Top Things to do in Galle District
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Top 10 Museums in Galle District, Southern Province
Discover the best top things to do in Galle District, Sri Lanka including Genuine Batik, Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum Complex, Sk Swarnakala, EXOTIC ROOTS, Saffron Robes, Sri Vijayarama Viharaya, Community Tsunami Museum, Ariyapala Mask Museum, Ariyapala & Sons, Maritime Archeological Museum (Galle).
Restaurants in Galle District
1. Genuine Batik
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By A1482WMnaomib
Genuine Batik is an unique art gallery with a great variety of batiks created by Mr.J.Hirantha Wimalarathne. I'm truely impressed by his talent and workshop. Mr. Hirantha is full of passion and he is eager to explain the technique he is using and he can show you around his workshop if you are even more interested in numerous steps required to create a batik. You can buy not only batiks different in size and colours but also tableclothes, shirts, bags and dresses. It's a great gallery situated in a beautiful garden.
2. Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 180 reviews
Reviewed By sunilf2020
Interesting place for a visit. The museum tells a lot about Sri Lankan Heritage. The house of the famous author is pretty Interesting.Really enjoyed the visit
3. Sk Swarnakala
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
4. EXOTIC ROOTS
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
EXOTIC ROOTS opened in 1996. Now located in a light filled colonial era Dutch building on Light House Street in the historic town of Galle Fort. Home to a store, cafe, gallery and performance space. The products in the store are carefully curated, pieces that were made by hand and by heart. Carrying everything from, art, jewellery, home decor and clothing. A family owned business of French and Sri Lankan heritage, run by the artists, mother-daughter trio of Catherine, Asia and Inca. Their work is available in the shop and ranges from paintings, prints and hand made painted terracotta pottery. Held together by Catherine H (the founder's) creative vision. It is warm, vibrant, refined, with a tasteful range of products. Combining the traditional with new that celebrates an exciting design focus that captures the exceptional creative skills of Sri Lanka and Asia.
Reviewed By ariana_kertesz - Sydney, Australia
Cute and chilled little cafe at the back of an arts and clothing store. You have to try their “famous Iced tea” - Best refreshing iced tea around!
5. Saffron Robes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By 487infinityh
I buy there masks, luxury paintings, can use visa/mc. Very friendly stuff and music... 4 floors, with terrase with sea view.
6. Sri Vijayarama Viharaya
7. Community Tsunami Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 671 reviews
Community Tsunami Museum is aimed educating communities on Tsunami and preserve the memories of 2004 Tsunami. This museum is the continuation of the efforts of Third Wave Volunteers lead by Dr. Alison Thompson (author of The Third Wave - A volunteer Story and the director of Film Third Wave). This museum will take you a touching journey through science and history of 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Reviewed By Drbigloveuk
We walked here from hikkaduwa which is worth doing just to see the comings and goings. The museum has an informative section upon entering which talks you through the history and geology of both Sri Lanka and the cause of tsumani. The rest of the museum is dedicated to photographs of the tradegy. Be warned, some are graphic but that is the reality of the situation Two vey informative museum workers guided us around the display. They were both local villagers one of whom was just five at the time of the disaster. They are able to describe all the photos, identify many of the subjects and inform you of their personal experiences. A very informative, sad and thought provoking tour that must be done by all.
8. Ariyapala Mask Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 143 reviews
Reviewed By JetsetCupcake - Sri Lanka, null
This might just be one of my favorite "off the beaten path" gems in all of Sri Lanka! The museum itself is just so delightfully quirky! It looks as though it were made in the 1960s, and was never remodeled or dusted. Somehow, though, this adds charm to the whole place. Though the museum is teeny weeny, it does actually give a good amount of information as to what each mask means. I also enjoyed learning about the traditional mask ceremony itself. Now when I see these masks all over Sri Lanka, I feel quite good about the fact I know a little more about their meaning and cultural significance now! The real start of the show here, though, is definitely the mask museum upstairs. The masks are absolutely gorgeous and are some of the highest quality craftsmanship I've seen in the whole island. Each mask is handmade with an incredible attention to detail. With masks that you find in the average tourist shop, decoration is merely painted on in broad strokes, but not so with these masks! Instead, the details are hand carved into the wood, and then elegant and unique colors are used throughout. The result is absolutely striking - and unlike anything else you'll find in Sri Lanka! Several reviewers have opined that the shop is a scam, as the prices for these masks are high when compared to masks that you can get in Galle or Colombo. These reviewers, however, are unaware of the huge difference in quality between these masks and the cheaper 2,000-10,000 rs masks that can be found commercially. Having lived in Sri Lanka for 6 months now, I can confidently say that these masks are worth every penny. I returned just a few weeks after my initial visit to purchase two masks for my apartment and couldn't be happier with them!!
9. Ariyapala & Sons
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By CroxleyJD - Croxley Green, United Kingdom
A worthwhile opportunity. We arrived and had an English-spoken tour of the museum. Each mask on display had its own story and purpose. After our tour we got to visit the workshop where we could witness men carving and decorating their handmade masks. Finally, we visited their shop which was full of all types of souvenirs for a very reasonable price. Would recommend to travellers!
10. Maritime Archeological Museum (Galle)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By jaapv123 - Delft, The Netherlands
Have really enjoyed our visit to this museum. Nice overview of the museum by a video at the start and then 4 large rooms with eg one dedicated fully to a Dutch VOC that sunk in 1659. Can recommend
