Galle

Galle Fort began as a small Portuguese coastal fortification in the 16th century, but it was the Dutch who rebuilt and substantially expanded it in the 17th century into the walled city that stands today — widely regarded as the best-preserved example of a fortified colonial city in South Asia, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Inside the ramparts, narrow streets are lined with Dutch colonial villas, churches, a lighthouse and a mix of boutiques, cafés and galleries that have moved into the old buildings over the past two decades. Walking the ramparts themselves — particularly toward sunset, with the ocean on one side — is one of the simplest, most rewarding things to do in the south of the island.

Galle also makes a natural base for exploring the wider south coast, including the beaches at Unawatuna and Mirissa, both under an hour away.

The fort's Dutch-era engineering proved its worth in 2004: the ramparts are widely credited with sheltering much of the old town from the worst of the Indian Ocean tsunami, while unprotected coastal areas nearby were badly affected. A small maritime museum inside the fort walls covers this and the area's long trading history.