Many travelers skip Colombo, choosing instead to rush off to Sri Lanka’s beaches or hill country. Do not make that mistake. In my opinion, there is no better place to start your trip in Sri Lanka than in Colombo.
Why Visit Colombo
Colombo is a great gateway to Sri Lanka in terms of food and culture. As the country’s main urban center, Colombo is an amalgamation of everything Sri Lanka has to offer, allowing you to experience a little bit of each part of the country’s culture in one place. The best meals I had in Sri Lanka were in Colombo, as were the most lively markets and the most interesting museums that I visited.
Best Things To Do:
- Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)
- Gangaramaya & Seema Malaka Temple
- National Museum
- Promenade on Galle Face Green
- Spa Treatment at Ceylon Royal Heritage Spa
- Nightlife on Park Street Mews
- Saturday Good Market
- Eat Sri Lankan Cuisine
History & Culture
- Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)
The Red Mosque is the oldest mosque in Sri Lanka, and what makes it particularly stunning is its red-and-white facade. It is massive, fitting thousands of worshippers at once, and it is awe-inspiring to see such a uniquely colored and designed mosque at that scale. The best part is that visitors are welcome to enter and tour the mosque with a guide who provides historical context. Tours are offered most afternoons, though avoid visiting on Friday which is the day of worship.
Sri Lanka is a majority-Buddhist country, and you see this reflected in the number of Buddhist temples throughout the island. Visiting religious sites is generally always interesting and educational, and the sites in Sri Lanka are also remarkably beautiful. Seema Malaka Temple, situated on Beira Lake, is particularly striking because of its location.
A $2 USD ticket grants you access to both Seema Malaka and Gangaramaya, and the two temples are located within walking distance of one another. I suggest doing a bit of reading beforehand, as there is not much contextual information on-site. If you want to learn more about the history and culture of the temples, booking a Guided Tour is worthwhile.
- National Museum
Visiting the National Museum is one of the first things you should do upon arrival in Sri Lanka. Throughout your trip, you will likely visit temples, archaeological sites, and historical towns and cities that you know almost nothing about. More often than not, unless you are consistently booking guided tours, you likely will not have the context necessary to fully appreciate what you are seeing.
Thus, by visiting the national museum at the start of your trip, you will be doing yourself a great service as the museum will certainly enhance your understanding of the cultural and historical sites that you see thereafter.
The museum is comprehensive, telling Sri Lanka’s story from prehistoric times to the modern era. Even if you arrive knowing very little about the country, you will leave far more knowledgeable. As the museum entry ticket costs 200 LKR, you will get a priceless educational experience for less than $1 USD. Further, fitting the National Museum into your itinerary will be easy as it is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Leisure & Relaxation
- Promenade on Galle Face Green
Though Sri Lanka is an island, you have to leave Colombo to access a good beach. However, the Galle Face Green, a park in downtown Colombo, is one of the few places in the city that sits right on the water. While I would not recommend swimming there, it is a lovely place for a walk or even a picnic on the grass. Simply take an Uber to the Galle Face Hotel and stroll down the promenade, which ends at a small stretch of beach.
After your promenade, you can enjoy a two-for-one happy hour drink at the Sky Lounge, a restaurant located within walking distance of the Galle Face Green. From its rooftop terrace, you can watch the sun set over the city and Indian Ocean.
- Spa Treatment at Ceylon Royal Heritage Spa
If your journey to Sri Lanka is anything like mine, you will likely arrive fairly jetlagged. When recovering from such a long journey across various oceans and time-zones, a spa treatment can be an excellent way to rejuvenate your body and mind.
Ceylon Spa is one of the best spas in Sri Lanka, offering a wide array of treatments that draw from indigenous Sri Lankan massage techniques and beauty rituals. They also use Sri Lankan herbs and essential oils, making the experience feel uniquely rooted in local traditions. In the West, you might pay several hundred dollars for a multi-hour massage at an upscale spa. In Sri Lanka, you can enjoy the same for less than $70 USD.
My friends and I booked the Royal Body Ritual with Full Body Scrub, a two-hour treatment that cost 19,300 rupees (about $64 USD).
- Nightlife on Park Street Mews
Colombo may not be famous for its nightlife, but the city does offer a range of great options, from casual bars to stylish cocktail lounges. The heart of it all is Park Street Mews, a colorful pedestrian lane lined with restaurants and bars.Uncle’s Bar was my personal favorite. Spotlighted by 50 Best Discovery for its inventive use of Sri Lankan flavors in cocktails, it’s undoubtedly the star of the show on Park Street. That said, you’ll be spoiled for choice in the neighborhood—whether it’s the smooth tunes at Jazzebel, a lively jazz bar, or the delicious cocktails at Monsoon, a restaurant with an equally polished bar. Whether you’re after creative cocktails, live music, or simply a good spot to people-watch, Colombo’s nightlife will certainly keep you entertained.
Culinary Adventures
The Saturday Good Market is a street market that pops up every Saturday at the Colombo Race Course. This was perhaps my favorite place to visit in Colombo because, in just one place, I got to sample so much of what Colombo had to offer—from diverse foods and desserts to beautiful jewelry and art. Of course, in typical farmers’ market fashion, there is also fresh produce, various spices, and other locally sourced staples of Sri Lankan cuisine.
I visited the Good Market with friends, and all of us regretted having eaten breakfast beforehand. The food options are incredible and served in small portions, so you can try a lot as you promenade from stall to stall. Even though we were all quite full going in, we still managed to sample delicious snacks like rotis stuffed with fish, sweet lassis, kulfi, and masala chai.
The Good Market is also an excellent place to buy souvenirs. Some of my friends purchased jewelry, clothing, spices, and art. If you are not in Colombo on a Saturday, don’t worry—you can still visit the permanent Good Market store, which is open daily. But if you want the added vibrancy of food stalls, live vendors, and a leisurely walk outdoors, be sure to stop by the live market, which runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Colombo Racecourse.
- Dine At Sri Lanka’s Best Restaurants
All the food I had in Sri Lanka was exceptional, but the best of it was certainly in Colombo. The city’s dining scene is where you can experience the full breadth of Sri Lankan cuisine—traditional curries and street food staples, fusion takes on regional dishes, and South Indian influences blended with local flavors. The best restaurants in Colombo include:
- Upali’s: We tried a beef, chicken, and fish dish, and all were excellent. The menu is diverse, so I recommend simply choosing whatever aligns with your taste.
- Thuna Paha: Go in the evening, when they host both a buffet of traditional Sri Lankan dishes and a cultural performance—a perfect way to combine food with an immersive experience.
- Kolamba Kade: This place is known for its rich curries, so make sure to order a curry and flaky paratha to accompany it!
- Palmyrah: The Jaffna crab curry here was the best I had in Sri Lanka.
Even beyond restaurants, Colombo has an excellent street food scene. Dishes like kottu roti (a chopped roti stir-fry with vegetables, eggs, and your choice of meat), hoppers (crispy bowl-shaped pancakes often served with egg), and fresh tropical fruits sold by vendors (especially at the Saturday Good Market!) will give you an authentic taste of the city’s vibrant food culture.
Don’t skip Colombo…
Whether you’re a foodie, history buff, or simply looking to unwind after a long flight, Colombo offers a perfect introduction to Sri Lanka. Make the most of your time here—you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the island’s rich culture and an even bigger appetite for the adventures that await you beyond the capital.
