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It’s whitewashed in a classic Mediterranean
style and beautifully maintained; the motif
extends to the rooms which have a simple
white wall and dark wood design. The roof-
top terrace cafe and bar have stunning views.
Some rooms are fan-only.Light House View Inn GU eSThOUSe $$
(%223 2056; http://www.lighthouseviewinn.com; 44 hospi-
tal St; basic r Rs 2000, fan/air-con r Rs 3200/7000;
aW) The name aptly describes the view of
the Galle’s landmark as the lighthouse is right
in front. Views of it and the ocean are high-
lights of the very nice and breezy terrace. The
cheapest of the five rooms share a toilet; all
have simple decor. The genial owner is proud
of her corner room which has sunrise and
sunset views.New Old Dutch House hOTel $$
(%223 2987; http://www.newolddutchhouse.lk; 21 Middle
St; r US$35-55; aW) This place with the time-
less name might well be the most immaculate
guesthouse in all of southern Sri Lanka. The
eight spacious rooms have creaky, polished
wooden floors and lovely soft beds. Breakfast
can be enjoyed under the courtyard’s paw-
paw trees. Amenities include satellite TV and
fridge.Fort Inn GU eSThOUSe $$
(%224 8094; [email protected]; 31 Pedlar
St; r Rs 2500-5000; aiW) The ever-beaming
owner of this ever-expanding 11-room guest-
house offers good, basic rooms and a perfect
people-watching balcony. The decor is simple
but you can enjoy amenities like a fridge and
air-con in the more expensive rooms.Ocean View Guest House GU eSThOUSe $$
(%224 2717; http://www.oceanviewlk.biz; 80 lighthouse
St; r US$30-60; a) The small and pleasingly
old-fashioned rooms (some fan-only) come in
as many styles and flavours as there are cur-
ries in Sri Lanka. The real clincher, though, is
the beautiful rooftop garden. The guesthouse
is entered from Rampart St.oFortaleza BOUTiQUe hOTel $$$
(%223 3415; http://www.fortaleza.lk; 9 Church Cross St;
r US$110-200; aW) This former spice ware-
house has been transformed into a fabulous
small hotel. Although there are only four
rooms, each exudes relaxed luxury, with fur-
nishings that have a colonial feel, without the
pomp. The bathrooms are large and nicely kit-
ted out. Opt for the Library Room, which has
a huge round window that bathes the interior
in light.2
To w n Wa l k
The Historic FortSTA RT CLOCK TOWER
FINISH CLOCK TOWER
LENGTH 2.75KM; THREE TO FOUR
HOURSThis walk will take you past many of Galle’s
highlights as you traverse four centuries of
history. One of the Fort’s great charms is
that detours and aimless wanderings are
rewarded, so don’t hesitate to stray from
the following walk.
Start at the 1 Clock Tower, which
unlike so many worldwide, actually dis-
plays the correct time thanks to the fine
engineering of the 1882 British mechanism
inside. Pause and look out across the crick-
et field to the New Town, with its ceaseless
bustle. Walk down along the inside of
the wall and pause at the British-built
2 Main Gate (p105). Avoid the careening
three-wheelers and cross Lighthouse St,
following the walls to the 3 Sun Bastion,
with its fine views of the harbour.
Curve back down off the wall and pro-
ceed up Church St to the heart of old Dutch
Galle. Admire the deep porches of the
4 Amangalla (p108) hotel. Cross Middle
St to the cool confines of the 5 Dutch
Reformed Church (p107). Across from the
church is a 6 bell tower (built in 1901)
which rings for tsunami warnings. Contin-
ue south on Church St to 7 All Saints
Anglican Church at the corner of Church
Cross St. Built from 1868–71, its solid rock
construction would look right at home in
an English village. Leave some money in
the donation box as it needs a lot of resto-
ration. About 50m further on is the 8 Old
Lloyd’s Office, with its preserved ship ar-
rival board, in the 19th-century commercial
building just north of Galle Fort Hotel.
Retrace your steps and turn east on
Queens St. Admire the 1683 9 Dutch
Governor’s House. A slab over the door-
way bears the date 1683 and Galle’s ubiq-
uitous cock symbol. Walk down the gentle
hill and stop to admire both sides of the
aOld Gate (p105). Now make your way
back up the walls to the Fort’s northeast
corner and the bZwart Bastion (Black
Bastion), thought to be Portuguese-built