20 Best Hotels to Stay in Historical Galle City

Bordered by the deep blue Indian Ocean, Galle is a beautiful coastal city that offers stunning views of miles-long palm-fringed beaches. The most important attraction in Galle is the world heritage site of the ancient Dutch Fort. Filled with historical treasures, it is a place where you can enjoy historical charm by witnessing old churches, mansions, and colonial-type buildings. Due to the awesome scenic beauty and ancient splendor, travelers don’t forget to visit the historical city of Galle and stay in one of the best hotels in Galle while touring Sri Lanka.

The well-preserved grand colonial buildings in Galle Fort are ideal to stay closer to this world heritage. Most of these buildings are now serving as major restaurants and hotels with premium facilities. You’ll find some truly exceptional villas, boutique hotels, and resorts to stay in Dutch Fort. Certainly, these hotels boast splendid architecture in both exterior and interior, where you can enjoy the best holidays ever.

Here we have created a list of 20 best hotels in Galle city. All of the mentioned hotels here are superb places with a review score of 8+. Browse all of them and select the perfect one for you.

1. The Heritage Hotel – Galle Fort

The Heritage is a 5-star hotel consisting of 15 well-spaced bedrooms and 2 suites with Dutch Architectural values. It is among the most popular hotels among travelers. This 2-storied hotel is conveniently located on Church Street in the Dutch Fort. It is featuring comfortable rooms with open verandas and views of the rampart walls and the Indian Ocean.

2. Galle Fort Hotel

The transformation of 300-year-old former gem merchant’s mansion into a modern luxury boutique hotel in 1999 was a complete miracle. This 12-room hotel impressed even UNESCO, who declared it “a masterpiece of cultural heritage and conservation”. You can get an up-close look at the original 18th-century woodwork and Sri Lankan antiques that make this such a great place to stay. It is famous for Asian fusion food prepared from fresh local seafood and market produce.

3. Taru Villas Rampart Street – Galle Fort

This 200-year-old Dutch house in the centre of historic Galle Fort features a walled garden and four perfect rooms all with carved four-poster beds. There is a lovely pool, certainly a rarity in the old Galle town. The ramparts and the sea are just a short walk away. Cafes, shops, and restaurants of Fort are just moments from this romantic sanctuary.

4. Le Grand Galle

Le Grand is one of the top hotels in Galle city. It offers magnificent views of the ancient Dutch Fort that is second to none of the other hotels in Galle. It is the perfect place for clear views of the clock tower and ancient walls of ramparts. The centuries-old colonial streets of the Old Town are just a few steps away.

5. The Fort Printers

The Fort Printers is an elegant boutique hotel in the heart of the Galle World Heritage Site. It is a fine example of preserved European art in Sri Lankan history and culture. The Printers building has originally served as a college, later a traditional printing company, and then a luxury hotel. It houses five stylish, antiques-filled suites. This hotel included in the Conde Nast Traveler Hot List in 2006.

6. The Bartizan – Galle Fort

This is one of the top-rated locations in Galle where guests can enjoy ocean and fort views right from the hotel. This carefully renovated colonial hotel sits next to the ancient ramparts. The Bartizan has a rooftop terrace and unique tower rooms with unsurpassable views of the ocean and Galle Fort. The mix of old-world charm and modern luxuries in this hotel offers guests a tranquil retreat in an already charming town.

7. Villa Amma Erna

Villa Amma Erna is a quite famous hotel in Galle. It is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. Still, all the attractions are only five to ten minutes away. This three-bedroom villa with a private pool provides the perfect balance between a romantic ambiance, serene surroundings, and exclusive privacy. It locates just a few minutes drive from Sri Lanka’s best white sandy beach Unawatuna. 

8. Fort Bazaar

Fort Bazaar is a former spice merchant’s residence that turned into a hotel in the heart of Galle Fort. Without a doubt, its ancient colonial appearance charms guests.  In fact, the rooms and suites are refreshingly modern, with contemporary four-poster beds. It is just a few minutes’ walk down the road to explore the major attractions in Dutch Fort. The Fort Bazaar puts the best of Galle at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable.

9. Jetwing Lighthouse

Jetwing Lighthouse is a top luxurious Jetwing hotel in Sri Lanka. an iconic landmark that stands along the Galle coastline. Designed by famed architect Geoffrey Bawa, this luxurious hotel lets you indulge in premium facilities in Sri Lanka. Spacious and elegant rooms feature unmatched luxuries that are welcoming to visitors. The services include exquisite global cuisine and rejuvenating spa treatments. It blends minimalist elegance with splashes of sophistication set amidst breathtaking ocean views.

10. Fort Bliss

Located in Dutch Fort, this newly built, spacious colonial-type hotel is one of the most popular tourist hotels in Galle. This hotel overlooking the ramparts is a tranquil and peaceful place. Fort Bliss locates in a convenient and well-secured location, closer to the ramparts, the lighthouse, and museums. The villa consists of four tastefully furnished rooms available for rent. Fort Bliss is also ideal for families or groups who wish to rent the villa in its entirety.

11. Tamarind Hill by Asia Leisure

Tamarind Hill is a beautiful property located on the outskirts of the historic city of Galle. Built over 250 years ago, this hotel is a magnificent colonial manor house. Today it is a small luxury hotel with ten spacious rooms & two grand suites. The luxurious 5-star hotel is a perfect place to relax and restore your energies amidst the charm of colonial-style luxury and modern amenities. The secluded infinity pool locates near Gin Ganga River is a fine pleasure.

12. Mango House – Galle Fort

This Dutch colonial house packed with antiques brings back colonial history. On the other hand, it has modern furnishings and the best facilities you’ll find in a boutique hotel in Galle. There’s even an 18th-century well in the courtyard.  Guests at Mango House enjoy a unique experience, bridging the best of colonial-era architecture with funky, modern twists.

13. Yara – Galle Fort

Yara is one of the newest, exclusive hotels in the heart of Galle Fort. It is an oasis with old-fashioned architecture and modern interior deco put together perfectly. Cozy and relaxing Yara has been continuously nominated as the best hotel in Galle fort. You can choose from the boutique’s wide range of rooms and discover unparalleled elegance, and exquisite architecture. Without a doubt, Yara Galle Fort is an extraordinary island getaway for you.

14. Parawa House – Galle Fort

This is one of the most sort-after hotels located in the historical world heritage site of Galle Fort. Parawa House is an old colonial building refurbished to the highest standards. It is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Galle, offering a family-friendly environment. The interior decor of the place is aesthetically arranged to relax the visitors’ minds.

15. The Postcard Galle

Postcard Galle is a 5-star luxury hotel located just beside Colombo Main Road in a beautiful blue lagoon. It offers incomparable views of the Indian Ocean and Gin River. It’s just closer to the Galle Fort, as well as local cafes and boutiques. All ten rooms of the Postcard Galle are elegantly decorated. You’ll enjoy the sound of the crashing waves and the sight of the Indian Ocean from your private balcony.

16. Arches Fort

Arches Fort is the rejuvenation of Dutch Architecture mingled with the seductive charms of the contemporary interior. You can experience the beauty and serenity of UNESCO enlisted Galle Fort. It is a perfect place that gives the colonial feeling and atmosphere that you are looking for. This uniquely designed villa displays elegant furnishing with modern amenities to bring comfort to you.

17. Green Casa – Galle Fort

Green Casa stands in an exceptionally green environment within a walking distance of the historical Galle Fort. This 150-year-old historically preserved house portrays elegant Dutch architectural elements blended with Sri Lankan ancient architectural styles. Thick walls are made of limestone and clay and the age-old unique elevated roof ventilation system minimizes the heat of the interior. Antique furniture seen in the villa belongs to the same period in which it was built.

18. Mer Chant – Galle Fort

Mer Chant locates at the heart of Galle Fort in Pedlar St. There are 14 rooms on the upper floors of the hotel with a range of deluxe amenities offering views of the Clock Tower from some rooms. Each room consists of a shared balcony space separated by wooden panels. Moreover, there is a private villa that can accommodate 4 adults and 2 kids. It locates a short walk down from the main hotel. This private villa is ideal for a group of friends or a family.

19. Gin Ganga Lodge

Located just outside of Galle in a quiet, secluded enclave of trees, Gin Ganga Lodge is the perfect retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city. But all the historical sights of Galle are easily accessible. You can enjoy spacious, comfortable rooms with luxurious open-style bathrooms and cozy queen-sized beds. This is a personal jungle space, where you can take a dip in the pool after a sightseeing tour.

20. Radisson Blu Resort

Radisson Blu Resort is one the best beachfront hotels located in Galle. Just 3 km from the historical Dutch Fort, it has garnered a lot of attention due to its stunning location.  The surrounding is quite fascinating on a secluded beach, with every room facing the dynamic Indian Ocean. It has 172 comfortable luxury suites and rooms featuring a private spa, outdoor pool, kid’s pool, kid’s club, meeting facilities, a restaurant, and a rooftop bar. Its main venue has a maximum capacity of 400 guests.

Galle is a major historical city in southern Sri Lanka, where you can feel the colonial charm of the past. Our list shows the best hotels in Galle Dutch Fort and the neighboring areas. Select one of these hotels with exquisite beauty to experience everything that historical Galle city has to offer. Moreover, you can combine your stay with sightseeing tours such as whale watching, surfing, diving, or a safari tour in Yala National Park. Happy traveling to Galle city for you all!

Disclosure: Images from Booking.com. If you book your accommodation through our links, we earn some revenue, at no additional cost to you. Thank you very much!