Colombo

Travel Guide

Colombo showing heritage elements and a sunset
Colombo which includes a coastal town and a sporting event as well as a large group of people
Colombo
Colombo featuring general coastal views, a sunset and a coastal town
Colombo

Colonial charm and Buddhist spirituality mix with beachside entertainment, bustling shopping districts and a love of cricket in Sri Lanka’s coastal capital. 

Colombo is a showcase of Sri Lanka’s Asian and European heritage. It’s where the fast-paced chaos of the continent’s cities meets a lingering colonial ambiance and contemporary fashion. In Colombo, ancient religious shrines stand next to churches, and skyscrapers rise above time-honored shops. Pretty parks are a reminder of Colombo’s “Garden City of the East” nickname while beaches offer an introduction to the island’s 833-mile (1,340-kilometer) coastline.

Discover the spiritual serenity that exists amid the mayhem of the city streets at Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple and lakeside Seema Malaka Buddhist Temple. The contrasting Gothic Old Town Hall and neoclassical New Town Hall sit on the edge of gorgeous Viharamahadevi Park. Visit European-influenced churches, including the Dutch-built Wolvendaal Church, Portuguese St. Anthony’s Church and Scottish St. Andrew’s Church.

Browse art collections that date back to the 4th century B.C. at Colombo National Museum and learn about Dutch rule at the Dutch Period Museum. Ape Gama is an open-air folk museum that brings to life the customs of a Sri Lankan village via mock rural scenes. The elaborately decorated Independence Memorial Hall commemorates the nation breaking free from the British Empire.

Pettah is Colombo’s bustling shopping quarter, famous for traditional shops and markets such as Pettah Floating Market. Go to Arcade Independence Square and Crescat Boulevard for brand-name and upmarket fashion. Witness the city’s passion for cricket while attending a match at Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. Or, play a round of 18 holes at the immaculate Royal Colombo Golf Club.

Watch the sunset and snack on spicy street food during an evening stroll on Galle Green Face Promenade. Find an aquarium, beer garden and outdoor food court at Diyatha Uyana waterfront park. Mount Lavinia Beach boasts golden sand and chic seafront bars. Spot exotic animals at Dehiwala National Zoo and ride waterslides at Leisure World.

Reach Colombo by flying to Bandaranaike International Airport, located an hour’s drive from the city center. Get around the city via low-cost buses, trains and tuk-tuks.

Where to stay in Colombo

Colombo, despite it's location alongside the ocean, still has a very industrial feel to it.  For some reason, the contrast of this scene resonated with me.

Bambalapitiya

If you're spending some time in Bambalapitiya, Marino Mall and Bellagio Casino are top sights worth seeing.

Bambalapitiya
Nice surronding within Colombo

Fort

4.5/5(47 area reviews)

Fort is noteworthy for its historic sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct and Colombo World Trade Center.

Fort
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Wellawatte

4/5(25 area reviews)

You'll appreciate the beaches during your time in Wellawatte and you might want to plan a stop by Majestic City and Dehiwala Zoological Garden while you're in the area.

Wellawatte
Freedom. 
#SriLanka #Travel #Trover #Beach #HotelView

Kollupitiya

While visiting Kollupitiya, you might make a stop by sights like Casino Marina Colombo and Galle Face Beach.

Kollupitiya
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Milagiriya

While Milagiriya might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Majestic City and Marino Mall.

Milagiriya
If you are a Geek Fan, Geek HQ is the place to go!! 
In the picture are both Veg and Non Veg Options; Geek HQ 's special burger named Its Cloebbrin Time, Chewie Sandwich the non veg option and Red's Big Fries. This all came to a total of around 4000LKR which was quite reasonable and was shared among 4 of us! Tip - Get their Special Burger and it's so huge that it could be shared among 3 for sure.#Trover #Foodie #SriLanka #BurgersandFries

Havelock Town

3/5(2 area reviews)

While visiting Havelock Town, you might make a stop by sights like Isipathanaramaya Buddhist Temple and Raux Brothers.

Havelock Town
Mandarina Colombo
Mandarina Colombo
5 out of 5
433, Galle Road, Colombo
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Colombo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
Lovely stay
"Fantastic service and staff were beyond lovely! I extended our stay here, due to the this lively hotel. Would stay again."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Mandarina Colombo
Shangri-La Colombo
Shangri-La Colombo
5 out of 5
1 Galle Face, Colombo
The price is ¥19,741 per night from Jul 31 to Aug 1
¥19,741
¥26,519 total
Jul 31 - Aug 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Colombo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (451 reviews)
"I liked the customer service, room maintenance. All over we liked the hotel"

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Shangri-La Colombo
Galle Face Hotel
Galle Face Hotel
5 out of 5
2 Galle Road, Colombo
The price is ¥10,073 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
¥10,073
¥14,094 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Colombo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Wonderful hotel! The hospitality is unrivaled and every guest experience memorable, from the Afternoon High Tea to the delicious buffet dinner which my well travelled son described as one of the best meals he has had. Emmanuel, the Head Concierge was extremely attentive to the needs of the guests, ..."

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Galle Face Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Altair Luxury Colombo by Miracle
Altair Luxury Colombo by Miracle
3.5 out of 5
121a Sir James Pieris Mawatha, 47, Colombo, WP
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Colombo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Colombo City Centre and Gangaramaya Temple ...
7.8/10 Good! (7 reviews)
"Prefect place"

Reviewed on Apr 12, 2025

Altair Luxury Colombo by Miracle
Supun Arcade Residency
Supun Arcade Residency
3 out of 5
56, Galle Road, Colombo
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Colombo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Colombo City Centre and Raux Brothers ...
7.2/10 Good! (143 reviews)
"We walked in an apartment with dust and dirt on the floor, mould behind toilet door, mould on kitchen glass tray. They said this apartment was closed for some time. Housekeeping staff should be trained to check on details. Would not recommend for families who are particular about cleanliness. The ..."

Reviewed on Aug 31, 2024

Supun Arcade Residency
Marine Suites
Marine Suites
4 out of 5
12 Nimalka Gardens, Colombo, WP
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly apartment in Colombo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Saskia Fernando Gallery ...
"only not good thing is no breakfast"

Reviewed on Aug 29, 2024

Marine Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Colombo

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
57
5 - Excellent 36%
4 - Good
65
4 - Good 41%
3 - Okay
27
3 - Okay 17%
2 - Disappointing
5
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
4
1 - Terrible 3%

5/5 - Excellent

Arul

My motherland that I will treasure in my 

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveler

Not a place I recomend going. Go down the coast. Hikkaduwa is nice.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Clean modern city; very clean neat & orderly. Beautiful temples to visit. Excellent food & restaurants. Easy to get around. Enjoyed two days there.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Colombo remains a fascinating city with plenty of attractions. The port area is undergoing construction and has already taken some of the charm from the walk along the pier.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Beware of sharks trying to get you to see precious jem's.

3/5 - Okay

AL

We didn’t venture out too much since we mainly spent our time here recovering from a 35 hour trip to get here. It was a great place to relax and recharge before moving on.

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