Colombo is the commercial capital and the main city of Sri Lanka with a population of 6 million people. It locates on the west coast of the island bordered by the Indian Ocean. This busy and vibrant city is a blend of modern and historical colonial buildings. Therefore, you’ll see many ancient architectural buildings among the modern dynamic cityscape. Colombo is home to a majority of Sri Lanka’s government head offices, embassies, consular services, and commercial company headquarters.
Since it is a coastal city, it offers a warm and sunny tropical environment with hot and humid weather. But the cool breeze coming from the Indian Ocean will make your journey comfortable. You can wander through the wonderful places, explore historical buildings, and enjoy some delicious Sri Lankan street food in Colombo. Without a doubt, you’ll love this vibrant city filled with lots of marvelous attractions.
Here we are going to share with you the details of the most important and must-visit sights of Colombo city. Although there are endless numbers of things to do in this wonderful city, we are going to limit our list to the 20 best things to do in Colombo city.
1. Bandaranaike International Airport
When you are visiting Sri Lanka, first you’ll set foot in the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport. The airport is located in Katunayake, around 30 km from the Colombo city center. Therefore, you need to travel around 30 minutes to reach the main city in Colombo Fort. If you need to get over jet lag, you can stay in one of the airport transit hotels in Katunayake and rest before starting your Sri Lanka travel.
2. Colombo Sight Seeing Tour
The easiest way to explore Colombo is by the open deck sightseeing bus tour. You can see many of the important places in Colombo city in one go. There are three different sightseeing tours available to select the best one according to your choice.
1. Glimpse of Colombo sightseeing tour (weekdays)
2. Colombo heritage sightseeing tour (weekends)
3. Colombo at night sightseeing tour (weekends – evening)
These sightseeing tours include most of the important places in the Colombo city limits. The major points of interest in these tours include the beautiful Red Mosque, the famous Hindu Kovil, and the busy streets of Pettah. As well, you’ll see the Colombo Lighthouse, President’s House, Galle Face Promenade, Port City, Fort Railway Station, Central Bus Terminal, Floating Market, Slave Island area, and the newly built Lotus Tower. The scenic Beira Lake, War Memorial, Lotus Pond Theatre, Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo Town Hall, BMICH, and present Parliament Complex, and many more important places include in these sightseeing tours.
3. Colombo Fort
When you are going to explore the capital, the first place you’ll meet is the Colombo Fort. The Colombo Fort built by the Portuguese, then acquired by the Dutch, and finally demolished by the British in 1865. But still, this area calls Colombo Fort and this is the central business district in Sri Lanka. It is where all the important governing bodies and company headquarters of Sri Lanka are located. The main train station in Colombo is located at Fort, which is called Colombo Fort railway station.
The twin towers of the World Trade Centre (WTC) of Colombo Fort are one of the tallest buildings in the city. It is home to the Colombo Stock Exchange and many leading corporations. These twin tower buildings are each 152 m in height. It stands over a 4-story retail platform, has 39 stories on it and the total floor count is 43. Closer to the WTC, the 105 m high, the Bank of Ceylon head office is located in Colombo Fort.
Along the foreshore of the Fort, the area is the Galle Face Green Promenade, the most popular recreational area in the city. There are several famous hotels with grand and exclusive facilities located in Colombo Fort.
4. Galle Face Green
Galle Face Green used as an urban park since the history of the Dutch period. This is a 5-hectare long beach that runs more than 500 m along the coast of the Indian Ocean. The waves of the ocean around Colombo are quite rough and it isn’t possible to swim in the sea around this area. Instead of a sea bath, you can enjoy many other interesting activities in Galle Face Green such as walking, jogging, sunbathing, flying kites, and many sports including beach volleyball.
Since it is a major recreational spot in Colombo, it fills with visitors who need some fresh air and community spirit in the evening. There are also many food stalls selling Sri Lankan street food. If you visit Galle Face Green in the afternoon, you can see the stunning colors of the sunset. Then you can enjoy some delicious snacks from the night food stalls and have a relaxing time enjoying the cool sea breeze.
5. Old Parliament
The old parliament situates in the Colombo fort area facing the sea, in close proximity to the President’s House. This building is where the island’s parliament held for 53 years until the new parliamentary complex opened at Sri Jayewardenepura in 1983. Now, this building houses the presidential secretariat of Sri Lanka.
6. Cargills Building
This is one of the iconic buildings in the center of Colombo city, well preserved from the ancient colonial era. The building acquired by Cargills Company in 1896, while construction of the current building commenced in 1902. This impressive building is still in operation as a Cargill’s department store, since the British ruling period. The exterior of the building is highly impressive due to its brickwork and many arches. It can consider as the most picturesque colonial building in Colombo Fort.
7. Pettah Floating Market
Colombo’s most vibrant area and bazaar district is Pettah. It is the heart of commercial life in Colombo. The Pettah market and streets are filled with everything people may need to buy. It will be fun to walk along the streets of Pettah looking at the items selling in these shops and watching authentic fruit, vegetables, and fish markets.
The Pettah Floating Market is a recent addition to the Pettah market. It opened in 2014, with 92 trade stalls. This floating market isn’t exactly similar to the ones in Thailand or Vietnam, but these stalls are located on a protruded platform into Beira Lake. Mainly, the floating market serves as a tourist attraction selling local products and handicrafts. Therefore, don’t forget to see this interesting place and shop for some local souvenirs in Colombo.
8. Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)
If you visit the second cross street in Pettah, you’ll find one of the most striking buildings in Colombo, the Jami-ul-Alfar Mosque, or simply the Red Mosque. Built-in 1909, it is the oldest Mosque in Colombo city. It is a tall two-story building with a dazzling appearance of striped red and white patterns. Due to its mesmerizing view, the Red Mosque is a popular photogenic spot in Colombo city. You can only admire and take photographs of it from the outside, as only Muslim people can go inside.
9. Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam (Hindu Temple)
Just close to the Fort railway station in Colombo, you’ll find a beautiful, ancient Hindu Temple. This is Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam or simply the Hindu Kovil. It is one of the oldest gorgeous Hindu temples in the country, which was preserved for more than two centuries. This temple is dedicated to the gods Ganesha and Shiva.
The Hindu Temple is a quite marvelous building with large numbers of brightly painted sculptures of gods and goddesses on its exterior. Since this temple was created by skilled architects and sculptors who came from India, it shows the grandeur of South Indian architecture. The colorful main tower with its detailed sculptures, and intricate carvings make the temple a beautiful sight and one of the landmark temples that all communities visit in Sri Lanka.
10. Gangaramaya Temple
When you are visiting Colombo, one of the greatest religious places you shouldn’t miss is the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple. It considers one of the most venerable temples in Sri Lanka. Gangaramaya is located within walking distance of the beautiful Beira Lake. It was established in 1885 and serves as a major Buddhist cultural center for more than 100 years.
The temple has a beautiful layout with elements of Chinese, Indian, and Thai styles of architectural designs. It has wonderful brass statues, stone carvings, and other marvelous, intricate carvings on the doors and walls of the temple. There are many social service projects aimed at helping the local community in Colombo. And also it is a place of learning, which houses a museum with many ancient artifacts.
The Gangaramaya Navam Perahera is a colorful festival held in January each year. It is one of the major Buddhist cultural processions in the country, second only to the Kandy Dalada Perahera festival. If you happen to be in Colombo during January, don’t forget to see this marvelous procession with beautiful elephant parades and lovely traditional dances.
Seema Malakaya is a part of the Gangaramaya Temple, mainly used for meditation. The temple constructed on Beira Lake and connected to the mainland by a bridge. The temple’s main roof covered with blue color tiles and the temple is made with a wooden finish. The temple has numerous seated Buddha statues displaying different mudras. The central part of the temple houses a wooden paneled shelter for meditation. There is a Bodhi Tree that was grown from a branch of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura.
11. Beira Lake
Beira Lake is located in the center of the city of Colombo, surrounded by many large businesses in the city. The lake was initially built by the Portuguese to protect the Colombo City. During the colonial era, the lake used as an easy way of transporting goods within the city. Gradually, the lake water got green color, as a result of pollution over hundreds of years. Under the recent Colombo development projects, the Beira Lake cleaned and developed to enhance its aesthetic value and now serves as a major recreational spot in the city.
12. Independence Memorial Hall
The Independence Memorial Hall in Colombo is another great place to relax after some walking. It is a national monument in Sri Lanka built to commemorate the independence of Sri Lanka from British rule on February 4th, 1948. This national monument has very nice architectural details and the design of the building is based on the Royal Audience Hall in Kandy, the last kingdom of Sri Lanka.
13. Independence Square
The surrounding of Independence Memorial Hall is called Independence Square. This place was formerly called Torrington Square. The evening is the best time to visit this wonderful place. When the fountains light up in the evening, the surrounding of Independence Square gives an eye-pleasing view for the visitors.
14. National Museum
If you are a history lover, the best place to go to Colombo is the National Museum. It is the biggest museum in Sri Lanka which dates back to 1877. Just south of Colombo Town Hall, you will find the National Museum. You can learn a lot about the ancient history of Sri Lanka by visiting the National Museum.
Inside the museum, you’ll see valuable national treasures such as a throne and a crown belonging to Kandyan reign. There are many pieces of art and interesting things that have historical value on the display. There are several galleries of national artifacts to enjoy and learn everything about the history of Sri Lanka.
15. Viharamahadevi Park
After walking in the busy Colombo city, the ideal place to have a break is the Viharamahdevi Park located right near the National Museum and the Town Hall. This park is one of the best landscaped gardens in Colombo with carefully manicured lawns. The center of the park features a large golden Buddha Statue surrounded by fountains and lotus ponds. This park attracts hundreds of visitors every day.
Viharamahadevi Park is a nice and quiet place to have a relaxing time. It will be difficult to imagine such a peaceful place that exists in the middle of a bustling city. This park is one of the most family-friendly destinations in Sri Lanka with many attractions suitable for kids. There is a playground, aquarium and a pond with ducks which will entertain kids very much.
16. Dehiwala Zoo
The National Zoo in Dehiwala is one of the oldest zoos in Asia, with a remarkable collection of exotic and indigenous fauna. It spreads over a vast area of 24 acres in a beautifully landscaped garden. It houses 72 species of mammals, 65 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles, 89 species of fish, and many more amphibians and butterflies. The total number of animals varies from 2500-3000. Dehiwala Zoo has become famous among visitors not only for the collection of local and exotic animals but also for landscaping with lush greeneries.
Among all members of the Dehiwala Zoo, wild cats and elephants engage the major attention of visitors. Wild Cat family members include Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), African Lion (Panthera leo), and Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) are the big cats found in the zoo.
The rare scenery of orange and white Bengal Tigers fascinates all the visitors by their gorgeous appearance. In Dehiwala Zoo you can see both African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) and Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus maximum). There are six Asian Elephants and one African elephant. Every evening, there is an educational display of elephants for the visitors.
17. Lotus Pond Theatre
Lotus Pond Theatre is a fully equipped state-of-the-art performance center, which includes the main auditorium and an open-air theater. It is situated in the heart of Colombo city, this modern architectural masterpiece facilitates easy access for both local and foreign producers.
The architecture of the building was inspired by the ancient lotus pond shaped as a bloomed eight-petalled lotus flower in Polonnaruwa, which was built by King Parakramabahu the Great. There are musical shows and performances each night, you can check the schedule online and reserve your tickets for the desired event.
18. Lotus Tower
When you are visiting Colombo, be sure to visit the newest attraction of the capital. It is the Lotus Tower, the tallest man-made structure in southern Asia. It is a 356 m tall symbolic landmark of Sri Lanka, which is located on the waterfront of Beira Lake. The tower opened to the public in 2019. This new addition to Colombo skyscrapers enhances the beauty of Colombo city.
There are 13 floors, 6 in the base, and 7 in the tower, as well as 8 elevators, to reach the top. You can see a breathtaking view of the beautiful city of Colombo from the observation deck at 245 m above the ground. This observation deck is located at the 7th level where you can get a panoramic view of the city area.
Another wonderful experience you can get in Lotus Tower is dining at a revolving restaurant 235 m above ground. The view of this tall and colorful tower is simply amazing at night.! It is visible throughout Colombo, its suburbs, and most major highways radiating around the city.
19. Mt. Lavinia Beach
After a long day of walking and sightseeing in Colombo, you may need a relaxing afternoon in a sea bath. In the tropical and humid city of Colombo, a sea bath is a real treat to cool down. Since the sea waves around Colombo city are quite rough, swimming isn’t allowed in many areas including Galle Face Green. But don’t lose hope; it is possible to have a sea bath in Mount Lavinia Beach, just a few kilometers outside of the city center of Colombo.
Mt. Lavinia is a famous beach with locals and tourists alike for its close proximity to downtown and many modern amenities. It is the perfect place for a dip in the warm ocean and enjoying a meal or a drink in one of the beachfront restaurants. The area is known for its golden mile of beaches, clubs, and restaurants catering to the energetic urban lifestyle of Colombo.
20. Ministry of Crab
Ministry of Crab is a highly popular restaurant in Colombo, created by world-famous cricketers Mahela Jayawardena & Kumar Sangakkara. It is an international chain of restaurants, which have branches in Shanghai, Mumbai, Maldives, Manila, and Bangkok.
The main menu you’ll find here is the delicious Sri Lankan lagoon crab. You’ll find many crab recipes that prepare from freshly caught lagoon crabs. It is possible to reserve your order online to avoid long waiting times. Ministry of Crab is the first restaurant in Sri Lanka dedicated to serving you the best Sri Lankan crabs and it will be a unique experience to enjoy in the capital.
Accommodation in Colombo
if you are looking for accommodation in Colombo, there are several top Level 1 hotels in the city. Certainly, you can find a great place with scenic views in this post.
Here you can see the top hotels to stay in Colombo city.
Although there are many more impressive things to see in Colombo city, these are the most wonderful sights according to our choice. If your next destination is Sri Lanka, don’t skip the capital, explore and enjoy these fascinating views in Colombo. We are sure you are going to love this vibrant, rapidly developing capital from your heart. Happy sightseeing in Colombo city for everybody.!
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Pixabay, Facebook, and Twitter. All copyrights reserved by original authors.
My goodness, those temples are incredibly ornate! This is a really involved piece and a fascinating part of the world we’re yet to be able to get to.
Thank you very much guys for the great comment.! It inspires me a lot to write more. Come and enjoy Colombo city when this pandemic is over, hopefully soon.!