Budget — Galle

Galle is more expensive than the Sri Lanka average, particularly for accommodation in the Fort. A baseline of €70 per person per day covers a decent boutique hotel room, two meals in a decent restaurant, tuk-tuk transport and museum entries.

Accommodation in the Fort sits in the premium range. Family guesthouse in the Fort: £70-105/night. Good boutique hotel (The Bartizan, Fort Bazaar, Fort Square): £160-265/night. Iconic establishments (Galle Fort Hotel in the 1684 former Dutch governor's mansion, Tamarind Hill boutique hotel on Pedlar Street): £220-440/night. Amangalla (1684, former Mansion that was British garrison HQ then the New Oriental Hotel in colonial times): £440-880/night — the most luxurious experience in Sri Lanka. Outside the Fort, in Unawatuna, beach boutique hotels cost £50-175/night.

Dining covers every level. Local canteen on the Galle outskirts (rice and curry, kottu): £1.70-3.50/person. Lucky Fort Restaurant and other Fort canteens: £4.50-7/person for an authentic Sinhalese meal. Pedlar's Inn Café, Heritage Café, Café Punto for breakfast and lunch: £9-18/person. Gastronomic restaurants (The Bartizan, Galle Fort Hotel restaurant, Bedspace Kitchen): £30-55/person with wine. Sun House offers an exceptional dinner-with-view at £45-70/person.

Entry fees are modest: Maritime Museum 600 LKR (£1.60), National Museum of Galle 1,000 LKR (£2.70). Ramparts walk and street exploration are free.

Transport: tuk-tuk Galle Fort → Unawatuna 500 LKR (£1.30), Galle Fort → Mirissa 1,500-2,000 LKR (£4-5.50) by taxi. Galle → Colombo train £1.30 in 2nd class (3 hours), £4 in 1st class.