© Discover Sri Lanka
2024

Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 1.50k

Colombo - The Capital of Sri Lanka

Colombo offers exciting pubs, restaurants, nightlife, parks, modern shopping malls, historic sites and many more. Explore the city and all that it has to offer.

Where to Stay, Things to Do, Activities & Restaurants

Where to Stay Read more »
Eat & Drink Read more »
Things to Do Read more »
Nightlife Read more »

Beaches, Lakes, Parks and Shopping Complexes

Colombo is on the west coast of the island, and is one of the greatest places to watch the sunset. The city has an array of Shopping Complexes, Parks, Beaches, Waterfalls and Lakes.

Lake Beira Read more »

Beira Lake is an iconic landmark in Colombo which brings an incomparable beauty to the capital of Sri Lanka.

Attidiya Bird Sanctuary Read more »

A 372 hectares of marshland with 166 species of birds, 71 species of butterflies and 44 species of fish in the city limits of Colombo.

Dehiwala Zoo Read more »

The main zoological garden in the island with 2500 - 3000 animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and butterflies.

The Galle Face Green Read more »

A beachfront park with a lot of local and foreign visitors Galle Face Green is a top hangout place in Colombo.

Viharamahadevi Park Read more »

Situated in front of the Colombo Town Hall, Viharamahadevi Park was built by the British and now a popular attraction among locals and tourists.

Independence Memorial Hall Read more »

Designed by eight notable architects, and inspired from the Magul Maduwa (Celebration Hall), Independence Square is a large memorial building for commemoration of Sri Lanka’s independence from the British.

Diyatha Uyana Read more »

Diyatha Uyana is famous for its paths that are ideal for jogging be it morning or even late at night.

The Dutch Hospital Read more »

Considered to be the oldest building in Colombo Fort the Dutch Hospital is not a shopping and dining precinct.

Pettah Floating Market Read more »

Pettah Floating Market is a waterfront area full of cafes, eateries, clothing, bags and jewellery shops.

Arcade Independence Square Read more »

A massive shopping complex in the centre of Colombo, the Arcade is housed in a collection of renovated buildings which include, former Western Provincial Council, former Jawatta Lunatic Asylum.

National Art Gallery Read more »

The National Art Gallery, has a small collection of art works displayed without any labels or descriptions.

Nelum Pokuna Theatre Read more »

A fully equipped, modern theater located in the center of Colombo.

Crow Island Beach Park Read more »

A nice recreational beach park, with a playground, kids play area, timber deck over the sea, a range of mangrove trees, and walking paths.

Kumari Ella Read more »

A splendid 4-meter-tall waterfall allegedly named after King Seethawaka Rajasinghe’s daughter, Kumari.

Religious Sites

Kotte being the last kingdom of Sri Lanka, and in close proximity to Colombo, Colombo has inherited some notable religious sites. Also being the capital for the Portugese, Dutch and the British, Colombo has got a collection of wonderful Churches, Mosques, and Kovlis.

Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Read more »

Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is one of the most sacred historic Buddhist temples in Kelaniya, with a history that goes back to before 500 BCE.

Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya Read more »

The temple is one of the most sacred among Buddhists in Sri Lanka, the Bodhi tree is one of the 32 saplings that sprang from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.

St. Lucia’s Cathedral Read more »

An amazing architectural masterpiece is the largest parish cathedral in Sri Lanka.

St Anthony's Church, Kochchikade Read more »

Believed to be a miraculous shrine among many devotees, St. Anthony’s church is one of the most interesting shrines in Colombo.

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque Read more »

Also known as the Red Mosque or Rathu Palliya among locals, this is a unique piece of architecture with its red and white candy-striped brick work.

Seema Malaka Read more »

The Seema Malaka temple is an amazing architectural design allowing the whole complex to be built in the middle of Beira Lake.

Temple of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil Read more »

Located in Maradana this is the oldest Hindu temple in Colombo, dedicated to the gods Ganesha & Shiva.

Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple Read more »

The temple has a Bo sapling from Anuradhapura Sri Mahabodhi and statues to cars gifted to the temple.

Museums and Heritage Sites

Colombo has the main museum of Sri Lanka, The National Museum of Colombo. There are a few other museums and heritage sites mainly dating back to the Dutch Colonial Period of Sri Lanka.

National Museum Of Colombo Read more »

The largest museum in the island, the Colombo National Museum is located in the center of Colombo.

Sri Lanka Air Force Museum Read more »

The Museum of the Sri Lanka Air Force, then called the Royal Ceylon Air Force, established in 1993 is an attraction for history, military or aviation enthusiasts.

Colombo Dutch Museum Read more »

With a collection of over 3000 artifacts related to the Dutch, who ruled the coastal areas of Sri Lanka the Colombo Dutch Museum is a must see place.

Old Galle Buck Lighthouse Read more »

Considered to be the oldest building in Colombo Fort the Dutch Hospital is not a shopping and dining precinct.

Old City Hall Read more »

British era Municipal Building, built in 1865 now showcases old fire trucks, municipal equipment and waxwork of the town’s first councillors.