Things to do in Colombo

Activities, attractions and tours

Colombo showing heritage elements and a sunset
Colombo showing heritage elements and a sunset
Colombo which includes a coastal town and a sporting event as well as a large group of people
Colombo which includes a beach as well as a couple
Colombo featuring general coastal views, a sunset and a coastal town
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Most popular experiences in Colombo

Tours & day trips

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Udawalawe National Park Half Day Jeep Safari (Private Tour)

Udawalawe National Park Half Day Jeep Safari (Private Tour)

Activity duration is 4 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 312 per adult*
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Food, drink & nightlife

See all 88 activities
Sri Lanka Sightseeing Tour by Car with Driver.

Sri Lanka Sightseeing Tour by Car with Driver.

Activity duration is 1 day
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 316 per traveller*
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Water activities

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Galle and Bentota Day-Tour From Colombo

Galle and Bentota Day-Tour From Colombo

Activity duration is 12 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 355 per adult*
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Classes & workshops

See all 14 activities
Sri Lanka Sightseeing Tour by Car with Driver.

Sri Lanka Sightseeing Tour by Car with Driver.

Activity duration is 1 day
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 316 per traveller*
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Shopping & fashion

See all 10 activities
Shore excursion Colombo: City Sightseeing Tour by Tuk-Tuk

Shore excursion Colombo: City Sightseeing Tour by Tuk-Tuk

Activity duration is 3 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 158 per adult
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What to do in Colombo

Popular places to visit

Beautiful Colombo city buildings and skyline in Sri Lanka

Colombo City Centre

You can do some window-shopping at Colombo City Centre during your trip to Colombo 02.

Colombo City Centre
#Reflections...the sunset reflection on the ocean was really something!

Galle Face Green

After visiting Galle Face Green, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Colombo 03. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Galle Face Green
Gopuram tower of Hindu Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Pettah Market

You can search for that perfect souvenir at Pettah Market during your trip to Colombo. Stroll along the area's seaside or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

Pettah Market
Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall

Find out about the history of Colombo 07 with a stop at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. Amble around this culturally rich area's seaside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall
Hong Kong Waffles now available at One Galle Face Mall, WAFL Sri Lanka doing a great job and glad to see more and more foreign brands opening up in the Mall. Located LG at One Galle Face In the picture is a Nutella and KitKat Waffle which was priced at 1180/- LKR #trover #whatshot #foodies #troverfoodies #waffles #eeeeats

One Galle Face

You can search for that perfect souvenir at One Galle Face during your stay in Colombo 03.

One Galle Face
Nice surronding within Colombo

Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct

You can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct during your visit to Colombo. Wander the area's seaside or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct
Gangaramaya temple is situated just 1km away from the heart of Colombo. I highly recommend you to visit this place if you find yourself in Sri Lanka. You will witness thousands of temples while you are traveling around Sri Lanka. All those temples are influenced by Theravada. But, Gangaramaya temple is influenced by a mixture of Theravada and Mahayana and it's really a nice place.

Gangaramaya Temple

After visiting Gangaramaya Temple, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Colombo 02. Wander through the seaside and beautiful beaches in this culturally rich area.

Gangaramaya Temple

R. Premadasa Stadium

Catch an event at R. Premadasa Stadium during your trip to Colombo 10. Stroll along the beautiful beaches in this culturally rich area or visit its top-notch restaurants.

R. Premadasa Stadium

Nawaloka Hospital

If Nawaloka Hospital is what brings you to town, hopefully you'll have a chance to explore more of Colombo 02.

Nawaloka Hospital

Areas of Colombo

Aerial top down view of the streets of Wellawatta district in Colombo city, Sri Lanka.

Wellawatte

4/5(23 area reviews)

Visitors to Wellawatte enjoy its beaches, and if you want to do some exploring, Havelock City Mall is worth a stop.

Wellawatte
Old Galle Buck Lighthouse in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Fort

4/5(36 area reviews)

Fort is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct and Pettah Market.

Fort
Colombo cityscape with view of Beira Lake surrounded by ny large businesses, condos and Lotus Tower

Kollupitiya

While visiting Kollupitiya, you might make a stop by sights like High Commission of India and Casino Marina Colombo.

Kollupitiya
Colombo late afternoon, with views of Kollupitiya and Bambalapitiya suburbs and Laccadive Sea

Bambalapitiya

While Bambalapitiya isn't home to many top sights, Majestic City and Marino Mall are some notable places to visit nearby.

Bambalapitiya
#Reflections...the sunset reflection on the ocean was really something!

Kompannaweediya

If you're spending some time in Kompannaweediya, One Galle Face and Galle Face Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Kompannaweediya
Independence Memorial or Commemoration Hall at Independence Square in the Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo, for commemoration of the independence from the British rule.

Cinnamon Gardens

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the museums and gardens in Cinnamon Gardens. You might want to make time for a stop at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre or Colombo Town Hall.

Cinnamon Gardens
This beauty named Thermopylae Sierra sunk in the heart of Indian Ocean, on the coast of Colombo in year 2012. It's been one of the favorite spot for Sea Diving enthusiasts. #LifeAtExpedia

Mount Lavinia

The fishing boats in Hamilton's Canal, Wattala, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Wattala

Seema Malaka temple. Panorama

Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte

7 miles from the city center, Kelaniya temple offers a beautiful temple, a huge stupa and this magnificent bodhi tree. Admission is by donation and you should leave your shoes with one of the vendors before entering the complex. Tip: walking out the back of the complex allows you to get a photo of both the temple and stupa together.

Peliyagoda

Frequently asked questions

Is Colombo worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Colombo is visit Galle Face Beach. Check this top sight off your to-do list, then discover more of this area's walking trails and coastal beaches.
How do I spend a day in Colombo?
Galle Face Beach and High Commission of India are two awesome places to kick-start your getaway adventures. Be sure to explore the retail and dining options in Colombo while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Colombo?
Galle Face Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Colombo and should be high on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Colombo?
Three days will give you time to tick off popular city attractions, such as Galle Face Beach, High Commission of India and Dehiwala Zoological Garden. The average stay in Colombo is three days. If you have the urge to extend your trip, Western Province isn't far away.
Is Colombo a walkable city?
With vibrant neighbourhoods and major attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Colombo is a great place to visit on foot. Wander between Galle Face Beach and High Commission of India. Then take a stroll around Colombo 03, located 3 kilometres from the centre, and Thimbirigasyaya, which is roughly 3 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Colombo with kids?
If you are after tours and attractions for all of your group, here are some great ideas for what to do in Colombo with kids.

What to do in Colombo for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food connoisseur or outdoor adventurer, there are plenty of things to do in Colombo for adults including Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall and Sri Lanka Tennis Association.
Are there free things to do in Colombo?
One of the best ways to discover free things to do in Colombo is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider advice on exciting neighbourhoods, parks and other hotspots you can enjoy without opening your wallet. Galle Face Beach is one place that doesn't charge an entrance fee.

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