Top things to do in Colombo
Attractions, tours and activities in Colombo
About Colombo
Including tips for the best time to visit Colombo
Colombo’s eclectic mix of cultural offerings makes it one of the most diverse and interesting places to visit in Sri Lanka. As the country’s commercial and financial capital, the seaside city offers a wide range of things to do, and its tropical climate makes it pleasant to visit any time of year.
You’ll find a unique blend of religious architecture in Colombo, with mosques, Buddhist temples and churches dotted throughout the city. Eye-catching offerings include the Red Mosque, Gangarama Temple and St. Anthony’s Shrine. Other famous sites include the century-old Khan Clock Tower and the World Trade Centre – the country’s tallest building at 152 metres high.
Colombo’s street-food scene offers a real treat for your taste buds, with many vendors operating in the waterfront urban park of Galle Face Green. Try some kottu roti, a classic Sri Lankan snack of shredded flatbread mixed with vegetables, meat, eggs and fragrant spices. Other popular dishes include isso-wadey (prawn-filled fritters) and bowl-shaped crepes known as ‘hoppers’.
Colombo’s retail options range from trinket-filled markets to upscale shopping malls. Pettah Market – Sri Lanka’s biggest market – is a great place to soak up the hustle and bustle of this energetic city. Pick up a box of local Ceylon tea to take home, browse electronic accessories or fill your basket with fresh fruit and vegetables. For a more relaxed shopping experience, you can explore the Dutch Hospital precinct. Each street is arranged according to specialities, such as jewellery and clothes.
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| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | US$10 = £7.52 |
| Language | |
| Average weekend price | £57 per night |
| Average weekday price | £55 per night |
| Typical stay | 1 night |
Colombo reviews
What other travellers say about Colombo
Colombo the capital where i arrived, has major shopping mall...
5 May 2025
Colombo the capital where i arrived, has major shopping mall , 360 moving restaurant in LOTUS TOWER worth visiting and evening dinner RS9000 percperson Downtown main street for shopping local dresses cheapest in SL One Gall Face for all kind of shops and basement with food court
1 Day in Colombo is ok.
29 April 2025
1 Day in Colombo is ok. We didn't like our 2 days trip in Colombo. However, We had an amazing 10 days in Sri Lanka, exploring Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Mirissa, Galle, and Bentota—every place was beautiful, and the hospitality at all the hotels was outstanding. People in other cities are amazing, but in Colombo it was totally opposite. I would recommend to start your tour from kandy or sigriya and visit all above places and finish the tour with 1 day stay in Colombo.
Half a day in Colombo is enough for sightseeing.
8 April 2025
Half a day in Colombo is enough for sightseeing. The Red Mosque's visiting hours are around 1:30 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Also, the Lotus Tower's elevator fee seems quite expensive, and it's not worth it. One negative point is that at some tourist spots, there are people who try to take you around for sightseeing. Be careful and don't trust them, as they might ask for a lot of money later, even though they initially say they don't want anything and just want to accompany you. The area near Galle Face is nice for a relaxed evening stroll if you have some free time.
Colombo is a vibrant well located city on the coast with...
31 March 2025
Colombo is a vibrant well located city on the coast with some very good restaurants (Gini and Gallery Cafe) and shops (Paradise road and Urban Island). It is perhaps a little spread out for sightseeing on foot.
Colombo is a busy capital city and, from that point of view,...
18 March 2025
Colombo is a busy capital city and, from that point of view, is what was expected. I am not a great 'city' fan, preferring rural tranquility. However, Colombo definitely has places worth seeing.
Colombo is just a nondescript chaotic polluted South Asian...
16 March 2025
Colombo is just a nondescript chaotic polluted South Asian city. Skip it and go directly from airport to the other truly special destinations in Sri Lanka. At the end of your holiday, get a car and driver to drop you directly at the airport. The expressway actually goes to the airport, bypassing Colombo!
Popular places to stay in Colombo
Stay in some of the best accommodation Colombo has to offer
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Sati CityZen Apartment Colombo Colombo, Sri Lanka
From £192 per night
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Tri-Zen Apartment, Tower 02, 38F, A3 & A5 Colombo, Sri Lanka
From £48 per night
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Celestara Luxury Colombo Apartment at Trizen with Pool, City View Colombo, Sri Lanka
From £92 per night
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La Maison de Colombo Colombo, Sri Lanka
From £135 per night
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Urban Oasis, Tri-Zen Luxury Apartment in Central Colombo Colombo, Sri Lanka
From £59 per night
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Other accommodation in Colombo
Choose from a wide variety of places to stay in Colombo
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Apartments
From £27 per night
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Resorts
From £282 per night
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Villas
From £83 per night
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Cottages
From £41 per night
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Serviced apartments
From £30 per night
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Holiday homes
From £41 per night
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Guest houses
From £8 per night
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Hostels
From £5 per night
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B&Bs
From £11 per night
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Homestays
From £19 per night
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Self catering accommodation
From £5 per night
