We visited Galle because we wanted more than just beaches; we were craving history and a buzzing local atmosphere. Life inside the old fort moves at a slow pace: locals play cricket next to the ramparts and street vendors sell tropical fruit under palm trees. We loved this spot at sunset, when we sat atop the old walls, soaking up the views. We visited on a day trip (possible from Colombo or Mirissa), but staying a couple of days allows you to experience the true rhythm of this ancient fort town.
Things to do in Galle Fort
Some of our favorite shops in Galle Fort are:
- Barefoot: This shop is the southern outpost of the stylish homeware shop we visited in Colombo.
- Orchid House: Sells beautiful handicrafts, sarongs, and gemstones.
- Stick No Bills: Design shop selling fun and colorful graphics printed on postcards and wallpaper.
- Dutch Market: Our favorite place to see local life! We bought fragrant Asian spices to take home.
2. Visit the Impressive Monuments
Galle’s fascinating past has left behind a beautiful blend of architectural influences. In the 18th century, the Dutch built Galle Fort (as their headquarters), following a long Portuguese rule. They built the beautiful, whitewashed,ย European-style buildings that remain today.
Inside the Fort
The fort is a huge monument and the most impressive part of town. Within its walls, we saw many fascinating museums and beautiful churches, but our favorite was this magnificent clock tower overlooking the sea.
- We entered Galle Fort from the original gate. Here’s the location.
- The walk is about 2 km around the fort.
- We walked the entire perimeter, which took about 2 hours.
- Key highlights included De Groote Kerk, All Saints Church, the Old Dutch Hospital, and the National Maritime Archaeology Museum (where we saw marine artifacts recovered from local shipwrecks).
3. Galle Fort Lighthouse
We’d seen Galle Fort Lighthouse on postcards all around Sri Lanka, so we couldn’t wait to see it in real life! It’s the oldest lighthouse in Sri Lanka (built by the British in 1848), and is still in use today.
4. Sunset at Galle Fort Wall
Galle Fort Wall was our favorite spot to visit at sunset!
- The best views we found were from Flag Rock Bastion, where we saw locals jumping from the cliffs (absolute pros!)
- Bring some drinks and snacks, and watch the sunset with other travelers and locals.
- We also saw locals playing cricket alongside the fort walls; itโs their national sport! You can book tickets to watch a match at Galle Cricket Stadium.
5. Day Trip to the South Coast
We didn’t stay in Galle Fort (we only visited for a day trip), but it would make a great base for a longer stay, thanks to the day trips you can take along the south coast.
- Mirissa: Best spot for whale watching in the south. We stayed overnight at Nava B&B.
- Unawatuna: We love Jungle Beach, a stunning golden beach lined with palm trees.
- Weligama: The surfing capital of Sri Lanka.
How to Visit Galle Fort
Galle has excellent transport connections. We visited on a day trip from Mirissa by motorbike, but we wouldn’t recommend traveling this way. It took us just under an hour, but it was a bit scary sharing the coastal road with all the big buses. Unawatuna is more doable (we also stayed here once, and it’s only 10 minutes from Galle).
You can also travel from Colombo by train, which takes about 2 hours. Book your train tickets easily online here
Where to Stay in Galle Fort
We booked a hotel in Mirissa and made a day trip to Galle Fort, but staying in the town would also be a great idea, particularly if you want to be close to beaches on the south coast and Colombo. We think the traditional hotels within the fort walls look the nicest. (See all hotels in Galle)
Best Cafes & Restaurants in Galle Fort
We found excellent street food near the fort walls, and there are many great restaurants in the area. Some of our favorites:
- Lucky Fort Restaurant (authentic Sri Lankan food)
- Chambers Restaurant (tasty Middle Eastern)
- Pedlar’s Inn Cafe and Restaurant (coffee and dinner)
Best Time to Visit Galle Fort
Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons, occurring at opposite times of the year on opposite sides of the island. In Galle, most rain falls between May and September. We visited in September and got pretty lucky with the weather! There were a few hours of rain in the afternoon, but apart from that, it was sunny, and accommodation prices were lower.
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This is really nice, I’m a native Sri Lankan and will be visiting soon and even I needed a little 101, so thank you. But one small thing, although we love our cricket over here, it’s not our national sport, it’s volleyball which is another sport you’ll find locals playing around, although not as much as cricket.