Places to visit in Colombo

The commercial capital: temples, colonial streets and the Galle Face sea front.

Main town ColomboPlaces in this guide 6
Colour Colombo on my mapPlan a trip here

Places to see

Spiritual

Gangaramaya Temple

Colombo

A busy Colombo temple and museum, home of the Navam Perahera.

Best time: Dec–Apr

City

Galle Face Green

Colombo

A seaside promenade in Colombo, busy with kites and food stalls at sunset.

Best time: Dec–Apr

Culture

National Museum of Colombo

Thimbirigasyaya

Sri Lanka’s largest museum, in a colonial building in Colombo.

Best time: All year

Heritage

Independence Memorial Hall

Thimbirigasyaya

A monument built for Sri Lanka’s independence, in the style of a royal audience hall.

Best time: Dec–Apr

Spiritual

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque

Colombo

A striking red-and-white striped mosque in the Pettah market district of Colombo.

Best time: Dec–Apr

City

Lotus Tower

Colombo

A tower shaped like a lotus bud, with a viewing deck over Colombo.

Best time: All year

Food to try in Colombo

Lamprais.

Festivals

  • Navam Perahera, Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo: Navam full moon (usually Feb). Colombo’s great temple procession of elephants, dancers and drummers around Beira Lake.
  • Sinhala and Tamil New Year, All over Sri Lanka: Usually 13–14 Apr. Aluth Avurudda / Puthandu: auspicious times, kiribath, oil lamps, visits to family and village games.
  • Vesak, All over Sri Lanka: Vesak full moon (usually May). Remembering the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing: paper lanterns, lit pandals and free food stalls (dansal).
  • Vel festival, Colombo: Usually Jul or Aug. A silver chariot carries Lord Murugan’s vel (spear) through Colombo between Hindu kovils.
  • Christmas, Churches all over Sri Lanka: 25 Dec. Midnight mass, carols, cribs and Christmas cake in Sri Lanka’s churches and homes.

Timings, permits and prices change. Check official sources before you travel.