9 Best Things to Do in Galle Fort Itinerary (2-Days)
Are you looking for the best things to do in Galle Fort? In this article, we will share the very best activities and locations that we experienced during our 2-day Galle Fort itinerary. From colonial architecture, boutique shopping, secret beaches and more – every type of traveller will find something to love in the things to do in Galle Fort. Continue reading to find out more!
Galle Fort is a UNESCO world heritage site on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. Built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Galle Fort is Sri Lanka’s best example of the colonial influences that have shaped the country’s past. Walking the cobbled streets lined by colonial architecture will make you feel you have been transported to a different world.
As the first stop on our Sri Lanka road trip, Galle Fort really didn’t disappoint. Although there aren’t tons of things to do in Galle Fort, it is a very unique place in Sri Lanka and is both charming and romantic which makes it completely worthwhile visiting.
We recommend 2 days here, one for the fort itself and one for exploring nearby beaches. Continue reading to find out more!
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Essential Travel Tools
✈️ Flights: Skyscanner
🚆Transport: 12GoAsia
🏨 Accommodation: Booking.com
📸 Tours: Viator/Klook
🚗 Car hire: Discover Cars
Contents
- Best Time to Visit
- How to Get to And Around
- Where to Stay
- Map
- Things to Do/Itinerary
- Where to Eat
- Conclusion
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Best Time to Visit Galle Fort
The best time to visit Galle Fort is during the dry season, which typically spans from November to April. During this period, you can expect sunny and pleasant weather, making it ideal for exploring the fort and its surroundings.
AVOID visiting during the monsoon season on the south coast of Sri Lanka from May to October. During this period, you will experience more thunderstorms and the oceans are extremely rough.
How to Get There & Around Galle Fort
We will assume you will be arriving in Sri Lanka via a flight to Colombo Airport. For the best deals on flights, we strongly recommend that you use Skyscanner.
The best way to get to Galle Fort from Colombo is via the iconic railway system. There is a station in Colombo Fort and the train will take you down along the west coast all the way to Galle Fort. Although this is not the fastest transport option (2.5 – 3.5 hours), it provides a great experience of chatting with locals and taking in views of palm tree-lined beaches.
The ticket will cost LKR 250 (63p) – LKR 1000 (£2.50) depending on the class you chose. We highly recommend going in first class so that you can guarantee a seat as the trains are extremely busy. You can book your tickets here.
Alternatively, you can take a leaf out of our book and rent your own tuk-tuk for an unforgettable road trip. Tuk-tuks are a great way to travel throughout Sri Lanka and can be easily hired from the roadside to get from A to B.
Sri Lanka also has an excellent bus network, especially along the coast so getting from Galle to Unawatuna and beyond couldn’t be easier.
Where to Stay in Galle Fort
We recommend staying within Galle Fort itself to immerse yourself in its atmosphere and charm. However, there is a premium that comes with staying within the UNESCO site as you will find accommodation to be more expensive than other areas of Sri Lanka.
A more budget-friendly option and one that will appeal to the beach bums among you is to stay in Unawatuna. With plenty of beaches, this is a great option for those that want to relax and just grab a tuk-tuk to go into Galle Fort.
🏨 Galle Fort Hotels
Luxury: The Heritage Hotel Galle Fort
Mid-Range: Dunes Unawatuna Hotel (beach option)
Budget: Knight Inn (our pick)
…find more accommodation options here.
Map of The Best Things to Do in Galle Fort
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Best Things to Do in Galle Fort
Galle Fort Itinerary
Day 1 – Galle Fort
The first day of our two-day Galle Fort itinerary takes you around the Fort itself. We highlight some of the best things to do in Galle Fort, from visiting the town’s most iconic landmarks to shopping in independent boutiques.
1. Galle Lighthouse
Price: Free
The lighthouse is one of the Galle Fort’s, and even Sri Lanka’s, most iconic landmarks, making it one of the best things to do in Galle. It was also our favourite place in Galle to sit and people-watch. The tall white structure stands proudly on the southeastern part of the fort’s walls. Dating back to the mid-19th century, Galle Lighthouse is the oldest light station in Sri Lanka, used to guide fishermen between the shallow reefs and rocks.
This prominent tourist attraction makes for the perfect Instagram spot with the white tower standing amongst the palm trees. It’s literally the postcard-perfect setting so grab your camera and go check it out!
2. Fort Walls
Price: Free
The best way to explore every corner of Galle Fort is to undertake the 2km “Fort Walk”. Here you will walk the fortified walls of this UNESCO World Heritage Site that were built by the Dutch in the 17th century.
Strolling the perimeter is one the best things to do in Galle Fort as you navigate your way between the beautiful colonial town on one side and the turquoise Indian Ocean on the other. You will pass the Clock Tower, Old Dutch Hospital, and Fort Rock amongst other incredible landmarks throughout the town.
The walls also offer an excellent viewpoint of the sunset so make sure you grab a cold drink or maybe even a gelato and watch that magical spectacle during your visit. This is definitely worth doing as part of your Galle Fort itinerary
3. Old Dutch Hospital
Price: Free
As the name suggests, the Old Dutch Hospital once provided the medical needs of Galle Fort. It is now one of the oldest buildings in Galle and has been redeveloped into a thriving bar and restaurant scene.
One of the best things to do in Galle Fort on a sunny day is to walk between the white archways, browsing at the boutiques that have established themselves in this stunning colonial building.
4. All Saints Church
Price: Free
The All Saints Church is another spot worth including on your Galle Fort itinerary. This Anglican Church that dates back to the 1800s has been built in a Victorian Gothic style.
Its dark stone exterior is softened by its magnificent stained glass windows. We also felt the white-arched windows perfectly linked it to the other colonial buildings found within the Fort walls.
5. Dutch Reformed Church
Price: Free
The historic Dutch Reformed Church is another architectural gem in Galle Fort’s crown. The wonderful white structure showcases more of that iconic Dutch colonial style.
The sweeping decorative features of the outside continue inside where you will find intricately carved woodwork and radiant stained glass windows. The serene ambience of the Dutch Reformed Church offers visitors the perfect opportunity for reflection.
6. Boutique Shops
Price: Free
One of the best things to do in Galle Fort is to explore the many independent boutiques housed inside the beautiful colonial architecture of the town. Pedlar Street provides tourists with some of the best shopping Sri Lanka has to offer. There are plenty of souvenir, clothing, and jewellery shops to pass the time.
A real stand-out boutique for us was “Stick No Bills” which sold vintage Ceylon postcards and prints. These make for the ideal memento of your Galle Fort itinerary.
Day 2 – Unawatuna Beaches
For the second day of your Galle Fort itinerary, we recommend checking out some of the amazing beaches that are close by. All of these are in the Unawatuna area and can be easily reached via tuk-tuk.
This was our first introduction to the beaches of Sri Lanka and it’s safe to say we were blown away. We are not typically beach people however the sheer amount of beaches on Sri Lanka’s coasts makes finding your favourite one a fantastic adventure.
7. Jungle Beach
Price: Free
The intimate beach in Unawatuna earned its name from being accessed via a small adventurous hike through the jungle. The lush vegetation overflows onto the beach itself making Jungle Beach feel untouched and secluded despite being able to still see Galle Fort on the horizon.
We arrived early in the morning and had the entire beach to ourselves for an hour or so. The beach is quite small so we decided to move on when the locals descended onto the beach as it can feel crowded quite quickly.
8. Dalawella Beach
Price: Free
Dalawella Beach was made famous by the iconic palm tree swing that stretched out over the ocean. Unfortunately, the tree has been removed, however, we still loved it here and believe it’s one of the best things to do near Galle Fort.
Although there were plenty of people here, we managed to find a quiet spot along the sweeping white sands. The sea was too rough for us to swim (May) and having watched a drowning middle-aged woman being rescued by local surfers we were glad we didn’t try.
The large waves allowed us to watch giant sea turtles floating around in the currents from the shore. It was fantastic to be able to kick back, relax and watch these majestic creatures even without having to put a snorkel on.
9. Unawatuna Beach
Price: Free
Unawatuna Beach is the area’s main attraction and the epitome of a tropical paradise. With its golden sand, swaying palm trees, and crystal-clear turquoise waters, it offers the perfect setting for sunbathing, swimming, and beachside relaxation.
The beach is also dotted with vibrant beach bars and restaurants, making it a great spot for enjoying a refreshing drink or indulging in delicious seafood. Unawatuna Beach is a popular alternative for accommodation as it is cheaper yet still close enough to explore Galle Fort.
Where To Eat In Galle Fort
Food in Sri Lanka is stunning and so cheap that you can eat like a king/queen and Galle Fort is no exception. As well as budget-friendly local delicacies, Galle Fort offers some more upmarket restaurants serving elevated Sri Lankan food and international dishes. Here are some places to check out:
- Coconut Sambol – All-you-can-eat traditional homemade Sri Lankan curry and rice.
- Dumplings Cafe – A hip little stylish cafe with delicious dumplings
- Aqua Pizza – Part of the Aqua chain of restaurants found throughout Galle
- Pedlar’s Inn Gelato – serving some of the creamiest gelato – perfect for hot days
Galle Fort Itinerary Conclusion
Although Galle Fort isn’t the most action-packed destination, when combined with the nearby beaches, there are plenty of things to do for a couple of days.
As a couple, we loved the romantic charm of the colonial town and appreciated the boutique shops and swanky eateries that are hard to find elsewhere in Sri Lanka. Whilst this might be considered a pricier destination in Sri Lanka (if that even exists), we absolutely recommend including it on your own Sri Lanka itinerary. We guarantee you will be captivated by the beauty of this small fort town.
The beaches are also a great introduction to the sandy gems of the South Coast of Sri Lanka without having to go too far away from Galle Fort. You could spend at least a day beach hopping around the area as each beach has its own appeal. We have never been able to watch sea turtles in the waves from the shore before and will never forget that experience.
We hope we have inspired you for your Sri Lanka travels!
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