50 Places to Visit in Colombo!

Sri Lanka’s capital is the vibrant city of Colombo. As a national hub, this city drives the country’s economy with its skyscrapers, offices, and world-famous hotels. At the same time, rich historical monuments coexist with the city’s never-ending development. Let’s journey through time to understand this city’s significance.

The Portuguese, for example, introduced the name “Colombo” in 1505, deriving it from the Sinhala term “kolon thota.” Over the centuries, different rulers with various cultural backgrounds and styles governed Sri Lanka. As a result, each one left significant marks that created a distinct atmosphere around the city. Its strategic location helped it become a prominent place for international trade and customs. Astonishingly, even after seven centuries, it remains a key trading hub.

Colombo is a major tourist hotspot, usually serving as the start or endpoint of a trip to Sri Lanka. In addition, the city is home to many expats and locals and is a prominent workplace in the city center. With 50 landmarks and locations to visit, it offers a rich tapestry of experiences. Since many of these locations date back centuries, they offer a glimpse into the city’s storied past. To help you truly feel like a local, we have also listed some fun activities.

1. Diyathu Uyana – B240, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte

You can find Diyathu Uyana near the Water Edge Hotel in Battaramulla. This park sits on former marshy land on the banks of Diyawanna Lake. The things to do and see around the park include:

• Flower shops

• Walking along the riverside

• A riverboat ride

• Cement seats and tables to relax

• A central water fountain which changes colors at night

• A children’s play area

• A floating hotel and restaurant

• Walking, Jogging, and Cycling paths

• An aquarium

2. Seema Malaka – Sir James Peiris Mawatha, Colombo

Seema Malaka is a Buddhist temple in Colombo which people primarily use for meditation and rest, rather than for worship. Situated in Beira Lake, the original temple dates back to the late 19th century. However, that structure slowly sank into the water in the 1970s. As a result, in 1976, renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa redesigned and constructed the current temple. Today, Seema Malaka is a part of the Gangaramaya Temple and sits a few hundred meters to its east.

3. Bally’s Casino – 34, McCallum Road, Colombo 01

Whether you want fine dining, accommodation, a spa, table games, or live betting, Bally’s Casino is the place for non-stop entertainment. For those who want to enjoy the best nightlife in Sri Lanka, it offers everything from live concerts to DJ nights. You can even play poker through the night at the one and only Bally’s Casino.

4. Colombo Dutch Museum – CPP Building, Prince Street, Colombo 01

Thomas Van Rhee, the Dutch Governor of Sri Lanka from 1692-1697, built this two-storied building to reflect a 17th-century Dutch Urban house and used it as his official residence. Later, during the British period in 1796, the building served as an arms store, army hospital, police training center, Pettah post office, and telecommunication center. In 1977, a special preservation committee, with assistance from the Netherlands government, preserved the building. Subsequently, the Department of National Museums opened it to the public. It now displays over 3000 objects related to the Dutch who ruled Sri Lanka’s coastal areas.

5. St Lucia’s Cathedral – Colombo 13

As one of only fifteen cathedrals in the country, St. Lucia’s Cathedral is also one of the most beautiful. It is the center of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Colombo and is more than 200 years old. The Cathedral is the house of the Archbishop of Colombo. Located at Kotahena, in the northeast of Colombo, the cathedral sits on 18,240 sq. ft. of land and is dedicated to Saint Lucy. Furthermore, it traces its origins to a small structure for worship built during the Dutch occupation.

6. Independence square – Colombo 07

Sri Lanka built the Independence Memorial Hall, a national monument, to commemorate its independence from British rule on February 4, 1948. At the head of the monument stands the statue of the country’s first prime minister, Rt. Hon. Don Stephen Senanayake, “The Father of the Nation.” Consequently, most of the annual National Independence Day celebrations take place here.

7. Vihara Mahadevi Park – Colombo 07

Viharamahadevi Park is a public park located in Colombo, next to the National Museum. It is the oldest and largest park in the Port of Colombo. Situated in front of the colonial-era Town Hall building, they named the park after Queen Viharamahadevi, the mother of King Dutugamunu. The park includes a Buddha statue, a children’s play area, and a mini-zoo. Additionally, the big old trees standing tall add serenity to the park within a concrete jungle.

8. Attidiya Bird Sanctuary – Colombo-Horana road, Borelesgamuwa

This is one of the only places in the entire city that provides shelter to a minimum of 50 different species of birds, including both migratory and local birds. Here you can also witness a large number of butterflies, water monitors, and insects. The mud-strewn paths of the sanctuary will surely get your attention, as they add to the rustic, natural charm of the place. You should also keep in mind the area’s biodiversity. Because it has a lot of mosquitoes, make sure to cover yourself up while visiting.

9. Old Galle buck lighthouse – Chaithya Road, Colombo 01

The Old Galle Buck Lighthouse sits close to the Galle Face Green within the Sri Lankan Navy’s area. It offers solitude, and you can climb up the rustic lighthouse to take in panoramic visions of the crashing Indian Ocean. For the best views, you should always head over here after 5 PM, as this place works its magic after sunset. They constructed it in the 1950s, making it one of our older pieces of architecture.

10. Colombo Harbour

As the largest and busiest port in Sri Lanka and South Asia, Colombo Harbour serves as an important terminal in Asia due to its strategic location in the Indian Ocean. With a capacity of over 4.1 Million TEUs and a dredged depth of 15m, Colombo Harbour ranks in the top 35 ports in the world. The port also serves as a naval base for the Sri Lanka Naval Fleet.
Historically, Roman, Arab, and Chinese traders traveling the silk route widely knew of it. By the 8th century, Arab Muslim traders used Colombo as a base for trading in this part of the world.

11. Traditional puppet art museum – 34, Anagarika Dharmapala mawatha, Dehiwala

Puppet shows hold great meaning in Sri Lanka because they connect deeply with the community’s culture and religion. Therefore, this museum is single-handedly responsible for upholding and promoting many of the island country’s folk traditions and values. Most of these puppets are built in the southern province and are greatly influenced by the Rajasthan province of Southern India.

12. The Khan clock tower – 136, Main street, Colombo

Guarding the entrance to this industrious zone is a century-old clock tower known as the Khan Clock Tower. A Parsi family named Khan built the tower in the early 20th century. The Khans were a particularly illustrious family from Bombay who had many trade interests in Ceylon, as Sri Lanka was then called. For instance, they owned many large businesses, including the famous Colombo Oil Mills.

The clock tower used to have a functioning water fountain, which is not in use today. Standing approximately 450 feet in height, the tower is at a roundabout that marks the entrance to the famous Pettah market.

13. Gangarama temple – 61, Sri Jinarathana road, Colombo 2

Your visit to Sri Lanka is not complete if you miss out on the great Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple. As a sacred site of great significance, this temple is the epitome of architectural brilliance. Featuring intricate Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture in its design, the temple also houses a museum and a library, making it one of the top tourist locations in Colombo.

14. Old Dutch Hospital – Hospital St. Colombo 01

Constructed in 1681, this building has preserved its charm for centuries. Originally, its main purpose was to provide medical help to people who worked for the Dutch East India Company. While it is currently a shopping complex, it served as many other places before becoming what it is today.

15. Sri Kailawasantha Swamy temple – Sri Murugan St. Colombo 02

This is the oldest (125 years old) and largest Hindu temple in the city. Like most major Hindu temples, the architecture is incredibly ornate. For example, hundreds of sculptures and carvings of Hindu deities adorn the high, sloping blue roof, which is 80 feet above the ground. The inside is relatively plain, but the walls feature some religious paintings and murals.

16. Galle Face Green – Galle main Rd, Colombo

Located in the heart of the country’s business capital, Galle Face Green is a five-hectare ocean-side urban park that stretches for half a kilometer along the coast. It is a magnificent place to witness a marvelous sunset. Governor Sir Henry George Ward initially planned and laid out the area in 1859, although the original Galle Face Green extended over a much larger area than it does today.

17. Wolvendaal church – Wolfendhal Ln, Colombo 13

The Dutch East India Company built the Wolvendaal Church in 1749, making it one of the oldest Dutch Reformed Churches in Sri Lanka. It is also one of the oldest archaeological religious sites in Colombo. They built it in the Doric style, in the form of a Greek cross. The walls are almost five feet wide with gables above. In the center, there is a dome that had a gilt weathercock, but lightning destroyed it in 1856. As a result, they replaced the brickwork with a wooden roof.

18. Pettah Market 

In the heart of Colombo lies the madness of Pettah Market.
It’s possibly the best place to get initiated into the local Sri Lankan hustle and bustle and to get a flavor of life in Colombo. Pettah market is a full-on trading location and a one-stop shop for everything you need. The Khan Clock Tower showcases the entrance to the market. At the end of the market is Sea Street, where all Sri Lankans go to purchase their jewelry.

19. The Floating Market – W E Bastian Mw, Colombo 01

Approximately twenty years ago, the area on Bastian Mawatha and the adjoining Beira Lake was one of the most heavily polluted parts of Pettah. However, authorities cleaned the area and turned it into a marketplace promoting 92 local entrepreneurs. To showcase the lake’s serenity, they allocated some stalls within boats on Beira Lake.

20. Sri Lanka Planetarium – Prof Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha, Colombo 07

Sri Lanka Planetarium is the first and only public planetarium in the country. The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Research maintains it as an institute. It’s a perfect place for stargazers and school children to learn about the solar system. The architecture of the building itself speaks volumes, as designers shaped it to represent a lotus flower in full bloom.

21. Sambodhi Chaithya – Chaithya Rd, Colombo 01

Sambodhi Chaithya is a stupa, a Buddhist shrine, built with reinforced concrete. This stupa is located in Colombo Harbour.
Renowned Sri Lankan engineer A. N. S. Kulasinghe designed it. The Colombo Port Commission began construction in 1956 to commemorate the Sambuddhatva Jayanthi, and the Colombo Port Authority later completed it. Built on a platform supported by two interlocking arches, the stupa sits above Marine Drive at the entrance of the Colombo Harbour. Subsequently, they renamed this main road Chaithya Road after the stupa. The walkway has 123 steps.

22. Geoffry Bawa’s home – 11, 33rd Lane, Bagatalle Rd. Colombo 03

Sri Lanka’s most beloved architect, Geoffrey Bawa, is renowned worldwide for his incredible designs, which won him the title ‘father of Asian architecture’. Although Bawa’s legacy is scattered across the island in beautiful buildings that are now enchanting hotels, he lived and worked in Colombo for many years.

23. National Museum – Sir Marcus Fernando Mw, Colombo 07

Sir William Henry Gregory, the British Governor of Ceylon at the time, founded the National Museum on January 1st, 1877. Initially called the Colombo Museum, it is one of two museums in Colombo and the largest in Sri Lanka. The central government’s Department of National Museum maintains it.

24. Bellagio Casino – 03, 430 R. A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo

Established in 1998, Bellagio Colombo is Sri Lanka’s premier casino and a leading nightlife spot in the capital. The casino hosts a range of games, events, and promotions throughout the year and, notably, pays the highest winning percentage in the world.

25. Royal Colombo Golf club – Model farm Rd, Colombo

The Royal Colombo Golf Club is the oldest golf club in Sri Lanka. Established in 1880, it is located in the capital city at The Ridgeway Links, also known as the Anderson Golf Course. It is home to the Sri Lanka Golf Union and maintains links with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland.

26. Old Parliament Building 

The Old Parliament Building houses the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka. Situated in the Colombo fort area facing the sea, it is close to the President’s House and adjacent to the General Treasury Building. For 53 years, the building housed the island’s legislature until the new parliamentary complex opened at Sri Jayewardenepura in 1983.

27. Grand Oriental Hotel – 2 York St, Colombo 02

The Grand Oriental Hotel, also known as the Taprobane Hotel, is a 3-star heritage hotel. The original building on the site was a simple, single-story structure. A Dutch Governor initially inhabited it. Later, in 1837, the British Army converted the building into barracks. Eventually, in 1873, it transformed into a hostelry. Reconstruction began on February 23 and concluded on October 27 of the same year.
The hotel features 80 rooms and two suites. Notably, they named the suites after two famous personalities who stayed there: Dr. José Rizal in May 1882 and Anton Chekhov in 1890.
Moreover, the hotel offers various dining options, including two restaurants (the Harbour Room and the Sri Lankan Restaurant), a nightclub (B-52), the Tap Bar, and a cafe called Tiffin Hut.

28. Nuga Gama (Cinnamon Grand) – 77, Galle Rd, Colombo 03

Nuga Gama is a rustic haven in the middle of an urban atmosphere. It serves a delicious traditional Sri Lankan buffet cooked by local ammes (mothers) and offers a unique village experience. Set around a 200-year-old banyan tree, this restaurant is sure to cast its rural charm on you. ‘Nuga’ the pet cow, who was rescued from the butcher, moos in the background, while the ‘kade’ or local grocery shop plays classic songs on the radio.

29. Zoological Gardens – Anagarika Dharamapala Mw, Dehiwala, Colombo

Founded in 1936, the National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka is a zoological garden in Dehiwala. Its sprawling areas host a variety of animals and birds. The zoo not only exhibits animals but also places an emphasis on animal conservation, welfare, and education.

30. Leisure World – Avissawella Rd, Hanwella

This is a standard water park offering slides, rides, and snacks, plus separate women’s and kids’ pools. It’s one of the first theme parks of its kind to be surrounded by a serene location that blends in with the local biodiversity. The total land size is 57 acres, and developers have built on about 27 acres during the first phase.

31. Water world – No:95, Biyagama Road Thalwatte Kelaniya

This aquatic park features underwater tunnels, tanks, and ponds, plus exotic birds and educational programs.

32. World Trade Center – Bank of Ceylon Mw, Colombo

The World Trade Center is a 152m tall twin building in Colombo. The 39-story towers are built over a 4-story retail podium, giving each tower a total of 43 floors. Overseas Realty Ceylon PLC runs the WTC. Consequently, you will find most of Colombo’s high-end companies residing within the twin towers.

33. Old City Hall –  Colombo Municipal 

Dating to 1865, this British-era municipal building is mostly empty today, save for some old trucks and municipal equipment on display. However, let the attendants lead you up the vintage mahogany stairs, and you’ll discover replicas of the town’s first councilors from 1906, covered in dust, in the old council chambers.

34. Nelum Kuluna – AC6, Colombo 01

Lotus Tower, also referred to as Colombo Lotus Tower, is a 356m tower in Colombo that reflects the symbolic landmark of Sri Lanka. As of 16 September 2019, the tower is the tallest self-supported structure in South Asia. It is also the second tallest structure in South Asia overall and the 19th tallest tower in the world.

35. Nelum Pokuna Theater – 110 Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 07

The building’s architecture draws inspiration from the 12th-century Nelum Pokuna (lotus pond) in Polonnaruwa, which King Parakramabahu the Great built. It spreads over 14,000 square meters.
This theatre boasts ultra-modern facilities, including a 1,288-seat auditorium, a library, and training facilities. It also features two permanent theatres and an open-air theatre. The 690-square-meter moving stage in the auditorium can raise and lower the orchestra pit. Furthermore, the building provides facilities for educational activities and parking for 500 vehicles.

36. BMICH – Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07

The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) is a convention center in Colombo. The People’s Republic of China gifted the center, built between 1970 and 1973, in memory of Prime Minister Solomon Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike.
A joint Sri Lankan and Chinese workforce carried out the hall’s construction and imported a considerable portion of building materials from China. In 1998, they built a small exhibition center on the grounds, also as a gift from China. The S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation (BNMF), which the President of Sri Lanka chairs, manages the BMICH premises.

37. Galle Face Hotel – 3, 2 Galle Rd, Colombo 03

As South Asia’s leading Grande Dame, the Galle Face Hotel is a testimony to Sri Lanka’s colonial past and its independent present. Celebrated within the hospitality world, it blends historical splendor with crafted modernity. International guests are immersed in the hotel’s rich traditions, while Colombo society perceives it as the most prestigious destination for dining and special events. The experience of the Galle Face Hotel is truly one of timeless grandeur.

38. Mt. Lavinia Hotel – 100 Hotel Rd, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia

With a history spanning over 210 years, Mount Lavinia Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in Sri Lanka. This premier colonial heritage hotel has earned a reputation for its magnificent structure, old-world charm, and a romantic legacy left by the colonial Governor-General who used it as his residence. It is also popular as a venue for weddings.

39. Jami Ul Alfar Mosque

Construction of the Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque commenced in 1908 and was completed in 1909. The local Indian Muslim community commissioned the mosque to fulfill their prayer requirements. Habibu Labbe Saibu Labbe, an unqualified architect, designed and built the mosque based on images of Indo-Saracenic structures provided by South Indian traders. It is a hybrid style of architecture that draws elements from native Indo-Islamic and Indian architecture and combines them with Gothic revival and Neoclassical styles.

40. Colombo City Center – 137 Sir James Pieris Mawatha, Colombo 02

Colombo City Centre is at the forefront of the dynamic changes transforming Sri Lanka. Conveniently located, it represents the best of the country with an innovative design inspired by Colombo’s rich cultural heritage and integrated with a progressive style.

41. One Galle Face Mall – 1A, Centre Road, Colombo 02

This is Colombo’s first prestigious shopping development and a premier retail, entertainment, and dining paradise. From the outset, the design offers a fusion of clear sightlines, ease of access, and an environment rendered in high-quality materials. It provides the globe’s best-known names with optimal display opportunities and ensures visitors are engaged and satisfied.

42. Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara – Peliyagoda

A famous Buddhist temple in Kelaniya built alongside the Kelani river, this is one of the oldest temples in Colombo, dating back to 543 BC. Inside you will find great historical monuments and a stupa. Because of its history, the temple has a very strong connection with the political powers of the country.

43. Colombo Port Maritime Museum – 19 Chaithya Rd, Colombo 01

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority Maritime Museum, commonly known as Colombo Maritime Museum, adjoins the Colombo Port. The Sri Lanka Port Authority maintains it. Inside you will find significant historical items pertaining to the maritime industry, including sculptures of kings, model ship exhibits, and artworks.

44. Shri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil – 38 Srimath Ramanathan Mawatha, Colombo 13

This beautiful Hindu Kovil is made entirely of southern granite and is full of great architectural ideas. The temple is colorful, and the smell of flowers and fragrance will relax your mind.

45. Crow Island Beach Park

This is a family-friendly recreational park where you can walk to watch the sunset or get a close look at the harbor. There is a children’s play area, shops, and restaurants, as well as a timber deck over the sea to enjoy the oceanfront.

46. Laksala – 215 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07

As the only government-owned handicraft gift and souvenir shop in Sri Lanka, Laksala has branches around the island. This one-stop-shop offers clothes, Sri Lankan handicraft items, gems, and many more products to help you remember this amazing island.

47. National Art Gallery – 106 Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 07

Located at the Cinnamon Gardens Hotel, this is the island’s first art gallery. It showcases two sections of paintings: one for the permanent collection and the other to show off paintings by our amazing local artists.

48. Barefoot – Galle Rd, Colombo 04

Babara Sansoni, a textile designer, colorist, and artist, formed Barefoot in 1964. It is a textile shop that reminds us of the connection between humans and nature. Barefoot is a retail shop that exports high-quality garments around the world. It is definitely worth visiting their main shop in Colombo, which includes a cafe, an art gallery, and their amazing designs.

49. Airforce Museum – Ratmalana, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia

The Sri Lankan air force runs this museum, which showcases historical aircraft, weapons, and vehicles to the public. The Airforce Museum is located in Rathmalana.

50. Kopi Kade

Last but not least, you can’t forget to enjoy a cup of freshly brewed Sri Lankan coffee. Kopi Kade is a small cafe that has been around for a long time. They also offer many other tasty bites to go with your coffee.

Fun activities to do in Colombo

• Go Duck Paddling in Beira Lake

• See a Snake Charmer

• Drink a king coconut

• Watch someone make kottu, and then taste it

• Fly a kite at Galle Face Green

• Eat Sri Lankan short eats

• Drink tea or plain tea with ginger

• Eat rice and curry with your hands

• Ride a crazy bus

• Take a market tour and cooking class

• Enjoy a cycling tour at Boralesgamuwa Park

• Get a tattoo to remember Sri Lanka

• Go scuba diving

• Take a scenic tour of Colombo in an airplane

• Attend a Tea and Herb Tasting