Joanna James
Strolling the quaint streets of Galle, it would be a real challenge to keep yourself from being lured into the series of eclectic boutiques and stores that line the streets. Browse through the authentic souvenirs and products galore to find something that tickles your pickle to take back home.
Stepping foot into the vintage house at Church Junction on Pedlar Street, the immediate atmosphere of Barefoot will have you enthralled right away. The central courtyard is adorned with graceful wooden pillars, and the surrounding rooms adding to the atmospheric ambience, the setting of Barefoot is just as fantastic as the boutique’s renowned merchandise. Handloom products are Barefoot’s speciality, ranging from table settings to full-length saris, whose quality and uniqueness are simply unmatched. The quaint boutique is also said to have the most incredible collection of postcards and books in Galle Fort.
If a slice of fashion and vogue is what’s on your mind, KK Boutique is undoubtedly the place to be. The enchanting boutique in the heart of Galle Fort is so spacious, it has got to be the largest boutique in town. While the venue showcases a wide variety of products, from decorative pieces to paintings and other trinkets, what draws the crowds is the boutique’s incredible collection of women’s and men’s garments. Ensure you enter the store with ample time to spare, for the sprawling floors demand unhurried browsing, and time is a scarce commodity within.
Away from Galle Fort’s most popular and heavily strolled Pedlar Street, Exotic Roots on Lighthouse Street, among the slew of villas and restaurants on the cutesy little lane, is one of the oldest and finest art and gift shops in town. Dating back to 1996, Catherine H — a masterly artist — started Exotic Roots with her two daughters, giving the slew of boutiques in Galle a run for their money with over two decades of creative and artistic experience. Even to this day, all art and paintings showcased in the boutique are hand-loomed by the members of the family and members of the family only.
A boutique and a spa under one roof, Spa Ceylon features both a full-on spa and a high-end boutique store selling their signature ayurvedic beauty care products and a range of other fragrant and home wellness products. Just walking into the store is a delight to your senses and the blend of soul-relaxing fragrances will have you enchanted right away.
Poster art has never been more in vogue, and for a meticulously curated and showcased collection, make your way to Stick No Bills, Galle Fort’s #1 spot for all poster art buffs. A visit to the eclectic boutique is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Galle, Sri Lanka. Get your fill of classic and vintage art and retreat to one of the finest hotels or resorts in town, including the likes of The Fortress Resort & Spa.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
