If you’re in Colombo for a couple of days there are some places that you should absolutely not miss. This list makes up the quintessential Colombo experience, and it’s a nice blend of tourist friendly places that locals also frequent so you get a good blend of vacation life mixed with the daily activities of people in the country.
First off, Galle face green. If you’re staying in a Colombo city hotel then chances are Galle Face is just a few minutes away! It’s a long stretch which is a welcome sight among all the buildings, and it gives you the perfect view of the sea. It’s usually my go to hang out spot when a lot of people are getting together, and it’s a really nice place to hang out in the evening at dusk. It’s got historical significance as well, because it was originally used by the Dutch so that the cannons of the nearby Fort (and you can see them if you walk a little further up!) had a clear range to fire. While you’re there do not forget to check out the street food! There’s one snack in particular called isso wade that’s basically a prawn embedded in gram flour and then fried. It looks a little strange but it’s really yummy!
Viharamahadevi Park is also a great place to check out, though you’ll probably have to grab a tuk tuk to get there. It’s a sprawling park right in the middle of what are some of the busiest roads in Colombo, and you can see some really nice old buildings around there. The park itself is nice to walk through, there’s a pond where you can take a little boat ride and follow the ducks. There’s also a small paddock with ponies! I’d recommend having a little picnic here if you can, it’s both peaceful and vibrant with life.
Dutch Hospital kind of has it all. The building itself has historical significance, and it has been converted into a chill courtyard. There’s plenty of places to grab a bite from, and even some good places to go shopping. Most times there will be a live band playing, so overall this is a great night spot to head to, and it’s about as close as Galle face is. The place is unmissable because of its vibes – it’s a favourite of mine and of locals in general as a place to have a drink and just enjoy the night! If you feel like taking a walk, this would be the perfect time to check out the old Lighthouse nearby. A short distance away, you can walk up some impressive looking stairs to see the old lighthouse, and get a whiff of sea air. You can also see the development of the new port city that’s coming up, it’s an interesting intersection between the city’s past and future.
If you have some time on your hands during the day and you want to see something truly Sri Lankan, then consider checking out the Seema Malaka Buddhist Temple. It’s situated right on the Beira Lake, making it look like it’s from another era! It was actually designed by the famous Geoffrey Bawa, and has lovely spaces that call for introspection. The temple itself is designed for meditation, so do enjoy a few minutes or more in this space, amidst the hustle and bustle of the city around you. There’s no entrance fee, and it’s open to all.
Colombo has a lot to offer so do some exploring on your own if you have time, but these are the places that you really should see if you’re around!
Exploring Colombo 