13+ Incredible Things to Do in Charming Galle Fort, Sri Lanka
Looking for the best places to visit in Galle Fort? Discover famous attractions, historic sites, sunset viewpoints, and the best food with our comprehensive Galle Fort travel guide!
UPDATED - July 2024
From the moment we first wandered into Galle Fort, we knew it was love.
Narrow, bustling laneways, historic architecture, an ever-present scent of spice and the incredible tropical setting; there’s just something about this UNESCO World Heritage site that captivates.
For centuries, this vital trading port connected Sri Lanka with spice merchants across Asia and beyond. From the 16th century, Portuguese, Dutch, and later British, colonial occupations all left their marks, including the extensive 17th-century Dutch fortifications that still stand today - many of the ramparts and Fort streets still carry signs of those overlapping histories.
Today, the Galle Fort area is unlike any other place we’ve found in Sri Lanka; an atmospheric town where culture, religion, and different architectural eras collide in the tropics. Popular with tourists, it’s still very much a living town both within and outside the fort walls (and we definitely do encourage you to explore the wider Galle town beyond the Fort!).
Historic mosques and churches stand alongside boutique hotels and upscale restaurants, school bells ring in the afternoon as crisp white uniforms spill onto streets alongside tuk tuks and tourists, and of an evening, the ramparts are always abuzz with sunset-seekers (our own personal favourite pastime!), local vendors, and thrill-seeking cliff divers.
It should be said that Galle Fort is rapidly gentrifying as chic boutiques, cafes, and heritage hotels begin to conserve and restore the whitewashed historic buildings - and prices have skyrocketed over the last few years as a result.
Where possible, we recommend seeking out locally owned businesses (keep reading for our recommendations below) to ensure that the local community benefits from its rapid popularity too.
Often the starting point of adventures along the southern coastline, Galle is definitely an unmissable stop on your Sri Lankan itinerary, and a great place to slow down and explore at leisure. We’d recommend staying at least two nights to get a good feel for it before moving onto the southern beaches - although however long you stay, you’ll find plenty to enjoy.
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GALLE FORT GUIDE ESSENTIALS
WHERE | Galle Fort, Southern Province
HOW TO GET TO GALLE | Private transfer, train, bus or tuk-tuk
WHEN TO VISIT | January - March
WHERE TO STAY | Galle Fort Hotel, Taru Villas, The Fort Bazaar
BEST ATTRACTIONS | Galle Fort Lighthouse, Galle Ramparts & Outer Walls, Walk the historic streets, Watch sunset from the Fort walls, Shop on Pedlar St., Cocktails + good food
FOOD & DRINK | Charlie’s Bar & Bistro, Aqua Forte, Two Minutes by Tuk Tuk, Coconut Sambol
TOURS | Whale watching tour, Cooking Class
WHERE IS GALLE FORT?
Beautiful Galle Fort is located in the city of Galle in the southwest corner of Sri Lanka, around 110km from the capital, Colombo, and just a short drive to some of Sri Lanka’s popular beachside enclaves, including Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, and Mirissa.
Situated on a rocky peninsula, the sea surrounds Galle Fort from three sides, making it a wonderful location for a Fort.
THE HISTORY OF GALLE FORT
To really understand Galle you’ve got to understand its history, for the mighty fortress, imposing churches and mosques, crumbling colonial-era villas, and blend of cultures make little sense otherwise.
For centuries (if not millennia), Galle was a major trading hub for merchants all around the globe due to its strategic location for ancient shipping routes, and its safe, well-protected harbour. Part of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, Galle can be found Ptolemy’s world map of 125-150 AD as a port of trade for Greek, Arabic and Chinese traders.
Boats laden with spices, metals, gems, silk, and porcelain destined for markets East and West passed by Sri Lanka’s southern coastline, itself abundant with spices, particularly cinnamon, pepper, cardamom and cloves, that became a vital export commodity for the Sinhalese kingdoms.
It was through the port of Galle that most of these commodities were exported.
Of course, foreign traders soon sought to control spice exports, and before long, the Moors (mostly of Arab descent) occupied the northern harbour creating an enclave distinct from the local Sinhalese community. Arab descendants still live within the Fort today, visible in the mosques, street signs and surnames.
…
In the 16th century, European colonisers arrived. The Portuguese, having already forged a direct access route to the Indian spice trade, had established naval dominance in the Indian Ocean, eventually annexing Galle in 1518 and taking control from the Moors.
The first Galle Fort was built and constantly expanded to defend against rival powers vying for control of the lucrative spice trade. In 1640, the Dutch captured Galle following a fierce battle.
Through the notorious Dutch East India company, the fort’s current layout was completed in 1663. Covering 52 hectares with walls over 3 kilometres long and fourteen bastions housing over 100 cannons. From that point on, despite the burgeoning wealth within, the fort was never attacked again.
By the 1800s, advances in shipping had made Galle Fort almost obsolete: too small to houes larger ships, and too treacherous compared to newer, safer modern ports in Colombo. Galle fell into disrepair — but in a curious twist of fate, this actually saved many of its historic buildings from demolition. Today, its these buildings that house boutique hotels, hipster art stores, and a growing number of excellent restaurants and bars.
Except for the devastation of the 2004 tsunami, which killed over 35,000 and caused widespread damage to parts of the city, Galle Fort has revived into one of Sri Lanka’s most beloved tourist destinations; a historic town shaped by a complex past.
WHERE TO STAY IN GALLE FORT
Galle Fort is teeming with accommodation options, from budget homestays to mid to high-end hotels, many of which are some of the most beautiful we’ve ever seen - think open, breezy rooms, private courtyards and exceptional service (it’s the Sri Lankan way!).
Below are our favourite hotels to stay in Galle Fort, however, you can find a full overview of the best places to stay here.
GALLE FORT HOTEL | A boutique hotel in a former Dutch mansion. Prices and availability here
TARU VILLAS | A classically restored boutique hotel right in the heart of Galle Fort. Prices and availability here
THE FORT BAZAAR | A former merchants’ home turned locally-owned boutique hotel in the centre of Galle Fort. Prices and availability here
READ MORE | Our complete guide on where to stay in Galle
THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN GALLE, SRI LANKA
#1 VISIT THE FAMOUS GALLE FORT LIGHTHOUSE
Framed by palm trees and postcard-perfect; if you only do one thing in Galle, it has to be visiting the beautiful Galle Lighthouse and admiring the most instantly recognisable feature of the Fort.
This beautiful white lighthouse dates back to 1848, (although the current structure was rebuilt in 1939), and stands on the walls of the ancient Galle Fort, guiding the safe passage of ships into Galle Harbour.
The lighthouse is still very much in use, although it now has another, secondary role, as a prop to those wanting the perfect Sri Lankan photo.
THE DETAILS
What | Galle Lighthouse
Where | Corner of Hospital and Rampart St
#2 WALK THE OUTER WALLS/RAMPARTS OF GALLE FORT
If these coral-mixed walls and ramparts could talk, they’d have many stories to share about Galle Fort’s long and varied history.
If you’re up for exploring each and every corner of Galle Fort’s outer walls, you can follow the ‘Fort Walk’, starting at the historic Clock Tower, before moving onto the Main Gate, heading south into the interior of the Fort, passing the Dutch Reform Church until you reach the western section’s restored Dutch Hospital.
From there, continue south towards the famous Galle Lighthouse, before following the walls to Meeran Mosque, Flag Rock and Triton Bastion.
The walk finishes at Star Bastion, overlooking the northern coast towards Hikkaduwa.
Along the way, spot locals playing cricket, eat one of the many tasty street food options (wade, a fried lentil snack is our fave!), and cool off in one of the many inner fort bars.
The walk is around 2kms and best done early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the temperatures are more manageable - the sun in Galle is infamously fierce!
#3 WANDER THROUGH THE GALLE FORT INTERIOR
Without doubt, one of our favourite things to do in Galle Fort is always to simply get wonderfully lost inside the fort, soaking up the UNESCO-protected streets, weathered historic buildings and colonial architecture, colourful boutiques and quiet courtyards, all framed by tropical greenery.
For those with a little extra time up their sleeves, it’s worth turning off the main streets and exploring some of the quieter alleys, where intricate design, daily life, and a little more authenticity can be found.
Thankfully, due to the high ramparts of the Fort wall, much of this area survived the, which means that there are plenty of beautiful architectural remnants
Protected by the high ramparts, much of this historic heart survived the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, preserving its unique blend of architecture and history.
Some sights and attractions we suggest you visit are:
Dutch Reform Church | Historic Dutch church dating back to 1640
Old Dutch Hospital | Colonnaded former hospital dating back to the 18th century
Amangalla | Former home of the Dutch Governor, built in 1684. Now a luxurious hotel, which does delicious afternoon tea
All Saints Anglican Church | Built in the late 1800s from solid rock
Meeran Mosque | The centre of the local Muslim community, built in 1904
Sudharmalaya Temple | Beautiful white Buddhist temple within Galle Fort
A guide to Sri Lanka’s palace in the clouds, Sigiriya
#4 WATCH SUNSET FROM GALLE FORT WALL
Each afternoon at around 5:30 pm, locals and tourists alike gather along the fort walls to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. It’s a festive and happy affair; cricket games are played on the grass below, whole families gather to see off the last of the day, and travellers mingle and chat while Mother Nature streaks the sky all kinds of shades of blue, orange, pink and purple.
We’ve now visited Galle twice on two separate trips, and watching a sunset from Galle Fort remains one of our favourite experiences in Sri Lanka. There’s just something about the glorious technicolour end to the day that feels a little more special here than anywhere else we’ve visited.
We think the best point to watch the sunset from is the Triton Bastion, however, you can watch the sunset from pretty much any point on the western side of the Fort walls.
Don’t forget to keep a lookout for the cliff jumpers at Flag Rock too; each evening a group of locals defy danger by leaping backwards off the ramparts to the ocean below.
THE DETAILS
What | Triton Bastion
Where | Rampart St, opposite Pilgrims Bar
#5 GRAB A WORLD-CLASS COCKTAIL AT CHARLIE’S
Between Rampart & Lighthouse Street, looking over the iconic ramparts that circle the Fort, you’ll find an art-deco masterpiece that’s been revived and restored into one of Galle’s best cocktail bars: Charlie’s Bar & Bistro.
This popular rooftop bar is the ultimate sunset hangout spot, set against the backdrop of swaying palms, silhouetted against the marmalade hues of the Indian Ocean. The cocktails are excellent, incorporating flavours from the Spice Trade to provide a Sri Lankan twist to the classics.
We spent a lazy afternoon here, sipping cocktails while watching the sunset, while reflecting on how different this experience was from our first visit to the Fort eight years ago, on backpacker budgets that prevented us from delving too far into the culinary and cocktail scene at that time.
We recommend the pomegranate sour, a delightful mix of gin, basil, lime, passionfruit and pomegranate - the perfect cocktail for the steamy Sri Lankan heat. The Wadamala Collins, a lime-infused vodka cocktail made with garden-foraged hibiscus and curry leaf, also comes highly recommended.
Unfortunately, we only got to sample the chippies (that’s toddler life for you), but from what we saw we’d have loved to spend the whole evening here, devouring the small plates.
We’ve also visited Church Street Social (find it here), another famed cocktail bar in the heart of the Fort. Set amongst a historic 17th-century merchant’s house, the cocktail bar is high-end, catering to Galle’s slightly older clientele. Our experience there was okay - the cocktail was quite weak, and the overall vibe was not quite up our alley.
That said, it’s still an excellent option for an evening G & T in the town centre.
#6 SHOP TILL YOU DROP ON PEDLAR ST, GALLE FORT
Love shopping? Galle Fort is your place!
There are literally hundreds of boutiques, art galleries, spice and gem stores, and handicrafts dotted throughout Galle Fort, with Pedlar St being the epicentre of the action.
We definitely think the best shopping in Sri Lanka is within the walls of Galle Fort, so if you're looking for a bargain, this is your place. Mim was like a kid in a candy shop, visiting each and every store in search of handicrafts and textiles.
Fortunately, Galle’s hub for shopaholics didn’t disappoint, and she walked away with the perfect linen dress for Sri Lanka's hot and humid weather.
Some stores we suggest you visit are:
Stick No Bills | Sells incredible 'Ceylon' retro prints, of which two now take pride of place in our home
Exotic Roots | Perhaps the coolest store in the Fort, Exotic Roots is a mother/daughter-run boutique, selling handicrafts and artwork made by the owners
Aida Gems | Operating since 1975, Aida is the only store to consider when buying gems or jewellery in Galle Fort
Barefoot | an upmarket souvenir store stocking handwoven Sri Lankan sarongs and linens, unique jewellery, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs
PR | A Concept store hailing also from Colombo stocking that stocks emerging Sri Lankan designers, natural beauty and health products, and more
THE DETAILS
Where | Pedlar St. Galle Fort, Galle
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#7 TAKE A CINNAMON EXPERIENCE TOUR
We’re firm believers that cinnamon is the greatest spice; and as one of Sri Lanka’s most treasured spices it holds a special place in the country’s culinary and cultural heritage. The country also supplies 80% of the world’s best-quality cinnamon.
Used in both sweet and savoury dishes, it’s an absolute staple of Sri Lankan cuisine. Eager to learn more about how something so delicious is cultivated, we took a short guided tour with the Cinnamon Experience, visiting a local family who have been farming cinnamon for generations.
We sipped cinnamon tea while exploring the verdant plantation, learning exactly how cinnamon is harvested, extracted, peeled, and eventually ground down to a fine powder. Seeing the (literal) hands-on nature of the process gave us a much deeper appreciation of the spice and its importance not only to Sri Lankan cuisine but also to its Ayurvedic traditions.
We also left with the most delicious-smelling bag of fresh, organic cinnamon straight from the source, which was a genuine highlight of the trip, given our love of cinnamon.
THE DETAILS
BOOK | You can book the Cinnamon Experience directly here
Sri lanka’s beachside paradise | our guide to Unawatuna
#8 EAT LOCAL & SAMPLE SRI LANKAN STREET FOOD
The sheer amount of high-end restaurants within the walls of Galle Fort is astounding, and more are popping up with each visit. And while it’s wonderful to have an array of international options at your fingertips, we feel it would be remiss to visit Galle and not sample some of the local cuisine.
A handful of wonderful local eateries still thrive among the Fort’s cobbled streets, serving up hearty, authentic Sri Lankan fare at affordable prices. They’re often small and lacking in air conditioning, but they’re full of atmosphere and genuinely delicious meals.
In our view, supporting local spots is important not only for the experience but to ensure that the spread of tourism dollars goes to the local community and not just large hospitality groups. To use the words of our culinary idol, Anthony Bourdain, “Food, culture, people, and landscape are all absolutely inseparable”
On the menu is rice and curry, the staple of the Sri Lankan diet, blending warm spices, coconut, vegetables, and occasionally meat (generally fish) to form the most delicious of flavours.
So our recommendations for local restaurants in Galle Fort?
COCONUT SAMBOL | Blink and you’ll miss it, Coconut Sambol is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant serving rice & curry from the heavens. It’s self-service, so pile your plate high and enjoy the intricate flavours and textures of each curry (our particular favourite was the carrot curry). Wash it down with homemade ginger beer, which, we might add, is one of the greatest drinks we’ve ever consumed.
IMALS RESTAURANT | Set on the bottom floor of a dilapidated double-storey colonial building, Imals is one of the more popular local establishments. Enjoy flavoursome curries and other local delights under the ever-present whir of an overworked fan. The dhal is rich in coconut flavour, while the brinjal (sweet, almost caramelised eggplant curry) is the star of the show. Grab a mango lassie to cool down
AMEEN ROTI | A proper street food vendor (and one of the last left in the Fort), Ameen serves roti, wade, and other Sri Lankan street food. We highly recommend the egg roti, with a side of dhal. Additionally, the wade (fried chickpea snack) is delish
We highly recommend that you visit and support one of these restaurants, as they are the fabric of local life within the Fort.
If you’re keen to learn more about Sri Lankan cuisine beyond just eating it, we suggest joining a cooking class in Galle Fort. The Fort has a burgeoning cooking class scene, and joining a class is the best way to truly understand and educate yourself about Sri Lankan dishes. Consider this highly-rated class and visit a local market, before learning to cook flavourful curries.
BOOK | Sri Lankan cooking class + market tour in Galle Fort
#9 HIT THE BEACHES OF NEARBY UNAWATUNA
Despite its position on the sparkling southern coast of Sri Lanka, Galle lacks in iconic beaches. Fortunately, as is the case in a country such as Sri Lanka, epic beaches are just a short bus, tuk-tuk, or scooter away.
The horseshoe-shaped Unawatuna main beach is one of the most popular beaches in the country for both tourists and locals alike. While the beach isn’t the best in Sri Lanka, it’s still a wonderful place to enjoy a swim, with abundant coral reefs and decent waves. We suggest swimming in the middle or to the south of the beach, where there are fewer people and boats.
Alternatively, you can rent a sunbed and relax, order cocktails and curries from the beachside bars, or take an afternoon stroll up to the pagoda north of the beach and watch the sunset.
Unawatuna is also home to Jungle beach, a stretch of white sand & turquoise waters backed by jungle on the Rumassala outcrop, overlooking Galle Fort on the opposite side of Galle bay. While it's not the best beach in Sri Lanka, it's far quieter than Unawatuna main beach and definitely worth half a day's visit.
Alternatively, the beautiful, bustling beachside town of Hikkaduwa may be slightly further away (35 mins North of Galle), but is home to a more expansive beach and popular surf breaks, so if you’re planning to learn to surf, here’s a great place to start.
The beach is also filled with bars and restaurants and is a wonderful place to relax after a day or two exploring inside the Fort walls.
A guide to riding the Kandy to Ella train
#10 GO WHALE WATCHING FROM GALLE
Sri Lanka is home to an array of exceptional National Parks, which host a huge diversity of wildlife; 44 mammal species including elephants and leopards, and over 215 bird species, to be exact!
For such a small country, the wealth of wildlife viewing opportunities are virtually unmatched globally.
However, it’s not just on land that Sri Lanka’s wildlife viewing opportunities exist, but also in the ocean.
Off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, it’s possible to observe a range of whale species, and dolphins, in their natural habitat.
Between December - March, the waters of the Indian Ocean play host to migrating Blue Whales (dolphins, Bryde’s whales and sperm whales are sometimes also observed), which provide perfect whale-watching opportunities through a range of local operators.
If you’re in Sri Lanka during this period, we highly recommend joining a whale-watching expedition. Tours depart from Mirissa (although hotel pick-ups can be arranged for Galle), where medium-sized cruisers take to the ocean in search of these incredible creatures.
This popular 4-6 hour whale watching tour is limited to a group of 40, providing greater whale viewing opportunities. The tour also includes breakfast, tea and coffee, as well as a highly trained crew and a tour.
If you’re prone to motion sickness, be warned - the tours are often bumpy, so take precautions to avoid falling ill.
THE DETAILS
Where | Tour departs from Mirissa, Sri Lanka
Book | Whale watching tour
#11 CHAT WITH THE GALLE FORT LOCALS
Given Galle Fort has such a varied history, there are fascinating stories everywhere; you've just got to speak to the locals to hear them.
One morning, after a failed sunrise photography mission, we met a local named Shaffy, a Sri Lankan Muslim who’s lived in Galle his whole life. Not only that, his family had lived in the same house for generations.
Shaffy invited us in for a milk tea (which was great) and a chat, discussing everything from his family history (they immigrated here from the middle east centuries ago), to the rapid gentrification of Galle Fort, as well as the obligatory local restaurant recommendations!
Our morning tea and chat was completely genuine and is one of our defining memories from our time in Galle Fort. After all, what is travel without meaningful encounters with the people who call a place home?
#12 WATCH A CRICKET MATCH AT GALLE FORT CRICKET GROUND
Sri Lanka’s national sport is cricket, and here in the south of the country, it’s very much a religion. Everywhere you look, you’ll see a game of cricket being played, while for us Australians, the topic of conversation invariably ends up at Shane Warne or Ricky Ponting (famous Australian cricketers, for those non-cricket fans!).
Galle Fort happens to be home to one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world, the Galle International Cricket Ground.
Located right at the entrance to the Fort proper, the ground features international games throughout the year including test matches.
You can watch from the grassy terrace, all the while being served fresh tropical fruits and enjoying a beer or two. It’s basically the perfect day out for any sports lover!
Alternatively, head up to Galle Fort clock tower and watch the game from the ramparts overlooking the ground - we can assure you, you’ll never watch a game of sport in a more picturesque location!
THE DETAILS
Where | Galle International Cricket Ground
Book | You can book tickets for games here
#13 ROPE SWING FUN AT DALAWELLA AND WIJAYA BEACH
To this day we're still amazed that a simple rope swing could have played such a big role in turning a country into a travel 'hot spot', yet that's exactly what happened here.
The rope swing at Dalawella beach, just south of Galle & Unawatuna, went viral on Instagram a few years ago, and soon, nearly every traveller wanted ‘that’ iconic shot. In all honesty, we thought about giving this a miss - it felt a little gimmicky for our tastes. But we’re also suckers when it comes to FOMO, and eventually decided to give it a go.
The verdict? It’s definitely fun!
I’m not convinced we’d travel there just to do it again, but it was a fun, slightly unusual thing to do at the beach and gave us a good laugh. The best time to visit is during the early-mid morning when the sun is still rising yet not too harsh, or during golden hour as the sunsets. It costs LKR 500 for 5 or so swings, depending on how busy it is.
There's also a beach swing just a short walk away at Mihiripenna beach which swings over the natural lagoon. This swing is slightly cheaper, at LKR 300 and is best visited for sunrise.
THE DETAILS
Where | Dream Cabanas, Dalawella, and Mihiripenna beach
Cost | LKR 500 pp (Dalawella), and LKR 300 pp (Mihiripenna beach)
#14 EXPLORE GALLE’S MANY MARKETS
The local fruit, spice and flower markets are located just outside of Galle Fort and are well worth a visit to embrace some authentic Sri Lankan culture.
These vibrant markets are home to some of the best fruit we’ve ever tried, and the local shopkeepers are more than willing to let you taste all types of weird and wonderful tropical fruits. Make sure you try Mangosteen, a lychee-reminiscent fruit that is absolutely delicious. Oh, and the pineapple... always have the pineapple.
This is also a great place to stock up on spices and curry mix. The spices here are about a tenth of the price of the ones within the fort walls, so it’s well worth the visit. In fact, almost every local will warn you off buying tea and spices from the trendy Fort boutiques like Spa Ceylon - the good stuff is right here, where they shop.
We also met some wonderful people around the markets, who took time out of their day to show us around the area and teach us more about the local way of life.
THE DETAILS
What | Galle fruit market
Where | Sea St, near Galle-Colombo Rd, Galle
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN GALLE FORT
With its varied history and evolving centre, Galle Fort is home to a great variety of food and drink options.
ENJOY DINNER (AND VIEWS) AT MINUTE BY TUK TUK
If we're honest, it was hard to select one restaurant to feature on our list of best places to visit in Galle because there are so many to choose from. However, A Minute by Tuk Tuk takes the honours.
Located inside Galle Fort at the Old Dutch Hospital, A Minute by Tuk Tuk offers great contemporary Sri Lanka food, with a few international additions for those unwilling to sample the local flavours, plus excellent views of the bay of Galle.
For dinner we settled on the 'Batu Moju', an eggplant moju with roti and curry dips, washed down with the local brew, Lion Beer. For dessert, we sampled 'Watalappan', a coconut custard pudding and Sri Lanka's national dessert.
All up, dinner and drinks cost around 3,700r (USD 15/$20) for two.
THE DETAILS
What | A Minute by Tuk Tuk
Below are some of our favourites:
Amangalla | Perfect for high tea or a sundowner cocktail but be aware, it’s expensive!
The Tuna and the Crab | If you like seafood (and money isn’t an object), come here and enjoy some of the best Sri Lanka seafood
Sugar Bistro | Sri Lankan favourites and western classics, the food here is delish. Try the Lamprais cooked in Banana leaf
Pedlars Inn | A long-term fixture in Galle Fort, serving western and local fare. Stop for pizza or pasta, stay for ice cream (see below)
Maru Poke & Cafe | For something a little lighter after the heaviness of all that rice and curry, head to Maru Poke for some fresh, flavoursome poke bowls. Great service too!
Coconut Sambol | Some of the best rice and curry you could hope to eat
Indian Hut | Affordable tasty Indian food near Galle Lighthouse. Service isn’t great, though
Ameen Hotel | Very local, very affordable. Expect only traditional Sri Lanka dishes, such as rice and curry
ICE CREAM
Isle of Gelato | Tasty AF ice cream, perfect on a hot, tropical day. Has a lot of Sri Lankan flavours, so try the jackfruit sorbet for a taste sensation
Pedlars Inn Gelataria | Kinda expensive, but good gelato… Try the Mango flavour
Dairy King | A long-term ice creamery at the southern end of Galle Fort, enjoy some delicious homemade ice cream. Mango, passionfruit and coconut are the go-to flavours!
A MAP OF THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN GALLE FORT
Visiting Galle Fort? Download this map to your phone and follow our recommendations!
Click the star next to the title of the map to save it to your Google Maps account. To view on the road, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this exact map on your list.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO GALLE FORT
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT GALLE FORT?
Anytime from October - April is a good time to visit Galle, as the monsoon rains have passed and the temperatures are fairly stable.
That being said, the absolute BEST time to visit is between February - April, when low rainfall and calmer seas provide the perfect weather to explore.
We’ve been told to avoid visiting during early January when Sri Lankan holidays occur and Galle is teeming with local tourists.
HOW TO GET TO GALLE FORT
TRAIN
The most scenic way to get from Colombo to Galle is via train, which runs along the palm-fringed coast the majority of the journey.
The Colombo Fort to Galle train departs 10 times a day (book your ticket here), with the earliest departure at 6:55 am and the final departure at 19:30. It takes around 2.5 - 3.5 hours.
We recommend travelling outside of peak hours to avoid packed trains and an uncomfortable journey (we’ve taken the 10:30 am train many times without issue).
THE DETAILS
Cost | 180r per person for 2nd class, 100r per person for 3rd class
Departure Times | From Colombo Fort only: 0655, 0835, 1030, 1425, 1550, 1646, 1730, 1735, 1805, 1930
BOOK | Book your train tickets in advance here
BUS
If you prefer your creature comforts (air-conditioning), there’s a direct bus from Maharagama bus station (in the suburbs of Colombo) to Galle, which follows the newly completed inland highway. You’re guaranteed a seat, and the air-conditioning is a welcome relief in Sri Lanka.
THE DETAILS
Cost | 360r - 400r per person
Departure Times | Every 20 minutes from 5 am - 16:45pm
If you’re on a very tight budget, it’s also possible to take the local bus from Colombo to Galle, however, we don’t recommend this option due to the exceedingly long and tedious journey.
The local bus will leave from Colombo Fort bus station, and cost 100r per person.
RELATED | A complete guide on how to get from Colombo to Galle
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR SRI LANKA
Overwhelmingly, we’ve found the country to be extremely safe and friendly, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t issues with petty theft or personal safety at times.
You absolutely need to have travel insurance that ensures you and your belongings are protected here.
Here are our recommendations, based on 8+ years of full-time travel:
FOR TRAVELLERS | HeyMondo - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel + medical insurance, an app with 24-hour medical support, and no out-of-pocket fees.
* The Common Wanderer readers 5% off your policy by booking through our link here
FOR DIGITAL NOMADS | SafetyWing - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and policies can be purchased while already abroad.
CAR INSURANCE | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy
EXPERIENCE MORE OF SRI LANKA
GALLE | Our guide to the best hotels in Galle, how to get from Colombo to Galle
SRI LANKA TRAVEL TIPS | 31 incredible things to do in Sri Lanka, Our essential 3-week Sri Lanka Itinerary, Our 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary, Everything you need to know before you visit Sri Lanka (39 essential tips!)
SRI LANKA CITY GUIDES | We’ve got in-depth guides to Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna, Hiriketiya, Mirissa Beach
CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS | Our essential guides to both Sigiriya and Pidurangala, A guide to Polonnaruwa, How to visit Yala National Park, and Udawalawe National Park
TRANSPORT GUIDES | Our definitive guide to the Kandy to Ella train, how to get from Colombo to Kandy, how to get from Colombo to Galle
ELLA, SRI LANKA | Our complete guide to Ella, a guide to the Nine Arch Bridge, How to see Diyaluma Falls, Ella accommodation options for every budget (+ our recommendations)
Is there anything missing from our things to do in Galle Fort guide? Let us know in the comments below!
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