Galle Fort • Streets
Wandering through the labyrinth of Fort’s narrow, cobbled streets feels like taking a peek into the past. The facades and alleys bearing the names of long-lost trades, old families and forgotten icons date back to the period when Portuguese, Dutch and British ruled the coast of Ceylon, with Galle as its undisputed cosmopolitan hotspot. The history of Fort lives on in its street names; each street has its own distinct character and stories to tell. The mood around town changes with the sun, from early morning until late evening. Join us for a culturally curious exploration of this unique old city!
Galle Fort • Streets
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Places to stay in Galle
Fort Bazaar
Cool elegance in old merchants mansion
26 Church Street
high
Fort Printers
Understated luxury in old printing workshop
39 Pedlar Street
high
Pedlar’s Inn
Feel good hostel in the heart of Fort
62/B Lighthouse Street
low
Amangalla
Fort’s most prestigious hotel
10 Church Street
high
Galle Fort Hotel
Classy old world charm
28 Church Street
high
Deco on 44
Art deco mansion from the 1930’s
44 Lighthouse Street
medium
Fortaleza
Stylish rooms in old spice warehouse
9 Church Cross Street
medium
Seagreen Guesthouse
Friendly B&B overlooking the ramparts
Rampart Street
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Snapshots in Galle Fort • Streets
"Money doesn’t matter. In 21 years I haven’t saved. My main aim is to ensure people’s stomachs are full." #iDiscoverArmchairTravel 🇱🇰
📍 "My husband began the restaurant in 1998 – he loved the Fort and I continue to run it in his honour. The residents here have only ever helped me. My happiness comes from meeting different customers, providing them with affordable meals and having good connections with the local community. Those of all faiths, professions and social backgrounds come."
— Aiyomi Dilrukshi Ramanayake, Young Men's Buddhist Association Restaurant Owner
👉 Download our free app to read more about this vibrant, multicultural place and its people — link in bio!! ✨
This week, we are bringing you to the favourite places of inspiring locals we met in #Galle Fort, #SriLanka. We hope that their stories brighten your #quarantinelife!
📸: @eyemahuroof | 🖊: @daisyperry1
Galle Fort's library is a unique and inspiring place, and so are the people who keep it going. Why? Find out below!
👇
"I was the Fort librarian from 2011-2016. During that time, I improved the place and organised the shelves. I would have stayed on but I was advised to rest. When I finally retired, I was 90! Even now, I still go for all the committee meetings."
— Mr Sugathadasa Abeywickrama, Fort resident, former accountant and retired librarian
📍Galle Fort's library is the oldest in the recorded history of Sri Lanka. It started as a ‘Reading Hall’ for soldiers of the Malay Rifle Regiment in the British times and has remained a place of books ever since. The lovely little library carries a wide range of titles in English and Sinhalese, including a copy of the ‘Colombo Journal of 1832, the first-ever published newspaper published in the country.
👉 Download our free app to read more about this vibrant, multicultural place and its people - link in bio! ✨
#iDiscoverArmchairTravel 🇱🇰: This week, we are bringing you to the favourite places of inspiring locals we met in #Galle Fort, #SriLanka. We hope that sharing their stories with you will brighten your #quarantinelife!
📸: @eyemahuroof | 🖊: @daisyperry1