Is Colombo Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons to Go

Last Updated on April 22, 2024

Colombo is Sri Lanka’s capital, and biggest city. It rests right on the western coast of the island, with views of the Indian Ocean. 

When we planned our month-long trip around Sri Lanka, we saw lots of advice to skip Colombo. Although most visitors fly into Colombo, many opt to stay in Negombo instead of Colombo after arriving – because it’s closer to the international airport. 

My partner and I are city people. We always enjoy cities, and so we went against the common advice and spent 5 days in Colombo right at the start of our trip around Sri Lanka. 

Having spent several days in Colombo, I can confirm: Colombo is worth visiting. Read on to find out why. 

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Is Colombo Worth Visiting? 

Yes, Colombo is absolutely worth visiting. Spend a few days wandering Colombo’s Pettah Market, learning in the city’s national museum, and visiting Gangaramaya Temple (as well as the other temples around Colombo). In the evenings, you can head to Galle Face Green to watch a beautiful sunset over the ocean while enjoying delicious Sri Lankan street food. 

10 Must-Know Reasons to Visit Colombo

Still wondering, is Colombo worth visiting? Here are 10 specific reasons why you should include Colombo in your Sri Lanka itinerary. 

1. Experience a Bustling Sri Lankan City

If you look up “Sri Lanka travel” on social media, you’ll see photos and videos of beautiful beaches, surfing, jungles, hiking, and safaris. 

But there’s much more to Sri Lanka – including its cities. Colombo is the biggest city in the country, and so it’s the best one to go to for a sense of city life in Sri Lanka. 

With a high population density compared to the rest of the island, Colombo can feel very busy and crowded. But that’s all part of the experience! 

2. Learn Sri Lankan History

What not to do in Sri Lanka? Don’t skip learning about Sri Lankan history. Colombo is home to Sri Lanka’s largest museum, the Colombo National Museum (also known as the Sri Lanka National Museum). 

The museum was originally established on January 1st, 1877. It was founded by Sir William Henry Gregory, the British Governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) at the time.

Today, Colombo National Museum is home to many exhibits relating to Sri Lanka’s history and cultural heritage. 

When you visit this museum, you’ll have the chance to see and learn about many historical artifacts related to Sri Lanka’s history. 

One of my favorites to see was the Royal Seat. This beautiful seat was donated to King Wimaladharmasuriya by Dutch Governor Thomas Venree who ruled the coastal area of Ceylon in 1693. 

3. Visit Colombo’s Most Important Temple

Gangaramaya Temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo. It was originally started by the famous scholar monk Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera in the late 19th century.

Today Gangaramaya serves as a place of Buddhist worship as well as a learning center. The temple is involved in Buddhist welfare work in the city, including an orphanage and support for the elderly. 

There is a small fee for foreigners / tourists who would like to visit Gangaramaya. After purchasing your ticket, you’ll leave your shoes outside the temple in a designated area. 

Along with visiting the temple barefoot, you’ll want to be a responsible tourist by dressing respectfully. Make sure your shoulders and your legs above your knees are covered. 

We enjoyed wandering around the temple’s different areas, including all the rooms of items donated by the community.  

The entrance fee for Gangaramaya Temple also includes entrance to Seema Malaka, another temple that is a 5 minute walk away from Gangaramaya. 

Seema Malaka is a small, peaceful temple right on the banks of Beira Lake. 

4. Enjoy Wandering Pettah Market

Pettah Market is Colombo’s big, bustling central market. This market is where you can find a wide range of things you may (or may not) need. 

Pettah Open Air Fresh Market has vendors selling household essentials, shoes, clothing, fabrics, fruits, vegetables, electronics and more.

This market is always busy. The streets tend to be crowded, and as you walk through the market, you’ll hear lots of vendors calling out, trying to catch your attention. 

We enjoyed wandering around Pettah Market just to get a sense of what busy Sri Lankan markets are like. It’s fun to have a look around at the different things being sold, and it’s the perfect place for people-watching. 

While you’re in Pettah Market, keep an eye out for rambutans being sold. This small fruit is similar to lychee, but has a creamier, sweeter taste. 

In the market you’ll see vendors selling this fruit from a big pile! Typically, you can get 10 rambutans for 100 Sri Lankan rupees (about 10 centers per rambutan). 

5. Shop For Gold on Galle Road

Just on the outskirts of Pettah Market in Colombo is the best area of the city for gold shopping. Galle Road is where you’ll find many shops specializing in gold jewelry. 

Why would you go shopping for gold in Sri Lanka? 

In Sri Lanka, you can get much more for your money than you can in North America. And, shopping for gold in Sri Lanka is a fun experience, that’s quite different from the experience at home. 

In Sri Lanka, gold has long been a symbol of wealth and security. Historically, it has been deeply intertwined with the cultural and economic fabric of Sri Lanka. 

Ancient Sri Lankan kingdoms, such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, were known for their wealth in gold – this is how Sri Lanka became known as the “Island of Gems.” 

Gold coins from these eras have been found in archaeological excavations, confirming that the precious metal has long been used as a currency and a symbol of prosperity.

My husband and I headed to Galle Road wanting to buy one piece of gold jewelry each to bring home. 

Although we were on a several months-long trip while in Sri Lanka (with a limited budget), we both agreed that we prefer to buy high-quality jewelry as a souvenir, versus the typical trinkets. 

We set a budget limit for ourselves and decided we would only purchase jewelry that was unique, and that we loved. 

We visited two highly-rated gold shops on Galle Road: Ravi, and Devi. When you enter these shops, you are shown to a counter where you’ll have a seat and be helped by a salesperson. 

You’ll describe to the salesperson what you are looking for, and they will ask staff to bring cases of jewelry to show you. 

In Sri Lanka, all gold jewelry is 22 carats. We aren’t sure why this is, but every shop we visited only offered 22k carats. Shops have a set price per gram of gold, which is typically displayed on a digital sign. 

The purchase price for a piece of jewelry is calculated based on the weight and the current price per gram. 

Always ask for the best price before agreeing to a price – we found that we were able to get the price down a little bit by asking this. 

Finally, pay cash for your gold purchases. If you use a credit card, you’ll be charged a percentage fee. 

There are many ATMs on Galle Road, so if you decide to purchase gold, you can agree on the price and then go to withdraw the cash. 

6. Take in the Views From Lotus Tower

Colombo’s Lotus Tower is a 351.5 meter (1,153 feet) tall tower in the center of the city. And yes, you guessed it – the tower resembles a blooming lotus flower. 

A symbolic landmark of Sri Lanka, Lotus Tower is a green and purple coloured communications tower. Construction of the tower started back in 2012, and today it’s one of South Asia’s tallest structures.

Lotus Tower is open for the public. For a reasonable entrance fee, you’re able to go up to the tower’s observation deck for beautiful views of Colombo. 

There’s also a revolving restaurant on the 27th floor of the Lotus Tower. You can visit to enjoy a delicious meal while taking in 360 degree views of the city. 

7. Eat Delicious Sri Lankan Food

Like in any big city, you’ll be sure to find fantastic food in Colombo. There’s a wide range of restaurants and street food to choose from serving both local Sri Lankan dishes, and more international meals like doner. 

For Sri Lankan food, head to Plaza Hotel and Bakes, which is on Galle Road in Pettah Market. 

We dined here several times because they serve many traditional Sri Lankan dishes, for a super reasonable price. We really enjoyed the kottu roti, and lamprais. 

For a more upscale experience, head to Nuga Gama. Located in the Cinnamon Grand hotel, this restaurant covers the culinary heritage of Sri Lanka through its dishes. 

It’s a whole experience, beginning with the restaurant itself, which is designed to look and feel like a traditional Sri Lankan village. 

If you’re craving comfort food, head to Street Burger. This is a fast food chain that does burgers, fries, milkshakes, and other classic fast food favorites. We really enjoyed their fries and garlic sauce! 

8. Spend Sunset at Galle Face Green 

Galle Face Green (sometimes called Galle Face Beach) is a half kilometer promenade in the heart of Colombo. 

Back in the 1800s, this stretch of land was used for horse racing and golf. It was known at the time as the Colpetty Race Course. Today, it’s been transformed into a park known for its street food vendors and ocean views. 

The evening is the best time to visit Galle Face Green. As the sun starts to set, the park becomes busy with all sorts of people, from families to young couples. 

People come to fly kites on the grassy areas of the park, have picnics, take photos on the pier, dip their feet in the ocean, and enjoy street food.

The sunset views from this park are beautiful, making it the perfect spot to have a street food dinner and watch the sun go down. 

9. Admire Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid

Jami Ul-Afar Masjid is a historic mosque in Colombo. It’s located on Second Cross Street in Pettah. 

The mosque was commissioned by the local Indian Muslim community. Construction started in 1908 and the building was completed in 1909. It’s one of the oldest mosques in the city. 

Jami Ul-Afar Masjid is a popular site to visit because the mosque has a unique look. It’s made up of white and red bricks, and the building is part of a busy street in Pettah Market. 

While it’s nice to simply admire this mosque from the outside, at some times of the day, you can go inside. 

The visiting times depend on prayer times. Check in with the attendant at the entrance to find out whether you’re able to visit.  

10. Visit Kelaniya Viharaya

The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara or Kelaniya Temple is a Buddhist temple located 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) north-east of Colombo.

Kelaniya Temple is believed to have originally been built over 2000 years ago. The ancient temple was destroyed and reconstructed many times. In 1927, the current temple was started, and eventually finished in 1946. 

This temple is very significant to Buddhists because it is the place Lord Buddha visited along with 500 monks invited by King Maniakkhikha. 

The location at which Buddha stood and preached is marked by a large, white stupa. 

At the temple you can also visit an 18-foot tall stone statue of Avalokiteshvara, the earthly manifestation of the self-born eternal Buddha Amitabha. 

Kelaniya Temple is a bit of a day trip from Colombo, so this is something you can add to your itinerary if you have a couple days in the city. 

Colombo: The Basics to Know Before You Go

Now that you know whether Colombo is worth visiting (it is!) it’s time to plan your trip. Here are some key basics to know ahead of visiting Colombo. 

How to Get to Colombo

Since Sri Lanka is an island, most visitors arrive by flight into the country’s largest international airport. 

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is in Katunayake, about 32 kilometers north of Colombo. It takes about an hour to travel from Bandaranaike International Airport to the city center, depending on traffic.

• The easiest and fastest way to get to Colombo city center is by private transfer. The journey takes 40 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. A transfer from Colombo Airport to the city is usually around $34.00 USD – if you’re more than one person, the price is pretty reasonable as it’s split between you. You can book your private transfer to Colombo here. 

• The best option for a balance of affordability and time is to take the Colombo Express bus. The Colombo Express bus stop is just 50 meters from the arrivals terminal. The Express bus runs every 30 minutes between 5:30 AM and 8:30 PM. The bus ticket costs about 500 LKR ($1.50 USD), and the journey takes around one hour, depending on traffic. The bus stops at the Central Bus station, Pettah Fort and Colombo Fort. From there, you can take a tuk tuk to your accommodation.

Where to Stay in Colombo

Colombo is a massive city. You’ll want to stay in a central area so that it’s easy to get to the city’s main sites. 

Kollupitiya is the place to be. This neighborhood is the commercial hub of Colombo, with lots of shopping, restaurants, hotels, and access to public transport to reach anywhere you want to go in the city. 

It’s a nice walk, or a quick tuk tuk or bus ride to the National Museum, Independence Square, The Old Parliament Building and Pettah Market.

We stayed right on the edge of Kollupitiya in a small hotel called Visakha 6. It’s a family-owned hotel that has clean, comfortable rooms for a reasonable price. The rooms have ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, televisions, and fast wifi. 

Visakha 6 was the perfect hotel for our stay, we recommend it! You can book it, right here.

Currency in Colombo

Most of Sri Lanka, including Colombo, is cash-based. While some hotels and restaurants may accept credit cards, it’s best to assume that for most things, you’ll need to pay using the local currency, which is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). 

It’s best to carry small bills while in Sri Lanka. Most of your daily expenses won’t cost very much and having small bills makes paying simpler because the vendor won’t need to find change for you. 

Key tip! Go to People’s Bank when withdrawing cash in Sri Lanka. As of February 2024, there are no fees when you withdraw using their ATM. 

How to Get Around Colombo

Colombo has a large network of buses and plenty of taxis and tuk tuks that will help you get around the city. There is also a network of commuter trains, but you’re unlikely to need to use one. 

There are two types of buses in Colombo (and throughout Sri Lanka): government or SLTB (Sri Lanka Transport Board) buses and private buses. Both cost less than a dollar per person, per ride.

SLTB buses are usually old, red buses, while private buses are usually blue and white with lots of decorations on them. There’s not much difference between the two, although we found that the private buses were slightly faster.

Aside from buses, you can use tuk tuks or taxis to get around Colombo. It’s always possible to hail a tuk tuk fast. Just be sure to ask that they put the meter on, or agree on a price before getting into the vehicle. 

Whenever you barter for a tuk tuk ride (or anything else!) follow these best practices for responsible budget travel.

Final Thoughts: Colombo is Worth Visiting

Colombo is known for having one of the largest ports in South Asia. Its harbor handles the majority of Sri Lanka’s foreign trade. But as you’ve learned from this blog, there’s much more to this city. 

Don’t have much time to see all there is to see in Colombo? This highly-rated private day tour of Colombo includes a visit to Jami Ul Afar Mosque, Kelaniya Temple, Lotus Tower, and more.

Colombo is absolutely worth visiting for the food, shopping, markets, temples, and to simply experience what life in Sri Lanka’s biggest city is like. 

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