Written by Muhammad Thahir · Sources checked 4 November 2026
Sri Lanka’s Dutch forts guard its old harbours. Most began as Portuguese forts and were rebuilt by the Dutch in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The best to visit are Galle Fort, a living town inside its walls; Jaffna Fort in the north; the small Star Fort at Matara; and Fort Frederick in Trincomalee.
Which Dutch forts can you visit?
| Fort | What to see | Best combined with |
|---|---|---|
| Galle Fort | Ramparts, bastions, the lighthouse and streets of Dutch and British buildings | A south coast beach stay |
| Jaffna Fort | A large star-shaped fort with moats, rebuilt by the Dutch after the Portuguese | Nallur temple and the Jaffna peninsula |
| Matara Star Fort | A small six-pointed fort with a moat and gateway | Mirissa or Tangalle |
| Fort Frederick, Trincomalee | The fort gate and the road up to Koneswaram Temple on Swami Rock | An east coast beach stay |
| Batticaloa Fort | A square Dutch fort beside the lagoon | Pasikuda |
UNESCO describes the Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications as the most salient example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia. The Sunday Observer’s survey of the Dutch forts covers the others.
Tips for visiting the forts
- Galle: walk the ramparts at sunrise or sunset. Read our Galle Fort guide for a full plan.
- Military areas: parts of Fort Frederick are still used by the armed forces. Follow signs, and do not photograph guarded areas.
- Jaffna: visit in the late afternoon, then see the evening puja at Nallur. Our north Sri Lanka itinerary shows the route.
- Heat: the ramparts have little shade. Carry water and a hat.
Local planning noteConstruction dates for several forts vary between sources, as they were rebuilt more than once. Your guide can explain the layers of Portuguese, Dutch and British work at each site.
See more heritage ideas in ways to explore Sri Lanka’s culture, or follow the coast with our south coast itinerary.
Plan a coastal heritage route
Tell us which coast suits your travel month. Our tailor-made team can link the forts with beach stays.
Dutch fort questions
Which is the best Dutch fort in Sri Lanka?
Galle Fort is the best preserved and the only one that is still a living town, with homes, shops and cafés inside its walls. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Jaffna Fort is larger but more ruined.
Can you visit Fort Frederick in Trincomalee?
Yes. Visitors pass through the fort to reach Koneswaram Temple on Swami Rock. Parts of the fort are still used by the armed forces, so follow the signs and avoid photographing guarded areas.
Were the forts in Sri Lanka built by the Dutch?
Most were first built by the Portuguese and then captured and rebuilt by the Dutch in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The British later used and altered several of them.
Featured photo: Eslam Mohammed Abdelmaksoud / Pexels. Galle Fort; illustrative destination photograph.
