With its rich history, monumental architecture, and impressive restaurants, Galle is a place to explore far beyond its beaches. Here are 9 things worth doing once you arrive.

1. Galle Fort

Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, originally laid out by the Portuguese and then heavily fortified by the Dutch. If you are staying a little outside the fort, at a property like Fortress Resort & Spa, you will still find it an easy short drive in. Walking the outer walls takes you past old bastions, the cricket stadium and views of the Indian Ocean on one side and the old town’s terracotta roofs on the other.

2. Galle Lighthouse

While you are at the Fort, be sure to visit Sri Lanka’s oldest lighthouse, which stands at the tip of the fort. Several beachfront hotels in Galle sit close enough that a sunset walk here barely requires planning. This is a great place to visit to catch a glimpse of the sun setting over the Indian Ocean, surrounded by colonial architecture.

3. Dutch Reformed Church

Tucked just off the main streets, the Dutch Reformed Church, also called Groote Kerk, is still one of the oldest Protestant churches in active use in Sri Lanka. It is floored partly with old gravestones adding a unique outlook to the church.

4. National Maritime Museum

Housed in a converted colonial warehouse, the Maritime Archaeology Museum showcases Sri Lanka’s rich maritime history. The museum has shipwreck artefacts and colonial collections among other interesting exhibits.

5. Pedlar Street

Of all the streets inside the Fort, Pedlar Street has become one of the most famous ones as it is lined with many boutiques, galleries and cafes. The charm of this street is also in the restored Dutch-era buildings.

6. Flag Rock

Located within the Galle Fort premises, the Flag Rock was once an essential bastion to signal incoming ships. This is a great place to visit to view the sunset while enjoying a snack.

7. Whale watching

Mirissa sits close enough to Galle for a half-day trip, and from December through April it’s one of the better spots in Sri Lanka for spotting blue whales and dolphins offshore. Boats typically leave early in the morning, so it works best as a planned t.

8. Rumassala Hill

Just outside Galle, near Unawatuna, Rumassala is a forested hill with a strange backstory of a monkey god. The hill is real and worth the climb for breathtaking and panoramic views of Galle. While you are there, you could also visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda. It is best to go to the hill in the early morning before the heat sets in.

9. Sea Turtle Hatchery

A short drive from Galle along the coast toward Habaraduwa, a handful of small, family-run turtle hatcheries work to protect eggs from poaching and predators before releasing the hatchlings back into the sea. Not every hatchery here operates to the same standard, so it’s worth researching the most ethical places to visit rather than picking the first sign you see on the road.

9. Unawatuna Beach

Finally, moving on to the beaches in and around Galle, a short tuk-tuk ride from the fort area will bring you to Unawatuna. With many beachside restaurants and swimmable water, this is a great place to enjoy good food, sun and waves.