Overview

Colombo is the lively capital city of Sri Lanka, the principal port city in the country, also known as the “garden city of the West”. A dynamic coastal city decorated with golden beaches, soaring mountains, skyscrapers, historical monuments, and ancient temples. Theres a great mix of cultural heritage and history found in old British, Portuguese, and Dutch colonial architecture, alongside stylish modern-day high rises. Colombo is a gateway to the rest of the country for most travelers, but it is home to some exciting hidden gems. Don’t pass up the opportunity to explore this vibrant city, steeped in old-world history, and check out its many interesting and significant sights like the Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park. The modern city has plenty of exciting shopping opportunities, excellent Sri Lankan food, and an energetic nightlife.

Things to see and do

Visit Gangaramaya Temple, a 19th-century active Buddhist temple and one of the most popular attractions and the most iconic temples in the city. The beautiful temple features a unique heterogeneous mix of architecture with Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese influences. The temple is nestled on the banks of the famous Beira Lake. The intriguing temple complex consists of the main temple, a museum, a library, and a vocational training centre.

Check out the National Museum of Colombo, which was established in 1877. It is grand in stature, the largest museum on the island, and it is the pride of Sri Lanka. A two-story building built with extravagant Italian architecture at the center of a wonderful well well-manicured, lush green lawn with banyan trees. The museum is home to over 100,000 exhibits that cover several centuries, rulers, and people, as well as Sri Lankan wildlife. The serene seated meditating stone Buddha statue in the museum’s lobby dates back to the 4th or 5th century. It is an example of one of the best-preserved ancient statues on the island, hailed by historians as a sculpting masterpiece.

Visit Independence Square, a vital, historical monument originally built to commemorate the country’s independence from British rule in 1948. The square today is one of the best places to visit and relax in the city, it is bordered by a sprawling recreational park with manicured lawns with walking paths. On site, there is a memorial hall, a memorial museum, a vast lawn area, and the Arcade area, which is filled with shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Head to Mount Lavina for the day, known to the locals as ‘Galkissa’, which means rocky area, and legend has it that there is a treasure trove from a shipwreck hidden beneath the rocks on the beach. Spend a day at the beachfront town soaking up the sunshine, swimming in the sea, shopping for souvenirs, dining at the beachfront restaurants, and enjoying drinks at the beach bars while watching the sunset.

The historic Colombo Fort area is a great place to experience the blend of the city’s colonial history with its modern-day independence. The Fort area and the Dutch Quarter are both beautiful historical landmarks dating back to the 17th century, which are among the most spectacular buildings in Colombo. This popular area is now home to the central business district of Sri Lanka, with several high-rise buildings that sit alongside historic flashbacks from colonial times. A prominent building here is the Lighthouse Clock Tower, and the other is the Old Dutch Hospital, which is one of the oldest buildings in the Colombo Fort area that has been converted into a restaurant precinct featuring cafes, bars, shops, and spas.

Wander along Galle Face Green, a ½ mile promenade in the heart of the city that runs along the waterfront. It was initially laid out by Sir Henry Ward, Governor of British Ceylon in 1859, and was used for horse racing and golf; it was known then as the Colpetty Race Course. Today, there is a stretch of lawn and a stretch of beach where families gather to relax, enjoy the beach, have meals, and fly kites. There are small vendors selling street food dotted along the shores, it is a popular place for a picnic and one of the most popular places to watch a sunset in the evening.

Visit Viharamahadevi Park, previously known as Victoria Park, the largest park in the city, and a popular picnic spot. This is a large, beautiful open space to walk, sit, or lie down on the well-manicured lawns under the large trees to unwind. There is a toy train, lots of fountains, and a large golden statue of Buddha inside the park.

Shopping

The capital city of Sri Lanka offers shoppers some great shopping experiences with some excellent modern luxury shopping malls, high street boutiques, busy shopping centers, and bustling street markets. Colombo’s vibrant shopping scene reflects the city’s unique blend of modernity and tradition, catering to every shopper's needs. A few of the shopping malls in the city worth visiting are the Colombo City Center and the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, both offering a wide selection of retail stores, including international brands, designer brands, and an array of dining opportunities. The malls offer a nice escape from the heat and a great place for a leisurely shopping spree.

The bustling streets around Galle Fort Shopping Street offer some great shops to explore, and Odel’s flagship store offers a mixture of local handicrafts, local and international fashion, unique gifts, and souvenirs. Pettah Market, the country’s largest marketplace, is a must when visiting Colombo, with a wonderful variety of goods ranging from spices, clothing, electronics, and jewelry. Along with the market's vibrant, lively atmosphere and the friendly local vendors, it makes for an enjoyable, authentic shopping experience. Other popular markets that are a must include Pettah Floating Market and Aslam Market. Fine gemstones are mined in Sri Lanka, especially sapphires and moonstones. Colombo is one of the main cities where these are marketed and sold.

Dining

Being a busy capital city, Colombo is filled with many different dining opportunities, and there’s such a wide range of eateries to choose from. The main streets in downtown are lined with many restaurants serving traditional Sri Lankan cuisine as well as many other international cuisines, including Indian, and lots of Southeast Asian influences.Sri Lanka is an island, and Colombo is a coastal city, so many restaurants in the city offer fresh fish and seafood on their menus. Cuttlefish is a popular one to try in Sri Lanka, Barracuda is another popular option in restaurants across the city.

You can also expect to find plenty of opportunities to eat rice and curry dishes, as well as delicious, unique street food like kotthu roti, Ambul Thiyal, Kiribath, Watalappan, and Isso Vadai. The city offers many small bakeries dotted all around selling popular delicacies like rotis, hoppers, and other “short eats”. Many hotels in the city are home to rooftop dining options, there are plenty of sushi restaurants in the city, and street food stalls congregate along the popular Galle Face Green Promenade.

Nightlife

There is diverse and vibrant nightlife in the capital city of Colombo is quite varied and offers visitors some exciting options. There is a great variety of entertainment establishments in the city offering excellent music and drink specials, and a pleasant, laid-back atmosphere. There are some high-end cocktail lounges, rooftop bars, cozy pubs, a few casinos, and lively clubs in Colombo. The city’s spectacular skyline is a sight to behold, especially at night. Partygoers can enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views from stunning rooftop bars and savor tasty cocktails, all while soaking up the city’s vibrant energy. Live music can be enjoyed throughout the lively capital city with live performances, local bands, and international artists playing everything from pop, rock, jazz, and the blues.

The bustling city boasts a thriving nightclub scene and offers a great mix of local and international DJs. Clubs in the city offer a pulsating energy with non-stop entertainment and exhilarating tunes. Colombo boasts a few casinos for those gamblers seeking a different kind of entertainment, with games and shows. Other nightlife options include Colombo’s vibrant street food scene comes alive at night with vibrant night markets offering a delicious array of local delicacies to try while immersing yourself in the local culture and a lively atmosphere. The shopping scene in Colombo also extends into the evening hours, with many shops and boutiques open late for some retail therapy after dark.