I think Galle Fort is the most beautiful coastal town in Sri Lanka. Here, life slows down as locals play cricket alongside the beach, travelers walk on the ancient fort walls, and street vendors sell fresh tropical fruit under the palm trees. Its history makes it a melting pot of culture, with a unique fusion of European and Asian influences, as seen in the whitewashed Dutch buildings that line the cobbled streets. Head to the southwestern corner of the country and enjoy the best things to do in Galle Fort, Sri Lanka.
Things to do in Galle Fort
In the 18th century, the Dutch built their headquarters, Galle Fort, on the Sri Lankan coast, following the Portuguese rule that had lasted since the 16th century. They fortified Galle, leaving behind beautiful European-style buildings still there today. Later, the British took control of the town until Sri Lanka regained its independence as a nation.
Because of its extraordinary history, the fort has immense cultural and architectural significance. As such, it’s recognized as a UNESCO Heritage Site to preserve the area’s beauty. It was also an important trading port for hundreds of years!
Nowadays, the beautiful old buildings are transformed into trendy shops, cafes, and restaurants. From shopping, exploring the history, or watching the sunset atop the fort’s wall, you could spend an entire day exploring the beauty of Galle Fort.
Tip: You can only enter Galle Fort from its main gate, and it takes about two hours to walk around the entire fort. To avoid busy streets, we like to visit places like this in the morning. However, don’t miss out on sunset here, too, as it’s one of the most beautiful times of the day!
1. Beautiful Shops at Galle Fort
One of my favorite things to do in Galle Fort is to walk around the historic streets, visit the incredible handicraft shops, and admire the old-fashioned Dutch buildings. In fact, I think Galle Fort has some of the best shops in all of Sri Lanka! Therefore, it’s the perfect place to buy your souvenirs and mementos from your trip.
Some of our favorite shops in Galle Fort are:
- Barefoot – on the corner of Church and Pedlar Street. This shop is the southern outpost of the stylish Colombo homeware shop.
- Orchid House -near the Dutch Hospital. This lovely shop sells beautiful handicrafts, sarongs, and gemstones.
- Stick No Bills – A fantastic design shop selling fun and colorful graphics printed on postcards and wallpaper.
Tip: Make sure to also visit the local markets in Galle Fort. Here you’ll find tropical fruits, local veggies, and Asian spices to try or take back in your suitcase as a reminder of Sri Lanka. I really enjoyed watching the locals going about their day-to-day here in Galle.
2. Visit the Impressive Monuments
Galle boasts an incredible fusion of culture and architecture that makes it easy to forget you are in Sri Lanka. There’s a uniquely European feel to the area as you wander among Dutch buildings under the shade of coconut trees.
Even if you’re not a cultural person, the buildings inside Galle Fort itself will take your breath away. The fort is a vast monument, and within its walls, you’ll find a selection of fascinating museums and beautiful churches. Don’t miss the magnificent clock tower that stands high above the fort, looking out to sea.
Also read: things to do in Unawatuna
Some of the must-see sights in Galle Fort are:
- De Groote Kerk (Church St) – the most famous of all the churches in Galle. I love its beautiful and impressive white facade, as well as its intricate interior.
- Old Dutch Hospital (Hospital Road) – one of the oldest buildings in Galle, with beautiful white archways that perfectly complement the orange tiled roof.
- National Maritime Archaeology Museum (Queens St) – an exhibit of ancient marine artifacts removed from shipwrecks off the southern coast of Sri Lanka.
- All Saints Church (Church St) – Anglican church with Gothic and Victorian features.
This extraordinary building is also the oldest lighthouse in Sri Lanka (built by the British in 1848), and it’s still used today. It’s one of the must-sees on your trip to Galle Fort, with the perfect outlook at sunset for some great photos.
Also read: all our travel photography tips
4. Walk Along Galle Fort Wall
Galle Fort’s wall is where locals and tourists come together and enjoy the beautiful view of the city and the sea. Best of all, you can walk along the perimeter of the fort, taking in the different views of the UNESCO heritage site and the town.
Start at the Galle Fort Lighthouse on the southeastern part of the fort. As you walk towards the northwest side, you’ll spot the Clock Tower, which is the connection between Galle City and Galle Fort. The walk around the fort is around 2 kilometers long and offers beautiful views over the ocean along the way. I really think this is the place to go when the sun’s setting!
5. Sunset on the Fort’s Wall
Enjoying the sunset on the Fort’s wall is one of my favorite things to do in Galle Fort. You’ll see both locals and travelers grabbing a spot alongside the wall with beers and snacks, ready to watch the sun disappear into the sea. Watch as the sky explodes in color and strike up a conversation with locals nearby.
Tip: We really like the views from Flag Rock Bastion, where you’ll see adrenaline seekers jumping from the cliffs. It’s scary watching them jump from such a height so close to rocks, but the locals are pros, and they put on a great show for onlookers.
Also read: Ultimate Sri Lanka Travel Guide
6. Day Trip to the South Coast
Galle Fort is the perfect jumping-off point for numerous day trips to the beautiful south coast of Sri Lanka. This stretch of coastline is home to some of the most famous beaches in the country, with white sand, rock pools, and tidal islands. It’s particularly well known for surfers, who come from all over the world to enjoy the great waves and warm waters.
Choose from day trips to the nearby beach towns of Unawatuna (10-minute drive) or Mirissa (1 hour), where you can find Instagram-famous locations like Coconut Hill or palm tree beach swings.
Read more: best things to do in Mirissa
7. Watch a Cricket Match
Whether it’s on the streets or alongside the fort walls, cricket is a massive part of Galle’s way of life. In fact, cricket is synonymous with Sri Lanka—it’s their national sport! Therefore, watching it in real time here is an experience. Head to the famous Galle Cricket Stadium, which is a lovely place to enjoy a refreshing drink on a warm summer’s day.
How to Visit Galle Fort
Since Galle Fort is one of the most popular destinations on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, it has excellent transport connections. You can take the train from Colombo in roughly 2 hours directly to the Galle Fort train station.
Numerous trains depart daily, and you can book your train tickets easily online here. You can find a full timetable on the Sri Lankan Rail website.
Getting Around
Galle Fort is a small town, making it perfect for walking around. We really enjoy discovering the streets this way, coming across attractions like Fort Wall or Pedler Street. Alternatively, you can arrange for a tuk-tuk to take you around the town or on a day trip further down the coast.
Where to Stay in Galle Fort
Anywhere within Galle town is lovely to stay. However, we think the accommodation within the fort itself is the best: beautifully peaceful, away from the traffic and buzz of the city. Choose from a more expensive traditional hotel within the walls, or opt for a more reasonably priced guesthouse outside the fort.
Alternatively, you can also stay in one of the beach towns further down the coast and visit Galle Fort on a day trip.
Best Cafes & Restaurants in Galle Fort
After a full day of walking, shopping, and sightseeing, I look forward to the downtime in between to enjoy the delicious flavors of Galle Fort. Some of our favorite places to eat are:
- Lucky Fort Restaurant (authentic Sri Lankan food)
- Chambers Restaurant (tasty Middle Eastern)
- Pedlar’s Inn Cafe and Restaurant (does coffee and dinner)
Not only are there some fantastic restaurants serving a variety of cuisines, but you can also find really good street food close to the fort walls.
Best Time to Visit Galle Fort
Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons that happen at opposite times of the year on opposite sides of the island. In Galle, most rain falls between May and September. During this time, the ocean can get very rough, causing the beaches to be dirtier than usual. However, prices of accommodation in the monsoon season are much lower, and the quieter streets of Galle make it an excellent time to sightsee.
For sunshine and dry days, visit Galle between December and April, with the very best month being February.
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beautiful! This is really helpful.
How do you edit your pictures?
Thank you! We edit our photos in adobe lightroom using our presets. You can buy them here https://www.saltinourhair.com/presets/ Happy editing!