A traveller’s guide to Galle Fort – Sri Lanka’s colonial fortress!

Renowned the world over as one of the oldest colonial edifices that were built in Sri Lanka, The Galle Fort is a well-preserved specimen that stands as the stark reminder of the tragic yet enduring history of the island under colonial rule. Standing tall against the sands of time, the Fort today has become a well-renowned tourist attraction and visiting here will indeed be an enticing experience. If you are planning to visit this attraction during your time in Sri Lanka, here is a guide that will make exploring it much easier.

Overview

Built by the dutch in 1663, the Fort became a significant trading point and a port for the dutch navy and over the years seeing the significance of its strategic location, other colonisers such as the Portuguese and the British took control over the Fort defeating the latter. After Sri Lanka gained independence from the British, the Fort due to its enchanting yet intriguing appeal gradually started attracting tourists and in the process, it also became recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Due to the heavy influx of travellers, today, the Fort and the surrounding region is home to numerous bars, snazzy cafes, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries and it offers travellers a wholesome exploration experience soaked in the charms of colonial splendour.

Things to do

There are plenty of exciting things you could do at the Fort – numerous colonial attractions within the Fort which will certainly be interesting to explore. Some of them are the Galle lighthouse the Old Dutch Hospital, the dutch reformed church, Meeran Mosque, the all saints church and the slave quarters. These attractions give you an exclusive glimpse of the history of the Fort. Furthermore, travellers can visit a number of cafes and restaurants to taste some amazing local delicacies and even international favourites – there is also a wide selection of vegan cafes inside the Fort as well.

The Fort is home to a variety of boutique shops that sell everything from handmade crafts, paintings and souvenirs to clothing items and accessories. These little stalls and boutiques should not be missed if you are looking for some retail therapy.

Things to remember

It is recommended that you should visit the Fort early since there is plenty to see and do here. Also, the best time to visit the Fort is considered to be the months between October and April – this period boasts pleasant weather with less rainfall and the temperature during this time is quite manageable. April is the peak season for Galle and the southern coast of Sri Lanka, and bear in mind that the Fort will be significantly more crowded during this time of the year.

Accommodation

Also if you are planning to visit Galle during the peak season it is recommended that you choose the accommodation that is in proximity to the Fort and the beach. Your accommodation need not necessarily be in Galle and you could choose any of the Unawatuna hotels the likes of Araliya Beach Resort & Spa which gives easy access to the Fort and offers transportation facilities to Galle and surrounding attractions.