Things to do
The South of Sri Lanka has many fabulous things to do and see, shop and eat!
Make some time for relaxing though!
Check out our recommended favourites.
Where to eat
From traditional Sri Lankan cuisine to wood oven pizzas, there is an abundance of choice in the immediate area.
Further away in Colombo we have listed a couple of restaurants not to miss!
GALLE
10-15mins by tuk tuk from the villa
THE OLD RAILWAY CAFE
Located on a busy street, the old railway café is a great place to watch the busy world go by! Focusing on fresh, seasonal local produce the café menu changes daily. Cakes and cookies are also available in bigger batches for private functions.42 Havelock Place Galle
+94 778809990
Wifi available.15mins by tuk tuk from the villa
THE FORT PRINTERS
Great menu that embodies Sri Lankan and European flavours. Easily the best Prawn Curry that we have tried on the island! Delicious cocktails and a decent wine selection. A children’s menu is also available.
There are often art exhibitions at night.39 Pedlar Street Galle Fort
+94 9122247977
Dinner Bookings Advised
Wifi Available.IL GELATO
Italian gelato in an open street style café.46 Pedlars Street Galle Fort
+94 115328328.ALLORA
Cheerful Italian style café serving pasta, salads and wood oven pizzas.47 Lighthouse Street Galle Fort
+94 912233425.30mins by tuk tuk from the villa
WIJAYA BEACH
Rustic beach bar serving delicious wood oven pizzas and other basic salad and curry options. Cold beer and cocktails in a beach bar style setting.
You can see giant tortoises in the water from their balcony and the beach to the left of the restaurant is perfect for young children to swim in.Thalpe – Galle Rd, Thalpe
+94 912283610WHY BEACH
Gorgeous Italian restaurant beachfront serving homemade pastas with wood oven bread and homegrown vegetables/salads and herbs!Matara Road Talpe
+94 912282922
Bookings essential.30mins - 1 hr by tuk tuk from the villa
KAHANDA KANDA
Amazing restaurant and accommodation situated at the top of a private tea plantation. Children under 12yrs are not allowed. Set menu that changes regularly.Kahanda
+94 914943700
Bookings essential.20mins by tuk tuk from the villa
SUNBEACH HOTEL
Perfect place to watch the sunset in Hikkaduwa, deck and garden overlooks a popular surfing beach. Chilled local beer, cocktails and mocktails, fresh juices and Ceylon teas and coffee. Dinner and lunch also available however bookings are suggested.572 Galle Road Hikkaduwa
+94 9124383163.CATAMARAN HOTEL
Quirky old style hotel and beachfront restaurant serving great curry and rice, cold beers and juice.Bookings are suggested
900 Galle Rd Hikkaduwa
+94 777327326.SPAGHETTI & CO
Famous Italian restaurant owned by a northern Italian family for the past 15+ years! Situated in a colonial style villa this restaurant serves delicious pastas and thin crust traditional pizzas.Narigama Pathana, Hikkaduwa
+94 912277042
Bookings essential – especially in December and January.VIBRATIONS
Well known Hikkaduwa nightclub perfect for dancing, drumming and indulging the night away especially on Friday nights when the drumming starts at midnight!495 Galle Road Hikkaduwa
+94 914924462 .1.5hrs by tuk tuk from the villa
PARADISE BEACH CLUB
Beach access to the amazing Mirissa Beach Bay. Drinks are available on the beach infront and lunch/dinner is served in their open air pavilion style restaurant just off the beach. Beach showers and bathrooms for changing available.140 Gunasiri Mahimi Mawatha, Mirissa
+94 412250380.
WHAT TO SEE & DO
Tired of relaxing? There is plenty to do and see within the immediate area and further away.
GALLE FORT
A 15min ride from the villa by tuk tuk.Galle Fort itself is a UNESCO world Heritage site. Spend a day wandering through the historical streets and along the ramparts. Have a look at the lighthouse and dine in one of the many restaurants and cafes. Shop in the small shops. During the monsoonal months not all shops and restaurants will be open and don’t expect to find anything open past 9pm anytime of the year!
UNAWATUNA
25mins by tuk tuk from the villa.Glass bottom boat tours and jet skiing available here.Loads of small cafes and bars along the beach front for lunch, dinner and drinks.
KOGGALA LAKE
Hire a boat with guide to show you through the different islands and spy on the big villas on the lake! Great for bird watchers, and a relaxing way to spend a few hours.MIRISSA BEACH
Approximately 1.5hrs by tuk tuk from the villaMust visit! Quintessential tropical beach with white sand and crystal clear water! Can become rough during monsoonal months.
Very small turtle hatchery on the beach just next to the Paradise Beach Club, no entry fee, just walk up from the sand.
JUNGLE BEACH
‘Secret’ beach located between Galle and Unawatuna. Tuk tuk drivers take you to a junction, then its an approximate 15min walk down to the beach. The beach is quite small and gets crowded quickly so get there early!There is a quaint beach bar and restaurant, so no need to pack any food. The bar turns into an outdoor nightclub on certain dates during the year.
STICK FISHERMAN
Famous stick fishermen can be seen along the coast rd between Galle and Mirissa. Stop to take photos and occasionally enterprising relatives will ask for money to take photos.PEACE PAGODA
Visible from Galle and the Fort this Temple is located on the same rd as Jungle Beach. A modern and beautiful dedication to Lord Buddha. The Peace Pagoda was given to Sri Lanka by the Japanese.GANGARAMA MAHA VIHARA BUDDIST TEMPLE
Just off Baddegama Road in Hikkaduwa town, this interesting Buddhist temple has lots of educational paintings that are the woprk of one man over nearly a decade. The monks are happy there to show you around and explain everything.
WHALE WATCHING
One of the most amazing mammals, the Blue Whale can be spotted just off the coast of Galle. You can also see large pods of Spinner Dolphins!January through to April is the best time of the year for these trips and our staff can arrange the trip for you.
YALA NATIONAL PARK
This park is a long drive from the villa and will probably require an overnight stay as the early start for the park tours means you will need to leave Gintota by 3am. It is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka and it has one of the highest densities of Leopards in the world. (Not recommended if you are traveling with children under 5.)Our staff will be happy to organize a tour if you decide to go.
SINHARAJA FOREST RESERVE
A national park and biodiversity hotspot!
Because of the dense vegetation, wildlife is not as easily seen as at dry-zone national parks such as Yala. There are about 3 elephants and 15 or so leopards that are rarely seen. The most common larger mammal is the endemic purple-faced langur (monkey).
SURFING
Hikkaduwa and Weligama are the 2 closest surfing areas.BICYCLE & CANOE TOURS
Idle Bikes & Canoe tours exploring the local area along well chosen and unrivalled routes of various lengths. They suit all cyclists and canoeists from the very occasional to the very keen.+94 777906156
GALLE FORT SPA
Massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing and yoga.1A Church Cross Street, Galle Fort
+94 777252502
Bookings essential
WHERE TO SHOP
Sri Lanka is not known as a shopping destination, but that said there are still a number of great shops that should not be missed.
MODERN'S HANDLOOMS & HANDICRAFTS
Amazing handmade handloom fabric made in the back of the shop with traditional machines. Ready made cushion items available to purchase in their small shop, or you can buy fabric by the metre and have their tailors make custom cushions for you to take home.598 Colombo Rd
+94 775966853
THE OLD RAILWAY SHOP & CAFE
Small entrance way opposite the Dutch canal and running parallel to the train lines, the shop and café (upstairs) is located in a historic railway store house.
Local designer Catherine sells her unique clothing and there are also wooden antiques and amazing tuna skin products available.
42 Havelock Place, Galle
+94 778809990
BAREFOOT
Handmade products made from cloth woven on traditional handlooms. Sarongs, homewares, fabric by the metre and colourful children’s toys. A great selection of English books and Spa Ceylon products as well as wooden giftware.41 Pedlar Street, Galle Fort
+94 912226299.OLANDA
An extensive selection of antiques.30 Leyn Baan Street, Galle Fort
+94 912234398.THE THREE BY TPV
European Sri Lankan fusion homewares shop.43 Leyn Baan Street, Galle Fort
MIMIMANGO
Gorgeous ready to wear beach wear and accessories for women.56 Lighthouse Street, Galle Fort
+94 912242702.THE VINTAGE POSTER SHOP
Great vintage posters from airlines like Qantas, BOAC and Air Ceylon as well as Indian Hindi Movie posters, packed in plastic tubing for easy transport home.Church Street, Galle Fort
EXOTIC ROOTS
Family run business showcasing jewellery, homewares and printed items from Sri Lanka. Fab bright coloured elephants and postcards.Church Street, Galle Fort
KK THE COLLECTION
Great homewares store selling items from Sri Lanka, Bali and other exotic locations.SASKIA FERNANDO GALLERY
Fabulous gallery in a renovated shop front selling and exhibiting artwork and sculptures from local Sri Lankan Artisans.1 Magistrates Square, Galle Fort
+94 117429010.