Displaying the history, culture, and nature of Sri Lanka in a nutshell, the two national museums stand close to each other on the same premises for easy access. The ecofacts and artifacts stored and preserved in these museums make it easier for you to explore the cultural triangle and the other locations and attractions.
This temple is more than a usual Buddhist temple; it has its own mini museum, unique architecture, and many statues and halls to explore. Its location near the Beira Lake makes it a fascinating place for photographs. This is one of the popular places Sri Lankans choose to take their wedding pictures, dressed in Kandyan attire.
This area is full of colorful chaos. The small boutiques lined up in narrow passages, create a wonderful place to explore different types of food and other goods for highly competitive prices. You can put your bargaining skills to the test while shopping here. The busy alleyways filled with carts and tuk tuks portray a perfect image of the flavor of Colombo city life.
Also known as the red mosque, this is a long-standing landmark in Pettah with striking red and white strips. This is a popular photo stop for tourists which provides a colorful backdrop for stunning pictures. It’s well-known for its Indo-Islamic, Persian, Gothic revival, and Neoclassical architecture, that is quite unusual in other mosques in Sri Lanka. This place is usually busy during prayer times and on Fridays.
The square was built in 1948 to commemorate the gaining of independence from British rule. The garden is designed with ponds and trees which has now become a popular picnic spot busy every evening. Adjoining the old building is a newly established shopping mall and food court which is a paradise for shutterbugs.
The origin of this church roots back to the Dutch colonial era when Catholicism was banned from the island. The Dutch authorities have permitted the priests to establish this chapel after a prayer they held in a fishing village when the sea eroded it. This church was one of the targets of the Easter attack in 2019, now rebuilt to its former glory by the Sri Lankan Navy.
This popular beach park is one of the most visited places in Colombo. Busier during dusk, the park offers enough space for jogging, picnicking, and playing volleyball and other games. The ever-ending wind makes this a perfect place to fly kites which is a frequent sight in the evenings. At night you will find many stalls selling the most famous street food including ‘isso wade’ and roti. At the far corner of the park is the Port City of which some parts are still under construction, but it is worth the visit.
This is one of the oldest buildings in Colombo dating back to the time of the Dutch colonial era. It reflects Dutch Colonial architecture preserved to this day but is now transferred to a shopping and dining precinct which is quite busy on Friday nights. Ministry of Crab,Taphouse by RnR and Colombo Fort Cafe are the most popular restaurants in the building that keeps it alive.
This is the largest and the most luxurious casino in Sri Lanka which houses over sixty tables with games such as Asian poker, card poker, baccarat, roulette, blackjack and mini-flush. Other facilities include DJ and other entertainment events, buffets and cocktails.
This is an oasis in the middle of the busy city, designed perfectly for bird watching and leisure walks. The park is home to wetland birds including purple coots, herons, jacanas, open bills, and many more. This is one great place to enjoy the natural beauty of the country without traveling far away from the commercial capital of Colombo.
This is another perfect place for bird watchers and nature lovers to spend time in. Attidiya was identified as a nature sanctuary in 1990 owing to its importance as a wetland rich in biodiversity. Bolgoda Lake, which flows across the marsh land, is home to many species of fish, water birds, and reptiles. There are many hotels established on its bank allowing the travelers to enjoy kayaking and canyoning in the river while appreciating its beauty.
This is an exciting market place you can visit on Saturdays. This market is known for locally produced organic goods which vary from fruits, veggies, bee honey, skin care and home care products, and souvenirs. Unlike other markets in Sri Lanka, this has class and quality and has become a new experience for locals and tourists alike.
Among hundreds of thousands of restaurants in Colombo T- Lounge stands out as the best place to appreciate fine Ceylon tea, complemented by tea-inspired food and beverages. You do not have to go all the way to Nuwara Eliya to have this experience as Dilmah makes the best tea easily accessible for you in Colombo.