Hosted by
Southerner
A third generation resident of the historic Galle Fort, your host runs the oldest café inside the Fort, which traces its roots back to the early 1930s. He is ready to walk with you along the cobbled streets of the Fort, and actively participates in protecting the Fort. He loves to cruise around the city in his Kafer- a classic 1972 Volkswagen convertible.
"Our host highlighted lots of interesting architectural and historic details I had missed and my friends loved pondering the life of these early explorers. There was much to learn as we walked the ramparts and village inside its walls stepping back in time to its early Portugese, Dutch (and subsequently British and Sri Lankan) occupation. I would recommend this experience to all. " - Andree King | July 2018 | View All Reviews
Highlights & Features
- Explore what was once the largest living sea port in Asia
- Walk the grass clad ramparts that tell tales of a colonial past
- Hear and see the fort through the eyes of a local resident
- Includes: Host and water
- Duration: 8:00am or 4:00pm for 1.5 - 2 hours
- Good for children: Yes
- What to wear/bring: Light clothes, cap & sunscreen
The Full Experience
Travel the fort with your well-informed host from its striking bastions and grass-covered ramparts to small cobbled streets lined with intriguing buildings.
Begin your walk from the newer and now main entrance which, after climbing some stone steps, you will be stood upon. Survey the inside of this remarkable fortification, the Indian Ocean beyond and iconic cricket ground as your host regales you with historic tales of its creation and threats. Meander your way past some of the fort’s best known landmarks but look out also for some lesser known gems. With 150 acres to explore, this tour follows a route that whets the appetite, with a comprehensive and captivating selection of facts and stories drawing from religion, history, architecture, daily life and the devastation of the 2004 Tsunami.
