Asia
Sri Lanka
Southern Province
Galle District
Galle
Things to Do in Galle
Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
See all things to do

Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications

See all things to do
See all things to do
Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
4.5
3,505 reviews
#2 of 52 things to do in Galle
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Read more
Write a review
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
See all
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
307 within 3 miles
Abacate
177
296 ft$ • Cafe
Cafe 82
223
205 ft$ • Dessert • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Imal's restaurant
293
0.2 mi$ • Asian • Sri Lankan • Vegetarian Friendly
The Bungalow Galle Fort - Restaurant & Bar.
841
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Pub • Fusion
Coconut Sambol
482
20 ft$ • Asian • Sri Lankan • Vegetarian Friendly
Isle Of Gelato
431
420 ft$ • Dessert • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Lucky Fort Restaurant
1,860
0.2 mi$ • Asian • Sri Lankan • Vegetarian Friendly
The Pasta Factory
602
0.1 mi$ • Italian • International • Deli
Ocean Bistro by Starbeans
406
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Seafood • Asian
Bastille
250
497 ft$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Asian • Fusion
See all
Attractions
47 within 6 miles
Dutch Reformed Church
477
340 ftChurches & Cathedrals
Meera Mosque
171
362 ftHistoric Sites
All Saints Anglican Church
162
340 ftChurches & Cathedrals
Dutch Government House
27
340 ftHistoric Sites
Colonial Post Office
4
340 ftArchitectural Buildings
Galle Fort Lighthouse
867
0.2 miLighthouses
Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct
366
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas
Pilgrims Lounge Chrishtopher Handicraft and Paint Gallery
9
430 ftArt Galleries
Galle Fort Clock Tower
267
0.2 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historical Mansion Museum
169
0.1 miHistory Museums
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,505 reviews
Excellent
1,865
Very good
1,315
Average
279
Poor
39
Terrible
7
DuncanTCH
East Greenbush, NY1,183 contributions
Nice place for a walk through visit and a good walk on the Fortications
Feb 2022
Galle is a pleasant historical city with massive fortifications surrounding it from the seaside. The fortifications themselves provide and excellent place to walk around, with Galle on the inside of the walls and the sea on the outside. The walls are exceptionally wide, so multiple people can walk, stop, sit along them without causing a traffic jam. The old town of Galle is moderating interesting...pleasant architecture several historically significant buildings. But there are more appealing "old towns" (San Juan, Cartagena) and the old town area can be "covered" in about an hour.
Written January 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Terry M
Hamilton, Canada4,404 contributions
HISTORY ON DISPLAY
Jan 2020
Richly deserving its status as a World Heritage Site, the fort area is excellent for a day’s stroll. Part of the old ramparts can be walked. Many areas are rather new ie the 1938 lighthouse and the early 20th c Meera[n] Mosque. There are bastions to visit plus several Christian churches like All Saints Church and the Dutch Reformed Church, the latter in a better state of repair. Shopping opportunities are rampant [no pun really intended] if so inclined plus restaurants here, there and everywhere. There are a range of hotels available for the full fort experience, including the ultra swish Amangalla Hotel if your budget knows no limits. There is a range of museums, the Maritime Archaeology Museum my personal favourite for its overview of this science in the country, started here in light of the many shipwrecks in and around Galle harbour. The area had the Portuguese, the Dutch and finally the English as colonial masters, the influence of all three nations visible in places. The Historical Mansion Museum will amaze you with the variety of the collection of its former owner. Just north of the fort, visible from the Moon Bastion, is the main cricket ground in the city.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kulz
Singapore, Singapore20 contributions
Amazing place, food, shopping, sunset views. 2 nights enough!
Feb 2023
Stayed 2 nights near galle fort. Great sunset views from Triton bastion. Many good food options in the fort too. And many shops to shop around in the fort. We went to nearby unawatuna (20min drive), stayed there for around 5 hours in the evening. Unawatuna beach is more beautiful, which is something you cant find in galle fort. Dont forget to go on a boat ride at unawatuna! Boat ride is one hour long, best to go during sunset. Just ask around the beach folks, they will show you where the meeting point for boat rides. Overall, i think 2 nights at galle is adequate. One sunset at triton bastion and the other at unawatuna
Written March 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robyn W
Melbourne, Australia290 contributions
Old Fort at Galle
Jan 2020 • Friends
After reading the reviews we decided on an afternoon visit to watch the sunset from the top of the fort walls. The fort was the one area that withstood the 2004 tsunami. Restoration work continues in this old city with its Dutch and Portuguese history. The streets are narrow and there are always tuk tuks or small cars vying for space with wandering tourists. Loads of shops with interesting fabrics and clothes or jewellery and trinkets. Loads of cafes with many offering roof top views. The Dutch Hospital dates back to the 17th century and is a now a tasteful shopping and restaurant precinct. The Heritage Hotel and Old Fort Hotel have been beautifully restored. Definitely worth a visit.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ramtin Jafari
Gothenburg, Sweden212 contributions
Nothing much to see but a nice landscape beside the sea!
Feb 2022
If you are in Galle, you may take a walk there but try to buy nothing there. Just head toward the walls and enjoy the landscape there.

In the Galle Fort (Dutch fort) entrance you would see a long list of historical places but you cannot go inside any of them such as the forts, the lighthouse, etc. You can only walk past them. I guess it is hard to spend UNESCO's money on the buildings themselves! They were either closed or were "private villas".

There were lots of restaurants and souvenir shops in that area but their prices were even more expensive than European prices which would be extremely overpriced compared to the normal prices in Sri Lanka.
Written March 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
phait_lee
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia528 contributions
Stroll through the Dutch buildings
Jan 2020 • Friends
Amazing walk around Galle. Go in the last afternoon or early evening so it won’t be so hot.

We started at the lighthouse and took some shots there. Our guide said the lighthouse was built by the Dutch but left it unfinished. The British completed it when it colonised Sri Lanka.

After that we walked around the Galle town - checking out cafes, old churches, gelato stores, bought some posters and souvenirs and finally ended at the fort and old prison. The prison was interesting. Located at the bottom of the fort in a hole with the roof exposed to rain and shine.

Very relaxing town and could spend hours just walking around.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Prasanna M
Rowville, Australia217 contributions
Never miss visiting Galle
Feb 2019 • Family
A place which you should not miss in your itinerary. Galle Dutch Fort would be the main attraction. Then you have the museum where they have parts recovered from shipwrecks around Galle. This is near to Fort.
There are many Boutique hotels in Galle Fort. There is even a very old hotel inside the Fort. Then when you go passing Naval base and near to harbour entrance there is a road going to Closenburg Hotel. Very old and a small hotel in present terms. But in it's heyday this was the best hotel in Galle.
If you are taking the old Galle road from Colombo just before you reach Galle there is a great hotel called light house hotel.
If you are looking as to what you could do in Galle apart from things related to see you could visit places where they do wood carvings and also handicraft. They do some beautiful work with buffalo horns and also turtle shells.
If you want to buy an elephant (wooden) Galle will be the place. They do the wooden elephant and then decorate this with silver and gems just like the Elephants that carries the casket of relics in Sri Lankan religious events. These could cost easily around 1000.00 USD or more.
In earlier days they even had craftsmen who carved on ivory but now with present laws this is not seen much.
If you want to watch Whales contact Sri Lanka Navy base in Galle as they have a craft in which they take tourists. Have fun.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SevenoaksSinjun
Sevenoaks, UK1,523 contributions
Colonial town
Mar 2020
This is a lovely colonial town inside fortified walls on the sea front at Galle. Once you've found your way in via an opening in the walls, you'll notice that it is very much more peaceful than the main town. This 17th century town is made up of little lanes lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. You'll also find small hotels and guest houses. Further exploration will reveal attractive private residential properties, churches, the occasional museum and a market square. Be sure to walk up to both the lighthouse and the clock tower - both are worth a look and give good views out to sea and from the clock tower you'll also get a view towards to famous cricket ground. Really pleasant and a must see when in Galle.
Written May 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CheekyLondon
Southend-on-Sea, UK1,772 contributions
Pleasant walk around the fortress walls
Jan 2020
Our guide took us here and we had a pleasant walk all around on the fortress walls. Some great views and interesting things to look at on the way. We saw the old buildings including the church, the mosque, the lighthouse, the courtroom, the old post office. the old Dutch hospital (now shops and cafes) and much more. We also saw the girls school practising for their sport festival and the boys doing their military drill. We even saw the grooms preparing for the weddings! As this is a UNESCO site, there is much restoration and archaeological work going on, so be prepared to come off the wall sometimes. It's a shame that some of the areas on the wall have rubbish strewn around as this somewhat spoils the appearance. The locals like promenading along the wall at around sunset. A unique and interesting area. It takes about an hour at a gentle stroll.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kai Wah
Malaysia2,790 contributions
Beautiful Colonial Town
Feb 2020 • Couples
We spent half a day here for 3-4 hours (from late morning till mid afternoon) as stopover visit while we were on our way to Negombo from Mirissa. This is a beautiful colonial town, founded in 16th century by the Portuguese, then the Dutch Colony in 18th century. It is now listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many interesting colonial style architecture, including some churches, Dutch hospital building, old shophouses and residential houses. We passed by a morning market where there were vendors selling paintings, artworks, handicrafts, etc. There are many cafes and restaurants within the old town for afternoon tea or lunch and dinner. Some highlights are Galle Fort, Galle Fort Light House, Clock Tower, St Mary Cathedral, All Saints Church, Dutch Hospital, etc. We wish we could spend a little more time here in this lovely town.
Written March 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 2,459
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
We recommend booking Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 56 Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications tours on Tripadvisor
Restaurants near Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications: View all restaurants near Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications on Tripadvisor