Luxury Galle Holidays

Set on Sri Lanka's southern tip, a couple of hours from Colombo, fashionable Galle has something for all tastes. A lively town, a safe sandy beach and some fascinating historic buildings. It is revitalising and relaxing in equal measure.

Once the island's main port, Galle is full of reminders of its colonial past. Most striking of all is the enormous Fort, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and later extended by the Dutch. The best-preserved sea fortress in Asia, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a delight to explore with narrow streets, monuments, museums, boutique shops and some excellent restaurants. The food is delicious and often inventive: street sellers even serve snacks such as papaya with chilli powder.

There are more places to eat and drink around Galle's most popular beach, Unawatuna. It's a delightful spot for swimming, snorkelling, or just lazing on a sunbed and drinking in the view.