Shopping in Southern Coast

Shopping on the Southern Coast does not offer the same amount of options as in places like Colombo; however there are still a number of places to browse around for interesting items. Galle is the best place to shop, and Matara also presents a number of opportunities to do some souvenir or gift shopping.

Try to buy items direct from artisans, rather than in larger stores, so that the money goes directly to the local people. This is especially true on the Southern Coast, which was badly affected by the recent tsunami.

This page gives you a brief indication of some of the things you may wish to purchase while you are in the region, plus some places you should check out while you are here. More detail about shopping in Sri Lanka, and Colombo specifically (where the best shopping is found), can be seen on our Sri Lanka Shopping Guide or Colombo Shopping Guide pages. Be sure to stop for a filling meal at one of the restaurants listed on our Southern Coast Restaurant Guide as well.

Southern Coast Shopping Guide

Shopping in Sri Lanka presents fantastic opportunities for visitors to take home value-for-money articles, some of which are intricately handmade. Try the gems, jewellery, spices, woodcarvings and other handicrafts, clothing of all types and batiks. Buy a beautiful sari, take home an intricately carved wooden elephant to adorn your mantle-place, or simply go bargain hunting at the many shopping bazaars in Sri Lanka. Bargaining is an essential part of the shopping experience, and with some patience, good humour and a bit of practice; you can get quite good at it, and may even enjoy the experience.

The walled area around the Dutch fort in Galle is an excellent area to go shopping, offering a number of fascinating shops and vendors selling exquisite items. The narrow lanes are basically a large bazaar, and they offer an impressive array of antiques. Among the items here you can find everything from sofas, beds, tables and other furnishings to things such as cutlery and glassware. Old furniture is also restored here by the various skilled craftsmen. It is worth wandering through the little alleys and laneways, even if you aren't planning to purchase anything, as it is quite an experience.