enjoy an ice cream or cold coconut while you watch.
Download an eSIM to help navigate the buses and stay online. I always use Airalo fo,r my eSims.
Pack mosquito repellent to protect yourself from Dengue. Mosquitos are everywhere in Sri Lanka, and I constantly had so many bites every day.
Be careful with the street dogs. Most are kind and well-fed in touristy areas, but rabies does exist in the country (in more animals than just dogs). I highly recommend getting the rabies vaccination before traveling. The disease is fatal.
Mistakes can happen, especially when traveling to new places, so I recommend always having some form of travel medical insurance. Safety Wing is by far the best travel medical insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
Emergency Contact Number: Police: 119 | Ambulance: 110
You can find a complete list of Sri Lanka’s Emergency #’s by location here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to get to Galle from Colombo?
The best way to travel from Colombo to Galle (and back) is by train. You will enjoy a 2-3 hour coastal ride from Colombo (Fort Railway Station) to Galle. The arrival station in Galle is within a few minutes’ walking distance from the central downtown area.
The bus, on the other hand, can be lengthy and hot with many stops. Meanwhile, taxis and Ubers can be costly.
Can I visit Galle as a day trip from Colombo?
Yes! If you are up for a long day of adventure, you could. However, taking the train is not always reliable and may be canceled or delayed. So I would suggest heading to Galle on the first train in the morning, spending the night, and then heading back up the following morning.
What are the must-see places in Galle for a one-day visit?
The fort itself, the lighthouse, the sunset off the fort, and the quaint little streets were the highlights in Galle for me. I think Galle as a whole is a special place, and it is more about just walking around and enjoying the atmosphere, the food, and the views.
Are Galle’s beaches safe for swimming?
I am not too sure. I did not swim myself. There were some people down at the beach swimming, but I did notice quite a bit of trash, which was sad to see. I would think swimming during low tide is probably best.
There Are So Many Stray Dogs In Sri Lanka, How Can I Help?
The easiest thing you can do is feed them. You can give them plain white rice and boneless chicken or any other boneless meat, as well as dog food. Many grocery stores sell dog food, but keep in mind that some dogs are picky eaters—do not take it personally if they do not eat what you offer. Of course, a starving dog will eat just about anything. Leaving out some water in a plastic bowl or even an empty coconut can also be helpful. Coconut water is highly hydrating and can benefit dogs as well.
Many dogs, especially those further from tourist areas, are afraid of human interaction. If a dog seems hesitant, simply place the food and water nearby and step away to give them space. I promise they will eat once you leave!
If you come across an injured or sick dog, you can notify Animal SOS, a non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes stray animals in need. They currently have over 2000 dogs!! WECare is another incredible group providing veterinary care and sterilization programs to improve the lives of street dogs.
If you notice a dog with fleas or ticks and plan to stay in the area for a while, you can reach out to either organization for help in getting medication to distribute.
If you have more time, consider volunteering with one of these organizations to make an even bigger impact. I volunteered with Animal SOS, and it was a truly amazing day that left my heart even fuller.
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