Galle is a major city in Sri Lanka’s southern province, situated 110 kilometres from Colombo. The Portuguese established a small trading post here and in 1663, the Dutch attacked, expelling the Portuguese. The present-day Fort dates back to the Dutch period. There are many things you can do on a family vacation to Galle with kids. Let’s take a closer look at some top activities:

The sea is never far away in Sri Lanka - and if you want to travel along the coast, a drive from Colombo may take three hours at most. Today, the E01 expressway will take you to Galle in an hour and a half. This is a calmer, faster though less dramatic route. A regular air-conditioned bus service runs every hour or so, while the less frequent but more scenic train ride which hugs the coast most of the way will take a little longer.

The star attraction of Galle and the most visible legacy of Dutch rule is its impressive Fort. Galle began to gain prominence with the growth of tourism and the declaration of the Fort as a UNESCO heritage site. The Fort is entered today from the north, passing through an arched doorway created through its thick granite walls by the British. The old entry to the east has the British Coat of Arms over the main gateway, replacing that of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), now on its inner side. Visit the Galle National Museum with your kids, located within the Fort – it’s a great way to introduce them to the history and heritage of Galle!

The 90-acre space enclosed by the Fort offers a unique blend, encapsulating the lifestyles of a long-settled local community and Dutch and British colonial architecture. The subtle transformation of streets has an almost southern European ambience with street cafes, shops, restaurants, guest houses and hotels on narrow cobbled streets.

Stroll through the streets in the morning or after 4 pm with your family when the heat of the tropical sun is less. Sip a chilled lime juice or taste the sweet water of a "Thambili" – orange King Coconut straight off the nut.

On Church Street, you’ll find the oldest protestant church on the island - the Dutch Reformed Church (1640). Its interior is virtually unchanged, and the floor and adjoining yard are lined with gravestones, making for fascinating reading. A little further away is the 19^th Century All Saints Anglican Church. Visit the iconic Galle lighthouse that stands at the southern tip of the Fort on the ‘Utrecht Bastion’ opposite the Meera Musjid mosque. A flight of steps leads down to a bathing spot. Heading west, the rampart walls rise over the Indian Ocean, with old cannons facing seaward on four bastions guarding the approaches and offering the most dramatic views.

Outside the fort when you head southward, is a densely wooded hill rising from a flat landscape - one of the best travel places in Galle. This is Rumassla, associated with the epic Hindu tale of Rama, Sita and the demon king Ravana. The legendary tale recounts how Hanuman, the monkey god tore off a part of the Himalayas containing a healing herb and accidentally dropped it here. Rumassala offers stunning views of the bay, the Fort and Galle town, especially at dusk.

There is a wide choice of accommodation available for families in the area. Choose from guest houses to luxury hotels such as the iconic Lighthouse Hotel. You’ll also find boutique hotels within the Galle Fort, and outside, such as KK Collection.

One of the safest stretches of beach in Sri Lanka can be found to the south of Galle, in Unawatuna. The reef, which runs through the stretch, has unfortunately been damaged. However, it makes the water safe even for children – so it’s the perfect place for a sea bath. The Unawatuna stretch can be very crowded since it’s popular with both Sri Lankans and tourists.

If you travel further south towards Mihiripenne and Talpe, the beaches are less crowded. You can snorkel, watch the stilt fisherman or simply soak in the beauty of the sea, golden sands and swaying coconut trees, as the kids build sandcastles and play.