Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, is where most trips begin or end. The city grew around a natural harbour that drew Arab, Portuguese, Dutch and British traders, and it was the main seaport of the Kotte kingdom in the 15th and 16th centuries. Today colonial buildings in Fort stand beside new towers such as the Lotus Tower, while the markets of Pettah, the seafront at Galle Face Green and a wide choice of restaurants, galleries and shops make it worth a day or two.
The city is also a place of many faiths, with Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian places of worship close to one another.
Top things to do in Colombo
Colombo Fort
The old commercial heart has colonial landmarks such as the Cargills building, the Old Dutch Hospital, now restaurants and shops, and the clock tower that once served as a lighthouse.
Pettah markets
East of Fort, Pettah is the city's oldest market area, with streets devoted to spices, fabrics, electronics and household goods. The red and white Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, built in 1909, stands among the shops.
Gangaramaya Temple and Seema Malaka
Gangaramaya is a large temple with a museum full of gifts from devotees. Across the road, the Seema Malaka shrine designed by Geoffrey Bawa sits on the Beira Lake.
Galle Face Green
This seafront promenade is busy in the late afternoon and evening, when families come for kites and street food stalls by the sea.
National Museum
The largest museum in Sri Lanka, opened in 1877, displays royal regalia, ancient sculpture, masks and colonial-era objects.
Lotus Tower
The 350-metre tower, opened to visitors in 2022, has an observation deck with views over the city and the coast.
Viharamahadevi Park and Independence Square
Viharamahadevi Park, formerly Victoria Park, is the city's central park, near the Town Hall. Independence Square, built to mark independence in 1948, is surrounded by an arcade of restaurants and shops.
Beira Lake
The lake, created in the colonial era, runs through the city centre, with paths and swan boats near Gangaramaya.
Places of worship
Besides Gangaramaya, visit the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya just outside the city, St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade, St Lucia's Cathedral and the Hindu kovils of Sea Street and Kotahena.
Bawa architecture and art
Geoffrey Bawa's house, Number 11, can be visited on guided tours, and his former office is now the Gallery Cafe. The National Art Gallery and the Saskia Fernando Gallery show Sri Lankan art.
Food and shopping
Colombo has the best range of restaurants in the country, from Sri Lankan rice and curry and seafood to international dining. Shops such as Barefoot, Paradise Road, Odel and Laksala sell textiles, crafts, tea and design.
Mount Lavinia and Dehiwala
Mount Lavinia beach, about 12 km south, is the nearest beach to the centre, known for sunset dinners. The Dehiwala Zoo is one of the oldest in Asia.
Best time to go
Colombo can be visited all year. It is hot and humid, around 27 to 31 degrees Celsius. The south-west monsoon brings most rain from about May to September, with more showers from October to November. January to March is usually the driest period.
How long to spend
One full day covers Fort, Pettah, Gangaramaya and Galle Face Green. Two days allow time for museums, galleries, shopping and good meals.
Getting around
Tuk tuks and ride apps are the easiest way to get around; traffic can be slow at rush hour. A guided city tour or tuk tuk tour is a good way to see the main sights in one day.
Plan your visit
Many travellers spend a night here at the start or end of a trip. For history, background and how to get there, see the Colombo travel guide, and for accommodation see hotels in Colombo.
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Colombo City Tour
See the best of Colombo in a day, from colonial Fort and the markets of Pettah to temples, parks, Galle Face Green and the new towers by the sea.
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Tuk Tuk rides
Tuk tuks, called three-wheelers in Sri Lanka, are the quickest and most fun way around Colombo. Take a guided tuk tuk tour or use a ride app for short trips.
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National Museum
The Colombo National Museum, opened in 1877, is Sri Lanka's largest museum. It displays royal regalia, ancient sculpture, masks and colonial-era objects in a white Italianate building.
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The Galle Face Green
Galle Face Green is a long lawn and promenade beside the sea in central Colombo, laid out in the 1850s. Come in the late afternoon for kites, sunsets and street food.
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The Beira Lake
Beira Lake lies in the centre of Colombo, bordered by Fort, Slave Island and Pettah. The Seema Malaka shrine stands on the water, and paths and swan boats line its shore.
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Colombo Fort and its Colonial Heritage
Colombo Fort is the city's historic core and business district. Walk among colonial buildings such as the Cargills store, the Old Dutch Hospital and the old lighthouse clock tower.
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Gangarama Temple and Seema Malaka Meditation Centre
Gangaramaya is one of Colombo's best known Buddhist temples, with a museum full of gifts from devotees. Across the road, Geoffrey Bawa's Seema Malaka shrine sits on Beira Lake.
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Independence Square and Park
Independence Square, in Cinnamon Gardens, is the national monument to Sri Lanka's independence in 1948. The surrounding park and the Arcade make it a pleasant place to walk.
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Viharamahadevi Park & Street Art
Viharamahadevi Park is the largest and one of the oldest public parks in Colombo, opposite the Town Hall. Artists often display their work on the railings nearby.
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Royal Colombo Golf Club and Course
The Royal Colombo Golf Club, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest golf clubs outside Britain. Its course lies in the heart of the city.
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Streets of Pettah
Pettah, just east of Colombo Fort, is the city's oldest and busiest market district. Each street specialises in something, from spices and fabrics to electronics.
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Best Places to shop in Colombo
Shopping in Colombo ranges from the street markets of Pettah to design shops such as Barefoot, Paradise Road and Odel, and Laksala for crafts.
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Best Cafes in Colombo
Independent cafes have opened all over Colombo, from colonial buildings to garden courtyards, serving good coffee, cakes and light meals.
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New Parliament and the Diyawanna
The Parliament of Sri Lanka stands on an island in Diyawanna Lake at Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, designed by Geoffrey Bawa. The lakeside paths around it are popular for walks.
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National Art Gallery
The National Art Gallery stands on Green Path in Colombo 7, next to the National Museum. It shows works by Sri Lankan artists, including portraits and landscapes.
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Visit the Geoffrey Bawa House
Number 11, the Colombo home of architect Geoffrey Bawa, can be visited on guided tours. It shows how he joined small houses into one with courtyards, light and art.
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Visit the Geoffrey Bawa Office (Present: Gallery Café)
Geoffrey Bawa's former office on Alfred House Road is now the Gallery Cafe, run by Paradise Road. Its courtyards make a calm place for a meal.
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Zoological Gardens (Dehiwala Zoo)
The National Zoological Gardens at Dehiwala, south of central Colombo, are among the oldest zoos in Asia, with animals from Sri Lanka and around the world.
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Colombo Lotus Tower
The Colombo Lotus Tower, about 350 metres tall, dominates the city skyline. Its observation deck gives views over the city and coast.
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Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya
Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, about 10 km north-east of central Colombo, is one of the most sacred temples in Sri Lanka. Its murals and the Duruthu Perahera in January draw many visitors.
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Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil
Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam, also known as the Captain's Garden temple, is widely described as the oldest Hindu temple in Colombo.
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Anjaneyar Temple-Dehiwela
The Sri Anjaneyar temple in Dehiwala is dedicated to Hanuman, known here as Anjaneyar. It is a stop on the Ramayana trail close to Colombo.
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Shri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil
Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram is a Shiva temple in Kotahena, unusual in Sri Lanka for being built entirely of granite in the South Indian style.
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St. Anthony's Church Kochikade
St Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade, near the harbour, is one of the best loved churches in Sri Lanka. People of all faiths come to pray here, especially on Tuesdays.
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St. Lucia's Cathedral
St Lucia's Cathedral in Kotahena is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Colombo and one of the largest churches in Sri Lanka.
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Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)
The Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, known as the Red Mosque, stands on Second Cross Street in Pettah. Built in 1909, its red and white brickwork is one of Colombo's best known sights.
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Traditional Puppet Art Museum
The Traditional Puppet Art Museum in Colombo displays rukada, the string puppets of Sri Lanka, and explains the families who have kept the craft alive.
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Saskia Fernando Gallery
Saskia Fernando Gallery, founded in 2009, is one of Colombo's leading contemporary art galleries, showing Sri Lankan artists.
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Nelum Pokuna
Nelum Pokuna, meaning lotus pond, is Colombo's main venue for large performances. The theatre opened in 2011 and hosts concerts, dance and drama.
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Mount Lavinia Beach
Mount Lavinia is the nearest proper beach to central Colombo, about 12 km south of Fort. Come for sunset dinners at the beach restaurants.
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World Trade Centre
The World Trade Centre in Colombo Fort is a pair of 39-storey glass towers, one of the city's landmarks.
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Best Places to eat in Colombo
Colombo has the widest choice of restaurants in Sri Lanka, from rice and curry and seafood to fine dining and international food.
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Spa & Ayurveda in Colombo
Colombo has a wide range of spas, from hotel spas to Ayurveda centres following traditional Sri Lankan methods.
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Best Places to have Sri Lankan food in Colombo
Sri Lankan food is full of spices and coconut. Try rice and curry, hoppers, kottu and string hoppers at local restaurants across Colombo.
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Diving in Colombo
The sea off Colombo hides many shipwrecks and reefs from centuries of shipping. Dive centres run trips in the calm months.
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