Tangalle is a large city in Hambantota district in the southern province of Sri Lanka and is administered by the city council. It is one of the largest cities in the Southern Province. It is located 195 km (121 miles) south of Colombo and 35 km (22 miles) east of Matara. It has a mild climate and sandy beaches compared to other parts of the district.

Tangalle is a regionally important fishing port, one of the largest bays in Sri Lanka, protected by a rock from the sea. It is a tourist destination and a popular holiday destination on the South Coast. In the city center is an old Dutch fort, which is used as a prison today. The Dutch and later the British used Tangalle as an important anchor on the island's southern coast. The Dutch Castle, Rest House, and Court House are just a few examples of Dutch architecture remaining in Tangalle.

The name of the Sinhala city means "planned rock", which refers to the rocks that make up the beach in the city, as opposed to the sandy beach of the surrounding area. Another rationale is that the name is derived from run-gala or "golden rock", which is associated with a local myth that a saint once ate a meal there and turned to rock gold.