bigtravelbuzzGalle Fort is one of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful coastal towns. Here, life slows down as locals play cricket on the beach, travelers stroll along the ancient ramparts, and stalls sell fresh tropical heirloom fruit under palm trees. increase. Its history is a cultural melting pot with a unique blend of European and Asian influences, as evidenced by the whitewashed Dutch buildings that line its cobbled streets. Drive to the southwest corner of the country and enjoy all the beauty of Fort Galle on his
coast in Sri Lanka, which took over Portuguese rule since the 16th century. They fortified Galle, leaving beautiful European-style buildings to this day. The British then occupied the city until Sri Lanka became an independent country again.
Due to its remarkable history, the fort is of great cultural and architectural value. Therefore, to preserve the beauty of this area, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has also been an important trading port for hundreds of years.
Today, the beautiful old building has been transformed into trendy shops, cafés and restaurants. From shopping to historical exploration to sunset on the ramparts, explore the beauty of Galle Fort in a full day.
Tip:
Galle Fort can only be entered from the side of the main gate and it takes about 2 hours to walk the entire fortress. Make sure to visit Fort Galle in the morning to avoid the busy roads. However, sunset is one of the most beautiful times of the day for him, so don’t miss it.
- Beautiful shops at Galle Fort
One of the best things to do in Galle Fort is to stroll the old streets, visit the wonderful craft shops and admire the old Dutch buildings. It has some of the best shops in Sri Lanka! It’s the perfect place to buy souvenirs and souvenirs of your trip.
Galle Fort’s favorite shops are:
Barefoot – Corner of Church and Peddler Streets. This store is the southern outpost of Colombo’s stylish homeware stores.
Orchid House – Near Holland Hospital. This lovely shop sells beautiful handicrafts, sarongs and jewelry.
Stick No Bills – Great design shop with fun and colorful graphics printed on postcards and wallpapers.
Tip: Also visit the local market at
Galle Fort, where you can sample tropical fruits, local vegetables and Asian spices on the spot or pack them in your suitcase as a memento of Sri Lanka. , is also a great place to observe the locals as they go about their daily lives in Galle.
- Visit amazing monuments
Galle has such an amazing mix of culture and architecture that you forget you’re in Sri Lanka. Stroll through the Dutch-style buildings, surrounded by coconut trees, for a uniquely European feel.
Even if you’re not into culture, the architecture of Galle Fort will take your breath away. The fortress is a huge monument, with many fascinating museums and beautiful churches within its walls. Don’t miss the magnificent clock tower, which rises high above the fortress and overlooks the sea.
The main attractions of Galle Fort are:
De Groote Kerk (Church St) – Galle’s most famous church. It impresses with its beautiful white exterior and intricate interior.
Old Dutch Hospital (Hospital Road) – One of Galle’s oldest buildings, his beautiful white archway perfectly complements the orange tiled roof.
National Maritime Archaeological Museum (Queen’s Street) – Ancient marine artifacts recovered from shipwrecks off the southern coast of Sri Lanka.
All Saints Church (Church St) – Gothic Victorian Anglican Church.
- Galle Fort Lighthouse
The Galle Fort Lighthouse is a city icon surrounded by palm trees and deep blue waters. It is this image that has been used in many postcards, brochures and advertisements to lure travelers to Sri Lanka’s beautiful coast.
This extraordinary building is also Sri Lanka’s oldest lighthouse (built by the British in 1848) and is still in use today. With great sunset views for great photos, he is one of the must-see places on any trip to Galle Fort. - Walk the walls of Galle
Locals and tourists alike flock to Galle City Walls to enjoy the beautiful views of the city and sea. Best of all, you can walk along the fort to get a different perspective of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city.
It is adviced to start at the Galle Fort Lighthouse situated on the southeastern part of the fort. If you go to the northwest side of the fortress, there is a clock tower that connects the city of Galle and the fortress of Galle. The walk around the fortress is about 2 km long and offers beautiful views of the sea along the way.
- Sunset over the ramparts
Enjoying the sunset over the fortress walls is one of the best things to do in Galle Fort. Sit in. Watch the sky explode in color and strike up a conversation with the locals nearby. Tips:
Keep an eye out for Flag Rock Bastion, where adrenaline junkies jump off cliffs. It’s heart-pounding to see someone jump from such heights so close to the rocks, but the locals are professionals and put on a great show for the audience. - Day Trip to the South Coast
Galle Fort is the perfect starting point for many day trips to Sri Lanka’s beautiful southern coast. This stretch of coastline is home to some of the country’s most famous white sand beaches, rock pools and tidal islands. It is especially famous for surfers coming from all over the world to enjoy its great waves and warm water.
Choose from day trips to the nearby beach towns of Unawatuna (10 minutes drive) or Mirissa (1 hour). Here, you’ll find Instagram-famous spots like Coconut Hill and Palm Beach swings.
- Watch a cricket match
Whether on the streets or along the ramparts, cricket is an important part of the Galle lifestyle. Cricket is synonymous with Sri Lanka and is the national sport. Watching the game live here is a valuable experience. Visit Galle’s famous cricket grounds. A great place to enjoy a refreshing drink on a hot summer d
How to Visit Galle Fort
Galle Fort is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the South Coast and is well-connected by public transport. It takes about 2 hours from Colombo to Galle Fort station by direct train.
For more flexibility, we recommend renting a car in Sri Lanka through Sunny Cars, who partner with local car rental companies. All insurance is included in the price when you book with Sunny Cars.
Getting Around
Galle Fort is a small town perfect for walking. It’s also a great way to see sights like Fort Wall and Peddler Street. Alternatively, you can hire a tuk-tuk for day trips around the city and along the coast.
Galle Accommodation Fort
The city of Galle is beautiful everywhere. However, the best option is to stay inside the fortress, which is beautiful and quiet, away from the traffic and hustle and bustle of the city. Choose from the more expensive traditional hotels within the city walls or the more affordable guesthouses outside the fort.
Alternatively, you can stay in one of the beach towns further down the coast and take a day trip to Galle Fort.
When to Go His Goal Fort
Sri Lanka has his two monsoon seasons at opposite times of the year on opposite sides of the island. In Galle, most of the rain falls from his May to September. The sea can be very rough at this time of year and the beaches can be dirtier than usual. However, during the monsoon season, room rates are significantly lower, making Galle’s quieter streets a great time for sightseeing.
For sunny, dry days, visit Galle between December and April. February is the best month.
Galle Fort’s Best Cafes and Restaurants
After a day of walking, shopping and sightseeing, it’s time to sample some delicious food at Galle Fort. Not only are there some great restaurants serving a wide variety of cuisines, but you can also find great street food near the fortress walls.
The Blockhouse
Good affordable Sri Lankan food with a stunning rooftop terrace.
Lucky Fort Restaurant
Enjoy Sri Lankan cuisine and fine dining in Galle. And it’s cheap!
Original Rocket Burger
Want some Asian food tonight? Get great burgers at Rocket. These were the best burgers we had in Sri Lanka.
Chambers Restaurant
A little pricey, but well worth a try for delicious Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine.