Colombo
Satisfy food cravings, fulfill shoppers’ delight, and explore the city’s charm…!
Satisfy food cravings, fulfill shoppers’ delight, and explore the city’s charm…!
Colombo is the main commercial and multiracial city of Sri Lanka. It has a rich colonial history and is home to a diverse population of races, faiths, and cultures. Explore the multi-ethnic history of Colombo as you pass by churches, mosques, and temples in the same streets. Take a thrilling tuk-tuk ride through the city. Visitors often find themselves captivated by the blend of old and new, where historic landmarks coexist with modern developments. Enjoy cuisine like a native. Moreover, satisfy your food cravings specific to South Asia. And have high tea at a gorgeous colonial-style hotel overlooking the turquoise ocean. The city of Colombo is offering a wide range of lodging alternatives to cater to both tourists and locals alike. From luxurious hotels with breathtaking ocean views to charming guesthouses nestled in vibrant neighborhoods, visitors can find accommodations that suit their budget and taste. Discover a wide range of products tailored to meet your needs, from trendy fashion items to the latest gadgets. A shopper’s delight, chic boutiques carry top international brands. Enjoy user-friendly navigation and exclusive deals that make your shopping trip even more enjoyable. Notable locations include Galle face green & Port city, Colombo Lotus Tower, One gall Face mall, Dutch Hospital, Colombo National Museum, Jami Ul Alfar Mosque and Dehiwala zoological gardens.
The Colombo National Museum, also known as the Sri Lanka National Museum, is the largest cultural institution in Sri Lanka, established in 1877 by British Governor Sir William Henry Gregory in a striking Italianate colonial‐era building. With over 100,000 exhibits housed in a two‑storied edifice surrounded by shady banyan trees and manicured lawns, the museum offers a comprehensive journey through more than 2,500 years of Sri Lankan history and heritage. On entering, you encounter a serene 4th–5th century seated Buddha statue carved from granite an iconic masterpiece greeted by visitors in the lobby. The ground‑floor galleries are arranged in chronological order, guiding you from the island’s prehistoric and protohistoric eras through prominent kingdoms such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandy. Exhibits include stone inscriptions, ancient sculptures, pottery, coins, and weapons reflecting Sri Lanka’s evolving civilizations and conquests. Highlights include the royal throne and crown jewels of the Kandyan monarchs, including the ornate throne of King Wimaladharmasuriya II, which remains one of the most celebrated attractions. You’ll also see the 9th‑century bronze Bodhisattva sandals (giant bronze feet) displayed in Room 2, a powerful visual echo of ancient devotion and sculpture.
The upper levels shift to thematic galleries covering arts and crafts, textiles, traditional architecture, arms and armaments, coins and currency, and ceremonial banners. Ethnographic displays showcase traditional costumes, jewelry, ritual masks, and instruments representing Sri Lanka’s diverse cultural tapestry. An adjoining Museum of Natural History on the same grounds features endemic wildlife, large fossils, skeletal specimens (including whale bones), and exhibits of rare species like the Sri Lankan elephant and leopard, offering insights into the island’s unique biodiversity.
The museum also houses a renowned library and research centre, functioning as Sri Lanka’s first legal deposit library, preserving over 12 million titles and thousands of palm‑leaf manuscripts in languages such as Sinhala, Pali, Sanskrit, Tamil, Burmese, and more. Beyond exhibitions, the museum organizes guided tours, seminars, workshops, and interactive experiences, including a virtual reality Sigiriya Fortress tour, enriching educational engagement for all ages.
In short, a visit to the Colombo National Museum is not only a walk through Sri Lanka’s past but also an immersive experience into its artistic, cultural, and natural identity—perfect for history buffs, culture lovers, and families alike.
Galle Face Green a historic ocean-side urban park in Colombo, is a beloved gathering spot for both locals and tourists. Stretching along the coast with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, it’s famous for its sunsets, street food vendors, and relaxed atmosphere. Originally laid out by the British in the 19th century, this promenade has remained a symbol of leisure, public life, and national events. Just adjacent to it rises the ambitious Colombo Port City, a modern development project built on reclaimed land. Aimed at becoming a regional hub for business, finance, and luxury living, Port City features futuristic architecture, green spaces, and waterfront promenades, blending urban innovation with Sri Lanka’s coastal charm. Together, Galle Face Green and Port City represent the meeting point of the country’s colonial heritage and its future aspirations.
At Galle Face, visitors can enjoy a unique blend of cultural charm and modern sophistication. At Galle Face Green, you can experience the lively local atmosphere as families, couples, and kite flyers gather along the breezy promenade, especially during sunset. The area comes alive with street vendors offering delicious Sri Lankan snacks like isso wade (prawn fritters), fresh mango with chili, and spicy achcharu. The sound of the ocean waves, the salty breeze, and the sight of colorful kites in the sky create a nostalgic, laid-back vibe. Just steps away, Port City offers a striking contrast with its futuristic skyline, clean walkways, and luxurious ambiance. You can stroll along the scenic waterfront boulevard, explore modern parks, or simply relax while taking in stunning views of the ocean and city. This combination of old and new makes the area a must-visit destination for those seeking both tradition and transformation in the heart of Colombo.
The Colombo Lotus Tower, locally known as Nelum Kuluna is a striking multi‑purpose landmark rising above the Beira Lake waterfront in central Colombo, Sri Lanka. Completed in September 2019 and opened to the public in September 2022, it reaches a height of 351.5 m (approximately 1,153 ft), making it the tallest self‑supported structure in South Asia and ranking among the 11th tallest towers in Asia and 19th in the world. Inspired by the lotus flower, a powerful symbol in Sri Lankan culture representing purity, resilience, and national growth, the tower’s architecture features a green tapering shaft that culminates in a petal‑shaped bud illuminated in dynamic shades of pink and yellow at night.
At the Colombo Lotus Tower, visitors can enjoy a vibrant blend of technology, entertainment, and breathtaking views all in one iconic location. One of the main highlights is the observation deck, located about 245 meters above ground, offering a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of Colombo city, its bustling harbor, and the vast Indian Ocean—especially captivating at sunset. For a unique dining experience, guests can visit the Blue Orbit, a revolving restaurant that slowly rotates to reveal the city skyline while enjoying a meal. The tower also houses banquet halls suitable for weddings, conferences, and events, along with a telecommunication museum showcasing the evolution of Sri Lanka’s communication systems. Families and tourists alike can explore interactive exhibits, relax in cafés, and browse through souvenir shops. With its colorful lighting displays at night and its lotus-inspired architecture, the tower is not only a visual landmark but also a must-visit destination offering leisure, culture, and unforgettable city views all in one place.
One Galle Face Mall is a world-class, seven‑story shopping and lifestyle destination in central Colombo, Sri Lanka, built as part of the integrated One Galle Face development and officially opened on 8 November 2019. Located beside the iconic Galle Face Green and overlooking the Indian Ocean, it features around 490,000 sq ft of commercial space housing more than 200–300 retail outlets from international luxury brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Diesel, Calvin Klein, Armani Exchange, and Charles & Keith, to beloved local names such as Odel and Lak arcade(Laksala) showcasing Sri Lankan crafts and souvenirs. Visitors can indulge in a vast array of shopping, wellness, and dining experiences. The mall includes a gourmet Keells Supermarket, beauty and wellness boutiques like Spa Ceylon and Siddhalepa, electronics stores, stationery and bookshops (including Sarasavi Bookshop and Hallmark), plus lifestyle stores and kids’ and maternity outlets. For entertainment, it hosts Sri Lanka’s largest cineplex operated by PVR Cinemas, offering nine screens including luxury and family‑friendly screening rooms, as well as Shangri‑La’s Adventure Zone, an immersive children’s play area for ages 6 months to 12 years with themed play zones and creative activities. Dining options span over 50 food and beverage outlets, including a high‑quality themed Food Studio food court offering local and international cuisine, and several rooftop alfresco restaurants such as Crystal Jade (Cantonese) and Hanabi (Japanese), all with panoramic ocean views. Whether shopping, savoring a meal with a view, watching a film, or enjoying family entertainment, One Galle Face Mall delivers a stylish, diverse and modern urban outing in the heart of Colombo.
The National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka, commonly known as Dehiwala Zoo and often referred to as Colombo Zoo, was established in 1936 and spans nearly 30 acres in Dehiwala, just outside central Colombo. Home to between 2,500 and 3,000 animals across roughly 310–350 species including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, and butterflies the zoo is one of the oldest and most diverse zoological parks in Asia. Visitors can enjoy a variety of engaging experiences: from lively elephant shows featuring tricks like standing on hind legs and swaying to music, to sea lion performances, chimpanzee education programs, and interactive encounters where guests can feed or even ride elephants and giraffes for a small fee. The zoo’s aquarium, divided into freshwater, marine, and brackish sections, features 22 tanks brimming with colorful tropical fish including many Sri Lankan endemics providing an immersive walk-through experience. For nature lovers, the lush butterfly garden offers over 30 species fluttering amid streams and flowering plants, while the walk-in aviaries allow visitors to stroll through expansive bird enclosures with parakeets, peacocks, flamingos, and more. The Reptile House showcases a variety of snakes, lizards, tortoises, and crocodiles, including Sri Lankan cobras and pythons and the museum adjacent to the aquarium displays skeletons, eggs, footprints, and preserved specimens for educational insight. Dehiwala Zoo also offers night safari excursions on weekends, giving visitors the rare opportunity to glimpse nocturnal animal behavior under guided conditions. Educational programs, conservation breeding efforts, including endangered local species and shady landscaped pathways framed by dense foliage enhance both the learning experience and the leisurely nature of a day at the zoo. All in all, Dehiwala Zoo blends entertainment, conservation, and natural beauty in one immersive setting, perfect for families, wildlife enthusiasts, educational visits, or anyone curious about biodiversity in Sri Lanka.
