Colombo

Colombo is the largest city and capital of Sri Lanka, offering a heady blend of tropical environment, colonial villas, and modern cityscape. It dates from 800 AD and there is history to explore around every corner. You can wander through the many temples and sample some delicious food while soaking up the atmosphere.

Historically a simple trading port, today the city of Colombo is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that serves as the commercial capital of the island. Although Colombo was traditionally a one-night stop for tourists, it now offers many wonderful and exciting experiences that make it a great place to spend a few days.

Places to visit in Colombo

Colombo has many great places to visit, from museums, to heritage buildings, to bars and restaurants.

1. St. Anthony’s Church Kochchikade

St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, located near the Pettah-Fort area, is one of the most significant catholic churches in the city.

Displaying a typical cathedral façade, this particular church is revered by many Catholics due to its intriguing origin story, as it is one of enduring hardship. Legend states that when Father Antonio prayed for three days, in the present location of the church, for divine intervention in the face of rapidly rising sea levels, a sand bank emerged, allowing the local fisher folk to carry out their activities with ease.

Today, the church is frequented by not just Catholics, but by people of many faiths who fervently pray for miracles. Its neo-classical façade is an edifice of the long-standing Catholic heritage of the city of Colombo.

2. Galle Face Green Promenade

Located along the coast, in the heart of Colombo, the Galle Face Green Promenade is a wide-open space that overlooks the Indian Ocean. The promenade functions as a park for hundreds of families who flock there every evening to fly kites and enjoy picnics. You would not regret spending an evening enjoying the many flavours of Colombo, sitting by the ocean, watching a stunning sunset.

3. Pettah Market

The Pettah Market or Manning Market is an open market in the suburb of Pettah in the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Being one of Colombo's busiest places, the area may seem a little chaotic at first glance but if you know what to get on which street then you are going to walk out with some cool stuff at surprisingly low prices. One can find a wide range of goods right from electronics to fashion accessories and market vendors selling anything from fresh vegetables, fruits to meat and seafood.

4. National Museum of Colombo

Established during 1877, this is the biggest museum in the island nation and is undoubtedly the pride of Sri Lanka. The place houses some of the best and personalised collections of the ancient Kandyan dynasty rulers. Carrying striking reflections of the Italian style of architecture, the museum houses countless artefacts dating back several centuries, portraying the cultural and natural nuances of the country.

5. Gangaramaya Temple

One of the greatest religious attractions in Colombo, the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple sits in walking distance from the beautiful Lake Beira. The religious significance of the temple attracts locals and travellers alike. Fusing elements of Chinese, Indian, and Thai style of architecture and design, the temple is also an architectural marvel.

The intricate carvings on the doors and walls of the temple are marvellous. The wall murals convey informative Buddhist legends and stories, while the colossal statue of Lord Buddha emanates peaceful vibes all over the temple.

6. Viharamahadevi Park

Taking its name after Queen Viharamahadevi, the Viharamahadevi Park is the largest one in Colombo. Combining picnic spots, waterfalls, a public park, a zoo, nature trails, and much more, the park is one of the most relaxing places to visit in Colombo. It is one of those rare few places that always manage to surprise you, regardless of how many times you visit.

The calming, peaceful vibes of nature combined with the adventurous rides make this place an unmissable spot when travelling to Colombo. While it is no wonder that the park is a favourite amongst kids, it also appeals equally to adults seeking respite from the banter of routine life.

7. Arugam Bay Beach

If you’re looking to take a refreshing detour from the city and into the wild, Arugam Bay Beach is the place to be! The tropical paradise of Arugam is the ideal place to indulge in adventures, or even just to sit back and soak in the radiant sunlight. The Beach is free from the mindless city chatter and allows you the peace and quiet you need while keeping your adventurous spirit alive.

Pamper your taste buds with some lip-smacking rice and curries at the famous Tsunami Hotel after a thrilling surf ride. If you have enough time, a trip to the Kumana National Park is almost obligatory when travelling to the Arugam Bay Beach.

What to eat in Colombo

Colombo, the largest city of Sri Lanka, is a vast metropolis filled with street food delights that are sure to please the palate. From rice and curry to lamprais, one can try a diverse array of food in Colombo. Colombo has a plethora of restaurants and street food stalls that cater to every kind of food lover. Relish the local fruits, go crazy with spices and gorge on delicious seafood available in plenty here.

Shopping in Colombo

Colombo is the biggest trading hub in Sri Lanka, you can find absolutely everything and anything here. From modern, air conditioned malls, to busy street markets, there is something for everyone! Clothes, footwear, spices, handicrafts, gemstones, designer jewelry, tea, souvenirs and much more are available here.

Best time to visit Colombo

Although it can be visited throughout the year, the best time to visit Colombo is in the dry season, lasting from January to March. The temperature recorded during these first three months of the year is 23 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius, making it ideal for exploration.

Additionally, during these months, various festivals are celebrated in Colombo, such as Duruthu Poya, Thai Pongal, and even Sri Lanka’s Independence Day.

How to Reach Colombo

By Air

There are only a few international airports in Sri lanka. Ratmalana Airport is situated in Dehiwala- Mount Lavinia in Colombo. Another International Airport is Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake. It takes approximately an hour to reach Colombo from here. Flights to Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia, Middle East and Australia depart and arrive here. Flights like Air India, Spice Jet, Indigo, Jet Airways, Srilankan Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Vistara, Royal Nepal operate to and from Colombo. Domestic flights run from the above mentioned airports as well.

By Train

Fort railway station is served by Sri Lanka Railways. It is a major hub for many intercity and commuter trains. It serves as the terminus of many intercity trains Sri Lanka. Train schedules and fares can be checked online at the official website of Sri Lanka Railways.

By Road

Reaching Colombo is easy via bus or taxi. Taxi though takes less time but is expensive. A huge network of buses operates in and around the Colombo. The Central Bus Stand is an important stand from where all the buses depart and at which all of them arrive.

The intra city buses help you to travel within the city. There are express buses as well. One can take Bus number 112 or 132 to reach Galle Face Green. Bus number 187 and 187-E3 will take you to Colombo Fort through the expressway giving you beautiful scenes of the city. One can easily locate the bus and the fare is relatively cheap. If you are coming from the Airport then you have to just walk few metres to reach to a bus. There are buses to almost every tourist attraction. Taxi is also easy to locate within the city.