Colombo Travel & Vacation Guide

Enjoy the sights from the comfort of an open-deck, double-decker bus with live commentary–the only open-deck city sightseeing service in Colombo. Three different tours stop over the major sights of the city leaving from different pick-up points. Pick-ups: from Colombo city hotels en route. (for more information see the website below)

At the Colombo National Museum, you can browse through a wealth of exhibits from prehistoric times to the colonial era. Look out for traditional fearsome masks said to be linked to magical powers.

Dating back to the colonial era, the Dutch Hospital has served as a hospital for Dutch officers, a police station after the country's independence, and in 2011, it was converted into a shopping and dining complex. A nice place to hang out, grab a bite, and marvel at the beautifully preserved seventeenth-century colonial architecture.

This fine collonaded Dutch building with creaking floors and staircases contains exhibits from the Dutch colonial era. The interesting display of artefacts such as coins, clothing items, and furniture of that era will offer you a unique learning experience of the history of Sri Lanka.

Weekends bring kite-flyers, strolling families and impromptu cricket matches to this 5 ha ocean-fronted promenade, which stretches for 500 m along the coast. Enjoy a drink at the Galle Face Hotel at the southern end of this urban park or fill up on tasty snacks on the waterfront.

A must-see historic site in Colombo, this Buddhist Temple houses many treasures, from Buddha statues to ancient coins. One of the most popular tourist attractions in the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and a good place for meditation.

Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya is one of the most important Buddhist temples in the country. Believed to be sanctified during Buddha's third visit to Sri Lanka, the original temple was destroyed on two different occasions by invaders from India, and later from Portugal. Restored in the 18th century by the Dutch, it contains historic statues and paintings that preserve the spirit of past ages.

Lionel Wendt Art Centre is a prestigious venue for the performing arts, especially music. It features a theatre and two galleries showing different exhibitions of contemporary art and crafts.

Whether you're looking for a bar by the pool, a lounge where you get to breathe in the sea breeze, or just your casual pub, the Galle Face Hotel has got you covered. Have your pick of bars at this charming waterfront hotel and enjoy your cocktail while you watch the sun go down.

After a day exploring the city, unwind by the sea with a cocktail in your hand at this beach club with a swimming pool, pizza, and live entertainment after sunset.

One of the trendiest nightspots in Colombo is located on the 14th floor of the Radisson Hotel. Overlooking the ocean, ON14 provides guests beautiful sunset views while they sip one of their signature drinks or try one of their spectacular dishes. An infinity pool, lounge seating, and live entertainment perfect the sophisticated atmosphere.

Unleash your inner singer at this homey karaoke bar! Sopranos prides itself on offering a friendly atmosphere where everyone is welcome. Grab a drink and sing along to your favourite tunes until late hours.

Catch spectacular 360 views of Colombo from 24 stories above ground and listen to tropical house chill-out beats and jazz as you enjoy a highly-crafted cocktail at this trendy rooftop bar. Besides boasting one of the best panoramic views of the city, Vistas is known for its very attentive staff, who are more than happy to take care of you, shisha smoking, and its tasty food, which is served in modern cutting board style plates, ready to be shared.

Adjacent to Cinnamon Grand Hotel, this shopping centre features several floors of shops and exclusive boutiques linked by escalators selling everything from books, clothing, and records to a place where you can buy tea from the Mlesna Tea Centre. In the basement, there’s a supermarket and a large bustling food court.

Dating back to the colonial era, the Dutch Hospital has served as a hospital for the Dutch officers, a police station after the country's independence, and in 2011, it was converted into a shopping and dining complex. A nice place to hang out, grab a bite, and marvel at beautifully preserved seventeenth-century colonial architecture.

For authentic Sri Lankan souvenirs head over to Lakarcade. This shopping mall offers an amazing and unique collection of local products ranging from teas, spices and traditional art to gems and jewellery. Whether you're looking for a one-of-a-kind art piece to decorate your home or just a souvenir from your trip to Colombo, you'll surely find it here.

Very close to Viharamahadevi Park, you'll find this charming shop selling multiple home decor items, including dishware, handicrafts and art, plus, antiques and unique gifts along with an array of condiments and jams. Very popular among locals and tourists alike. They also have a cafe on the 1st floor where you can relax with a good cup of coffee and a piece of cake.

Get a real sense of life in Colombo and experience the hustle and bustle of Sri Lanka's capital with a visit to the Pettah Market. At this busy open-air market, visitors can explore scores of shops selling everything under the sun, from fresh vegetables, spices and meats to clothing, electronics, gold and jewelry. Arrive early before trishaws and touts clog up the streets.

Race Course Arcade is the perfect place for a leisurely evening stroll, even if you aren't looking to do much shopping. If you are, however, there are plenty of boutiques and shops to choose from. Here, you'll also find a variety of cafes and restaurants.

With sunny and enjoyable weather pretty much all year round, there isn't really a bad time to explore Colombo. However, if you want to avoid the monsoon season, then don't plan your trip from June to September. Having said that, the best time to visit Colombo is usually from January to March, when days are more pleasant and when festivals such as the Duruthu Perahera and the Poya Festivals take place. If you want to get great prices on accommodation and flights, then May is the best month, when the city is also less crowded. Watch out for the beginning of the monsoon season! November and December are usually hot and humid, but that's when you can catch the Deepavali celebrations, the Hindu festival of lights, which lasts for five days.

Citizens of the Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore are exempt from requesting a visa. All other travellers need to apply online in order to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before visiting Sri Lanka. The ETA is valid for 30 days from the date of your arrival, however, it may be extended for up to six months. It is always a good idea to check with the nearest Sri Lankan embassy or consulate or visit the official Sri Lankan government website for the most up-to-date information on visa requirements

Bandaranaike International Airport lies 32km from Colombo's city centre. The simplest and quickest way to get into town is to take a taxi, which is readily available at the airport. The journey typically spans 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic conditions. Alternatively, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) operates buses, specifically Route 187, from the airport to the city centre. Although buses offer an economical choice, they may take longer due to multiple stops en route. You can also opt for ridesharing services like Uber and PickMe, for a convenient ride to your accommodation. However, regardless of the chosen mode of transportation, make sure to confirm the fare before commencing your journey.

Buses run from 5am to 10pm and are generally crowded, slow, and a bit confusing. When in doubt about routes, bus numbers, and stops, ask a local. The best way to get around is to walk or flag down a trishaw. Always agree to a price before accepting a ride in a trishaw and pay the exact fare.

Taxi is the easiest and most comfortable way to get around the city. Most of the cars do not have a taxi meter so always decide on a price before the journey starts. In addition, ride-hailing apps such as Uber are also available in Colombo, providing an alternative option for transportation.

In Sri Lanka, there are two plug types: D and G. D has three round pins in a triangular pattern while G has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern (same used in the United Kingdom and Ireland, for example). The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

There are several pharmacies in Colombo, and some of them are located within a grocery store. The supermarket chain LAUGFS features pharmacies that are open 24 hours. Rajya Osu Sala is another drugstore chain you will find in Colombo.

Post offices in Colombo typically operate from around 8:30am to 4:30pm on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and may have reduced hours on Saturdays. Letterboxes in Sri Lanka are red.