heritage · Eastern
Batticaloa Dutch Fort — Batticaloa
Cover photo: Zoshua Colah (Unsplash)
- District
- Batticaloa
- Province
- Eastern
- Best for
- History fans; small island fort with lagoon views
About this place
17th-century Portuguese-built, Dutch-held fort on Puliyanthivu island in the lagoon, still partly government-used. View from outside and the waterfront; interiors are usually closed to visitors. Free to walk around; pair with St Mary's Cathedral and the market nearby.
Visitor brief
Good to know before you go
- The fort still houses government offices, so interiors are usually closed; view from outside and the waterfront.
- Guides are available on request for a reasonable price; no museum inside.
- Combine with the market, St Mary's Cathedral and the lagoon waterfront nearby.
- Carry sun protection; the open parade area is exposed at midday.
How to travel there
Base in Batticaloa town (trains/buses from Colombo via Polonnaruwa; buses from the east coast). The fort is on Puliyanthivu island in the town centre - walk or short tuk-tuk.
Where to stay
Stay in Batticaloa town near Puliyanthivu or the Kallady side: budget guesthouses and mid-range hotels; resort-tier stays are at Pasikuda instead.
Nearby places
Batticaloa Lagoon boat ride, Kallady Bridge at sunset, Batticaloa market and St Mary's Cathedral, Pasikuda Beach day trip
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