Galle

Walk the ramparts of a fort the Portuguese began and the Dutch rebuilt, then spend time on the south coast's beaches.

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Galle is a fort town on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, about 119 km south of Colombo, and the capital of Southern Province and Galle District. The Portuguese built the old fortified city, and the Dutch built the present fort in 1663 and fortified it heavily. The British kept the fort unchanged after taking over in 1796. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications, and it holds the biggest European-built fort still standing in Asia.

Walk the ramparts to see three bastions named Sun, Moon and Star, the lighthouse inside the walls, and a clock tower that is among Sri Lanka's oldest. The natural harbor has been a port for centuries, and Galle International Stadium is among the prettiest cricket grounds in the world. Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa are nearby beaches. The climate is tropical all year with no true dry season, though January and February are drier. Plan a day for the fort and a day for the coast. Take the train from Colombo, or drive the Southern Expressway, which takes about an hour.

Galle in five

Walk the ramparts at sunsetThe fort walls make a loop of about 2 km around the old town, with the lighthouse and the sea on one side.
Take the coastal train from ColomboThe train runs along the sea in about 2–3 hours. The expressway by car is quicker.
Stay inside the fortRooms in the fort are pricier, but the streets are quiet at night and you can walk everywhere.
Check the season before a beach tripThe south coast is at its best from December to April. The southwest monsoon brings rough seas from May.

Things to do in Galle

See all attractions in Galle

Stadium · GalleGalle International Stadium

Museum · GalleMaritime Archaeology Museum

Historic site · GalleGalle Fort Clock Tower

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Need to know

Airport: Bandaranaike (CMB), about 2.5 hours by expressway
Getting there: Coastal train from Colombo 2–3 hours, or expressway about 1.5
Getting around: On foot in the fort; tuk-tuks and buses on the coast
Best base: Inside Galle Fort, or Unawatuna for the beach
Time needed: 2–3 days

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain19 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry, calm
FebruaryRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, calm
MarchRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Dry
AprilRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hot
MayRain30 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Monsoon starts
JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Wet, rough seas
JulyRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Showers
AugustRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Showers
SeptemberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Showers
OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Wet
NovemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Wet
DecemberRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Drying out

Average daily high and low in Galle, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Galle

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 30°
Humidity: 89%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Unawatuna

02:11 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today28°24°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed31°23°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu30°23°100%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Fri30°23°100%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sat30°23°100%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun29°22°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 11:14 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 332.4 LKR

Amount

Converted to

LKR · Sri Lankan Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Galle

Fort and beach staysFort rooms or a bay near UnawatunaCheck availability

Galle and whale-watching toursBoat trips in season, fort walksCompare tours

eSIM for the south coastTuk-tuk apps and train times by the seaRead the guide

Travel insurance for Sri LankaCover for boat trips and rough surfRead the guide

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Rules for Galle, checked

Check whether you need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you fly; eligibility and fees change, so confirm them on the official site.Source
Dial 119 for police.
Cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes before entering temples and mosques, including the mosques inside the fort.
Do not buy tortoiseshell carvings: hawksbill turtles are protected under CITES.

Plan around Galle

Colombo

Airport arrival and the start of the coastal line

Read the guide Ella

Hill country by road from the south coast

Read the guide All of Sri Lanka

Routes, seasons and entry rules

Read the guide Sri Lanka ETA

Apply online before you fly

Read the guide Travel insurance

Cover for rough seas and monsoon changes

Read the guide The South

The whole beach coast in one plan

Read the guide

Galle FAQ

Should I stay inside Galle Fort?

If you can. The fort is walkable and quiet at night. Beach towns nearby are cheaper and better for swimming.

When is whale watching from Mirissa?

Usually November to April, when the seas are calm.

When is the best time to visit Galle?

December to April. From May to September the southwest monsoon brings rain and rough seas.

How do I get from Colombo to Galle?

By train along the coast in about 2 to 3 hours, or by expressway in about 1.5 hours by car. The train is slower but runs beside the sea; a driver is better with luggage.

Is Galle worth visiting or should I stay on the beach?

Give the fort a half day or an evening for the ramparts and lanes, then use the nearby beaches. Most visitors sleep in one place and visit the other, since they are 15 minutes to an hour apart.