Colombo Destination Guide
Much of the joy and intrigue of being a tourist in Colombo is in simply wandering the streets and seeing the local life unfolding before your eyes. This lively, exciting city seemingly never stops, although it does have a number of parks, as well as the seafront, where you can go to relax if the hectic pace gets too much. Colombo is also a great city for budget accommodation, cheap and varied dining and some good shopping.
Colombo and the surrounding regions offer many of the main attractions on a visit to Sri Lanka!
This Colombo Destination Guide gives a brief indication of the layout of the city, indicating which areas are located where. For further information about the things to see and do in Colombo and the surrounding areas, such as the Central Hills and the Cultural Triangle, go to our Colombo Tours page. Background information about Sri Lanka as a whole can be found on our Sri Lanka Country Guide.
Things to See & Do in Colombo
The northern area of the city is known as the Fort District, due to the forts that were built here by the Dutch and the Portuguese. Many businesses are located here, as it is also the main commercial district, and you can find many department stores, book shops and airline offices. This is also the area where some British era buildings are located, and as such the district has quite a colonial feel. Amongst the older structures here are the famous clock tower, a former lighthouse and the presidential residence.
Just to the east of the Fort District is the Pettah bazaar district. This area features a great market, offering everything from fruit and vegetables and meats to precious metals, gemstones and jewellery, as well as a random assortment of other odds and ends. Pettah is also known for its Buddhist and Hindu temples, as there are quite a number located in this area. It is also home to the Jumi-ul Alfar Jumma Mosque, which is definitely worth a visit.
Immediately south of the city is Galle Face Green, a seafront expanse where people from the city come to fly kites, play cricket or go for strolls in the evening. Further south is Colombo's most fashionable neighbourhood, Cinnamon Gardens, which includes a number of elegant mansions, tree-lined streets and the largest park in the city. The best beaches are also near here, with the closest being at Mt Lavina.
Also located in the vicinity is the National Museum, which houses a good collection of historical works and a visit is essential to get a feel for the history of the country. The Art Gallery is another place worth visiting, and its highlights portraiture and a number of temporary exhibits by local artists.
The widest range of budget accommodation, good value food and the best shopping can be found in the Fort and Pettah districts.
Colombo
The Fort
A fort during the periods of Portuguese and Dutch influence, this area is now a commercial centre, with many hotels, shops and restaurants scattered amongst the offices, banks and travel agencies. There are a number of interesting old colonial buildings, including the Presidential Secretariat, the Lighthouse Clock Tower and the Grand Oriental Hotel.
Pettah
Pettah is the main bazaar district of Colombo, with shops and street stalls lining the narrow cobbled streets. There are a wide range of goods on offer, from bright printed fabrics, suitings, undergarments, children wear, footwear and handbags to electrical goods, semi precious jewellery, watches, rare first edition books, cutlery and other household items and some fantastic bargains to be had.
Cinnamon Gardens
This suburb houses the wealthy upper class inhabitants of the city. Nestled along the tree-lined streets are the palatial mansions of the local residents. The city's largest and oldest park, Viharamahadevi Park, is also located in the area.
Galle Face Green
One of the most popular areas of Colombo, Galle Face Green is a one and a half kilometre seaside promenade. As the largest open space in Colombo, it attracts everyone from children, lovers, families, teenagers and vendors, especially on weekends when it is packed with picnickers.
Religious Buildings
Colombo offers a number of interesting temples, churches and mosques. Temples worth visiting include the Gangarama Temple, located beside Beira Lake, Kelaniya Raja Mahavihara, 11 kilometres from Colombo Fort, the Vajiramaya temple at Bambalapitiya, the Raja Maha Viharaya at Bellanwila and the Gotami Viharaya at Borella. These are all Buddhist temples. Important Hindu temples in Colombo are the Kathiseran Temples in Pettah, the Sri Ponnambalam-Vaneswaram temple in Koch-chikade and the Sri Bala Selva Vinayagar Moorthy temple.
There are also a number of churches, many dating from the 1800s. St. Peter's Church, near the Grand Oriental Hotel, was first used as a church in 1804. St. Andrew's Scots Kirk, on Galle Road, was built in 1842. Another worth visiting is the Church of St. Anthony.
Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque and the Memm Harnafi M mosque are two of the most famous mosques in Colombo. They both offer vastly different exteriors, with the Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque colourfully presented in red and white stripes, whereas the more traditional Memm Harnafi M mosque is a stately grey in colour.
Museums
The Colombo National Museum, housed in an impressive old colonial building, is the finest museum in Sri Lanka, and also the first public museum in the country. The cultural heritage of the country is on display in the array of exhibits, and a number of rare and valuable treasures are showcased. On the same premises is the Natural History Museum, highlighting the natural heritage of Sri Lanka. Other interesting and educational museums around Colombo include the Dutch Period Museum in Pettah, the Bandaranaike Museum, the National Art Gallery and the Sapumal Foundation.
Dehiwala Zoological Gardens
Colombo Zoo has a wide range of flora and fauna from all over the world, as well as a large collection of animals, birds, reptiles and fish from all over Sri Lanka. It includes a walk through aviary, and aquarium and a butterfly park. There are also elephant shows- a reminder of the place of the animal in Sri Lankan society.
Mount Lavinia
Located only 8 miles from Colombo, this quiet, sandy beach is a popular place to visit. Little bathing huts dotting the beach can be hired for the day, and vendors passing along offer fresh fruits and drinks. The Mount Lavinia Hotel is the focal point of the area.
Kandy
Kandy is sandwiched between the hills on one side and the Mahaweli River on the other. Being the longest river in Sri Lanka, it is still closely associated with the cultural and religious activities of the region. Peradeniya located on the Mahaweli embankments is well known for its University and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Another local attraction is the calm Kandy Lake, with a pleasant breeze drifting across its waters. Kandy is a beautiful location, most suited for long walks along the riverbank and lake. It is also known for the temple in which the Buddha's tooth relic is housed.
Nuwara Eliya
A hill resort tucked away in nature's lap, Nuwara Eliya is located at the foothills of the highest peak in Sri Lanka, Mount Pidurutalagala. Home to exotic plants, animal and birds, Nuwara Eliya is gifted with a cool clime and fresh mountain air. The hill slopes and valleys are home to some of Sri Lanka's tea plantations, with never-ending rows of tea shrubs lacing the horizon.
Nuwara Eliya also has a well-maintained golf course that is much famed for its picturesque locale. The Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity and a host of lovely parks lend this place the laid-back charm of a traditional English lake district. To take a break from the busy city life, visit Nuwara Eliya.
Dambulla
As per UNESCO's declaration, Dambulla, situated near Sigiriya on the Sigiriya-Kandy main road, is one of the ancient cities that form Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle. It is both a historical and cultural centre. There are a number of caves in and around the place, of which some have served as meditation centres for the Buddhist monks. A few of these caves are home to beautiful paintings and statues, which form the major attraction of this region.
Dambulla, founded by the King Valagamba in the first century BC, has undergone many changes since then, with many additions and improvements made to the existing collection of paintings and carvings. Years of work that have gone into these artefacts in the temple are indicative of the art and cultural evolution of Sri Lanka. Sculptures of Hindu deities dated about 12th century AD, and paintings created in the 18th century can be viewed here.
Anuradhapura
The royal capital of the Sinhala kings between 380 BC and 1000 AD, Anuradhapura is a historian's delight. Its ambience is steeped in tradition, with the architecture reflecting the country's cultural, religious and historical evolution. The influence of Buddhism is evident in the innumerable monasteries, stupas (better known as dagobas), and ritualistic baths. The city was later abandoned in favour of Polonnaruwa, which subsequently became the seat of power. The ruins of beautiful palaces and other structures tell tales of the rise and fall of many a king in this land.
Places of Interest in Anuradhapura
Bo Tree
Also known as the Maha Bodhi Tree, the Bo Tree is actually a part of the Bodhi tree underneath which the Buddha was enlightened. A seedling from the parent plant was nurtured here in this city, and today this forms an important tourist attraction and a place of worship.
Thuparama
Thuparama is known to be one of the oldest stupas in Sri Lanka. This structure houses the collarbone of Buddha along with some artefacts used by him
Jetawana
The monastery at Jetawana is believed to be built on Mahindra Thera's cremation site. Mahendra Thera was one of the earliest proponents of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Isurumuniya Lovers
Rock carvings dating back to 3rd century BC, especially the well-preserved work named ‘Lovers,' are a sight to behold. These carvings are located at the Isurumuniya temple complex.
Ruwanveli Seeya
Built by the king Dutugamunu, the Stupa at Ruwanveli Seeya is the biggest and most popular destination among Buddhist visitors.
Aukana Buddha
A 12m tall statue of the Buddha at Aukana, sculpted out of a granite rock face, is a majestic sight. The calm and peaceful atmosphere offers an experience you wouldn't want to miss.
Sigiriya
Sigiriya is a UNESCO world heritage site housing a famous 5th century rock fortress. The whole complex has been laid out with geometric precision, and also includes beautiful gardens, water bodies and fountains that are still functional. King Kasyapa ruled from this fortress, which also served as his palace. During a battle between King Kasyapa and his brother, the king killed himself and the fortress was later abandoned.
The entrance to this complex has been structured in the form of a lion's head, of which today only the paws remain intact. Sigiriya fortress is located on a rock about 200m high. A beautiful mural of bare breasted women adorns the rock face. It is a mystery that such an old work of art has survived the ravages of time.
Sigiriya could easily be described as the world's eighth wonder, and is definitely worth a visit.
Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa gained prominence as the capital of Sri Lanka during the medieval times (11th-13th centuries). This city flourished under the rule of Parakramabahu, who initiated construction of two of its important landmarks, namely the Parakrama Samudra and the Gal Vihara. Parakrama Samudra, a large reservoir, served as the water source to an extensive irrigation system that fed waters to the city itself and also the neighbouring plains. Granite carvings of the Gal Vihara portray the evolution of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
The Gal Vihara complex has many rock carvings, of which four are significant. The first one depicts Buddha in meditation, seated on a pedestal adorned with figures of thunderbolts and lions. The second carving is housed within a cave and it traces Parakramabahu's efforts to popularize Buddhism. An imposing 23 ft statue of the Buddha with a serene expression has a calming effect on the onlooker. The last statue is an impressive 46 ft long form of the reclining Buddha. This statue is indicative of the last days of his mortal life as he awaits liberation.
While the Parakrama Samudra has the distinction of being the biggest man made reservoir, the Gal Vihara is much famed for the sculptures of the Buddha. Check out both these places while in Sri Lanka.
Cultural Triangle
Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka (11th - 12th Century AD), yet it has been immaculately preserved. The ancient rock temple of Gal Viharaya, as well as the King's Council Chamber, the Lotus Bath, the Lanka Thilaka Viharaya and the statue of Parakramabahu, one of Polonnaruwa's great kings, are some of the most memorable and enthralling sights of the city. There are also a number of ancient dagobas, moonstones, beautiful parks, massive buildings and many more stunningly beautiful statues throughout the city, which all explain why it is one of Sri Lanka's main tourist destinations. It lies 216 kilometres northeast of Colombo, and 140 kilometres northeast of Kandy.
Anuradhapura
The Kingdom of Anuradhapura lasted for about one thousand five hundred years, from 380BC. It was abandoned in the year 1000 AD, when the capital was moved to Polonnaruwa. Many of the earliest grand monuments in Sri Lanka are to be found within this city and it also a hugely popular destination for many Sinhalese Buddhists, as there are numerous ancient Buddhist monuments also found here.
Anuradhapura has many statues and temples worth checking out. One of these is the Aukana Buddha, a 13 metre high statue carved out of granite. It dates back to the 5th century. Thuparama Temple, widely considered to be the oldest dagoba in Sri Lanka, is believed to house a collar bone relic of Lord Buddha. Isurumuniya temple, built in the 3rd century B.C. is noted for its rock carvings.
Ruwanveli Seya is probably the greatest, and certainly the most popular, of the stupas within the ancient capital. The largest monastery complex, meanwhile, is that of the Abhayagiri Stupa and Monastery. Other things of interest in Anuradhapura the Folk Museum, Ritigala, the temple of Mihintale and the Jethawana Monastery complex.
Dambulla
Located on the road from Kandy to Sigiriya, Dambulla has been declared by UNESCO to be a part of the Cultural Triangle. It is composed of over 80 caves, many of which have been used as meditation centres by monks. 5 caves contain most of the major attractions, specifically a number of statues and paintings. These have been around since the 1st century BC, and over the centuries various improvements, alterations and additions have been made to them. Dambulla is mostly interesting as it provides collections of religious material from a large number of different eras, all in one place.
Central Hills
Kandy
Kandy is one of the main tourist destinations of Sri Lanka. It is the last of the royal capitals, and is famous for its temples. Widely considered the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, it is located 115 kilometres from Colombo. Kandy is also synonymous with arts and crafts in Sri Lanka, and the abundance of markets and tourist shops dedicated to them mean that it is the best place in the country to shop for various handicrafts.
The main attraction of the city is the Kandy Perahera. The temple is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in all of Sri Lanka, as one of Buddha's teeth is kept here. During either July or August each year, a pageant is held which parades the golden caskets, along with a procession of elephants, musicians and dancers.
Another site of interest within Kandy is the Old Royal Palace compound, which includes the old royal palace, quarters of the royal concubines, the queen's chambers, the council chambers and the armoury. Some of these have been turned into a museum which depicts the life and times of the Kandyan era.
Some other places worth visiting include the 14th century Gadaladeniya Temple, the Embekke Temples, the Hindu Shrines located near the Temple of the Tooth and the Royal Botanical Gardens. It is also possible to visit the nearby Kundasale, a village about 4 kilometres from Kandy, where local craftsmen and their families have been settled, in order to watch them at work and purchase the items they produce.
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya, at the heart of the tea industry, is situated around 2000 metres above sea level. It is the main hill resort of Sri Lanka, and this cool retreat a great escape from the heat and humidity of the tropical climate of most of the rest of the country. Many of the English style buildings are still in existence, giving the town a unique feel. A number of tourist activities are offered from Nuwara Eliya, including visits to tea plantations, golfing, horse riding, boating, hiking and enjoying the beauty of the landscaped gardens and waterfalls which dot the region.
All around Nuwara Eliya are seemingly endless tea plantations, a number of them with factories and stores that can be visited by tourists. Some of these include the Labookelle Tea Centre, the Tea Cup, the Tea Factory and St. Clair's Tea Centre.
Hortain Plains
As the highest plateau in all of Sri Lanka, this national park offers excellent hiking and bird-watching opportunities. Many forms of wildlife are abundant throughout the Hortain Plains, meaning nature lovers will fall in love with the place. World's End is one of the highlights, a 1000 metre sheer drop which offers an absolutely gorgeous view on clear days.
