Unlocking the Charms of Colombo: A Traveler's Guide to Sri Lanka's Vibrant Capital
Welcome to Colombo, the bustling metropolis and beating heart of Sri Lanka! In this comprehensive guide, I invite you to embark on an unforgettable journey through the vibrant streets, cultural landmarks, and local cuisine of this bustling city.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, Colombo promises an array of experiences that will captivate your senses and leave you yearning for more. From exploring ancient temples to savoring street food, join me on my itinerary as we uncover the gems and must-see attractions that make Colombo a destination like no other.
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For your information, all these pictures were taken in January 2024.
Table of Contents
Some information about Colombo
Colombo is the capital and largest city of Sri Lanka. This city is located on the west coast of the island and is the perfect place to start your itinerary around the island. Most people skip this city, but this is completely unjustified as there are so many different things to see and discover. Even though it is pretty chaotic, it’s the perfect place to to immerse yourself in the culture and heritage.
How to get to Colombo?
You will arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport at Negombo, which is only a 30-minute drive to Colombo. That’s why Colombo is the perfect start of your trip in Sri Lanka. There are a few different ways to reach Colombo:
1 | By bus
Buses are a common mode of transportation in Sri Lanka and it’s a easy way to travel both short and long distances. The bus network is also very extensive, where major cities and towns are well connected.
Sometimes, the information online can be a bit confusion, so it’s best to ask the locals for some help. But to take the bus, you need to know which number/line you need. Then, you need to stop this bus as it passes you by. Once on the bus, someone will come by to collect the money. Make sure you have enough cash with you!
2 | By taxi driver / PickMe
The easiest way to travel from place to place would be by a private driver, which can be stopped at the side of the road or by the app PickMe App. Just know that this will be a lot more expensive (think 10 times or even more). This is what we did as it was our first day in Sri Lanka and we arrived in the middle of the night. So, we just wanted to be at our hotel as quickly as possible.
3 | By tuk-tuk
The last way to travel around Sri Lanka would be by tuk-tuk. This small, three wheeler vehicle is perfect to travel from place to place. The only disadvantage would be the space and the top speed. You can do this with a private driver, which you can stop at the side of the road, or by renting your own tuk-tuk.
Best time to visit Colombo
The best time to visit Colombo would be between December and April, as this isn’t the monsoon season in the south-west. But know that this is high season in Sri Lanka, so everything will be more expensive and busier.
There is a south-west monsoon between May till August and September till November. This monsoon hits the south and west coast the most between this period. During these months, the weather can be somewhat unpredictable, with intermittent rainfall and occasional thunderstorms. So, if your main goal is to visit the south in Sri Lanka, it’s best to avoid these months.
Where to stay in Colombo?
I stayed at Trillium Boutique City Hotel for my 1-night stay in Colombo and it was the perfect hostel for this short trip! The hotel is pretty close to the city center, which made it a very accessible hotel. It’s a 5-star hotel, which is perfect for
Best things to do in Colombo
Colombo is definitely a chaotic and busy city, but once your used to the bustling street life, you will find the beauty in this city. It’s a metropolis with different sights, flavours, people, but most of all the most beautiful historic temples. So, here is a list of top things to do in Colombo with the best attractions and places to visit:
1 | City Center of Colombo
The first thing I did while travelling around Colombo, is just wandering around the city center to let all the chaos soak in. It’s the perfect way to take it all in and look around. You can start at the Main Street and just take a few streets to the left and the right. It’s a great way to see how the locals live and shop for yourself if you want to.
2 | Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque
Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque is a historic mosque in the middle of the city of Colombo and is a popular tourist attraction because of its prominent red colour. Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque is constructed in 1908 and completed in 1909. The inspiration comes from the native Indo-Islamic and Indian architecture and is combined with the Gothic and Neo-classical style.
Opening hours: Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque is open daily from 10.30 am to 12 pm, 1 to 3 pm and 4.15 to 6 pm.
Entrance fee for foreigners: The entrance is free for foreigners
Things you should know: you will get a long cover up and will walk barefoot around your free tour. There isn’t a lot of time to take pictures tho.
3 | Sammangodu Sri Katirvelauta Swamy Temple
Very close to the red mosque is this Hindu temple, called Sammangodu Sri Katirvelauta Swamy Temple. This was constructed in the 19th century as a place for faithful Hindu traders as it depicts Hindu deities.
As I passed by this temple by accident, I was very lucky that it was open and that I could take a look inside. Know that it’s forbidden to take pictures inside the temple and you need to be barefoot.
4 | Gangaramaya Temple
The Gangaramaya Temple is a bit outside of the city center, but is easily reachable by tuk-tuk or by foot. This temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo, built in the late 19th century. Afterwards, the temple was converted into an institute of international reckoning. As of today, the temple is a place of worship, a learning place and a cultural centre. The perfect place to take a look!
5 | Lotus Tower
Everywhere I went to in Colombo, I couldn’t escape the magnificent Lotus Tower! The tallest skyscraper in whole Sri Lanka gives you an amazing view over the city. The iconic landmark, also known as the Nelum Kuluna, is shaped in a lotus flower where each petal offers a different experience, like suites, an observation deck and a restaurant.
Opening hours: The Lotus Tower is open daily from 9 AM till 10 PM from Monday till Friday and is open till 11 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Entrance fee for Sri Lankans: The entrance is LKR 500.
Entrance fee for foreigners: The entrance is USD 20.
6 | Beira Lake & Gangaramaya Park
On my hike to Gangaramaya Temple, we passed by Beira Lake and Gangaramaya Park. This lake is in the centre of the city of Colombo and is surrounded by many large buildings. As you may have noticed, the lake has a Portuguese name. This is because, during the colonial era, the lake was widely used for a wide variety of purposes.
7 | Sri Kaileswaram Temple
Sri Kaileswaram Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temple in Colombo in Sri lanka. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Ganesha. It’s build around 2 centuries ago. Because of its many colours and faces, it’s one of the most popular temples to visit in the area. It’s also a great location to see the Lotus Tower.
Opening hours: Sri Kaileswaram Temple is open daily from 6 AM to 10 AM and from 5 PM to 9 PM.
Entrance fee for foreigners: The entrance is free for foreigners
You might also like: Best things to do in Kandy (coming soon)
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Hello, I’m Ellen and welcome to this blog! I’m in love with exploring the world and hopefully I get to inspire you with these blog posts and pictures to feel the same. You will find detailed itineraries, hidden gems, tips and so much more!
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