Is Galle worth visiting? A slow travel guide to Galle & Unawatuna, Sri Lanka for solo female travellers

Sri Lanka is one of those places that I didn't have any or high expectations for, but completely blew me away with its lush greenery, kind locals and incredible nature scenes. It was on my list as a place I would like to visit once an opportunity reveals itself, but in all honesty I did not expect it to leave such a huge impact on me. In my opinion, compared to the typical South East Asian destinations, this beautiful country does not get half the praise it deserves. I was lucky enough that I got to explore it for about a month, and I am already planning a trip back there, because Sri Lanka is the place that keeps on giving. My favourite fan fact about this country is that it technically has no off-season, as Sri Lanka experiences two main monsoons, that affect different coasts, so you can always find a coast that is more sunny than the other. This time I am bringing you a detailed travel guide about the South-West coast, specifically the Galle and Unawatuna area. I will share my top tips, recommendations, things to dos, safety advice for solo female travellers and more.

Sri Lanka is the home of epic sunsets

When you travel to a place like Sri Lanka, how you move through it matters just as much as what you see. Rather than rushing between highlights, this slow travel day is designed to help you move gently, stay present, and truly soak in the atmosphere — even on a short visit. If you enjoy travelling with intention, my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder can help you weave small grounding moments into your day, with a printable checklist, gentle self-care prompts, and simple rituals to help you feel calm and centred wherever you are.

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Where to stay

I personally stayed just outside of Galle, near Dewata Beach. While there are many other beaches that are more impressive and beautiful (I will list them shortly), this one has lost of options for surfing lessons, and also restaurants and local dining. This was I was also a short journey away from Unawatuna, and all the places I had saved on my phone, so as a base I quite liked it. Doing day trips to many famous locations was easily and affordably done from here, so I think if you are planning on spending a few weeks in Sri Lanka, Galle area is a good base. My stay specifically felt more local and authentic, as there weren't many hostels or hotels around, so I got to see the everyday life of Sri Lanka a bit better.

My hosts often brought me home-cooked meals, so I got to experience Sri Lankan cuisine in the most authentic way possible (but be prepared, food is spicy around here)

Getting around 

This is one of my favourite things about Sir Lanka, the tuk tuks. They are easily accessible, and super affordable, so I took them for even longer trips like 30-40 minutes. You can even call them via apps like PickMe and Uber. The former is what locals recommend, but Uber worked for me just as fine. You can also flag one down on the streets, but they are likely to give you a much higher price. The only thing I would warn you about is that calling a tuk tuk in tourist hotspots might be a bit difficult, as some local drivers don't support the use of apps, and make it difficult for other drivers to pick up their passengers. This happened to me only on a couple of occasions, and the worst thing that happened was that I had to walk a few blocks to meet my driver to avoid the blockade of other drivers, so it is not a major issue. But if you have somewhere to be on time, make sure you plan ahead. Staying near Galle also meant that I could easily use the trains too, which was perfect to use to get to Colombo for example. They are also very affordable, so I would highly recommend buying the first class tickets for the safest and best experience (even that will be within the budget friendly range). Alternatively you can use taxis for longer journeys too, they are a bit more expensive of course, but still much cheaper than in the UK or US, so if you need it as a last resort, it is not likely to break the bank. I used Uber a few times which worked perfectly. Just be aware that on top of the prices, you may be asked to pay toll fees, these are small amounts, but you are expected to cover them.

When to visit and for how long

If you are planning a trip specifically to the South or South-West part of Sri Lanka, the dry season is between December to March. That being said, I actually visited off-season (mid September till mid October) and I had an amazing time. Of course there were showers here and there, but generally I had great weather, no crowds at all and often whole restaurants all to myself. I, of course, stayed for longer, so I had the luxury of being able to reschedule activities, so if you are going for a shorter trip, I would go in dry season, just to be on the safe side. And when it comes to trip duration, I'd say 10 days or 2 weeks is recommended as a minimum to explore and experience this beautiful island. If you happened to have more time, even better as you can enjoy it at a more relaxed pace, with slower travel days. If you can do the latter as Sri Lanka is the perfect slow travel destination. But as always, I encourage you to do this trip your way, and don't pressure yourself with crazy busy itineraries.

Is Sri Lanka safe for a solo female traveller?

Sir Lanka is generally considered safe for solo female travellers. I can only speak for myself, but during my month long stay I felt very safe and welcomed. Most locals I have come across were incredibly friendly and wanted to make sure that I had the best experience. Especially when it came to my hosts, they always checked in on me to see if I am okay, gave me lots of tips and recommendations. I only stayed and visited touristy areas, but during my month stay, I didn't have any issues. Of course, just like anywhere else, you are advised to practise caution and be mindful of petty theft like pickpockets, avoid walking around alone at night, dress modestly to avoid unwanted attention, be mindful of your surroundings and use reputable transports. Pretty much all tourist attractions and things to do can be done in private or small tours, so these are good options to explore the island as a solo female traveller.

Now, let't loot at my travel guide, top tips and recommendations to Galle and Unawatuna area, starting with things to do and see, followed by food recommendations.

Explore Galle on foot

The old town of Galle is actually very compact and easy to explore on foot, and within a day. You can take your time wandering through the little streets, the famous Galle Fort, the Old Dutch Hospital and by the beautiful coast. There are many restaurants and cafes to choose from if you feel like you need a little break. I'd say everything you want to see here can be easily done in a long morning or afternoon, but for a slow travel day, plan with one full day. This will allow you to book a nice massage too in the area, which are also very affordable and perfect if you want to add some relaxation to the mix.

The Old Dutch Hospital

The famous fort

Cute little streets and vibrant colours

This was one of my favourite spots for coffee: The Fort Printers

Visit Koggala Lake and enjoy a nice meal at The Kitchen by Kurulu Bay

This is my ultimate slow travel day recommendation. There are different ways to explore Koggala Lake, you can book a boat trip, or you can visit the above location for amazing food, beautiful scenery and next level tranquility. Kurulu Bay is both a hotel and a restaurant, so even if you don't happen to book a stay, you can visit during the day and enjoy its beautiful lake views and amenities. The establishment has the perfect view of Koggala Lake, a nice pool surrounded by beautiful greenery, amazing food and even opportunities to take a yoga class! You can spend long mornings or afternoons here, I personally recommend doing the latter, as you get beautiful colours at sunset over the lake. Since I visited off-season I had this place pretty much all to myself. The only thing to be mindful of is that this option isn't as cheap as elsewhere, but it is still affordable. This is the perfect spot for a slow travel day, some recharge and nature spotting as monkeys and other animals feel comfortable wandering through the lush garden.

This place is my Roman Empire

Perfect view of Koggala Lake

Book a day trip

There are many options to choose from locally, I only ended up booking my day trip a few days before and it went smoothly. The most popular ones are to Ella and the national parks. I opted for the Ella day trip and it was incredible! It is normally paired with other activities like visiting tea plantations and turtle farms, spotting elephants on the road, exploring herb gardens and waterfalls, and climbing Little Adam's Peak. There is so much beauty and so many interesting things to see in one day, this definitely isn't a slow travel day idea, so make sure you pair it with a beach day!

Growing tea

Beautiful gardens

Managed to spot an elephant on the road

The hikes may be a bit hot, so prepare accrodingly, but the views are so worth it around Little Adam's PEAK

Attend a jewellery making class

I booked mine via Airbnb experiences (Traditional Gems and Jewellery Workshop by Athulya). It is a great activity to do, even on your own. There is free pick up included in the price from Galle area, so you don't have to worry about the how to get there part. The hosts are welcoming, and will talk you through and demonstrate the ins and outs of jewellery making. At an extra charge you can also create and keep your own jewellery, which can be a nice souvenir to keep from your trip to Sri Lanka.

So many beautiful stones to choose from

Enjoy a beach day in Unawatuna

If you enjoy the beach you can easily spend a day or days in Unawatuna. Its main street is vibrant, filled with cute shops to browse in and restaurants with great beach views. This was definitely one of the liveliest areas I cam across off-season, so if you are looking to connect with fellow travellers, this may be a good spot. The are itself isn't overwhelmingly big, so you can certainly take your time here. Some of my favourite food spots in the are were: Society Unawatuna, SkinnyTom's Deli (great for brunch) and The Social Unawatuna.

This view and a good book

Visit the tilth fishing spot at sunset

This is certainly touristy, but also a unique thing to see in real life. Make sure you bring cash with you because if you want to take a picture, the fisherman will ask for tips. But it is worth the hype as I have seen some of the most incredible sunsets in this area. Once you had a look around, head to The Fishers Sunset Bar for a delicious dinner. This was hands down some of the best food I had in Sri Lanka and paired with the beautiful beach views, it is unbeatable. Side note, it is a cash only spot so make sure you come prepared.

This may be for show, but it is an impressive one for sure!

Visit the best beaches in the area: Dalawella and Mihiripenna

In my opinion, these were the best of the best, and you will also find the famous 'Frog rock' here too. The are is especially iconic at sunset, but of course you can visit any time.

A little piece of heaven on earth

The frog rock in sunset colours

I could post hundreds of photos about the sunset in Sri Lanka, they are all incredible, even in cloudy setting

Get moving or relaxing at Makahiya Fitness

Since my blog is generally centred around slow and mindful travel, I could not miss out on adding this spot to my Sri Lanka travel guide. This is a boutique fitness hotel, with an infinity pool overlooking the jungle. If you want you can buy a day pass and enjoy the gym followed by some downtime by the pool, with a delicious iced coffee or smoothie bowl in hand. The view is incredible, the atmosphere is the definition of zen, and you can enjoy delicious food and drinks here, so while unexpected, this is a great addition to a slow and mindful travel day.

Infinity pool and jungle views

Have brunch at Black Honey Cafe

There have been a lot of recommendations for sunset locations, so I wanted to complete this guide with a great spot for brunch. Black Honey Cafe was probably my favourite, as it has delicious drinks and food, but also a lovely pool and great views to rice fields, so you feel close to nature. If you are lucky enough there may be some buffalos that show up, giving the whole experience a very unique backdrop.

This is also a perfect spot for digital nomads to work from!

I mean, not a bad office view!

So, if you have been Googling whether is Galle worth visiting, I hope my travel guide and top tips convinced you. Sri Lanka as a whole was such an incredible experience as a solo female traveller, something I would highly recommend anyone adding to their bucket list.