We spent two days in Colombo, starting and finishing our week visit to Sri Lanka in the capital city. We spent the first day exploring the Fort area and the second with a stroll along Galle Face Green and around Beira Lake. Here is my pick of the top 10 things to do on a visit to Colombo.
Note: Colombo is hot, with an average daily high of 31 °C (88 °F). Sightseeing needs to be done at a leisurely pace with plenty of opportunities to rehydrate.
How to get to Colombo
Colombo is situated on the east coast of the island of Sri Lanka. The country’s main airport, Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, is actually 20 miles north of Colombo, close to the coastal city of Negombo. It is possible to reach Colombo from the airport by regular bus and express bus. As our flights were late at night, we opted for a taxi. The drive takes around 40 minutes and costs approximately $20-$30, depending on the traffic and time of day. You can book a taxi in the arrivals hall.
Getting around Colombo
Most of the attractions on my top 10 list are within walking distance of each other. The Lotus Tower is the only exception. It is possible to reach the tower by bus, but it’s easier to take a tuk tuk. In fact, whenever you’ve had enough of walking, just flag down a tuk tuk.
Note that Colombo is hot, with an average daily high of 31 °C (88 °F). Sightseeing needs to be done at a leisurely pace with plenty of opportunities to rehydrate.
Where to stay in Colombo
We stayed at the Fairway Colombo, which is conveniently situated opposite the Dutch Hospital precinct with its plethora of bars and restaurants. The hotel is wonderfully clean and very comfortable – an oasis of cool and calm in a hot, hectic city. In addition, since our visit, the Fairway has even introduced its own robot for more efficient room service!
Colombo’ in 2 Days Itinerary: Top 10 Things to do
| 1 | See the Old Parliament Building |
| 2 | See Colombo Lighthouse |
| 3 | Admire the architecture of Sambodhi Pagoda Temple |
| 4 | See Colombo Fort Clock Tower |
| 5 | Explore the bars and restaurants of the Dutch Hospital |
| 6 | Stroll along Galle Face Green |
| 7 | Wander round Beira Lake |
| 8 | Reflect at Seema Malakaya Meditation Centre |
| 9 | Relax in Gangaramaya Park |
| 10 | Enjoy the view from Colombo Lotus Tower |
No 1 – See the Old Parliament Building
The grand Old Parliament Building dates from the 1930s and the British Colonial era. It now houses the Presidential Secretariat.
No 2 – See Colombo Lighthouse
On to Colombo Lighthouse, which was built in the 1950s. It is constructed on a 12 metre concrete base, which you can climb for a panoramic view of the surrounding port area and the Indian Ocean beyond.
No 3 – Admire the architecture of Sambodhi Pagoda Temple
Sambodhi Pagoda Temple is a Buddhist shrine overlooking Colombo Harbour. It was built in the 1950s by the Colombo Port Authority and sits on a concrete platform so that it was visible to sailors offshore.
No 4 – See Colombo Fort Clock Tower
The Colombo Fort Clock Tower was built in 1857. It used to serve as a lighthouse, but more recent development has obscured its view.
No 5 – Explore the bars and restaurants of the Dutch Hospital
The 17th Century former Dutch Hospital complex has been restored and converted into bougie shops, restaurants and bars. A great place to relax and escape the heat of the day.
No 6 – Stroll along Galle Face Green
Take a walk along Galle Face Green. It’s a British style seaside prom. There’s even a memorial from its opening by Sir Henry Ward in 1859, in which he recommends the prom ‘to his successors in the interest of the ladies and children of Colombo’.
No 7 – Wander round Beira Lake
The artificial Beira Lake dates right back to the 16th Century, when it was constructed by the Portuguese as part of the city’s defences. Under Dutch occupation, the lake was enlarged and under the British, the land around the shores was developed (and the crocodiles removed). The lake is pretty – if you can look past the line of rubbish around the edge- and has two islands; one is contains a Buddhist Temple and the other, a park.
No 8 – Reflect at Seema Malakaya Meditation Centre
Seema Malakaya Meditation Centre is a temple built in 1985. The temple sits on the lake, linked to the mainland by three floating platforms connected by bridges. The first platform holds a meditation room surrounded by bronze Buddhas. The second may only be accessed by monks. The third platform has a courtyard centred around a sacred tree.
No 9 – Relax in Gangaramaya Park Park
Gangaramaya Park is a small park set on an island, reached by a suspension bridge. It’s a nice place to sit in the shade and take a moment to relax and rehydrate.
No 10 – Enjoy the view from Colombo Lotus Tower
Beira Lake is actually in two parts. Across the other side of the lake is Colombo Lotus Tower. At 351 metres tall, is South Asia’s tallest self-supported structure and the 19th tallest tower in the world. When we visited, the tower was still under construction, so we had to make do with admiring the distinctive green and purple tower from below.
You can now visit the the tower, which has 5 floors in the Base and a further 8 floors in Tower House (the pink bit at the top). In between is the Tower Body, which contains lifts including three that travel at 7 metres per second! You ascend from the Ground Floor, which contains a Food Court and Digital Art Museum, up past offices, a gaming arena, children’s play area, theatre, bar, revolving restaurant and apartments to the Observation Deck.
- Trip Taken: April 2018
- Updated: November 2025
I hope you found the above information useful. For guides to more destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full list of Independent Travel Itineraries here.
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