Galle Lighthouse in Galle Fort Sri Lanka

The Best Things to Do in Galle Fort in Sri Lanka (And Why You Won’t Want to Miss This UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Street art in Galle Fort Sri Lanka with text overlay Galle Lighthouse in Galle Fort Sri Lanka with text overlay

Galle Fort is an important monument dating back to the 1500s. Read on for what to do in Galle Fort, where to stay in Galle and places to visit nearby.

Founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Galle is currently the district capital of the broader Galle District. The city was later fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century and served as an important port and military stronghold before the arrival of the British.

Galle Fort is the best example of a fortified city that exhibits distinct European architectural styles while effortlessly blending in with South Asian traditions, and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

Galle Fort in Sri Lanka

The Galle Dutch Fort has a laid-back charm, almost a small city within a city. Much of the local community are descendants of spice traders from Morocco, and tuk tuks still zip through pedestrian traffic along narrow lane ways. While many might brand Galle as “kitschy”, “gentrified” or “overrated”, I’ve always been a fan. It’s an easy day trip destination along the south coast of Sri Lanka, and it may be true that it has changed over the past five years, but in my opinion the charm and integrity of the architectural features has lived on.

Antique shops in Galle Fort Sri Lanka

Even after 400 years, Galle Fort has maintained its polished appearance after extensive reconstruction following the tsunami that devastated Sri Lanka in 2004. Exploring Galle Fort and walking along the craggy peninsula that it is located on is one of the best things to do in southern Sri Lanka. Read on for what you need to know before visiting Galle Dutch Fort!

Essential information before you go to Sri Lanka

Stilt fishermen in southern Sri Lanka

✈️ To get into Sri Lanka by air you will fly into Bandaranaike International Airport (airport code: CMB). Galle is a 2-hour car ride away from the airport.

🛂 Most visitors to Sri Lanka will need to apply for an e-visa (except for nationals of Singapore, Maldives and Seychelles) but this is easily done online for a small fee. The visa approval generally comes through in less than 48 hours.

💱 The currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee, and the exchange rate currently varies from approximately 305 LKR: 1 USD or 330 LKR: 1 Euro. The Sri Lankan Rupee is undergoing huge devaluation so these rates may continue to fluctuate. There are plenty of places to exchange money in Sri Lanka, and there are also ATMs in Galle where you can withdraw money – just make sure your bank has enabled international withdrawals.

📱 Local SIM cards and data packages can be picked up at the airport so you can stay connected or use Google Maps. You can buy a 30-day Sri Lanka SIM card from Mobitel here (the booth is located in the arrivals hall after you pick up your luggage) and top it up during your stay at any Food City supermarket or local Mobitel shop.

🚗 The best way to travel around Sri Lanka is by car, especially if you are short on time. Most hotels can help you to arrange airport pick up or book a private car to take you to your next destination, even on short notice. Alternatively, you can also take local buses or trains.

👚 The majority of the population in Sri Lanka are Buddhist, and people are used to dressing on the conservative side: I would encourage you to be mindful of what you wear in Sri Lanka. Unlike some other countries where it may be completely fine to drive shirtless on a scooter or wear a crop top in the streets, it is not so common in Sri Lanka.

🛏️ There are hotel options to suit every budget under the sun in Sri Lanka. I personally look for comfort, beautiful décor and warm hospitality when I travel – click here for some of the best boutique and luxury hotels to stay at in Sri Lanka.

Visiting Sri Lanka? Click here for a full list of 12 things you should know before your trip to Sri Lanka in addition to 15 things you definitely shouldn’t do if you’re visiting!

How to get to Galle

Pedlar Street in Galle Fort Sri Lanka

If you’re kicking off your Sri Lanka trip, it’s easy to get from Colombo to Galle via the A2 highway – it will take approximately 2 hours to get there via expressway. You can ask your hotel to organize a car, or hire an inter-city Uber for US$60-80. Alternatively, you can catch the coastal train from Colombo Fort to Matara via Galle, click here for the train schedule.

Once you’ve arrived in Galle, it’s easy to get around the Dutch Fort on foot or simply hail down a tuk tuk to take you outside the fort or to a neighbouring town.

Best time of year to visit Galle

The most popular time to visit Galle is during the dry season from December to February. Galle Fort tends to get sweltering hot so you’ll want to bring a hat and wear plenty of sunscreen; it’s also possible to duck into one of the many cafes for a drink to cool off or wait out the rain.

Galle experiences the southwestern monsoon season from May to about October, and rainfall tends to be the heaviest between these months. However, don’t let the rainy season stop you from visiting southern Sri Lanka – the rain tends to come in heavy spurts with periods of sunshine. The benefit of visiting from May to October is that the crowds are far thinner and you might score a better price at one of the boutique hotels within the Galle Dutch Fort.

Where to stay in Galle

Fort Printers Main Entrance Galle Sri Lanka

Wondering how long to stay in Galle for? It all really depends on how much time you have to spare. One thing to bear in mind is that Galle itself does not have any noteworthy beaches (and few hotels within the fort have a pool), whereas you can easily plan a day trip to Galle from one of the beach towns along the south coast such as Weligama, Mirissa, Ahangama or Talalla.

Vintage cars in Galle Fort Sri Lanka

If you do stay overnight, there are several incredible boutique hotels in Galle, many of which are converted from old colonial heritage homes. For a unique hotel experience in Sri Lanka, I would recommend that you stay a night or two at The Fort Printers, a converted heritage hotel in the heart of Galle Fort. It offers an on-site restaurant as well as a small pool – even if you don’t end up staying overnight, it’s still one of the best places to visit in Galle. Click here to check current rates and room availability at The Fort Printers or click here to see some other highly rated hotel options in Galle!

Talalla Retreat in Sri Lanka

If you want to go on a day trip to Galle from one of the other towns along Sri Lanka’s south coast, I recommend you stay west of Talalla/Matara. Anything further east is just a tad far and you’re looking at drive times of 2 hours (and up) each way. Check out Talalla Retreat, an eco-resort offering daily drop-in Yoga classes, an on-site spa and beach access, or Cape Weligama, one of the best luxury hotels in all of Sri Lanka with incredible facilities and a sunset view to die for.

You might also like: The best beaches in southern Sri Lanka that you won’t want to miss!

Unmissable things to do in Galle Fort

Galle Fort Gate in Sri Lanka

Galle Fort absolutely has to be on your list of places to visit in Sri Lanka (click here for my 2 week Sri Lanka itinerary for first time visitors or head on over here for my express 7 day Sri Lanka itinerary if you’re short on time), even if it’s just for a breezy day trip.

You can easily find yourself wandering away from the crowds and stumbling upon age-old colonial Portuguese and Dutch-era buildings, some restored, some in ruins, but equally enchanting. There are strict enovation and restoration guidelines set by UNESCO and the Archeological Department of Sri Lanka, which ensures that the unique architectural styles are preserved within the fort and that the heritage value is protected. Read on for what to see in Galle Fort!

1. Walk along the Galle Fort Walls

Galle Fort Ramparts in Sri Lanka

The Galle Fort ramparts surround the walled city and consists of more than a dozen bastions, all varying in design and size. The full length is approximately 3 kilometres and the wall was made primarily using lime, sand and coral stones. Together with the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, the walls have undergone extensive repair and conservation.

Today, you can walk along the Galle Fort walls for panoramic views across the bay. Don’t miss the Aurora Bastion and Flag Rock Bastion.

2. See the Galle Lighthouse

This lighthouse is iconic and almost synonymous with Sri Lanka – look through any Sri Lanka travel guide and you’ll see a photo of the perfectly palm tree-framed white lighthouse! Galle Lighthouse is Sri Lanka’s oldest light station dating back to 1848 and stands at nearly 30 metres tall.

Ready to visit Galle? Check out The Fort Printers, one of the best boutique hotels in Galle. Stay in one of the heritage rooms and sip on stunning cocktails at the hotel. Click here to check current rates and room availability at The Fort Printers or click here to see some other highly rated hotel options in Galle!

You can also plan a Galle day trip from from one of the other towns along Sri Lanka’s south coast. Check out Talalla Retreat, an eco-boutique beachfront resort offering daily drop-in Yoga classes and an on-site spa, or Cape Weligama, one of the best luxury hotels in all of Sri Lanka with incredible facilities.

3. Check out the Old Dutch Hospital

Old Dutch Hospital in Galle Fort Sri Lanka

The Old Dutch Hospital is one of the oldest buildings in Galle Fort dating back to the Dutch colonial period in Sri Lanka. As the name suggests, it was built as a hospital by the Dutch to care for sick officers and seamen serving under the Dutch East India Trading Company. Since the 1850s, it has also been converted into barracks, a town hall and government offices.

Dutch Hospital in Galle Fort Sri Lanka

In 2014, the Galle Dutch Hospital was re-opened after extensive restoration as a dining and shopping complex. If you’re after souvenirs, there are several upmarket tea emporiums in here, and we love Sugar Bistro and Minute by Tuk Tuk for a delicious lunch.

Ready to book your stay in southern Sri Lanka? Here are some of the best boutique hotels in the area, or click here to see more options in Sri Lanka’s southern coast!

4. Shop for souvenirs

Shops in Galle Fort Sri Lanka

There’s plenty of shopping to be done in Galle Fort, and an easy place to pick up souvenirs for friends and family back home.

Street art in Galle Fort Sri Lanka

Stop at Stick No Bills for retro-style posters and postcards, Urban Island for artisan-crafted homewares and gifts, Spa Ceylon for incredible bath, body & home products and Barefoot Gallery for an array of Sri Lankan homeware, hand-woven products and apparel. There are also a plethora of gemstone dealers if you’re looking for some jewelry: the iridescent moonstone is the specialty in Sri Lanka.

5. Get a massage

Spa Ceylon in Galle Fort Sri Lanka

Indulge in an Ayurvedic massage or treatment at Spa Ceylon. It’s one of my favorite places to go for massages in Sri Lanka and the masseuses are consistently great at what they do. I love the natural ingredients that go into their products, and have never experienced an allergic reaction (even though I have highly sensitive skin).

Ready to book your Galle stay? We loved our stay at The Fort Printers, one of the best boutique hotels in Galle. Make yourself comfortable in one of the spacious heritage rooms and go for a dip in the hotel pool. Click here to check current rates and room availability at The Fort Printers or click here to see some other highly rated hotel options in Galle!

Instead of staying within the fort itself you can also plan a Galle day trip from from one of the other south coast towns. Check out Cape Weligama, one of the best luxury hotels in all of Sri Lanka with incredible facilities and world-class hospitality, or for a more low-key experience head to Talalla Retreat, a beachfront wellness resort offering daily drop-in Yoga classes and an on-site spa.

6. Learn about the history of the fort

Vintage cars in Galle Fort Sri Lanka

Among the list of Galle attractions are a handful of small museums. including the Maritime Archaeological Museum and Galle National Museum. Read more about museums in Sri Lanka here.

7. Enjoy high tea

High tea at Amangalla in Galle Sri Lanka

Afternoon tea at the Amangalla luxury hotel is a time-tested tradition and one of the top places to visit in Galle for architecture lovers. Enjoy scones, finger sandwiches and smooth Ceylon tea in an extremely refined and elegant setting – book ahead if you are visiting Galle during high season as this is a very popular hotel for tourists visiting Sri Lanka.

Ready to visit the southern coast of Sri Lanka? Check out my guide to Sri Lanka’s south coast, or head on over here for a 2 week Sri Lanka itinerary!

Places to visit near Galle

Bay of Galle in Sri Lanka

If you’re headed to Galle, why not check out these other landmarks and attractions in neighbouring towns? Visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda perched high up on a hill between Unawatuna and Galle; learn about tea production at Handunugoda Tea Estate, about 45 minutes away from Galle; see the traditional stilt fishermen in Koggala or Ahangama; or lounge at Sugar Beach, a new beach club in Talpe, about 20 minutes away from Galle.

Stilt fishermen in southern Sri Lanka

Have you visited Galle? What did you think? Tell me all about it below!

Ready to book your Galle stay? We loved our stay at The Fort Printers, one of the best boutique hotels in Galle. Make yourself comfortable in one of the spacious heritage rooms and go for a dip in the hotel pool. Click here to check current rates and room availability at The Fort Printers or click here to see some other highly rated hotel options in Galle!

Instead of staying within the fort itself you can also plan a Galle day trip from from one of the other south coast towns. Check out Cape Weligama, one of the best luxury hotels in all of Sri Lanka with incredible facilities and world-class hospitality, or for a more low-key experience head to Talalla Retreat, a beachfront wellness resort offering daily drop-in Yoga classes and an on-site spa.

Looking for more Sri Lanka travel tips and guides?

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