Colombo, Sri Lanka: 12 Unmissable Things To Do

Our Favorite Places to Visit in Colombo

1. Red Mosque (Jami Ul-Alfar)

The Red Mosque is our favorite thing to do in Colombo! The candy red-and-white-striped facade is so unusual for a mosque and breathtaking to see up close (even if the zig-zag patterns did make us a little dizzy!). 

Jami Ul-Alfar is one of the oldest mosques in the city and forms an integral part of Islamic Indian history in the country. It’s situated in the bustling streets close to Pettah Market (yes, be prepared for a very hectic street, haha). We visited inside, but you can just wander around the building to see its facade.

Important Information:

• Opening times: Daily, except Fridays. We entered through gate number 3 between 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM. However, it closes during prayer times, so check before your visit.
• Entry fee: Free, but please leave a donation!
• What to wear: Modest clothing is required. We were given a robe to wear over our clothes before entering.
• Best time: Visit for around 30 minutes first thing in the morning, before it gets too hot.
• Our experience: We visited twice and were lucky enough to find someone in the mosque who allowed us to view the rooftop (see the photo below). But this area is not always accessible.

2. Pettah Market

Pettah Market gave us the best glimpse into Sri Lanka’s culture in those first few days of our visit. It is an absolutely hectic place of smells and sounds, but go in with an open mind and a smile, and we can assure you you’ll meet some beautiful souls!

Vendors sell everything from electrical items and jewelry to fresh fruit and spicy snacks. Each ‘street’ is known for a different product, so get lost in the ‘maze’, and find some treasures! It’s open every day (except Sunday) from 9 AM to 7 PM, but we recommend coming as early as possible to beat the crowds and the heat.

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3. Souvenir Shopping at Barefoot

If you’re looking for beautiful souvenirs that actually feel special (instead of the usual mass-produced bits), make time for Barefoot. This iconic Colombo store is known for its colorful handwoven textiles, notebooks, toys, and homeware; all designed in Sri Lanka.

4. Gangaramaya Temple

This cute little temple on Beira Lake deserves a quick stop. We got tickets to visit the small museum inside, which has many interesting artifacts, like ancient coins and vintage cars. There’s even a taxidermied elephant (one that used to live inside the temple grounds!).

Opening Times and Entry Fee: 400 LKR/1.50 USD to visit the shrine, museum, and outdoor area where you’ll find all the Buddha statues along the lakeside. We also paid a small fee for some shoes at the entrance.

5. Colombo Lotus Tower

One of the most popular things to do in Colombo is to visit the Lotus Tower. The 351-meter-high tower, shaped as a lotus flower, is the tallest building in Sri Lanka. We took the elevator to the top for the 360-degree panoramic views!

A tourist pass costs 20 USD for a single entry to the observation deck. We do think this is a little pricy, but worth it for the sunset views. Get there a bit earlier to grab a good spot.

6. Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar Kovil

We found this pretty Hindu Temple, and it felt like a little oasis in the busy city. There’s a beautiful, almost magical interior, with just a tiny bit of daylight, and incense smoke perfuming the air.

We had a man come up to us, interested in who we are and wanting to explain their daily rituals! Please note that we weren’t allowed to take our camera inside, so we took some photos on our phones.

It’s free entry, but donations are welcome. Before entering the grounds of the complex, we were asked to remove our shoes. Also, make sure to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, as you won’t be allowed to enter otherwise. They don’t provide free sarongs here, so come prepared.

7. Galle Face Green

Galle Face Green feels like an authentic taste of local life. We took a walk down the lively seaside promenade at sunset, watching children fly kites and groups of friends play cricket. Top tip: Bring some cash, so you can buy some street food from the vendors here.

Weekends are the liveliest time to visit Galle Face Green. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, visit on a weekday. 

8. Food Tour

We joined this food tour to learn all about local dishes ahead of the rest of our trip. Some of our favorites were Isso Wade (delicious prawn fritters) and Pol Smabol (a spicy coconut relish).

Tip: As much as we want to handle Sri Lankan spice, our Dutch bodies don’t always agree 😂 Luckily, most places are happy to adjust the spice level if you ask.

9. Dutch Hospital Precinct

One of the oldest colonial buildings in Colombo is the Dutch Hospital Precinct, which is now a complex of restaurants and boutiques. We really enjoyed getting dinner and drinks here (special mention for the Ministry of Crab, which serves fresh Sri Lankan Lagoon Crab. Reserve your table in advance). 

10. Relax in the Pretty Parks

The hot tropical weather in Colombo can make exploring pretty tiring! We once visited in May, and it was a horror to be in the city, haha. Between sights, we cooled off in some of the city’s leafy parks.

• Diyatha Uyuna Park: Set alongside Diyawanna Lake near Parliament, this park is a bit farther out, so we had to take a tuk-tuk. At the weekend, there’s also a food market!
• Viharamahadevi Park: The most central, conveniently located next to the Colombo National Museum. Home to lovely walking paths, shady trees, and tropical birds.

Tip: In Viharamahadevi Park, there’s a man pretending to be the gardener. We recommend ignoring him as he’s just after your money.

11. Lavinia Beach

Although Colombo isn’t known for its beaches, we visited a pretty one called Lavinia Beach, just 30 minutes by train from Colombo (book your tickets here). It isn’t the best beach we’ve seen in Sri Lanka, but it has clean yellow sand, palm trees, and lovely blue water for swimming. 

 Tip: After our dip, we had sundowners at Mount Lavinia Hotel, which has a stunning roof terrace.

12. Sunset Drinks

Whichever city we go to, we always look for a great rooftop bar; it’s the best place to get a bird’s eye view of the place we’re visiting. 

Colombo is a unique place to see from above, as you have a mix of modern high-rises, old colonial buildings, and the sea in the distance. Some of our favorites are:

• Cloud Red Cinnamon
• Virticle by Jetwing
• Kingsbury Sky Lounge

Note: In Colombo, it’s common to have happy hour from 5-7, where you’ll get deals on drinks.

13. Colombo National Museum

We’re not big museum people, but as this is the country’s largest museum, we felt it was worth a quick look! There are some fascinating exhibits where we learnt a lot about the various colonial periods, and afterwards we enjoyed the pleasant gardens outside.

Entry fee: LKR 1,200/4 USD. Please note that if you’d like to take photos, you must buy a special permit.

Where to Eat

Sri Lankan food is delicious and cheap! Even in major cities like Colombo, we had meals in upscale restaurants for around 10-15 USD each, with street food costing next to nothing. Here are some of our favorites:

How Many Days in Colombo?

One day in Colombo is enough to see most of the top things to do, plus it’s a good place to start your Sri Lanka itinerary. Most trains leave from Colombo Fort to popular destinations like Kandy (book your tickets here) or Galle Fort (see train tickets here).

How to Visit

The international airport is in Negombo, which is 50 minutes from Colombo. It’s very easy to get there, though; we recommend booking a private driver or using ride apps like PickMe or Uber.

Getting Around

Once you’re in Colombo, you can walk to most of the top sights. We occasionally used the apps mentioned above to book a tuk-tuk or taxi. We recommend these ones as you have a set price (no surprises). 

Book a local driver or tour Contact our friend Indi in Sri Lanka. We've had an amazing time with him and we're sure you'll love it too!

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Budget for Colombo

Although Colombo is a major city, it still has relatively low prices. You can stay in beautiful hotels and eat at very nice restaurants for a fraction of the price you would pay in Europe. 

Note: We always carried cash (Sri Lankan Rupees), as card isn’t always accepted at markets and in tuk-tuks. Remember to budget for your Sri Lanka Visa before your trip, too. 

Best Time to Visit

We’ve visited at different times of the year, but it’s generally always tropical and humid in Colombo. The driest season is December to March, which is a beautiful but busy time to visit.

If you visit Colombo during the rainy season, you can still have a really enjoyable time, as it often rains for only an hour or two a day. Plus, prices will be lower! However, the beach can sometimes be dirtier due to rough waves.