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Galle Fort
A colonial-era UNESCO site with boutique cafes, art galleries and lighthouse sunsets inside Dutch ramparts.
About Galle Fort
Galle Fort is a living UNESCO World Heritage site — a walled Dutch colonial town of ramparts, lighthouse streets, boutique cafés and art galleries, perched on the Indian Ocean. It's the cultural highlight of the south coast.
Best time to visit
November to April is the dry season and best for walking the ramparts at sunset. The Galle Literary Festival (late January) brings the town to life.
Getting there
About 2 hours from Colombo by the Southern Expressway (125 km). Unawatuna and Mirissa beaches are within 30 minutes; stilt fishermen at Koggala are en route.
Things to do in Galle Fort
- Walk the Dutch ramparts at sunset to the lighthouse
- Browse the boutiques and art galleries inside the fort
- Visit the historic Dutch Reformed Church and maritime museum
- Combine with Unawatuna beach and a turtle hatchery
