Colombo

Art Galleries:

Permanent collections & temporary art exhibits of Sri Lankan artists are held regularly
at the National Art Gallery, Sapumal Foundation, the Lionel Wendt, Barefoot Art Gallery and Paradise
Road Gallery Café.

Bawa Architecture:

The late Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most influential architect, was responsible
for linking the ancient architecture of this island with that of the modern world. Sri Lanka’s Parliament
was created in the centre of a vast man-made lake, a theme he repeated with the ‘floating’ temple on
Beira Lake. We also recommend a visit to the Paradise Road Gallery Café, formerly Bawa’s studio.

Bellanwilla Temple:

The sanctity of Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya is due to its sacred Bo Tree,
which according to ancient texts is one of the 32 saplings that sprang from the sacred Bo tree at
Anuradhapura, planted in the 3rd century BC. This ancient Buddhist temple houses elaborate statues
of Buddha and frescoes depicting his life

Colombo area wetlands:

The Diyawanna Oya and Talangama wetlands in the Kotte suburbs offer opportunities for bird watching. These areas are a combination of tanks, canals and paddy fields which have recently been declared as protected natural areas. Further south, in the suburbs of Piliyandala, is Bolgoda Lake, Sri Lankan largest natural fresh water basin. Many birds, butterflies, monitor lizards and monkeys can be spotted.

Dutch Period Museum in Pettah:

The Dutch Period Museum is housed in the old Dutch House, built by Count August Carl Van Ranzow in the latter part of the 17C. Artefacts include furniture, ceramics, coins and photographs.

Hindu Kovils:

The city of Colombo has several Hindu Kovils with colourful and ornate statues and shrines dedicated to different gods and deities.

National Museum:

Colombo’s National Museum, established in 1877, is housed in an impressive colonial building in the heart of the city surrounded by extensive gardens.

Peraharas:

Colombo’s streets come alive in January for the annual `Duruthu Perahara’ and again in February for the `Navam Perehara’. These colourful processions display folklore, music, dancing, drumming and elephants. Vel, a Hindu festival, takes place in July or August where an ornately decorated Vel chariot, drawn by a pair of snow-white bulls carrying the statue of Lord Murukan, parades the streets of Colombo.

Royal Colombo Golf Club:

built in 1879, is in Borella, a short distance from central Colombo, and has a clubhouse of colonial charm. A city-centre course with numerous water hazards and the occasional commuter train running along the 6th fairway

Food in Colombo

Food is a highlight of Colombo. The city boasts a wide range of fantastic cafés and restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, whilst smaller eateries serve local hawker-style favourites like string hoppers, lamprais and biryani, as well as spicy pastries including Chinese rolls, seeni-sambol buns and fish patties which are collectively known as short-eats. Some of the best street food is foundon the seafront at Galle Face Green, including delicious koththu roti and isso wade (prawn dumplings).

For a more in-depth experience of local fare, go on our Colombo Street Food Walk.

For a selection of our favourite cafés, bars and restaurants in Colombo, see our Colombo Restaurants Guide. Further recommendations can be found in our comprehensive Booking Information.