Top Colombo activities
Explore by category
Top Colombo landmarks
Top Colombo landmarks
Top Colombo landmark tickets
Beyond Colombo
Tours in nearby places
Explore Sri Lanka tours
Tours in similar places
Colombo trip ideas
Colombo is Sri Lanka’s capital and gateway, a jumble of high-rises, colonial-era buildings, markets, temples, and frenzied traffic hemming the Indian Ocean. The best things to do in Colombo are hidden in its patchwork of districts, but they’re worth finding. Explore landmarks like the lakeside Gangaramaya Temple and Independence Square, souvenir-scout in malls and cobbled precincts, and sip tea beside wave-lashed Galle Face Green. Colombo’s spicy cuisine is laid bare during cooking classes and street food tours, while UNESCO-listed Kandy, Galle, and Sigiriya Rock are day trips away.
The city enjoys its mildest and driest weather November–April. The sun-seeking crowds arrive in January when temperatures average 81°F (27°C). This peak season also unfurls colorful festivals, from January’s Durthu Perahera parades in the capital’s Kelaniya district to the drum-and-dance processions of February’s Navam Perahera. May-October brings high temperatures and the monsoon, but visiting in July—September, when the rains subside a little and visitors are relatively low, is a tradeoff to consider.
Taxis, tuk-tuks, and private, chauffeur-driven tours are your best bets for exploring Colombo, as using its crowded buses, renting a self-drive car, and walking in the heat can be arduous. Cabs can be easily hired at hotels, the roadside, or via ride-hailing apps, and the city’s tuk-tuks are great for zipping between the sights. Alternatively, book a private sightseeing tour or a private car and driver: They’re reliable and surprisingly affordable.
A 15-minute cab ride from Galle Face Green along the Galle Road is Barefoot, a homeware shop and garden café popular with Colombo’s in-the-know locals and visitors. Take a break from sightseeing to pick up perfect take-homes like rainbow-colored table mats and silky, geometrically patterned sarongs. Finish with lunch and a zingy lime-and-lemongrass juice in the shaded café courtyard—the perfect antidote to the Galle Road’s traffic and heat.
Attractions 6 | Tours 2,541 | Reviews 6,148 |
Sri Lanka’s capital doesn’t have standout landmarks—but is known for its colonial architecture, gardens, and museums, most of them hidden away in its traffic-rammed streets. Explore the city to find faded but handsome British-era buildings, the atmospheric Pettah Market, buzzing Galle Face Green, and museums, temples, and wave-lashed beaches.
...MoreStart by exploring Colombo’s colonial past at 19th-century landmarks such as the General Post Office and Old Lighthouse Clock Tower. Then, explore the Buddhist Gangaramaya Temple and see the kite-flying at Galle Face Green. Finally, follow Galle Road south for arty shops and a seafood curry at Mount Lavinia beach.
...MoreColombo’s center brims with elegant colonial buildings such as the President’s House, Old Parliament Building, and arcaded Cargills store—all worth seeing. Other attractions ripple outward, from the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque to Colombo National Museum, lakeside Gangaramaya Temple, and Galle Road’s vibrant shops, hotels, and beaches.
...MoreOne day is ideal for discovering Colombo’s sights and shopping and food scenes. Admire its colonial architecture, temples, and parks in the morning before souvenir-hunting at its modern malls and handicraft shops. Come evening, scout the food stalls on Galle Face Green, and dine at one of Colombo’s stylish hotels.
...MoreBe sure to connect with the true Colombo—the one residents love. Trace the Galle Road to the early 19th-century Mount Lavinia Hotel and lounge on its neighboring beaches. Then, take an evening stroll along the seafront Galle Face Green, hitting its food stands and savoring barbecued chicken while watching the sunset.
...MoreColombo is considered largely safe for travelers, but be aware that there is a risk of terrorism and political unrest. Instances of street theft are not uncommon, and harassment of women does happen. Consequently, it’s wise to be vigilant, protect personal valuables, and for women to avoid walking alone.
...More