Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and also the largest city by the population. It is the financial centre of the island and a famous tourist destination. Colombo is a busy city which is a combination of modern life, colonial buildings and monuments. Colombo is a multi-cultural and multi-religious city; therefore you can observe various places with religious, cultural, historical and architectural values.
Places to visit in Colombo City
Colombo Fort
Colombo Fort was originally established in the 16th century by Portuguese and developed later by the Dutch and the British. Today the area is consisting of government offices, financial institutions and bustling markets. Colombo Fort is the cultural, financial and the economic hub of the city and a area with a blend of colonial architecture and modern urban vibrancy.
Galle Face Green
A popular oceanfront urban park in the middle of Colombo stretching along the coast. This is ideal for strolls and family outings as the visitors can enjoy breath-taking sunsets, local street food and kite flying.
Colombo National Museum
The National Museum of Colombo, the largest museum was established by Sir William Henry Gregory who was the British Governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) back then in January 1877. This is a cultural treasure which shows the rich heritage of the nation as it houses a diverse collection of artefacts from ancient royal regalia to religious relics. Its exhibits include multiple eras, providing insight into the history, art and archaeology of the country.
Independence Square
The Independence Square or the Independence Memorial Hall was constructed to commemorate the occasion of Sri Lankan Independence from British Rule. This hall is situated in Cinnamon Gardens (formerly known as the Torrington Square). The Independence Memorial Museum, which honours the people who fought for Sri Lankan independence also located nearby this hall. The open spaces in this place are currently used for jogging, cycling, public gym aerobic sessions and other relevant activities.
Viharamahadevi Park
Viharamahdevi park is a public park located in front of the Colombo Town Hall. It is the oldest and largest park in Colombo which was built by the British colonial administration. The park was originally named as “Victoria Park” after Queen Victoria but was renamed after Queen Viharamahadevi, the mother of King Dutugamunu later. Viharamahadevi Park is popular among both locals and tourists as it is an ideal place for leisurely strolls, picnics and relaxation. The park’s picturesque ponds, colourful flower beds and tall trees offer a serene escape for the visitor. It also includes a mini zoo, mini aquarium, a children’s play area and several food stalls in the park.
Dutch Hospital – Shopping Precinct
Dating back to the Dutch colonial era the Old Colombo Dutch Hospital is regarded as the oldest building in the Colombo Fort area. The building reflects 17th century Dutch colonial architecture. In 2011,it has been transformed into a shopping and dining precinct, where the historic architecture has been preserved.
Old Parliament Building
The Old Parliament Building is situated facing the sea in the Colombo Fort area. This building which has an unique architectural design was built during the British colonial era to house the Legislative Council of Ceylon. Currently this houses the Presidential Council of Ceylon. There are several bronze statues of eminent statesmen in the front garden of this building.
Cargills Building
An iconic building situated in the centre of Colombo Fort. Originally it was the residence of Captain Pieter Sluysken, the former Dutch military commander of Galle.
Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque
The Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque also known as the Red Mosque due to its distinctive red and white pattered facade is one of the oldest mosque in Colombo and also a popular tourist site in the city. It is located in the second cross street in Pettah.
Sri Kaileswaram Temple
A hindu temple in Colombo dedicated to Load Shiva and Ganesha. , known for its vibrant ceiling artwork and tucked away locale.
Kelaniya Temple
The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara or the Kelaniya Temple is a Buddhist temple situated near Colombo.
Gangaramaya Temple & Sima Malaka
Gangaramaya temple is located on the Beira Lake, Colombo. It is an important premise in Colombo mix of modern architecture and cultural essence. This temple is mainly use for resting and meditation. Seema Malaka is a part of the Gangarama Temple.
Colombo Lotus Tower
Lotus Tower is a striking landmark in Colombo with a height of 356 meters, the tallest tower in South Asia which is basically serves as a transmission tower for TV and radio. It provides a variety of leisure activities in addition of being a transmission and communication tower. There are banquet halls, shopping malls, hotels with suits, restaurants, museums, auditoriums, and much more for the tourists to explore in the tower. The revolving restaurant at the top which completes one rotation every 90 minutes provides a scenic view of the city.
The World Trade Centre
WTC is a 152 meter tall twin building in Colombo. This include the Colombo Stock Exchange, Securities Exchange Commission, Asian Broadcasting Corporation and the Board of investment of Sri Lanka.
The Galle Face Hotel
This is an iconic and colonial style luxury hotel in Colombo which can consider as one of the oldest hotels in Sri Lanka as it was originally built by British entrepreneurs. This hotel has been a place of visit and stay to lot of celebrity and popular characters in the history including Prince Philip, Indira Gandhi, Yuri Gagarin and many more. This hotel has four restaurants, three bars and a pub. And also the hotel features a museum and art gallery itself.
Pettah Market
This is an open market area in the suburb of Pettah in Colombo which is also known as the Manning Market. You can find a wide range of goods here from electronics, clothes and fashion accessories to fresh fruits and vegetables.