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Sri-LankaLet's just dot the I: Colombo is not the most suitable city for children's holidays in the classical sense. Here you will not find water parks, children's museums, amusement parks or animation programs in hotels. After several trips with children of different ages, we came to the conclusion that the capital of Sri Lanka should be considered more as a transit point or a city for a short, rich cultural program. But this does not mean that there is absolutely nothing to do here. We have collected all the possible (and slightly impossible) options where you can go with your child in Colombo.
The big picture: what to expect from Colombo with children
The city is noisy, chaotic, with heavy traffic and not the most developed infrastructure for kids. There is no "entertainment at any cost" program here. The main focus is on educational recreation: to look at animals, take a walk in parks, see unusual architecture and immerse yourself in another culture. If you are tuning in to this format, then you can spend some interesting days here.
Our opinion: It is ideal to lay on Colombo 1-2 days before departure or after arrival. This is enough to see the main thing without tiring the child. For a beach holiday with children, it is better to immediately go to resorts like Bentotes or Hikkaduwa.
Parks and walking areas
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Viharamahadevi Park
Viharamahadevi Park is the best place to walk with a stroller The largest and well—maintained park in the center of Colombo is a real salvation for parents. There is a place to run, you can have a picnic on the grass (just watch out for monkeys!), ride a swing. The park is huge, with walking paths, fountains and even a small playground. We often came here when we needed to "Take a walk" a child after museums or temples. It is a safe and peaceful place in the heart of a bustling city. Learn more about Viharamahadevi Park.
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: Colombo 7 (Cinnamon Gardens district) (a park on the map of Colombo).
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Galle Face Green
In the evening, the promenade is lively, but during the day you can walk around in peace The long pedestrian zone by the ocean is a great place for a child to run and let off steam. During the day it is quite quiet here, you can fly a kite (they are just sold on the spot). But the main action begins after 17:00, when the embankment turns into a giant open-air food court. If you decide to come in the evening, be prepared for crowds and hold the child's hand. Our recommendation: come closer to sunset, but before full darkness.Learn more about Halle Face Green.
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: south of the Fort area (the promenade on the map of Colombo).
for older children
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Dehiwala Zoological Gardens Zoo
One of the few places in Colombo where you can really go with children This is the main and, in fact, the only full-fledged children's attraction in the city. The zoo is quite large and green, there are a lot of animals, there is something to see. Our child was delighted with the elephant show, which takes place daily at 16:30. However, be prepared for two things: firstly, the condition of some enclosures leaves much to be desired (this is typical of many Asian zoos), and secondly, get ready for a serious price gap between tourists and locals.Learn more about Dehiwala Zoological Gardens.
🕐 Working hours: daily seven days a week 08:30-17:00.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance for foreigners is $17 (5683 rupees, see Sri Lankan currency and exchange rate), payment in local currency at the current exchange rate. Locals pay 300 rupees.
🚶 How to get there: located far from the center in the area of Mount Lavinia (zoo on the map of Colombo). It is 10 kilometers from the central Fort district, a tuk-tuk trip will cost from 800 rupees, by car taxi 1000 rupees.
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Colombo National Museum
The museum will be interesting for children who are passionate about history If your child is interested in history and can withstand 1-2 hours in a museum, then this place is worth considering. The exposition is huge, there are royal thrones, ancient weapons, traditional masks. Our 10-year-old nephew was delighted with the hall with armor. For kids, it will be boring — there is practically no interactive. Read more about the Colombo National Museum and photos.
🕐 Working hours: 9:00-17:00. The day off is on Monday and on official state weekends.
Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance for foreigners is paid in local currency in the equivalent of 12 US dollars at the current exchange rate (approximately 12 USD). For locals, the entrance fee is 100 rupees.
🚶 How to get there: located in Colombo 7 or Cinnamon Gardens (museum on the map of Colombo). This is the center of the city, but a little away from the conventional tourist area of Colombo Fort. You can get here by tuk-tuk or taxi from 400 rupees.
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Gangaramaya Temple
Gangaramaya Temple An unusual temple complex can interest children with its "strawberry" look — a lot of statues, bright colors, a statue of elephants. This is not a quiet peaceful place, but rather a maze of different rooms filled with artifacts, like in a museum. The child will have something to look at, but explain in advance the rules of behavior in sacred places. Read more about Gangaramaya Temple and photos.
Temple website www.gangaramaya.com
🕐 Working hours: daily, 6:00-22:00
Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance for foreigners costs 500 rupees(1.5 USD), with the same ticket you can visit the Seema Malakaya meditation center. Payment of tickets in cash or by credit card.
🚶 How to get there: Colombo 2 (Slave Island district), Sri Jinaratna Road, 62 (temple on the Colombo map).
What we do NOT recommend with children
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Lotus Tower
A high tower with an observation deck seems like a good idea, but we do not recommend it with children. The reason is simple — an inadequately high price ($ 20 per adult, $ 10 per child) despite the fact that there is nothing to see inside except the playground itself and a small interactive zone. The view is certainly beautiful, but such money for a 15-minute inspection is an unjustified luxury.
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Pettah District
A noisy, crowded market is hell for a child (and for many adults). Cramped streets, loud noises, crush, traffic jams — it's easy to lose sight of a child here. If you really want to watch, leave the child with someone at the hotel or visit in the early morning on a weekday when there are fewer people.
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Pettah Floating Market
It used to be an interesting place, but now, as we discovered on our last trip, it has fallen into complete disrepair. Half—abandoned pavilions, few shops - the child will be bored and uncomfortable here.
Practical tips from our experience
- Transport ➤ Always use a taxi with child seats (if it is important) or tuk-tuks. With children, you should not experiment with public transport — it is crowded and inconvenient.
- Power supply ➤ Children's menus are not available everywhere. In cafes at hotels — usually there is, in local restaurants — rarely. Simple and safe food for a child: rice, noodles, roti, fruit.
- Pharmacies ➤ There are pharmacies in the city where you can buy most children's medicines, but it's better to take your antipyretics and allergy remedies with you.
- Security ➤ Keep an eye on children near water bodies (there are several lakes in the city) and on the embankment — fences are not reliable everywhere.
- Rest ➤ Alternate activity with rest at the hotel. Heat and humidity quickly tire children.
The final verdict:Colombo is a city where you can spend 1-2 days with your child, if you set your priorities correctly. Concentrate on the zoo, parks and short walks. Do not try to embrace the vast and see all the sights — this approach guarantees a tired and moody child. Better less, but with comfort!
If you still decide to stay in Colombo, we advise you to choose hotels in quiet areas with a swimming pool and close to the beach, for example in Mount Lavinia, where the child can relax and cool off after city walks.
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