Does Galle Fort close at 5 PM? And where do we buy tickets?

Great news for your late arrival: Galle Fort does not close at night. Unlike Sigiriya or the Cultural Triangle sites, Galle Fort is a living, inhabited neighbourhood — people live, work, eat, and run businesses inside the walls 24 hours a day. There are no gates that shut, no ticket booth, and no closing time. You simply walk in.

There is also no entrance fee for the Fort itself. What you may have been searching for doesn't exist — Galle Fort is free to enter and explore at any hour. The only paid attraction inside is the Dutch Reformed Church and possibly the National Museum on Church Street (small entry fee, closes in the evening, confirm locally). Everything else — the ramparts, the lighthouse, the streets, the views — is completely open and free.

Arriving at 6 PM is actually a lovely time to visit. Here's what works well at that hour:

• The ramparts walk at sunset/dusk is genuinely beautiful, especially the stretch near the lighthouse facing the ocean — you'll catch the last light and the sea breeze.
• The streets inside the Fort come alive in the evening with restaurants, cafes, and boutique shops, many of which stay open until 9 or 10 PM.
• The atmosphere is cooler and less crowded than midday, and the old Dutch colonial architecture looks atmospheric under the street lights.

With only one night, I'd suggest heading straight to the lighthouse end of the ramparts when you arrive, walking the walls as the sun goes down, then wandering Pedlar Street and Church Street for dinner. There are several good restaurants inside the Fort ranging from around LKR 1,500 to LKR 4,000+ per person depending on where you eat — prices and hours do change, so check with your hotel for current recommendations.