Things to Visit in Colombo: Colonial Heritage, Temples, and Curry
Discover the best of Colombo from its colonial-era architecture and Buddhist temples to bustling markets and Sri Lankan curry feasts. Covers heritage sites, neighborhoods, food, and cultural experiences.
This ocean-side urban park stretching 500 meters along the coast is where Colombo comes alive in the evening. Families, kite flyers, and food vendors fill the green space as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean. Street food carts sell isso wade shrimp fritters and kottu roti for 100-300 LKR.
Explore the historic Fort district
The former colonial administrative center has Dutch and British-era buildings, including the Old Parliament, Lighthouse Clock Tower, and the grand Cargills Building. The streets are walkable and the architecture tells the story of 500 years of colonial rule by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British.
Visit Gangaramaya Temple
This eclectic Buddhist temple complex blends Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architectural styles. The museum inside holds an extraordinary collection of Buddha statues, coins, and religious artifacts. The Seema Malaka meditation center on Beira Lake is connected to the temple. Entry is 300 LKR.
Tour Independence Square and Memorial Hall
Built to commemorate Sri Lanka's independence from Britain in 1948, this open-air hall modeled after the Audience Hall of the Kandyan kings sits in a pleasant park popular with joggers and families. The surrounding Independence Arcade has upscale shops and cafes in a restored colonial building.
Neighborhoods
Explore the markets of Pettah
Colombo's commercial heart is a chaotic, colorful grid of streets where each lane specializes in different goods. Sea Street has gold and jewelers, Main Street has textiles, and the surrounding lanes sell everything from electronics to ayurvedic herbs. Go on a weekday morning for the most authentic atmosphere.
Walk through Slave Island and the Beira Lake area
This dense, multicultural neighborhood has Hindu kovils, Buddhist temples, mosques, and churches within blocks of each other. The Beira Lake waterfront is being redeveloped with walking paths and parks. The Sri Kailawasanathan Hindu temple with its colorful gopuram tower is a highlight.
Browse the galleries and cafes of Colombo 7
The Cinnamon Gardens area has tree-lined streets with colonial bungalows housing art galleries, boutique shops, and coffee roasters. The Barefoot Gallery and shop is a must-visit for handwoven Sri Lankan textiles. The area around Park Street has some of Colombo's best restaurants.
Visit the Red Mosque in Pettah
The Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque's candy-striped red and white facade is one of the most photographed buildings in Colombo. Built in 1909, it was a landmark for sailors approaching the port. Non-Muslim visitors can enter outside prayer times with modest dress. Photography of the exterior is best in morning light.
Food Experiences
Eat a traditional rice and curry lunch
The Sri Lankan lunch spread includes steamed rice surrounded by 4-8 small curries including dhal, fish, vegetable, sambol, and pickles. Local restaurants serve this for 300-600 LKR. The variety and balance of flavors from one plate is extraordinary. Ask for extra pol sambol coconut relish.
Try kottu roti at a street-side kitchen
Chopped roti bread stir-fried on a flat griddle with vegetables, egg, and your choice of meat or cheese. The rhythmic chopping sound of metal blades on the griddle is the soundtrack of Sri Lankan street food. A plate costs 200-500 LKR. The egg-and-cheese version is the most popular.
Drink Ceylon tea at the Ministry of Crab building
Sri Lanka produces some of the world's finest tea, and Colombo's upscale restaurants and tea rooms serve single-estate Ceylon teas from different elevations. Nuwara Eliya high-grown teas are light and floral, while Sabaragamuwa low-grown teas are bold and malty. A pot of premium Ceylon tea costs 300-600 LKR.
Eat string hoppers and curry for breakfast
These delicate nests of steamed rice noodles served with coconut milk gravy, dhal curry, and pol sambol are the quintessential Sri Lankan breakfast. Most local hotels and guesthouses serve them, and street shops sell a plate for 100-200 LKR. They are best eaten fresh and warm.
Sample short eats at a local bakery
Sri Lankan bakeries display glass cases of savory pastries including fish rolls, mutton patties, vegetable cutlets, and Chinese rolls. Each piece costs 50-100 LKR and they make for a perfect quick snack. The bakeries near Pettah market are the busiest and have the freshest turnover.
Culture and Activities
Visit the National Museum of Colombo
The largest museum in Sri Lanka houses artifacts from ancient Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms, colonial-era furniture, and royal regalia including the throne of the last King of Kandy. The building itself is a white Italian Renaissance-style palace. Entry is 250 LKR for residents and 1,000 LKR for foreign visitors.
Watch a traditional dance performance
Several cultural centers and hotels host evening performances of Kandyan dance, devil dance, and fire walking. The costumes are elaborate and the drumming is hypnotic. Shows typically last 1 hour and cost 1,000-2,000 LKR. The BMICH cultural center hosts regular performances.
Take an ayurvedic spa treatment
Sri Lanka has a 3,000-year tradition of ayurvedic medicine and wellness. Day spas in Colombo offer herbal oil massages, steam treatments, and consultation with ayurvedic practitioners. A 90-minute massage costs 3,000-6,000 LKR at reputable spas.
Tour the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct
This restored 17th-century Dutch colonial hospital is now a dining and retail complex in the Fort area. The architecture preserves the original columns and arches. Restaurants range from Sri Lankan seafood to international cuisine. It is the most pleasant dining precinct in the Fort district.
Day Trips
Day trip to Galle Fort on the southern coast
This UNESCO-listed Dutch colonial fort is a 2-hour drive or train ride south of Colombo. The fort walls enclose a charming town of cobblestone streets, boutique hotels, art galleries, and cafes. Walk the fort ramparts at sunset for views of the Indian Ocean. The train journey along the coast is scenic.
Visit Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara temple
This Buddhist temple 11 km from central Colombo is believed to have been visited by the Buddha himself. The interior murals depict the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and the ornate entrance is decorated with intricate carvings. Free entry. The annual Duruthu Perahera procession in January is spectacular.
Explore the Bolgoda Lake wetlands by boat
Sri Lanka's largest natural lake is just 20 km south of Colombo and offers birdwatching boat trips through mangrove-lined channels. Over 50 bird species have been recorded here. Boat trips cost 2,000-4,000 LKR for 2 hours. The morning hours offer the best birdwatching conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Colombo?
Two to four days covers the main sights, neighborhoods, and food experiences. Spend one day on the Fort district and Pettah markets, one day on temples, museums, and Galle Face Green, and extra days for food tours, day trips to Galle, or exploring the suburb neighborhoods. Many travelers use Colombo as a starting or ending point for trips to the Cultural Triangle or southern coast.
What is the best time to visit Colombo?
December through March is the driest period on the west coast with temperatures around 27-31 degrees Celsius. The southwest monsoon from May to September brings heavier rain to Colombo, though showers are usually brief. The city is warm and humid year-round. Air quality is generally better during the rainy season.
Is Colombo safe for tourists?
Colombo is one of the safest capital cities in South Asia for tourists. Petty theft and scam attempts around tourist areas are the main concerns. Tuk-tuk drivers sometimes overcharge, so agree on a price before getting in or use metered rides through ride-hailing apps. The city has a visible police presence in tourist areas.
How do you get around Colombo?
Tuk-tuks are the signature Colombo transport, costing 100-500 LKR for most trips. Ride-hailing apps offer metered tuk-tuk and car rides at fair prices. Colombo's bus network is extensive but crowded. The commuter train runs along the coast and is useful for reaching suburbs. Walking is pleasant in the Fort and Colombo 7 areas but the heat limits comfortable walking distances.