Galle Lighthouse stands on the southern tip of Galle Fort, on Sri Lanka's south coast, with the Indian Ocean on one side and the old fort walls on the other. The Portuguese began the fort in the 16th century and the Dutch expanded it, so the stone streets and colonial houses around the tower date from those periods. The present white tower is about 26.5 metres tall and was built in 1939. You cannot go inside, but the grounds, the rampart walk and the coastal views are open to all, and the evening is the favourite time to come.
From Portuguese fort to Dutch town
The Portuguese built the first fort here in the 16th century. The Dutch later expanded it and laid out the old town within its walls, and the British maintained it after them. The stone streets, arched doorways and courtyard houses you pass on the way to the lighthouse come from these layers of rule.
Galle was a seaport long before the European forts. Merchants from Arab lands, Persia, the Malay region, India and China traded through its harbour. A stone inscription in Chinese, Tamil and Persian was set up here in 1411 to mark a second Chinese visit to Sri Lanka.
The lighthouse and its tower
The British built the first lighthouse on this spot in 1848, and it was Sri Lanka's oldest light station. That original tower was destroyed by fire. The present white tower, about 26.5 metres high, was erected in 1939, close to the earlier site. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority operates and maintains it, and it is automated.
During the world wars, the lighthouse helped identify the warships entering the harbour. Fishing boats still use its light to reach their destinations.
Walking the ramparts
The lighthouse stands at Point Utrecht Bastion, on the southern tip of the fort. The ramparts connect it to other bastions, including Clippenburg, Neptune, Triton and Flagrock. As you walk, the sea is on one side and the old fort streets are on the other.
Lighthouse Beach, a small strip of sand, lies beside the tower and can be reached from inside the fort. It is one of the few beaches you can get to on foot from the fort, and it is used for swimming.
Other stops inside the fort
Within the walls you can see the Dutch Reformed Church, the Old Dutch Hospital, the Meera Mosque, the Clock Tower and the National Maritime Museum. The Dutch Reformed Church has a plain exterior and a richer interior, with memorials to Dutch settlers.
The fort streets have shops selling gemstones, clothing and local art. Pedlar Street is the place to look for heritage keepsakes.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is there an entry fee for Galle Lighthouse?
Walking through Galle Fort and around the lighthouse grounds needs no entrance ticket. You cannot enter the lighthouse itself, so there is nothing to pay inside the tower.
Can you climb the lighthouse?
No. Visitors cannot climb to the top, so the best views come from the grounds, the fort walls and the beach nearby.
How long do you need at the lighthouse?
Allow 30 to 60 minutes for the lighthouse and the nearby walls. If you walk the full fort ramparts, you will need considerably longer.
When is the best time to visit?
Late afternoon for sunset is the favourite time, and sunrise is also a good option when the area is quieter.
Where can you park?
There is a paid parking lot and paid street parking nearby. If you are staying outside the fort, a tuk-tuk can avoid the parking trouble.
