Why Colombo Is Worth Visiting: A Guide To The Often-Skipped Commercial Capital Of Sri Lanka
When one thinks of Sri Lanka, one thinks of the long stretches of sandy beaches, the lush green tea plantations and the spicy food prepared in coconut oil.
The thought of a busy metropolitan city with traffic and colourful tuk-tuks barely comes to mind. But just like any other country, Sri Lanka does have its share of large cities, with Colombo, the commercial capital of the country being the largest of them.
Tourists often entirely skip Colombo, not giving the city a chance, and head off to the Hill Country for some solitude or to the southern coast for some surf and sand!
We decided to start our trip in Colombo, not knowing what to expect. I even refrained from watching videos or Googling for images, because I wanted to find out through first-hand experience and was pleasantly surprised.
I had a notion that Colombo would somewhat resemble an Indian city, but I was instantly proved wrong. The roads are wide and spotlessly clean in most places. Cars patiently slow down as soon as you step on the zebra crossing and while the roads do get busy, the traffic was rather disciplined (which as we later found out is limited to Colombo’s traffic alone!)
Just 6° north of the equator, Colombo remains warm (read: hot) even in the winter, but a steady breeze constantly blows in from the Indian Ocean, making the 30℃ temperatures a lot more bearable.
By the end of this guide, I hope I succeed in adding Colombo to your Sri Lanka itinerary.
Continue reading to find out more!
How To Get To Colombo?
The main international airport serving Sri Lanka is the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, an hour away from Colombo’s city centre.
Between several Indian metros and Colombo, flights are operated by Sri Lankan Airlines, IndiGo, and Air India.
How To Get From The Airport To Colombo’s City Centre?
Airport Authorised Taxi
We opted for a taxi because our flight had been delayed and we arrived late into the evening and wanted to get to our accommodation straightaway since we did not have a sim card or an internet connection yet.
The taxi can be booked from the official Airport Authorised Taxi booth as soon as you exit the Arrivals Hall.
The drive from the airport to our hotel in Pettah cost LKR 2800 which felt like a reasonable price.
PickMe App
PickMe is the Sri Lankan equivalent of Uber to order cabs and tuk-tuks.
A taxi booked via PickMe is cheaper than an airport taxi but you do need a Sri Lankan sim card to register for the app. You can purchase a sim card from the multiple providers whose stalls are lined outside the Arrivals Hall, but they cost higher than they would if purchased in the city so you do need to weigh out the costs and see what works for you.
Public Bus
Two different buses run between the airport and the city:
i. The Express Bus operates from 5:30 am to 8:30 pm every 30 minutes with 3 stops at Central Bus Station, Pettah and Colombo Fort Station and departs from a bus stop 50 metres away from the airport premises.
ii. The other public bus operates 24 hours and leaves every 45 minutes. This bus goes directly to Colombo Fort Station and leaves from the Katunayake Airport Bus Station, which is 500 metres away and can be reached via the inter-terminal shuttle.
Places Worth Visiting In Colombo
The things to do in Colombo mainly revolve around its history and culture and can be covered in a day or two. You can opt for a city tour from a travel agent or your hotel or explore on your own.
Gangaramaya Temple & Beira Lake
The Gangaramaya (Vihara) Temple is one of the most important temples in Colombo and is centrally located.
There are several structures within the temple compound, with the main one being the temple, with a large Lord Buddha statue and depictions of the significant events of Lord Buddha’s life, through sculptures and paintings on all four walls.
A few steps away is the Bodhi Tree, the sapling of which was sent by King Ashoka of India through his daughter Sanghamitta who was sent to Sri Lanka to spread the message of Buddhism. There are many exhibits all around the temple complex, with innumerable statues of the Buddha, elephant tusks, coins, paintings and other antiques.
Around 50 metres away from the Gangaramaya Temple is Beira Lake, the entry for which is included in your ticket to the temple.
Jutting out into the lake is another temple, which houses information about Buddhism and its influence around the world. The entire exterior of the temple is lined with even more statues of Lord Buddha in different positions.
Entry: LKR 300/per person (including entry to Beira Lake)
Note: Covering your knees and shoulders is mandatory when visiting the temple and no form of head covering (hats/caps) is permitted at Beira Lake.
Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque
The Jami-Ul-Alfar is unlike any other mosque you have ever seen, owing to its almost candy-like, red-and-white striped exterior.
Located on 2nd Cross Street in Pettah, the mosque is open to tourists but women can only view the mosque from outside.
Cover-ups are available if you aren’t appropriately dressed and it is important to be respectful considering that it’s a place of worship and devotees still flock to the mosque to say their prayers.
Entry: Free
World Trade Centre and Colombo Fort
The World Trade Centre in Colombo is located in Colombo Fort, the financial district of the city.
Colombo’s World Trade Centre is a set of twin buildings at 39 floors each, standing tall at Echelon Square, housing the Colombo Stock Exchange, offices and retail spaces for large multinational companies and banks, along with a post office from where I mailed myself a postcard back home to Darjeeling!
The rest of Colombo Fort is dotted with important buildings like the Parliament House and other government institutions, along with hotels and plenty of buildings from the days of colonial rule under the Portuguese, Dutch, and British.
The best way to explore Colombo Fort is by either walking around or hiring a tuk-tuk.
National Museum of Colombo and Independence Square
Founded in 1877 by Sir Henry Gregory, the National Museum of Colombo is the largest in the country and displays valuable assets of its previous monarchs, including their thrones, crowns and other artefacts and memorabilia from their reign.
Entry: LKR 1000
Just a kilometre away from the National Museum is Independence Square, a revered spot in Colombo. At the Square, the Independence Memorial Hall was constructed to commemorate Sri Lanka’s independence from the British in 1948. The country celebrates its Independence Day at the Square as well as other important religious ceremonies.
Entry: Free
Galle Face Green
Galle Face Green was my favourite locale in all of Colombo! Best visited at sunset, it is a seaside recreational area spreading over 12 acres, with a promenade ideal for walks. Locals flock here at the end of the day to watch the sunset, play cricket, fly kites, and eat loads of street food.
The place is both peaceful and lively at the same time and in my opinion, the best way to end your day in Colombo.
Entry: Free
Marine Drive
At Colombo’s Marine Drive, you’ll find a rocky shore with a road running along the coast, and a parallel train line heading to the south. If you find yourself on Galle Road, then take any of the by-lanes leading towards the coast and you will find yourself at Marine Drive.
While there isn’t anything particular to do here, it makes for a pleasant break from your explorations to spend some time by the ocean and watch the rattling trains pass by.
Where To Go Shopping In Colombo?
Pettah Market
Pettah Market is the main market in Colombo with a large number of wholesale retailers. Not everyone will be willing to sell individual goods but of the ones that do, you can score great items at wholesale prices.
Each section of the market specializes in different products like clothing and footwear, electronics, spices, fruits and vegetables, and other grocery products.
Pettah Floating Market
Pettah Floating Market is right opposite the Bastian Mawatha Bus Station. During the day the place looked pretty lifeless, with a few shops selling souvenirs and clothes, mainly aimed at tourists, along with a couple of cafes and restaurants. But I believe things get more lively at night when it’s all lit up and frequented by both locals and tourists alike.
Entry: Free
Barefoot
Go through any shopping guide or magazine featuring Colombo and you are bound to come across Barefoot.
Barefoot is a boutique institution, with designer fabrics and other linens for interior decor on offer, along with clothes, bags, books, postcards and tea and also an in-house garden cafe. Shopping at Barefoot is usually an expensive affair, but the tea and the postcards were very affordable.
They have two outlets in Colombo and one in Galle.
Laksaru
Laksaru is another souvenir boutique in Colombo with a very diverse selection of Sri Lankan handicrafts and is a lot more affordable.
From fridge magnets to keychains, essential oils, Sri Lankan tea and flavoured coffee, spices, ceramic goods, leather products, pots and vases, candles, wooden masks and other items of interior decorations, there is a large option to choose from at Laksaru.
Gem Bureau
Sri Lanka is famed for its gemstones and the city has several of these outlets.
We visited Gem Bureau on the recommendation of a local and were very impressed by their collection. The gems don’t come cheap but there are inexpensive options as well for both astrological and non-astrological wear.
Stores like Gem Bureau also accept Indian currency so you can make your payment in Indian Rupees.
Note: Most of the markets and shops are closed on Sunday so plan your trip accordingly.
Where To Eat In Colombo?
Colombo has plenty of restaurants to eat at, but which ones are the best?
While I am no food expert, these are some of the restaurants that I think you should try!
Mayura Hotel
Technically a restaurant, Mayura Hotel serves some of the best curries in all of Colombo. From our hotel in Pettah, the restaurant was just 5 minutes away and it was here that we had our first meal in Sri Lanka. I opted for their prawn curry and rice which came with coconut sambol, yellow dhal and papad. Though spicy, the food is representative of what locals eat every day.
New Banana Leaf Restaurant
If you find yourself visiting Barefoot or anywhere else on Galle Road, then you can stop by New Banana Leaf Restaurant for a meal. Living up to its name, the food here is served on banana leaves and ranges from traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry to hoppers, kottu and biryani along with fresh fruit juice.
Upali’s By Nawaloka
One of the most popular restaurants in Colombo, Upali’s is very well known for its authentic Sri Lankan flavours and even though I didn’t dine here, it deserves a spot on this list owing to its popularity among its loyal customers.
Ministry Of Crabs
Located at the 400-year Old Dutch Hospital, the Ministry Of Crabs is a haven for crab lovers. Owned by the Sri Lankan celebrity chef Dharshan Munidasa and the cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena, the restaurant has been rated as one of the best restaurants in Asia for several years now.
Though on the pricier end, it’s worth it for the experience. You can show up at the restaurant or make reservations online to guarantee a table since it’s a distinguished institution itself and seating is limited.
Where Is The Best Place To Stay In Colombo?
Colombo is a large city and there are various neighbourhoods to choose from based on your preferences. Assuming that most people spend just a day or two in Colombo, it’s better to stay somewhere central.
Accommodation prices in Colombo are higher than in the rest of Sri Lanka, but advanced booking can help you score a fair deal.
Where we stayed: We stayed at the Port View City Hotel in Pettah, due to its proximity to the market. The rooms were fresh and felt modern, though with a rustic charm brought about by the wooden furniture. As the name suggests, you are afforded a view of Colombo Port, though you can only see the large yellow container cranes.
From our hotel, Pettah Market and the Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque were both 5 minutes away, and the Colombo Fort Railway Station was at a 15-minute walking distance.
Where to stay in Colombo
I would highly recommend staying at the YOHO Colombo City Hotel, right opposite the World Trade Centre in Colombo Fort. It is very affordable if booked early enough, especially for the location. I had planned to book our stay here but by the time I made our reservations, the price had tripled the original amount.
Just a few minutes away is the Grand Oriental Hotel with its colonial exterior and affordable rates. This was another hotel on my list but had to skip out because they didn’t have any provisions for a room with a double bed and a single bed. If you are travelling as a pair then I would recommend staying here.
If you have a higher budget then you should consider staying at one of the Cinnamon Hotels’ properties in Colombo. They have 3 hotels around the city, namely Cinnamon Grand, Cinnamon Lakeside and Cinnamon Red. As one of the most popular Sri Lankan hospitality brands, you can’t go wrong with choosing to stay at any of the Cinnamon Hotels.
I wouldn’t recommend staying at Mount Lavinia or in Dehiwala as they’re further away from the city centre and travelling back and forth takes up a lot of time.
Getting Around Colombo
Tuk-tuk
Tuk-tuks are the main mode of transportation within any city, town or village in Sri Lanka. For those of you that aren’t familiar, tuk-tuks are three-wheeled vehicles, equivalent to an auto-rickshaw in India. They come in different colours of red, blue, and green, and can be easily hailed down the road.
While most tuk-tuks in Colombo run on a meter, if they don’t have one then always agree on the price before getting on. You can also use the PickMe app and book a tuk-tuk just like you’d book an Uber. Prices on PickMe are lower but they usually take 5–10 minutes to arrive.
If there aren’t any PickMe tuk-tuks available then you can still log on to the app and check the prices and haggle with the other tuk-tuks drivers accordingly.
Note: A funny thing we came across in Colombo among the tuk-tuk drivers was their offer of a free ride in exchange for a visit to a gems store. Usually, tuk-tuk drivers are paid a commission in the form of petrol or diesel for bringing in tourists to showrooms even if you just spend 5–10 minutes and don’t buy anything. So in exchange for this visit, they agree to drop you off for free. This is not a scam because the drivers are very honest and upfront about it, and while it does save you money, it also ends up wasting your time so you are free to choose.
Bus
Though we never took the bus in Colombo, they can be found throughout the city but it does take time to familiarise yourself with the routes. Ask the bus conductor before hopping on and ask them to inform you when your stop arrives.
Buses are very cheap, and if you are an Android user then you can download the APK version of the Colombo Bus Route App which is very helpful.
Taxi
Taxis are once again best booked through the PickMe App as they’re cheaper than tourist vehicles and there’s no question of bargaining or being overcharged.
Main Bus Station In Colombo: Bastian Mawatha Bus Station
Main Train Station In Colombo: Colombo Fort Station
How Long Should You Spend In Colombo?
I’d suggest spending a maximum of 2 days in Colombo. While you can see quite a lot in a single day (we spent 1 ½ days) if you don’t want to feel rushed then give yourself two days to cover everything.
You can spend these two days either at the beginning or at the end of your trip. I’d recommend putting Colombo at the start because you would want to end your stay in Negombo, a city further north from Colombo from where the airport is very close unlike Colombo, from where it can take around 1.5 hrs to get to the airport.
Finally, Is Colombo Worth Visiting?
By now I hope you are convinced about adding Colombo to your itinerary, but if you still aren’t then I’d recommend you do so.
Many people claim Colombo to be ‘unlovable’ but I say give it a chance.
Yes, the traffic can be maddening and it does get very busy, but after all, it’s a city and equally a part of Sri Lanka like its mountains and beaches.
Give Colombo a chance to show who it is, aside from the rush of tuk-tuks and high rises and then you can decide for yourself if it was worth visiting.
