Pearl of the Indian Ocean

Welcome to

Colombo

Sri Lanka is undoubtedly a gorgeous little nation on the Indian Ocean, but the city of Colombo, the country's executive and judicial centre is particularly exquisite. It is located on the island's west coast, adjacent to the Greater Colombo region, and is known as 'The garden city of the West.' It is a tiny planet in itself, with a population of over 5.6 million people. The magnificent city is the very soul of the whole country. The city of Colombo is nothing short of spectacular, with picturesque scenery, stirring mountains, luscious green tea fields, and golden beaches. The nation is brimming with breathtaking natural, historic, and cultural sights, each more picture-perfect than the last. In Colombo, there is no shortage of tourist attractions. In reality, you will be pressed for time during your stay. It becomes quite difficult to plan your day when the city has so much to offer. From significant places like the Gangaramaya Temple, which will broaden your understanding of South Asian cultures and beliefs, to the amazing Galle Face Green popular for beautiful sunsets, the list goes on and on. Viharamahadevi Park and Independence Square are also must visit. Colombo also offers plenty of entertaining activities, just as it offers plenty of tourist attractions. Colombo’s day tour offers a diverse selection of adventure excursions. In addition to all of the adrenaline-pumping activities like scuba diving and snorkelling, there are several opportunities to just relax and unwind like spa and yoga sessions. Except for the dry season between January and March, Colombo sees intermittent rainfall throughout the year. This is the coldest time of year, with minimal humidity, making it perfect for sightseeing in Colombo, and enabling the visitors to enjoy their trip to the maximum possible level.

Places to Visit in Colombo

Colombo Lotus Tower

The tallest skyscraper of Sri Lanka- Colombo Lotus tower is also known as “Nelum Kuluna” in Sinhala. Colombo lotus tower is one of the most famous tourist sites in the town of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Standing at a height of 356 meters this tower is the tallest tower in South Asia, 11th tallest tower in Asia and 19th tallest tower in the world. It has become one of the major tourist attractions in Sri Lanka and popular among tourists. If you plan on visiting the country then this tower is a must-visit. It basically serves as a transmission tower for tv and radio. Besides being a transmission and communicating tower it also serves various leisure activities. There are banquet halls, shopping malls, hotels with suites, restaurants, museums, auditoriums and much more for the tourist to explore in the tower. There is a revolving restaurant at the top which provides a scenic view of the city. It completes one rotation every 90 minutes. This tower is one of the biggest highlights of Colombo and due to its enormous length, it can be seen from as far as 10kms from the main site. Approximately 50 television and radio broadcasters can be accommodated in the tower, along with 20 telecommunication providers. Lotus tower can attract more than thousands of tourists every day. It is open 24 hours and 365 days of the year for the tourists. On special festivals such as Pongal, Diwali, Eid, Christmas and many more the interiors of the tower are decorated accordingly. This tower is surely a gem in the busy city of Colombo and must not be missed if you are planning to tour this beautiful city.

Galle Face Green

Galle face green, a mesmerizing destination with a magnificent coast, it is one of the most admired grounds in the world. Found in Colombo, the Galle face green park is spread across an enormous area of more than 12 acres. Running alongside the picturesque costs, the park is celebrated among various tourists as an extraordinary spot to relish upon a number of activities including gazing at the mesmerizing sunset, enjoying delicious street food, picnics, taking a tour of the ancient Galle Fort, kite flying, volleyball, and many more adventures. The origin story of this enigmatic urban park goes way back to the 18th century. It was Sir Henry Ward, Governor of the British Ceylon who had first proposed the notion of constructing this park. The park is now a go to spot for tens of hundreds of localities and international tourists for various recreational activities. From delicious delicacies of Srilanka to multitudes of beach adventures, visitors are found here having a time of their lives. What makes the place even more special is it's fun ambiance that allows even the little ones to open their wings and fly. In other words, it doesn't matter if you are a sports fanatic looking to indulge in some thrills or a food fanatic craving for some flavorful munchies, you will find everything here at the Galle face green. Additionally, some of the most prominent events including hosting the largest artificial Christmas Tree in the world during Christmas are held on this ground. All in all, a fun place to delight upon the beautiful landscape, indulge in some adventures with friends and family and savoring a few delicious street foods, Galle face green can quite simply be your next weekend destination.

National Museum Of Colombo

The largest museum in Sri Lanka, the National Museum of Colombo was established in January 1877 by Sir William Henry Gregory, the then British Governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Currently maintained by the Department of National Museum of the central government, the museum is home to a lot of important collections, including the crown and throne of the Kandyan monarchs. Housed in a two-storied building, the museum has a big, well-maintained, lush green lawn right in front that is shaded by mighty banyan trees, which adds to the beauty of the place. As you enter the museum, you shall also find a fourth-century Buddha smiling at you in the lobby. Going forward, you will be mesmerized to find the collections in the museum. The galleries are as old as 1877, and you shall find all sorts of ancient art, carvings, and statues from Sri Lanka’s past along with a collection of antique demon masks. You can also find guns, swords, and other things from the colonial times. If you love art, you are totally in for a treat as the gallery also has in display 19th-century reproductions of English paintings of Sri Lanka. On display are the royal throne made for King Wimaladharmasuriya II in 1693, the 9th-century bronze Bodhisattva Sandals, and much more. And that is not all. There are agricultural displays and many more things that are sure to grab your attention and leave a mark in your memories.

Colombo Fort

Colombo Fort is the cultural, financial and economic hub of the city and is home to many important buildings and offices. It is the supreme business district of Srilanka and is home to the Stock Exchange building and the World Trade Centre, which is the tallest building in the country. The area is a very dynamic area as it not only facilitates trade and business in its lanes but also has some of the finest food stalls, tourist places, casinos and bars. Colombo Fort also has the popular Galle Face Green Promenade which is sea-facing ground built-in 1859. It is one of the finest and most popular places in the city. In the yesteryears, the area was home to the biggest palace in Sri Lanka which was demolished and repaired from the Dutch-era to the Portuguese-era. Till date, the remains of the palace are in existence like the Bastin Dan Briel, Battenburg Batteries, etc. Colombo Fort is also home to the official residence of the President of Sri Lanka and other important Ministers. The fort area also has the Consulate of Spain, Seychelles, Latvia, Denmark and Lithuania. Colombo Fort is the ultimate place to enjoy the original vibe of the Island nation and embrace the rich culture of the country through its food and various other things and activities.

Viharamahadevi Park

In Colombo’s heart, Viharamahadevi Park is home to a spectacular display of green space and recreational environment. The locals as well as tourists, are attracted to the park for its clean, bright and cheerful ambience. Whether you are out with your friends and family or with your spouse, Viharamahadevi Park is a perfect leisure space for you. People are often found basking under the sun, enjoying picnics and appreciating the light breeze. The Park boasts of a well maintained and alluring landscape. Every corner of the park is perfect for photographs. Spring season, showers the garden with colourful, fragrant blossoms. Your eyes will find pleasure in the tall palms canopying the walkways, soft green grass spread across the area and beautiful fountains conspiring with the sun to create charming rainbows. Sri Lanka’s Buddhist faith is marked by the presence of a huge gold-toned, brass, Buddha statue, facing the Colombo Town Hall, which is surrounded by fountains and lotus ponds. The Cenotaph War Memorial is set up in the park premises to honour the martyrs of WWI and WWII. A popular spot among tourists is the lake where visitors can have a boat ride and experience the wobbly suspension bridge. If children accompany you, take them to the play area for a fun time or give them a pony ride of the park. The park’s mini aquarium has a display of local fish, turtles and lobsters. Several food stalls selling cotton candy, ice cream and local snacks are set up all across the park. At night, the park presents a dreamy aura with lit up pathways, fountains and buildings. Viharamahadevi Park is a central location for several city events like Vesak Poya, Navam Perahera etc. During this time the city gathers for a celebration here.

Independence Square

The liberating air around the place where Sri Lankan independence was declared in 1948, subtly echoes with freedom even today. The calm that takes over in the garden surrounding this national monument frees the mind of all the chaos. Located at the head of the monument is the statue of the first prime minister of the country, Rt. Hon. Don Stephen Senanayake; ‘The Father of the Nation’. The Independence Square served as the ceremonial assembly hall for the Senate of Ceylon and the House of Representatives of Ceylon until the parliament was moved to the new parliament complex. Currently, it is the venue for religious events and annual national day celebrations. It is also the perfect pitstop for some peace in the bustling city.