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Dazzling night view of Colombo's modern skyline reflecting on a tranquil waterfront.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

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When to visit

VERY BUSYJan27°7d rainBEST
VERY BUSYFeb27°6d rainBEST
BUSYMar28°8d rainBEST
BUSYApr29°12d rain
MODERATEMay29°18d rain
MODERATEJun28°20d rain
BUSYJul27°18d rain
BUSYAug27°17d rain
MODERATESep27°20d rain
MODERATEOct27°15d rain
MODERATENov27°12d rain
VERY BUSYDec27°9d rainBEST

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Must-include attractions sorted by popularity

Nähtävyydet kohteessa Colombo, Sri Lanka

Gangaramaya Temple

1. Gangaramaya Temple

4.6 (13,083)
Buddhist TempleTuristikohdeJumalanpalveluspaikkaAssociation Or OrganizationMielenkiintoinen paikka

Reittiohjeet

Virallinen verkkosivusto

National Museum of Colombo

2. National Museum of Colombo

4.4 (6,309)
History MuseumTuristikohdeMuseoMielenkiintoinen paikkaLaitos

Reittiohjeet

Virallinen verkkosivusto

Galle Face Green

3. Galle Face Green

4.5 (16,627)
City ParkTuristikohdePuistoPuistoMielenkiintoinen paikka

Reittiohjeet

Virallinen verkkosivusto

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Pettah Market

4. Pettah Market

4.0 (4,461)
Grocery StoreMarketFood StoreStoreFood

Reittiohjeet

Viharamahadevi Park

5. Viharamahadevi Park

4.4 (14,310)
State ParkPuistoMielenkiintoinen paikkaLaitos

Reittiohjeet

Virallinen verkkosivusto

Beira Lake

6. Beira Lake

4.2 (284)
LakeLuonnonpiirreLaitos

Reittiohjeet

Seema Malaka

7. Seema Malaka

4.5 (2,303)
Buddhist TempleTuristikohdeJumalanpalveluspaikkaAssociation Or OrganizationMielenkiintoinen paikka

Reittiohjeet

Virallinen verkkosivusto

Dutch Hospital

8. Dutch Hospital

4.4 (6,073)
OstoskeskusMielenkiintoinen paikkaLaitos

Reittiohjeet

Lotus Tower

9. Lotus Tower

4.5 (10,838)
TuristikohdeHistoriallinen maamerkkiKulttuurinen maamerkkiHistoriallinen paikkaMielenkiintoinen paikka

Reittiohjeet

Virallinen verkkosivusto

Things to Do in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Popular activities and local experiences recommended by travelers

Independence Memorial Hall

A visit to Independence Memorial Hall offers a peaceful way to connect with Sri Lanka's modern history and architectural heritage. You'll typically enjoy strolling the open grounds and admiring the monument's neoclassical-inspired design blended with local motifs, while local guides often explain the historical significance and ceremonial uses of the site to make the experience informative and visually rewarding.

Traditional Sweet Dishes

Watalappan

Watalappan

A rich steamed coconut custard made with jaggery and aromatic spices like cardamom and nutmeg, introduced by Malay settlers and now a staple at celebrations and festive tables.

Kokis

Kokis

A crisp, deep-fried snack made from rice flour and coconut milk pressed in decorative moulds, kokis is synonymous with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year and admired for its intricate shapes.

Kavum (Konda Kavum)

Kavum (Konda Kavum)

Kavum are oil-fried cakes made from rice flour and treacle, famously prepared and exchanged during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, prized for their sweet, slightly caramelized flavor and soft interior.

Traditional Savory Dishes

Kottu Roti

Kottu Roti

A chaotic, rhythmic street-food staple of chopped godhamba roti stir-fried with vegetables, egg and choice of meat, kottu is quintessential Colombo late-night comfort food.

Hoppers (Appa)

Hoppers (Appa)

Bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice batter and coconut milk, hoppers are eaten plain or with an egg cracked into the center, they are a beloved breakfast and supper item across Sri Lanka.

Lamprais

Lamprais

A Dutch Burgher influenced specialty from Colombo, lamprais bundles spiced rice, multiple curries and condiments in a banana leaf and is oven-baked for layered, concentrated flavor.

Traditional Beverages

King Coconut Water

King Coconut Water

From bright orange king coconuts native to Sri Lanka, this naturally sweet and refreshing water is sold widely by street vendors and prized for immediate hydration and subtle flavor.

Ceylon Tea

Ceylon Tea

Sri Lanka's world-famous black tea is central to daily life and hospitality, often brewed strong with milk, and Colombo historically hosted major tea auctions and trade.

Toddy (Fermented Palm Sap)

Toddy (Fermented Palm Sap)

Freshly tapped, mildly alcoholic palm sap known as toddy is enjoyed at traditional toddy taverns, and when distilled it yields arrack, Sri Lanka's distinctive spirit.

Lähetä nähtävyydet sähköpostiisi

Get a PDF with all attractions, ratings, and tips — perfect for offline use.

Day trips

Galle

120 km 2h by express train or 2-2.5h by car

Fort, colonial streets, lighthouse and coastal cafes.

Google Maps

Kandy

115 km 2.5-3h by train or car

Temple of the Tooth, lake, and cultural performances.

Google Maps

Bentota

65 km 1.25-1.75h by car or 1.5h by train

Beaches, water sports, river safaris and relaxation.

Google Maps

Negombo

38 km 30-50min by car or 30-45min by train

Fishing town, lagoon tours, seafood and Dutch canal.

Google Maps

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

90 km 2-2.5h by car

Feeding and bathing rescued elephants up close.

Google Maps

Kommentit (9)

P
Paige B.

Traffic is chaotic and noisy, plan extra time, but cafes and colonial architecture make wandering fun.

4
V
Vivek L.

City felt gritty and more urban than I expected, not the beach paradise I was hoping for.

12
G
Ghada W.

Colombo exceeded expectations, friendly vendors, great seafood stalls, humid but lively nights.

11
F
Farah M.

Avoid seafront tourist joints, walk two blocks from Galle Face Green for cheaper and better rice and curry.

5
Z
Zoe S.

Markets are hectic and hot, Pettah especially, but you can find brilliant bargains and real local life.

11

Getting there

Train stations

Colombo Fort Railway Station

Main Line to Kandy, Coastal Line to Galle and south

Maradana Railway Station

Main Line, local and intercity services

From Bandaranaike, take the airport taxi or an express bus to Colombo Fort, expect 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.

Klikkaa saadaksesi eSim kohteeseen Colombo, Sri Lanka

Helpoin ja edullisin tapa saada mobiililaajakaista missä tahansa matkustatkin.

Hyödyllistä tietoa kohteesta Colombo, Sri Lanka

Suositut ostospaikatCrescat, Odel, Colombo City Centre, Majestic City, Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct
Suositut yöelämän paikatColombo Fort, Park Street Mews, Dutch Hospital, Galle Face area
Suositut rentoihin tilaisuuksiin sopivat ravintolatUpali's, Nuga Gama, Barefoot Garden Cafe
Suositut hienostuneet ravintolatMinistry of Crab, The Gallery Cafe, Nihonbashi
Suositut kahvilatBarefoot Cafe, The Commons, The Gallery Cafe, Cafe Nihonbashi
Hanavesi juomakelpoistaEi
Digitaalisen nomadin viisumiEi
Parhaat taksisovelluksetPickMe, Uber
Taksin hinta / km$0.4
Turisteja / vuosi2000000
Väkiluku750000
Mobiililaajakaistan nopeus3.5 Mbps
Työttömyysprosentti5 %
Köyhyysprosentti12 %
Keskimääräinen tulotaso / kk$300
Keskimääräiset elinkustannukset / kk$700
Hotellin hinta / yö alkaen$25
Oluen hinta alkaen$2.5
Kahvin hinta alkaen$1.5
Katuruoan hinta alkaen$1
Ravintola-aterian hinta alkaen$3
Paikallinen valuuttaLKR
VirtapistoketyypitType G, Type D
UskonnotBuddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity
Puhutut kieletSinhala, Tamil, English
Etniset ryhmätSinhalese, Sri Lankan Tamils, Moors
Poliittinen suuntautuminencentrist
Väestötiheys3500 /km²
Maantieteellinen alue37 km²
Mahdolliset luonnonkatastrofitmonsoon flooding, landslides, drought, tsunami
Vaaralliset eläimetsnakes, crocodiles, disease-carrying mosquitoes
Suositut kävelyalueetGalle Face Green, Beira Lake, Independence Square, Viharamahadevi Park
Suositut joukkoliikennevälineetBuses, Trains, Tuk-tuks
Suositut lentoyhtiötSriLankan Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines
Suositellut rokotuksetHepatitis A, Typhoid, Rabies, Tetanus, Routine vaccinations
ArkkitehtuurityyppiColonial Portuguese, Dutch, British, Modern, Buddhist temple architecture
Keskimääräinen oluen kulutus henkilöä kohden / vuosi1.5 l
Keskimääräinen viinin kulutus henkilöä kohden / vuosi0.2 l
TippikulttuuriNot mandatory, 5-10% appreciated in restaurants
Coworking / päivä$10
Airbnb / kuukausi$900
1h vuokra / kuukausi$350
Kuntosali / kuukausi$35
Päiväbudjetti (reppureissaaja)$25
Päiväbudjetti (keskitaso)$60

Yleiskatsaus kohteesta Colombo, Sri Lanka

Englannin taitoKeskitaso
LiikenneturvallisuusHuono
Ystävällinen ulkomaalaisilleHyvä
SananvapausKeskitaso
JoukkoliikenneKeskitaso
TerveydenhuoltoKeskitaso
Koulutuksen laatuKeskitaso
Sähköverkon luotettavuusKeskitaso
Väkivaltarikollisuuden turvallisuusKeskitaso
KäveltävyysKeskitaso
YöelämäKeskitaso
RuokakulttuuriHyvä
LGBTQ+ ystävällinenKeskitaso
Startup-skeneKeskitaso
MelutasoKeskitaso
SiisteysKeskitaso
Pääsy luontoonKeskitaso
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