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The Galle area, where our hotel picks are based

Hotels in Galle

The big decision in Galle is whether to stay inside the walls of the Dutch fort or outside them. Inside, you can walk out at dawn when the lanes are empty and come back after dark. Outside, you get pools, sea views and more space, with the fort a short tuk-tuk ride away.

Hotels in Galle

Amangalla
Boutique hotels and villas
Amangalla stands inside Galle Fort, surrounded by old gardens. The building dates from the 17th century and was for many years the New Oriental Hotel, before (...)
Amari Galle
Local and International luxury hotels
Amari Galle is a luxury beach resort near Galle, surrounded by greenery and facing the Indian Ocean. Its interiors draw on colonial heritage and the colours of (...)
Jetwing Lighthouse
Local and International luxury hotels
Jetwing Lighthouse is one of Geoffrey Bawa's best known hotels, on the coast just outside Galle. It mixes modernism, tradition and tropical style, with large (...)
Tamarind Hill
Boutique hotels and villas
Tamarind Hill is a boutique hotel near Galle set in green gardens. It is built in a colonial style.
Galle Fort Hotel
Boutique hotels and villas
Galle Fort Hotel is a boutique hotel in the heart of Galle Fort, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building has been a gem merchant's mansion, barracks and a (...)
The Heritage Galle Fort
Boutique hotels and villas
The Heritage Galle Fort is inside Galle Fort, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the southern capital. The building was once a shop known as Kotuwa Kade, and (...)
Le Grand
Local and International luxury hotels
Le Grand Galle is a luxury hotel by the historic Dutch fort of Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its gardens, beach and sunsets also make it a wedding (...)
Fort Bazaar
Boutique hotels and villas
Fort Bazaar is a boutique hotel in a former merchant's house inside Galle Fort, the 17th century fortified town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, about two hours (...)

Inside Galle Fort

Amangalla is the grand old name, in a historic building with gardens and a famous verandah for high tea. Galle Fort Hotel and Fort Bazaar are smaller boutique hotels in restored merchant houses, and The Heritage Galle Fort was once a shop known as Kotuwa Kade. Le Grand is the newest and largest of the fort hotels on our list.

Outside the walls

Jetwing Lighthouse is a Geoffrey Bawa building on the rocks north of town, with long views over the ocean. Tamarind Hill is a colonial-style boutique house in gardens a few minutes from the fort. Amari Galle is a five-star resort further north, with a large pool facing the sea.

At a glance

Hotel	Area	Style
Amangalla	Inside the fort	Boutique, heritage luxury
Galle Fort Hotel / Fort Bazaar / The Heritage	Inside the fort	Boutique
Le Grand	Inside the fort	Luxury
Jetwing Lighthouse	North of the fort	Luxury, Bawa design
Tamarind Hill	Outside the fort	Boutique
Amari Galle	North of Galle	Five-star resort

Who should stay where

For first-timers who want history on the doorstep, stay in the fort. Families and anyone who wants a pool and a beach feel are better outside. There is no swimming beach inside the walls; Unawatuna and Jungle Beach are about 15 minutes away.

Read about the Galle Fort experience, see our Galle guide, or compare with hotels in Unawatuna.

Quick picks

Heritage luxury: Amangalla
Small and stylish: Fort Bazaar or Galle Fort Hotel
Pool and ocean: Jetwing Lighthouse or Amari Galle
Gardens: Tamarind Hill