Galle
Dutch fort town on the south coast
A 17th-century Dutch fort town on the south coast and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with beaches like Unawatuna a few minutes away.
Photo Gallery
About Galle
Galle Fort was built by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch in the 1600s. Inside the walls are narrow streets of colonial houses, cafes, galleries and small hotels, the lighthouse and the Dutch Reformed Church. Walking the ramparts at sunset is the classic thing to do. Unawatuna, Jungle Beach, Koggala (stilt fishermen) and Mirissa are all within an hour along the coast.
Did you know?
Galle Fort is the largest remaining European-built fortress in Asia and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1988.
Location & Getting There
How to Get There
By road
About 2–2.5 hours from Colombo or the airport on the Southern Expressway.
By train
The coastal line from Colombo Fort takes about 2.5–3 hours and runs right along the sea.
With us
Your driver-guide picks you up from the airport or your hotel, so you can add Galle to any private tour.
Travel Tips
- Best time to visit: November to April
- Recommended duration: 2-3 days
- December to April is the dry season on the south coast; May to September brings the south-west monsoon.
- Walk the fort in the early morning or late afternoon — the stone gets very hot at midday.
- Combine with Mirissa for whale watching between November and April.
Tours that include Galle
South Coast Tour
Galle Fort, Unawatuna and Mirissa in 4 days
Complete Sri Lanka Tour
Culture, tea country, safari and beaches in 10 days
Ready to Visit Galle?
Tell us your dates and we'll suggest a route that includes Galle, with a price per day.