The coastal city of Galle has drawn in trade and tourism for centuries, and it’s no less popular today. Many come to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fort Galle, where stone ramparts snake around a maze of terracotta roofs and Dutch-colonial buildings. This prosperous port town passed between colonial hands for decades – built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and reaching the height of development under Dutch rule in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British and eventual liberation in 1948. What’s left is a unique blend of architecture, archaeology and ancient tradition. Today, you’ll find the narrow streets lined with art galleries, ancient mosques, churches, boutique hotels and trendy courtyard cafes.

If you’re exploring the south coast, this is a good place to start or end your trip. Just beyond the fortified bays of the old city, palm-fringed beaches adorn the rugged coast, ripe for leisurely afternoons sipping from coconuts. Surfers flock to Dewata Beach just five minutes from the city, while nature lovers prefer Jungle Beach for a bit more seclusion, and lots of snorkeling. The region is also home to dense rainforest where river boat tours give an up-close glimpse of rare birds and monkeys.

In short, Galle offers the full tourist package – fill your days with shopping, nature walks, surf lessons, cooking classes – and fuschia sunsets from the bay.