The tranquil atmosphere of the fortress area of Galle belies its turbulent past. The fort was constructed by the Portuguese, later fell to the Dutch and was finally occupied by the British. Its location on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka put it firmly on the trade route between the East and Europe, and each wave of settlers built their own churches and mansions. Now a World Heritage Site, it is a lovely place to wander and explore the small shops, while outside the fortress area Galle is a bustling city with plenty of sandy coves nearby. You can either stay in Galle and visit these areas or stay in a beach retreat and make expeditions into the historic centre.