
Visit Galle, Sri Lanka
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It’s difficult to know who to credit with the architectural achievement of Galle. The Portuguese built this fortified coastal city in the 16th century. Then the Dutch spent 100 years enlarging the ramparts before the British added towers, a lighthouse and more gates. Perhaps the hats really come off to its current custodians, Sri Lanka’s Department of Archaeology, who’ve sensitively restored Galle while encouraging a community of artisanal boutiques, cafés and B&Bs. The modern city has now burst its walls, spreading along the coast and into the hills inland.
Sitting on a peninsula on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, Galle Fort is surrounded by water on three sides. You can circumnavigate it by walking along its stone-walled battlements, stopping to wander through gateways and bastions.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fort is often lauded as the best example of the interaction between European styles and Asian traditions. You can delve into this further in the Marine Archaeological Museum, which occupies an old spice warehouse.
Along the northern battlements is one of the later additions to the fort: a clock tower built to commemorate the jubilee of Queen Victoria. From here, you have views over the Galle International Stadium, a cricket ground where you can sometimes see the team training. On the southern edge is Galle Lighthouse, which overlooks a frangipani-fringed beach.
A number of Dutch churches occupy space inside the fort walls, including the always freshly painted Dutch Reformed Church, whose floor is paved with gravestones from Dutch cemeteries.
Many buildings have been converted into boutiques selling locally made crafts. Others are now cafés — look out for Dairy King and its homemade ice cream. Many stay open into the evening, when you can stroll along warmly lit streets perusing the tea merchants, galleries of vintage posters, and stores filled with handmade wooden sculptures.
Outside the fortress, Galle draws visitors with stretches of rose-gold sand, framed with tangles of mangrove and frangipani trees. Unawatuna Beach to the south is the best known, but head north and you’ll find quieter stretches of coast and a selection of locally run beach hotels.
Exploring around Galle
You need about a day to take in Galle, but it’s also a good base for exploring the surrounding area. About half-an-hour’s drive away is Yatagala Temple, a mural-covered rock shrine set back from the road among the paddy fields. You’ll often have the cave and its golden reclining Buddha to yourself.
To see more of the rural landscape, take a cycling tour from Galle, passing inky-blue lakes, villages of clay-tiled homes and paddy fields in neat squares. A short cycle might take you through Eluvila Bird Sanctuary, a mangrove wetland that attracts the rare blue-eared kingfisher.
As a keen cyclist, you could tackle the hills leading to Hiyare Forest Reserve, a rainforest where Sri Lankan green pigeons and purple-faced langurs dart between the trees.
Best time to visit Galle
With its number of complex weather fronts, the Sri Lankan climate is notoriously unpredictable. We suggest discussing the time you’d like to travel with one of our Sri Lanka specialists. Generally, the best time to travel to Galle is from December to March, when it’s warm and dry.
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Suggested itineraries featuring Galle
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Galle, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Galle
- The Southern Coast 43 kilometers away
- Sinharaja Biosphere 49 kilometers away
- Bentota 50 kilometers away
- Tangalle 64 kilometers away
- Wadduwa 78 kilometers away
- Uda Walawe National Park 91 kilometers away
- Adam's Peak 92 kilometers away
- Hatton 105 kilometers away
- Horton Plains 108 kilometers away
- Colombo 108 kilometers away
- Nuwara Eliya 120 kilometers away
- Bandarawela 123 kilometers away
- Negombo 138 kilometers away
- Kandy 148 kilometers away
- Yala National Park 152 kilometers away
- Pallepola 183 kilometers away
- Dambulla 210 kilometers away
- Sigiriya 222 kilometers away
- Polonnaruwa 230 kilometers away
- Minneriya National Park 232 kilometers away
- The Cultural Triangle 236 kilometers away
- Anuradhapura 254 kilometers away
- Passikudah 258 kilometers away
- Trincomalee 304 kilometers away
- Jaffna 406 kilometers away
Photos of Galle
Accommodation choices for Galle
We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Galle. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Tabula Rasa
Located in Galle, the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, Tabula Rasa Resort’s hilltop location offers spectacular views toward the Indian Ocean.
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Aditya
Aditya is a beautifully presented boutique hotel situated right by the beach, with superb views of the Indian Ocean. This charming property offers an intimate and highly personalised stay, with an emphasis on relaxation.
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Fort Printers
Once an 18th century mansion turned printing faculty, Fort Printers is now a small and quirky boutique hotel in the heart of the historic Galle Fort, offering spacious suites and an excellent restaurant in an attractive setting.
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Sun House
Set on a hilltop, Sun House commands views of both the fort and port, whilst the garden itself is abundant with frangipani trees.
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Amangalla
Formerly the New Oriental Hotel, the oldest hotel in Sri Lanka, Amangalla reopened under the renowned management of Aman Resorts. Many original features such as the wooden floors and beds have been carefully restored to preserve the colonial atmosphere.
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Lighthouse Hotel & Spa
Situated on a rocky coastline two kilometres from Galle Fort, the hotel offers open spaces and refreshing sea breezes. Each room has a balcony with views of the Indian Ocean. Pamper yourself at the Spa, lounge on the sundeck, or take a gentle stroll to the beach below.
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Galle Fort Hotel
In the heart of the old fort, this beautiful 17th century building is a sanctuary of calm indulgence. The 12 minimalist rooms have lofty ceilings and crisp bed linen complemented by antiques and reproductions from the colonial period.
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Frangipani Tree
The Frangipani Tree is a lovely beach hotel, located on the west end of Thalpe Beach within a 15 minute drive of Fort Galle.
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The Fortress
The Fortress is a fusion of contemporary chic and five-star luxury. It stands by Koggala beach, its great walls enveloping a host of facilities such as a garden with water features, a tea room, spa, yoga pavilion, gym, pool, pool side pizzeria, bars and a wine cellar.
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ERA Beach
Blending traditional and modern Asian design, ERA Beach offers an exceptionally relaxing and comfortable beach-side retreat at Thalpe and is conveniently located only 20 minutes from Galle Fort.
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Kahanda Kanda
Kahanda Kanda is one of Southern Sri Lanka's newest boutique hotels. The property is situated in a 12 acre plantation near the coast, 15km from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle, and overlooks Kogalla Lake.
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41 Lighthouse Street
41 Lighthouse Street is a small property, set away down one of Galle's characterful streets and evoking the charm of the Fort.
Ideas for experiencing Galle
Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Galle, and which use the best local guides.
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Whale watching Whale watching
Whale watching
Sri Lanka is becoming one of the most successful places to see both Blue and Sperm Whales, which can be found off the island's southern coast.
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Galle City Tour Galle City Tour
Galle City Tour
Your guide will take you into the walled area of the town which consists of narrow streets lined with European style buildings, traditional churches and small shops selling lace and jewellery.
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