What to see in Colombo: the most complete guide to attractions

Overview of Colombo Attractions and what you can see here

The capital of Sri Lanka offers a rich program for 2-3 days - there are enough interesting places to fill all your travel time. However, it's worth understanding: despite the abundance of points of interest, thematic variety here is limited. The basis consists of religious sites (Buddhist temples, Hindu shrines, mosques), museums, and colonial architecture.

The situation with entertainment is more modest. Besides sightseeing, you can go shopping in the colorful Pettah district or modern shopping malls, visit a spa salon, or simply wander the streets looking for interesting spots. There are practically no amusement parks, water parks, or special children's establishments in the city. The options for families with children are only the distant Dehiwala Zoo and the observation deck in the Lotus Tower (but we do not recommend visiting it due to its inflated price).

In the evening, it's worth taking a walk along the Galle Face Promenade - the main place to watch the sunset, where street cafes operate and draft beer is sold. You can also visit bars in the center or cafes on Mount Lavinia beach. The Pettah Floating Market, popular a few years ago, has unfortunately fallen into decline and is no longer of interest. For gambling enthusiasts, there are casinos in the city operating 24/7.

We visited Colombo for the third time and recorded a video about the main attractions. Watch it to understand this city and know what to visit first:

Ready-made 1-2 day itinerary for Colombo attractions

If time is limited, focus on these key locations - they will give you the most complete picture of the city:

• 🕌 Temples and Culture

  • Gangaramaya Temple + Meditation Center
  • Kathiresan Temples
  • Red Mosque
  • St. Peter's Church

• 🏛 Architecture and History

  • Viharamahadevi Park with the National Museum
  • Old Town Hall in the Pettah district
  • Grand Oriental Hotel (Chekhov Museum)
  • Independence Hall
  • Historic Cargills Building
  • Old Parliament Building

• 🌅 Best Views and Atmosphere

  • Sambodhi Chaitiya Stupa with observation deck
  • Galle Face Promenade (especially at sunset)

How to visit Colombo attractions on your own and are there tours

Although Colombo's attractions are scattered across the city's vast territory in different districts, the good thing is that most of them can be visited using local city buses and even on foot. Only in some cases will you have to use the services of ubiquitous tuk-tuks or taxis. We have explained all about Colombo transport and how to get around in a separate guide here, read it and everything will be simpler.

For city navigation, use Google Maps or offline maps like Organic.maps (recommended), Maps.me, or others, where you can download all attraction points from our Colombo map.

As for tours, it is difficult to find inexpensive group tours of the city or surroundings in Colombo. There are very few travel agencies offering inexpensive group excursion tours here (to be honest, we haven't found any at all). Most often, individual tours by tuk-tuk or car are offered. Moreover, you will be offered a tuk-tuk ride at every step.

But be careful with this: many tuk-tuk drivers offer rides to city attractions at an enticingly low price, for example, 2000 rupees. This is an unrealistically low price, and the catch is that they will actually take you not to attractions but to shops and stores, where they will try to scam you into buying expensive souvenirs and gifts. Dealing with such a scam is quite simple: study and determine for yourself the places to visit from our guide in advance, and immediately agree with the driver what you exactly want to visit, how much time you plan to spend, and only then agree on the price. After that, the price may immediately rise above 5000 rupees, and this is a quite realistic price for such a trip.

Finally, you can select and book tours in Colombo on these trusted websites with reviews:

The most important in Colombo

• Gangaramaya Temple

  

  Gangaramaya Temple is considered the richest and most famous in Sri Lanka. It was built just over 120 years ago and is dedicated to Buddhism. It is a fairly popular place among tourists. It is a small religious complex including several structures: the temple itself, a library, a museum, and classrooms. The interior of Gangaramaya Temple is very bright and rich, containing many images of Buddha and representatives of the Buddhist pantheon, as well as Buddha statues. More about Gangaramaya Temple and photos.

  Practical Information

  Temple website: www.gangaramaya.com

  🕐 Opening hours: daily, 6:00-22:00

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance for foreigners costs 500 rupees (1.51 USD), the same ticket allows you to visit the Seema Malakaya meditation center. Ticket payment by cash or bank card.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 2 (Slave Island district), 62 Sri Jinaratna Road (temple on Colombo map).

• Meditation Center (Seema Malakaya)

  

  In the eastern part of the small Biera Lake is the Seema Malakaya meditation pavilion, also known as the temple on the water. It belongs to Gangaramaya Temple. The pavilion is connected to the shore by a wooden bridge. People come here to pray and meditate, or simply to relax and enjoy the views. It is surrounded by numerous bronze statues of Buddha, photos of which can be seen on all postcards and promotional brochures about Colombo. More about the meditation center and photos here.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: daily, 6:00-22:00

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: visited with a single ticket for Gangaramaya Temple costing 500 rupees for foreigners (1.51 USD). Tickets must first be purchased at the temple entrance, which is a few minutes' walk from here, visit the temple itself and then come here with the ticket. Ticket payment by cash or bank card.

  🚶 How to get there: Located in the Colombo 2 or Slave Island district, Sir James Pieris Mawatha street (Seema Malakaya meditation center on Colombo map). If you are visiting Gangaramaya Temple, it is easy to walk here from there, it is only a couple of hundred meters away. If you are staying in the central Colombo Fort district or another neighboring one, you can also walk here if desired, or use a tuk-tuk or taxi from 400 rupees.

• Sambodhi Chaitiya Stupa with observation deck

  

  In the Colombo Fort district in the center near the port, a white dome-shaped Buddhist stupa (dagoba) - Sambodhi Chaitiya - is visible. It rises 20 meters above the ground on special piles. It has no historical value and serves as a reminder to passing ships that Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country; however, the place is unique in its own way and worthy of a visit. You can climb to the very top of the stupa via a staircase located next to the stupa and connected to it by a bridge. There is an observation deck there, offering an excellent view of the port and the city. More about Sambodhi Chaitiya Stupa.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 09:00–16:00, Sunday - closed.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located near the port in the Colombo 1 district, also the Colombo Fort district (stupa on Colombo map). To get here, you first need to go to the promenade near The Kingsbury hotel, and then walk towards the port.

• Maritime Museum (Colombo Maritime Museum)

  

  The Maritime Museum is located next to the Sambodhi Chaitiya Stupa, or rather, the stupa is located on the museum grounds and is part of it. This area with the museum and stupa adjoins the port, so it's not surprising that it appeared here. Its exhibition, though not too large, will be of interest to many, especially if visited together with the stupa, to the top of which you can climb and look at the port and Colombo Fort district from a bird's-eye view. More about Colombo Maritime Museum.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 09:00–16:00, Sunday - closed.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free, photography inside is prohibited.

  🚶 How to get there: located near the port in the Colombo 1 district, also Colombo Fort district (museum on Colombo map). To get to the museum, you will first have to go to the promenade near The Kingsbury hotel, and then walk towards the port.

• Galle Face Promenade (Galle Face)

  

  Looking for where to spend the evening in central Colombo? Galle Face Green is a long pedestrian zone by the ocean that turns into the main gathering point for locals and tourists at dusk. In our experience, don't expect European comfort and infrastructure from this place, but its real magic is in its unique atmosphere: people walk here, exercise, sell street food, and celebrate major city holidays. Be prepared for some disorder and maintain usual vigilance in the evening, especially on weekends. This place is not for perfect relaxation, but to see a real, fully living part of Colombo. More about Galle Face Green.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: south of the Fort district (promenade on Colombo map).

• Kathiresan Temples (Kathiresan Kovil)

  

  In the Pettah district, a few meters from each other (on opposite sides of Sea Street) stand two Hindu temples: New Kathiresan Kovil and Old Kathiresan Kovil. They do not differ in significance for the people visiting them, the difference is only in the brightness of colors and the faded decoration of the latter.

  Both temples are dedicated to the Hindu god of war - Skanda (Murugan). Annually in July-August, a colorful festival called Hindu Vel is held at the temples. The main attribute of the holiday is Vel - the spear of the god Skanda, a symbol of his strength and energy. Generally, this is a very popular attribute of Hindu temples dedicated to this particular god. Many people participate in the festival. They follow a silver chariot pulled by bulls, on which the god Skanda sits with his spear. The procession starts from the Kathiresan temples, then along Galle Road to Colombo 4 district (or Bambalapitiya) and back.

  Unfortunately, most of the day the temples are closed, and there's not much to look at from the outside. So you should come here either early in the morning or in the evening after 5:00 PM.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: ceremony times, usually early morning or evening.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 11 (Pettah district), Sea Street (Kathiresan temples on Colombo map).

• Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque or Red Mosque

  

  Jami-Ul-Alfar is also known as the Red Mosque. A very beautiful building in white and red, resembling a mosaic picture. It has no historical interest, as it was built relatively recently, in 1909. But it is one of the popular tourist spots. Unfortunately, tourists are not allowed inside, it can only be viewed from the outside.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: daily.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 11 (Pettah district), at the intersection of 2nd Cross Street and Bankshall Street (mosque on Colombo map).

• Old Town Hall

  

  The old building of the first municipality is slightly lost among the shopping streets of the Pettah district. It can be found by its magnificent architecture from the period of English rule. The building dates back to 1865, and the first meeting of the local self-government council was held in January 1866. Today, a modest museum operates in the building, and its exhibits are not in the best condition. More about Colombo Old Town Hall and photos.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: daily, 06:00-18:00, closed on Wednesday.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free (tip - 100 rupees). Theoretically, you can view the town hall for free, but local attendants will not allow this and will pursue you until you pay them a tip.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 11 (Pettah district), in the eastern part of Main Street (old town hall on Colombo map).

• Viharamahadevi Park

  

  The oldest and largest city park in Colombo, located in the Kurunduwatta (or Cinnamon Gardens) district. It got its name in honor of the mother of King-Liberator Dutugamunu, who ruled Sri Lanka from 161 BC to 137 BC. The Park was founded by the British in the 19th century and until 1950 had a different name - Victoria Park (in honor of the English queen). It is a popular place not only for locals but also, due to the concentration of a certain part of interesting attractions, for tourists. Overall, it's an excellent place for walking and relaxing, and also one of the best starting points for exploring other Colombo attractions. More about Viharamahadevi Park.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 7 (Cinnamon Gardens district) (park on Colombo map).

• Colombo National Museum

  

  The largest Museum in Sri Lanka. It is located in the southern part of Viharamahadevi Park in an elegant white building built in Italian style. A Buddha statue is installed in front of the building's facade. This is one of the places you must visit in Colombo. The museum is very informative and allows you to get the most complete picture of the country's history and culture, starting from ancient times. All exhibits are arranged on two floors of the Museum building in 17 halls, arranged in historical sequence and divided thematically. More about Colombo National Museum and photos.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 9:00-17:00. Closed on Monday and official state holidays.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance for foreigners is paid in local currency equivalent to 12 US dollars at the current exchange rate (approx. 12 USD). Locals pay 100 rupees.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the Colombo 7 or Cinnamon Gardens district (museum on Colombo map). This is the city center, but slightly away from the conventional tourist district of Colombo Fort. You can get here by tuk-tuk or taxi from 400 rupees.

• Independence Hall

  

  This is one of the significant monuments of Sri Lanka, opened on February 4, 1948, in honor of the declaration of independence of the state. The structure is a rectangular open pavilion, guarded on all sides by statues of reclining lions. Numerous columns are decorated with carvings depicting animals and plant patterns. Under the vaults are paintings from the historical past. A statue of the country's first prime minister, Stephen Don Senanayake, is installed in front of the main entrance. The Memorial Hall is surrounded by a green park with walking paths. Besides Independence Day, other mass and religious events are held at this site. The basement of the Independence Hall houses the Independence Museum, containing information about national heroes who fought for the country's liberation and busts of some of them.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: Independence Hall - 24/7, Museum - 9:00-17:00, closed Sunday, Monday.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free, photos in the Museum - 250 rupees.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 7 (Cinnamon Gardens district), from the Theater building in Viharamahadevi Park to the northeast along Independence Avenue (Independence Hall on Colombo map).

Historical places and architecture

• Grand Oriental Hotel and Chekhov Museum

  

  Grand Oriental is a three-star hotel where anyone can stay today. It is noteworthy primarily for Russian tourists, as well as foreign admirers of Russian classics. The fact is that in November 1890, this hotel briefly became the refuge of the famous Russian writer Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860-1904). Here he finished writing his new story "Gusev." In honor of this event, in room 304, where A.P. Chekhov lived, the entire room setting from that time was preserved, with photographs of the writer hung on the walls. Hotel staff, upon learning that you are from Russia, offer to show the room, of course for an additional fee. If desired, you can stay in this room. In November 2010, on the 150th anniversary of Chekhov's birth, a memorial plaque and a bust of the writer were installed in the hotel lobby.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 1 (Fort district), York Street (hotel on Colombo map).

• Historic Cargills Building

  

  While walking through the historic Fort district in Colombo, be sure to pay attention to the Cargills building – a gem of colonial architecture. This iconic two-story red and white stone building with arches was built in the early 20th century and holds centuries of history: it stands on the site of the former residence of the Dutch commander. A foundation stone from 1684 and an ancient wooden statue of Minerva were discovered here. In our opinion, this is one of those details that make central Colombo interesting from an architectural standpoint.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: can be viewed from the outside 24/7. Inside, on the first floor, the Cargills supermarket is open from 08:30 to 19:00, but besides shopping, there's nothing to do there, the interior is not preserved.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the very center of the Colombo Fort district on York Street (Cargills building on Colombo map).

• Old Parliament Building (Old Parliament)

  

  The Old Parliament building in Colombo is a monumental neoclassical white limestone building on the Galle Face promenade. It is interesting primarily for its architecture and history: the Parliament of Ceylon sat here from the 1930s until 1983. Now the building houses the Presidential Secretariat, and this is the main nuance for a tourist – you cannot enter inside. Therefore, it can only be viewed from the outside in passing. It's best to combine it with a walk along Galle Face Green to take photos of the impressive facade against the sunset.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: can be viewed from outside 24/7, entry inside is prohibited.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the city center on the edge of Colombo Fort at the beginning of Galle Face Promenade (old parliament on Colombo map).

• Old Lighthouse

  

  One of the main attractions in the Fort district is the Old Lighthouse, which served as a guide for passing ships entering the harbor. The lighthouse is a square tower 29 m high. It was built in 1856 but was not fully used for its intended purpose due to the lack of bright light on it. In 1860, a clock appeared on the Lighthouse, and 5 years later (1865) - navigation light lit up. However, with subsequent development of the district and the appearance of high-rise buildings, the lighthouse was absorbed and from 1952 ceased to fulfill its main purpose. In its place, another lighthouse was built - Galle Buck Lighthouse, which is now located 300 m to the west, on the promenade.

  By the way, until 1914, the tower had a clock developed by the same manufacturer as the clock of London's Big Ben. One important feature of the Old Lighthouse is that it is the only lighthouse in the world with a clock.

  Unfortunately, the lighthouse is located in the very center of the district, densely built up with government institutions, so there's not much room to explore here. You can only walk to the lighthouse and photograph it, after which armed people will ask you to leave.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free (climbing inside is not provided).

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 1 (Fort district), at the intersection of Chatham Street and Janadhipathi Mawatha (lighthouse on Colombo map). Be aware that this area is densely built up with government institutions, and movement here is sometimes restricted by police.

• New Lighthouse (Galle Buck Lighthouse)

  

  This lighthouse, as already mentioned, is the successor to the Old Lighthouse and is currently operational. In appearance, it is beautiful and rather resembles a military fortress, and the atmosphere is added by seven covered cannons installed at its base. On Independence Day, celebrated on February 4, symbolic volleys are fired from the cannons. The Lighthouse has no particular historical value, but is an excellent place to watch the sunrise or sunset. Moreover, you will not pass by it if you are heading towards the Sambodhi Chaitiya stupa.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 1 (Fort district), Chatham Street (lighthouse on Colombo map).

• Colombo Lotus Tower and observation deck

  

  Colombo Lotus Tower is the tallest tower in Sri Lanka, offering a panoramic view of Colombo from a height of 250 meters. In clear weather, the observation deck offers views of the city's key districts, including the business Fort and colorful Pettah. However, in our experience, the entrance fee for foreigners is inflated, and besides the observation deck and the "Pixel Bloom" interactive zone inside the tower, there are practically no other entertainments. This place is only suitable for those for whom the view from above is a must-have item on the program and who are willing to overpay. For budget travelers, there are more authentic alternatives. More about Colombo Lotus Tower.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: weekdays 09:00–22:00, weekends 09:00–23:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance for foreigners is paid in local currency equivalent to 20 US dollars at the current exchange rate (approx. 20 USD), children 3-10 years - 10 dollars. Locals pay 850 rupees.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the central part of the city not far from the main Colombo Fort and Pettah districts, near the railway station and bus station (tower on Colombo map).

• Dutch Hospital (The Dutch Hospital)

  

  The Dutch Hospital is one of the historic places in the Fort district that emerged during the period of Dutch influence on the island. Its exact construction date is unknown, but according to some sources, it existed as early as 1732. This hospital served not only local Dutch people, their workers, and employees, but also patients arriving on ships to the shores of Colombo. The building has five blocks, four of which are one-story, united in a rectangular shape and form a spacious inner courtyard. The fifth building faces the inner Hospital Street. The Hospital's structure is solid, with thick walls, wide windows, and verandas. The veranda roofs rest on wide square pillars. In the 20th century, the building was renovated, and today it houses cafes, bars, a crab restaurant, a tea salon, a jewelry and spa salon, and the Odel store. If you stay at a hotel in this area, this will be one of the best places to end your evenings with dinner.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 1 (Fort district), Hospital Street (on Colombo map).

• Dutch Museum (Dutch Period Museum)

  

  The Museum is dedicated to the period of Dutch colonial rule in Sri Lanka from 1658 to 1796. It houses a collection of coins, weapons, household items from that time (furniture, utensils), tombstones from the graves of deceased Dutch people, and historical documents.

  The Museum building is interesting for its history. Originally, it belonged to the Dutch governor Thomas van Rhee. From 1696 to 1796, an institute for training priests and teachers was located here, then - a city shelter, a military hospital. From the second half of the 19th century - barracks, early 20th century - police school, in the 1930s - a post office. Due to necessity, reconstruction was carried out from 1977 to 1981. The official opening day of the Dutch Museum is considered July 10, 1982. Today, the Museum building is lost among shopping streets and has a rather unseemly appearance and an unjustified entrance fee.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: daily, 09:00–16:30

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: adults - 500 rupees (1.51 USD), children - 300 rupees (0.91 USD).

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 11 (Pettah district), Prince Street (museum on Colombo map).

• Colombo Cemetery (Borella Cemetery)

  

  This central Cemetery of Colombo is spread out in the Borella district, although small cemeteries can also be found in other city districts. It is notable for the fact that its territory is conditionally divided into parts according to the religious beliefs of the buried people. Separate places are allocated for the burial of Christians, Buddhists, Hindus. Sometimes you can see rituals of cremation of the deceased, carried out symbolically (without the body). More about Colombo Cemetery and photos.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: daily, until 19.30.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 8 (Borella district), Bauddhaloka Mawatha street (500 m southwest of Cotta Rd railway station) (cemetery on Colombo map).

• Khan Clock Tower

  

  Clock towers are an integral part of urban architecture and daily life in major Sri Lankan cities, and the Khan Clock Tower in Colombo Fort's business quarter is one of them. This historic tower was built in the early 20th century as a memorial to a wealthy merchant's son and today serves primarily as a recognizable landmark rather than a special tourist attraction. It is interesting precisely as a traditional detail of the cityscape, and nothing more. It is located at a busy traffic intersection, you cannot enter inside. It's easiest to catch a glimpse of it on the way to other attractions, for example, on the way to the Pettah district.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located between the two central districts of Fort and Pettah on the traffic circle on Main Street (clock tower on Colombo map).

• New Port City (Port City)

  

  Port City is a new district, you could even say a new city, which has been under construction for several years on artificial land in the center of Colombo next to the port and the Fort district. There are grand plans for this place, that it will become a new attraction for tourists, a modern and clean district with financial companies, shopping malls, hotels, a new beach, and places for pleasant walks. Many of the planned objects have already appeared on maps, but so far in reality, there is only construction and wasteland here. Only one conditional attraction was accessible at the time of our visit – the Friendship pedestrian bridge and the Marina promenade, which offers a beautiful view of Galle Face Green. There is nothing else to do here.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Port City extends the Fort district towards the sea on artificial land (Port City on Colombo map). At the time of our visit, walking around this district among construction sites is only possible on foot; external transport is not allowed in.

• Friendship Bridge

  

  The Friendship Bridge is one of the new attractions in the new Port City district. It is a beautiful modern pedestrian bridge that, according to plans, will be part of a large promenade area along the seashore. But so far, besides a small part of the promenade and the bridge, there is only construction around. In our opinion, a full-fledged district with a promenade area is a prospect for the next 5 or 10 years, so for now we will not recommend visiting the bridge and this district with construction sites as a must-see. But if you have free time, you can come here to take beautiful photos with a view of the city.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located on the territory of the under-construction Port City district (Port City on Colombo map). At the time of our visit, you can only walk here between construction sites on foot; external transport is not allowed.

Temples, mosques

• St. Peter's Church

  

  St. Peter's Church is located in the Fort district and borders the Grand Oriental Hotel on the west side. This building is considered one of the oldest in Colombo, its construction dates back to 1700. Originally, there was a small chapel here, later - the house of a Dutch manager, and in the premises occupied today by the church, various ceremonial events and holidays were held. Since 1821, the building was transferred to the church and, due to its location near the port, was intended mainly for sailors and seafarers. Currently, the church occupies a small room on the first floor. The rest of the place, as funny as it may sound, is occupied by a bar for sailors and a couple more offices. Local workers offer to go up to the second floor of the building for free and look at the port, however, due to nearby buildings and trees, practically nothing is visible.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: daily, 7:00–17:00

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 1 (Fort district), Church Street (on Colombo map). Finding the way to the church is not so easy, as there is a police building and the port next to it, passages are blocked. You need to find the entrance to the Grand Oriental Hotel, and then walk along its building through the passage towards the church. You can ask the staff at the hotel entrance, they will point you in the right direction.

• Wolvendaal Church

  

  Wolvendaal Church is definitely one of the most interesting historical sites in Colombo. It was built on a hill and towered over the surrounding area. Today everything around is built up and it gets lost among numerous buildings, however, inside and on the grounds, the church still preserves the spirit of the past. The name translates from Dutch as "valley of wolves," and not by chance. Jackals really did inhabit here, and the territory itself was outside the Fort district and was not yet developed. The church was built over eight years (1749-1757) and dates back to the Dutch period of the state's development. More about Wolvendaal Church and photos.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: Daily, 9:00-15:30. Now closed for renovation.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free (donations are welcome).

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 13 (Kotahena district), Wolvendaal Lane (church on Colombo map).

• Wolfendhal Jumma Masjid Mosque

  

  Across the street from Wolvendaal Church stands a small, beautiful Jumma Masjid Mosque. The building has two floors, a high minaret rises in the middle, serving as a call to prayer.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: prayer times.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 13 (Kotahena district), Mohamed Zain Mavatha (church on Colombo map).

• Sri Ponnambalam Vanesar Kovil Temple

  

  A beautiful Hindu temple built of gray Indian granite, of unusual architecture and with interesting carvings. Unlike other Hindu temples, it is not as colorful and lavish in its decoration. During the Thai Pongal festival – the harvest festival (January) it becomes the site of corresponding ceremonies with the participation of bulls.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: ceremony times (usually early morning or evening).

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 13 (Kotahena district), Srimath Ramanadan Mawatha street (temple on Colombo map).

• St. Anthony's Church

  

  St. Anthony's Church is located not far from the Sri Ponnambalam Vanesar Hindu Temple, practically across the road. The Church's history is connected with the development of Catholicism in Sri Lanka in the 18th century, when this direction was still under ban. Priests preaching the religion acted at their own risk. However, thanks to the courage and perseverance of one of the priests - Anthony, who erected a wooden cross not far from the promenade and a small chapel, this religious trend was recognized by the local authorities. In 1822, a statue of St. Anthony was installed on the altar, and construction of the large church building began, completed by 1828.

  Today it is not just a church, but a whole complex of several buildings. The interior decoration is luxurious, there are even TVs above the seating areas, many statues of saints, Anthony himself, and Jesus. Many people come to the church, because the church's patron - St. Anthony also helps to return lost or stolen things.

  Unfortunately, photography inside the church is prohibited. Permission to film can only be obtained personally from the rector.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: daily, 5.00-8.30.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 13 (Kotahena district), St Anthony Mawatha (church on Colombo map).

• St. Lucy's Cathedral (St. Lucia Cathedral)

  

  St. Lucy's Cathedral is one of the oldest and largest in Sri Lanka. It houses the residence of the Catholic Archbishop of Sri Lanka. It was built by the Dutch in 1782 on the site of a small chapel. From 1872 to 1902, due to lack of funds, lengthy reconstruction work was carried out on the Church.

  Of interest are the many statues of saints in the inner aisles of the hall, wooden confessionals with carvings, a statue of a dark-skinned Madonna (Our Lady of Kotahena), altars with the ashes of the deceased, a marble font, a large bell weighing 4300kg, and an old organ. On the main altar rises a statue of St. Lucy herself.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: daily, 5.30-12.00 and 14.00-19.00

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 13 (Kotahena district), St. Lucia Street (church on Colombo map).

• Grand Mosque Colombo

  

  The oldest and largest mosque in Sri Lanka. According to some sources, it existed even before the arrival of the Portuguese in the early 16th century. Nothing remains of the original building; it has been rebuilt more than once. Currently, it is the center for managing and conducting affairs of Muslim communities in Sri Lanka.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: prayer times, closed - Friday.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 12 (Kochchikade district), New Moor Street (mosque on Colombo map).

• Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Temple

  

  A Hindu temple dedicated to the gods Shiva and Ganesha. It is considered the largest and oldest among similar temples in Colombo. The colorful towers and interior of the temple are impressive. During the harvest festival - Thai Pongal (January), it becomes a gathering place for large numbers of people and bulls – direct objects of worship. For placing your shoes on special racks, temple attendants will expect a tip from you. More about the temple and photos.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: daily, morning and evening. Even if you come to the temple when it is closed, its attendant may open the doors for you, you just need to ask nicely.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: visit free, photo – 100 rupees, video camera – 250 rupees.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 2 (Slave Island district), in the eastern part of the large Biera Lake, behind the railway station (temple on Colombo map).

• Sri Shiva Subramaniam Swami Kovil (or Arulmihu Sivasubramania Swami Kovil)

  

  A Hindu temple, but despite its religious affiliation, it is a multi-faith temple. Representatives of Buddhism, Christians, and Muslims often come here. They say there is a certain mystical atmosphere here that unites people. The temple was built around 1870. The huge carved tower with many statues crowning the temple is bright and colorful. During periods of religious holidays and Independence Day, it becomes a site of mass pilgrimage. Monthly on full moon days (Poya), alms are distributed to the poor.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: ceremony times.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 2 (Slave Island district), at the intersection of Kew Road with Sri Murugan Street (temple on Colombo map).

• Baptist Church (Cinnamon Gardens Baptist Church)

  

  In the heart of Colombo, in the prestigious Cinnamon Gardens district, is one of the country's main Baptist churches – Cinnamon Gardens Baptist Church (CGBC). This Church dates back to 1813 and has a rich history. It is a unique place with a multinational and multicultural community, where congregants come from all districts of the city and its suburbs. The church is open to all: you can meet Christians of different denominations as well as interested people from all over the world, creating a truly international and friendly atmosphere.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: during the daytime.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 7 (Cinnamon Gardens district), Dharmapala Mawatha street (church on Colombo map).

• Sri Sambodhi Maha Viharaya Temple

  

  About a kilometer east of Viharamahadevi Park is the Buddhist temple Sri Sambodhi Maha Viharaya. Its structure consists of five tiers, has several extensions, and a beautiful inner green courtyard with Buddha figures and a Bodhi tree. This is one of the most interesting temples in Colombo and one of the most important in all of Sri Lanka. More about the temple and photos.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: during the daytime.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 7 (Cinnamon Gardens district), Gregory Road (temple on Colombo map).

• Gotami Vihara Temple

  

  The small Gotami Vihara Temple was built in the early 20th century and is known for its frescoes placed on the interior walls around the perimeter, depicting scenes from the life of Gautama Buddha. The frescoes were painted by the outstanding Sri Lankan artist and poet George Keyt (1901-1993) from 1939-1940. More about Gotami Vihara Temple and photos.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: during the daytime.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 8 (Borella district), Gothami Road (300 m east of Cotta Rd railway station) (temple on Colombo map).

• Vajiraramaya Temple (Siri Vajiraramaya)

  

  Vajiraramaya Temple is a sacred place for every Buddhist. It was built in 1901. Despite its modest size and almost unremarkable appearance, it is today one of the centers of Buddhism. It is believed that the spread of this faith throughout the world originates from here. Across the road, there is another temple, Palaya Kadiresan Temple.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: during the daytime.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 4 (Bambalapitiya district), Vajira Road (temple on Colombo map).

• Isipathanaramaya Temple

  

  Another temple worth attention with a large number of frescoes and paintings depicting various stages of Gautama Buddha's life. Colorful images decorate the walls and ceiling. The temple has beautiful Buddha statues and a large white stupa. It was built in 1915 and has been preserved in its original form since then.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: during the daytime.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 5 (Havelock Town district), Isipathana Mawatha (temple on Colombo map).

Entertainment, museums

• Floating Market in Colombo (Pettah Floating Market)

  

  This is an attempt to create a new tourist and recreation zone in Colombo, but unfortunately, an unsuccessful one. We discovered this market during our trip in 2019, and even included it in our guide as one of the must-visit spots. But the "Covid" period did not spare this place. Although this market is still in place and even operating, it has fallen into complete decline, and now we rather recommend not visiting it at all than visiting it as a must-see as before. More about Colombo Floating Market.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: restaurants on the floating market operate from 8 am until about 11 pm.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free, a simple rice-based meal from 800 rupees (approx. 2.42 USD).

  🚶 How to get there: the floating market is located in the Pettah district a few minutes' walk from Colombo Fort railway station and bus stations (floating market on Colombo map). This is practically the main transport hub of Colombo's city transport, so you can get here by bus from any part of the city.

• Natural History Museum

  

  The Natural History Museum is part of the National Museum and is located in a separate building behind the National Museum building. It has existed since September 23, 1986. Its creation aimed to reflect all stages of Sri Lanka's natural heritage as fully and qualitatively as possible. The Museum's exhibition is somewhat neglected and divided into several sectors. More about the Natural History Museum and photos.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 9:00-17:00. Closed on Monday and official state holidays.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: 700 rupees adult (2.12 USD); combined ticket National Museum + Natural History Museum - 1500 rupees.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the Colombo 7 or Cinnamon Gardens district on the grounds of the National Museum (Natural History Museum on Colombo map).

• National Art Gallery

  

  Next to the National Museum is the Art Gallery. Its exposition contains permanent and temporary exhibitions of works by local artists. To say that the exhibition in the gallery is modest is an understatement. There is only one floor here, and a very small one at that. If you are not a big art lover, you can safely skip this place.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: daily, 9:00-17:00, closed - monthly on full moon Poya days.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 7 (Cinnamon Gardens district) (gallery on Colombo map).

• Street Art Gallery

  

  If you are visiting Viharamadevi Park or the National Museum in Colombo, pay attention to the nearby Street Art Gallery. This is a modest but distinctive art space under the open sky, where local artists display their paintings for sale right on the sidewalk. In our experience, it's not worth making a special trip here due to the lack of infrastructure, but if you're nearby, you can find interesting works here. Don't worry about transportation: the artists will carefully remove the canvas from the stretcher and roll it into a tube so you can easily take your purchase home. More about Street Art Gallery.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: during the daytime.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the Colombo 7 or Cinnamon Gardens district next to Viharamadevi Park on Green Path street (gallery on Colombo map).

• The Victoria Memorial Eye Hospital

  

  A building of such unusual beauty for local architecture is executed in Indo-Saracenic style. Construction of the building began in 1903 and was completed in 1905. The name - The Victoria Memorial was given to it in honor of the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's reign. The Hospital looks very impressive to this day, however, it should be noted that it is not being maintained properly by the local authorities. Today, some treatment units are located within its walls, and the building itself is part of the Colombo National Hospital located behind it.

  There is no point in going inside the hospital unless you have health problems. It is not worth making a special trip here to look at the hospital, but you can view and photograph it if you find yourself in these parts while going to the Odel store or when visiting the Baptist church.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Colombo 10 (Maradana or Panchikawatte district), at the intersection of Perera Mawatha and Ward Place (on Colombo map).

• Dewatagaha Mosque

  

  While walking through Colombo in the Viharamahadevi Park area, pay attention to the Dewatagaha Mosque – a unique architectural monument and the second most important mosque in Colombo, whose history spans about 150 years. The foundation of the mosque is surrounded by an amazing legend about a saint who helped a poor woman, and it was built precisely on the site of this miracle. Our research confirms that this place attracts not only spiritual purity but also its noticeable architecture with characteristic Galle features, elegant minarets, and famous calligraphic works.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: prayer times.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free, but you will be very persistently asked for donations.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the central part of Colombo near Viharamahadevi Park, belongs to Colombo 10 district (Maradana or Panchikawatte), C WW Kannangara Mawatha street, (on Colombo map).

• Money Museum

  

  If you plan to exchange currency in the Colombo Fort area, combine it with a visit to the Sri Lanka Money Museum – a lesser-known but interesting place. Based on our personal experience, this is often where you can find a favorable rate, and the museum itself with absolutely free entry offers an extensive exhibition on the history of the country's money. It's probably not worth making a special trip here from other parts of the city, but if you are nearby, drop in – it will give you an informative understanding of the island's economy. Keep in mind that the museum may have a lunch break, which is better to check in advance. More about Sri Lanka Money Museum.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 09:00 to 16:00, lunch 13:15 to 14:15, Saturday and Sunday - closed.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the very center of the city in the financial and tourist district of Colombo Fort on Chatham Street, known as one of the best places in the entire country for currency exchange (museum on Colombo map).

• Colombo Zoo Dehiwala Zoological Gardens

  

  This is one of the few places in Colombo where you can go with children. True, you will have to pay a lot for the pleasure of visiting it, especially if you are a foreign tourist, as prices are 20 times higher compared to tickets for local residents. There are many animals here, an elephant show is held at 16:30. But the general impression may be spoiled by the condition of some enclosures. We recommend considering this zoo as an option only if you have exhausted all the main ideas for leisure in the city. More about Dehiwala Zoological Gardens.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: daily without days off 08:30–17:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance for foreigners 17 US dollars (5626 rupees, see Sri Lanka currency and exchange rate), payment in local currency at the current rate. Locals pay 300 rupees.

  🚶 How to get there: located far from the center in the Mount Lavinia district (zoo on Colombo map). It is 10 kilometers from the central Fort district, a trip by tuk-tuk will cost from 800 rupees, by car taxi 1000 rupees.

• Casino in Colombo

  

  Casinos in Colombo are one of the few entertainment places in the city that even tourists from remote Sri Lankan resorts come to. If you're looking for somewhere to go in the evening, the casino is one of the few options for spending time in Colombo. But don't expect special glamour or glitter from them. There are several establishments here, among which the most famous are Bally's, Bellagio, and Marina. Inside are classic gambling entertainments: slot machines, roulette, and card tables. Registration by passport is mandatory upon entry, so don't forget to take this document with you, otherwise they simply won't let you in. Inside everything is quite simple and without pretensions to luxury, which corresponds to the general Sri Lankan reality. What's cool is that you can even come here with children, so it's more of a casual pastime than elite recreation.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: there are several casinos in Colombo, all located in the central part of the city. It's easiest to find the nearest one to you on maps and call a taxi or tuk-tuk there.