Things to do in Colombo

Colombo · 1.9km from downtown

213 reviews

Colombo National Museum is the national museum of Sri Lanka. Opened in 1877, it houses tens of thousands of artifacts and is an ideal place to quickly understand the history of this island. The museum is housed in a two-story, Italian-style white building. With its arched colonnades and a large lawn in front, the white facade is very photogenic. The first floor is arranged chronologically, while the second floor is organized by theme, showcasing everything from prehistoric stone tools to the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa periods, and finally the Kingdom of Kandy. The museum library also houses thousands of palm-leaf manuscripts, offering a window into the literary heritage of ancient Sri Lanka.

No. 4 of Night Attractions in Sri Lanka

Independence Square

5.4

Colombo · 2.6km from downtown

239 reviews

Independence Square is located to the east of the University of Colombo, an iconic cultural square and the site where the Sri Lanka independence ceremony was held on February 4, 1948. Looking around here, the distant The White Palace is faintly visible. Many young people rest and read here, making it a great place to find comfort and quiet. Independence Square’s central Independence Memorial Hall was built in imitation of the audience hall used during the Kandy Dynasty. The green lawns surrounding the square set off the Independence Memorial Hall, which is surrounded by stone-carved lions, and there is a statue of D.S. Senanayake on the back of the memorial hall.

No. 13 of Best Things to Do in Sri Lanka

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque

5.2

Colombo · 1.6km from downtown

80 reviews

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque is located near Pettah Market. Construction began in 1908 and was completed the following year. Due to its striking red and white striped exterior walls, it is colloquially known by locals as the "Red Mosque" and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Colombo. It is said that in the days before high-rise buildings emerged around the harbor, sailors entering the port often used it to identify the port of Colombo. The entire building is a two-story structure made of red and white bricks, with stripes, domes, minarets, and a clock tower stacked in layers. Stylistically, it belongs to the Indo-Saracenic style, blending Indian Islamic and indigenous Indian architectural traditions, with Gothic Revival and Neoclassical elements.

No. 5 of Night Attractions in Sri Lanka

Galle Face Green

4.7

Colombo · 1.8km from downtown

112 reviews

Galle Face Green is a scenic seaside promenade located in the heart of Colombo's financial and business district. Stretching for half a km along the Indian Ocean coast, it is a great place to watch the sunset. The surrounding area has a strong commercial atmosphere and is rich in activities. 1. Coastal scenery Strolling along this promenade with the sea breeze and the sound of waves, you have the Indian Ocean view on one side and the modern cityscape of Colombo on the other—it's truly delightful. In the evening, this is also a great spot to enjoy the sunset. Below the seawall is a narrow strip of beach; while not the cleanest, it's still a good place for playing in the water. There is an observation deck in the middle of the square where you can get up close to the sea. 2. Activities nearby There is a flag-lowering ceremony on the square every evening at 6:00 PM, which is quite spectacular and worth seeing. Additionally, there is a night market near the beach in the evening where you will see many barbecue stalls. The grilled fish is a pleasant surprise, and various traditional Sri Lankan foods are gathered here. It becomes very lively and bustling at night. Furthermore, because it is close to the Independence Palace, the Independence Day military parade has also been held here in recent years. 3. History of the square During the Dutch colonial period, this area was used as a breakwater and fort. In 1859, the then-Governor of British Ceylon developed this green space for use as a horse racing track and golf course. Today, Galle Face Green has become a popular local leisure spot, where you can often see locals jogging, walking, and flying kites, and even couples enjoying romantic moments.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Colombo

BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall)

BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall)

4.4

Colombo · 3.1km from downtown

140 reviews

BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall) is located in the heart of the Pettah district in Colombo. With its magnificent and spectacular architecture, it is one of the city's iconic landmarks. The building was a project provided as free aid by the government of China to Sri Lanka. Since its completion 30 years ago, it has played an important role in the social life of Sri Lanka. The entire building is well-equipped, with a 16,000-square-foot conference hall, 400 telephone lines, and a newly built library that showcase its grandeur. The building features an octagonal floor plan, an outer corridor composed of 48 snow-white marble columns, large overhanging eaves, and openwork lattice exterior walls. It is light and airy, rich in tropical architectural style and local characteristics. Since its completion and opening over 30 years ago, it has played an important role in the social life of Sri Lanka. In 1964, China decided to provide free aid to build an international conference hall for Sri Lanka. It was completed in May 1973. Since its completion and opening over 30 years ago, it has played an important role in the social life of Sri Lanka, with a status equivalent to that ofThe Great Hall of the Peoplein China. It is hailed as "a symbol of Sri Lanka-China friendship and a pearl of Sri Lanka." Opposite it stands the Embassy of China in Sri Lanka, highlighting its political significance. The two buildings complement each other, symbolizing the close unity between the people of China and Sri Lanka.

Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte · 2.4km from downtown

Diyatha Uyana Park

4.4

5.0/5

1 reviews

Diyatha Uyana Park is famous for its beautiful lakes and tree-lined walking trails. The park offers numerous recreational facilities, such as pavilions, dining areas, and a children's playground, making it an ideal place for relaxation.

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Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya

4.3

Gampaha · 6.9km from Colombo

17 reviews

Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, located in Kelaniya, 10 km northeast of Colombo. The temple features a stupa and a main hall, with plain white walls, and steps in front of the archway leading to the opposite side of the river. There is a small stupa on the other side of the river. Legend has it that the Buddha gifted his robe to the King of Kelaniya, and it was enshrined within the stupa when it was built. The small stupa is also part of the temple. The interior of the hall is magnificent, with numerous Buddha statues.

Colombo · 321m from downtown

Colombo Lotus Tower

4.2

5.0/5

1 reviews

Colombo Lotus Tower is an iconic, multiuse tall tower in Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka, located on the scenic shores of Beira Lake and is one of the country’s most symbolic landmarks. Its lotus-inspired design draws on the flower’s cultural association with purity and prosperity in Sri Lanka, and the tower’s form both reflects this symbolism and creates a distinctive visual focal point on Colombo’s skyline. The tower stands at approximately 350m, making it one of the tallest freestanding towers in Southern Asia and a well-known skyscraper in Asia and worldwide. More than a broadcasting and communications hub, the tower also houses a range of tourist and leisure facilities, including observation decks, a rotating restaurant, banquet halls, and premium rooms. From the open observation platform at about 244m, visitors can look out over Colombo, the nearby coastline, and the city’s green spaces, with views that are especially striking at sunset and at night. In addition, the rotating restaurant completes one full rotation every 90 minutes, allowing diners to slowly take in the cityscape while enjoying their meal.

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Colombo

Colombo Dehiwala Zoological Gardens

4.2

Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia · 3km from downtown

52 reviews

The Colombo Zoo, also known as the Dehiwela Zoo, is located in South Colombo. It is Sri Lanka's national zoo and one of the largest zoos in the country. It houses over 3,000 animals from around the world, representing 350 species, with a predominance of tropical animals. The zoo is shaded by lush greenery and vibrant flowers. The zoo features an aquarium, a bird enclosure, a reptile house, a butterfly garden, and an elephant enclosure. The zoo's biggest difference from other zoos is the sheer variety of animals, including 110 species and over 1,000 birds. There are also hundreds of butterflies from over 30 species. 2. Butterfly Garden For butterfly enthusiasts, there's a dedicated butterfly garden. Through the glass windows, you can see the garden's shrubs and flowers. Colorful butterflies flutter among the blossoms, or rest among them, creating a truly captivating sight. 3. A Variety of Performances The zoo features elephant and seal performances, each open daily at 4:30 PM. The elephant show begins at 4:00 PM, while the seal show begins at 4:00 PM. Visitors can also ride elephants (unlike other zoos) or on horseback to see gorillas, African lions, Indian tigers, peacocks, and other exotic animals and aquatic life. This activity runs from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM on weekends.

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Colombo

Gangaramaya Temple

4.1

Colombo · 1.3km from downtown

84 reviews

The Gangarama Temple has a history of more than 120 years. It is a group of finely carved buildings that integrate the architectural features of Sri Lanka, Thailand, India and China. The entrance of the temple is quite shocking, with two statues of Guan Gong playing with a big sword and a live baby elephant next to them. 1. Rich collections The Buddha statues in the temple bring together Buddha statues from various Asian countries. The interior space of the temple is not large. Several rooms are connected together, full of various treasures. There are hundreds or thousands of Buddha statues of all sizes, with different expressions and strange postures. In fact, before 760 AD, Sri Lanka maintained frequent trade exchanges with the Mediterranean region and China, and sent envoys to China during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty. There is a museum in the main hall, which houses several tall Buddha statues and several huge ivory tusks, as well as Arhat relics, jewelry, currencies of various countries, old radios, watches, pure gold and ivory instruments, and some Buddha statues from Japan, Thailand and other places. The Buddha statues are exquisitely carved, and being in them is shocking. 2. Precious collections It is said that among all the collections, the most precious is a lock of hair from the Buddha, which is usually locked in a safe and is not seen by ordinary people.

No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Colombo

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Free things to do in Colombo

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque

5.2

Colombo · 1.6km from downtown

80 reviews

Galle Face Green

4.7

Colombo · 1.8km from downtown

112 reviews

BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall)

4.4

Colombo · 3.1km from downtown

140 reviews

Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya

4.3

Gampaha · 6.9km from Colombo

17 reviews

Viharamahadevi Park

4.1

Colombo · 1.4km from downtown

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3.6

Colombo · 1.8km from downtown

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Colombo · 1.9km from downtown

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3.5

3.5/5

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Colombo · 2.3km from downtown

Mount Lavinia Beach.

3.4