🏛️Main Attractions
- ✓Gangaramaya Temple
- ✓Pettah Market
- ✓Galle Face Green
- ✓National Museum
- ✓Independence Hall
- ✓Seema Malaka Temple
Also check attractions in other Sri Lanka cities:
Colombo
Colombo
Sri Lanka's commercial capital where colonial heritage meets modern development, offering temples, markets, and seaside promenades along the Indian Ocean.
🌐Other Cities in Sri Lanka
Recommended Hotels in Colombo
Hand-picked hotels and accommodations from Agoda (20 properties)
🏨Recommended Hotels
- ★Shangri-La Hotel Colombo
- ★Galle Face Hotel
- ★Cinnamon Grand Colombo
- ★Colombo Courtyard
- ★Clock Inn Colombo
🍜Restaurants & Food
•Ministry of Crab
$50-80Seafood
•Curry Leaf
$25-40Sri Lankan
•Nuga Gama
$15-25Traditional Sri Lankan
•Upali's by Nawaloka
$8-15Rice and Curry
Also check restaurants in other Sri Lanka cities:
🛍️ Shopping
- •Pettah MarketTraditional Market
Chaotic bazaar district with narrow streets selling everything from textiles and spices to electronics and jewelry at bargain prices.
- •OdelDepartment Store
Modern Sri Lankan department store chain offering clothing, homeware, books, and local handicrafts with fixed prices.
- •Paradise RoadDesign Store
Upscale lifestyle store featuring contemporary Sri Lankan design, furniture, textiles, and unique gifts by local artisans.
- •BarefootTextile & Crafts
Famous gallery and café showcasing handwoven textiles, clothing, toys, and books in colorful, contemporary Sri Lankan design.
💡 Travel Tips
- • Dress modestly when visiting temples - cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes
- • Bargain hard in Pettah Market - start at 30-40% of asking price
- • Use PickMe or Uber instead of unmarked taxis to avoid overcharging
- • Avoid tap water - drink only bottled water with intact seals
- • Be cautious crossing streets - traffic is chaotic and pedestrian crossings often ignored
- • Keep small bills (100-500 LKR notes) as change is often unavailable
🔗 Related Information
📋Quick Info
📅Best Season
December to March (dry season, less humidity)
💰Daily Budget
$40-70 per day (mid-range accommodations and food)/day
👥Popular With
First-time Sri Lanka visitorsBusiness travelersUrban explorersFood lovers
🗓️Recommended Stay
2-3 days to explore city highlights before heading to beaches or cultural sites
🌐Timezone
SLST (UTC+5:30)
💬Local Language
Sinhala, Tamil, English widely spoken in tourist areas
💱Currency
Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) - ATMs widely available, cards accepted at hotels/restaurants
📅Colombo 3-Day Itinerary
Recommended plan for efficient sightseeing
Colonial Heritage & Markets
🌅
Morning2h
🎭
Fort Area & Dutch Hospital Precinct
💡 Explore colonial architecture and renovated Dutch Hospital with shops and restaurants. Good for morning coffee.
🌅
Morning3h
🛍️
Pettah Market exploration
💡 Navigate bustling bazaar streets - bring small bills for purchases. Watch belongings in crowded areas. Bargaining essential.
☀️
Afternoon1h
🍜
Lunch at Upali's or local curry shop
💡 Try authentic rice and curry - choose from array of vegetable and meat dishes. Start with mild if sensitive to spice.
☀️
Afternoon2.5h
🎭
National Museum of Colombo
💡 Sri Lanka's largest museum with royal artifacts, masks, and historical exhibits. Air-conditioned respite from heat.
🌙
Evening2h
📍
Galle Face Green sunset
💡 Join locals flying kites and enjoying ocean breeze. Try street food - isso wade (prawn fritters) and kottu roti.
💡Tips
- •Use PickMe or Uber for metered, reliable transport - avoid unmarked tuk-tuks overcharging tourists
- •Only drink bottled water and be cautious with street food if you have sensitive stomach
- •Dress modestly at religious sites - cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes
- •Traffic is chaotic - be very careful crossing streets, pedestrian rights rarely respected
- •Bargain hard at Pettah Market (start 30-40% of asking), but design stores have fixed prices