After writing about countless cities around the world, I finally get to write about my hometown! I was born in Colombo, so were my parents, grandparents and a few grand-grandparents! Colombo is Sri Lanka’s commercial capital and its largest city. In fact, the Colombo metropolitan area is said to have a population of 5.6 million people, which is about 25% of the country’s entire population! If you are visiting Sri Lanka for a few days or a couple of weeks, Colombo is a good introduction to the rest of the country. This post covers the best things to do with one day in Colombo.
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Table of Contents
A Brief Introduction
Sri Lanka actually as two capitals; Colombo and Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte. Colombo is the economic capital while Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is the administrative capital. Colombo is divided into 15 areas for the purposes of postal services. You may hear people say Colombo 4, Colombo 7 etc., but don’t worry too much about matching the number to the name. Colombo goes back in history as a trading port. There are many theories as to how the name came into being. One and very plausible theory is that Colombo means port. The sinhala word for Colombo is kolamba which comes from the word kolom-thota where thota means port.
How to Get Around Colombo?
Getting around Colombo is actually super easy! Ubers are available and relatively inexpensive. Ubers will give you options for tuks, small compact cars, a full sized sedan and a bigger van type vehicle. You can also get metered taxis off the street but do this as a last resort because I found them to be a lot more expensive than Ubers.
You can also download the Sri Lankan version of a ride sharing app called PickMe. Metered taxis off the street are cash only but honestly most Uber and PickMe drivers would also prefer cash. If you set your presence to cash, you may actually find them picking up your ride a lot faster.
Where to Stay?
With one day in Colombo, you should aim to stay in central Colombo like in Bambalapitiya (Colombo 4) or Colpetty (Colombo 3). It’s easy to get to most places from these two areas and there are a ton of restaurant and accommodation options in these areas as well!
AirBnB Option: Sea View Apartments
Located in Colombo 4, 2-bedroom/2-bathroom apartment is ideal for a family or 2 couples. The apartment is beautifully furnished and even has dedicated workspace for those looking to do a little work. The complex has a rooftop pool and a gym as well. It’s hosted by a lovely lady who is a “superhost” on Air BnB. The listing has 5 star reviews and according to AirBnB is “one of the most loved homes” on their site.
Hotel Option #1: Cinnamon Red
This budget hotel is located in Colombo 3 and has a fantastic rooftop with a pool and ocean views.
Hotel Option #2: Cinnamon Grand
This hotel is a little more upscale but is also located in a fantastic location, close to a lot of the places on this ‘things to do in Colombo in one day’ list. It also has several on-site restaurants and an international buffet that stretches for miles. Their sister hotel Cinnamon Lakeside is located next to a lake and is also in a central location!
How Many Days Do you Need in Colombo?
I will be very honest with you! Don’t spend more than one day in Colombo. If you have more than a day, you should consider doing a day trip to another part of the island. All of Sri Lanka’s natural beauty, historic sites and main attractions are actually outside of Colombo.
Here are some suggestions for a day trip:
- Negombo – beach and seafood
- Galle – UNESCO World Heritage site (Galle Fort) and beaches
- Kandy – Another UNESCO World Heritage site (temples and gardens)
- Anywhere on the southwest coast – beach day!
Should Colombo Be Your Base for Sri Lanka?
No! Don’t use Colombo as a base for your entire trip to Sri Lanka! The best way to explore Sri Lanka is via road trip. Don’t come back to Colombo each time or use it as a hub.
Explore Colombo on your first or last day in Sri Lanka! My recommendation would be to do it on your first day as I think this provides for a nice introduction into the country!
Is One Day in Colombo Enough?
Yes! I definitely think so. Just start a bit early and you can see the city in a day!
Let’s see what you can do with one day in Colombo!
Things to Do with One Day in Colombo
To make the most of your one day in Colombo, start your day around 9 AM after a good breakfast. If you are opting for clothing that does not cover your shoulders and knees (regardless of your gender), then you may need to grab a shawl and sarong or warp. In general my advice is to dress somewhat conservatively as you will be going to religious places today.
Gangaramaya Temple
Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist country. In fact, Buddhism is the state religion. Buddhism plays an important role in Sri Lanka’s history, culture and heritage. Gangaramaya temple is one of Colombo’s oldest temples and is a rather interesting place. It’s a mixture of both religious and architectural artifacts. The temple holds a perahara or parade every year in February during the full moon, if you are visiting during this time and are interested in seeing it (will be held at night). See HERE for more details.
Foreigners will need to purchase tickets and you can do so at the temple. Hold on to that ticket for the next location as well.
Seema Malakaya or Floating Temple
Less than 300 meters from Gangaramaya temple is the Seema Malakaya. Built on the Beira Lake, this floating temple was actually built as a meditation center by the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.
Viharamahadevi Park
This park in the heart of Colombo, used to be called Victoria Park. In fact, it had a huge statue of Queen Victoria back in the day. Now, there is a golden Buddha statue. Opposite the park is what most Sri Lankan’s joke and say is Sri Lanka’s White House. It’s actually the town hall building of the city of Colombo.
The park is skippable in my opinion if you are running out of time. But, it’s close by to the Floating Temple, if you have the time to stop by.
Lotus Tower
Head over to the Lotus Tower for 360 degrees views over Colombo and the surrounding area. The tower is shaped like a lotus bud, which symbolizes purity in Sri Lankan culture. Standing at 351.5 meters (1,153 feet), the lotus tower is the tallest self-supported structure in South Asia.
See HERE for tickets.
The tower is really nice at night when the lights come on!
Dutch Hospital
The Dutch Hospital is one of the oldest colonial buildings located in Colombo. It was originally used at a hospital by the Dutch East India Company to serve Dutchman who came to the island. The location was ideal as it is close to the harbor. The building goes all the way back to the 1600s! Today, the original building has been restored and is now retail space.
You can grab something to eat at the Dutch hospital. There are a few restaurants here including a couple of high-end restaurants at the Dutch Hospital including the famous Ministry of Crab. If nothing here interests you, try the food court at One Galle Face Mall or one of the options below!
If you are doing good on time, you could also grab food at one of the well known cafes in Colombo, like the Gallery Cafe. Or can also combine some Sri Lankan handlooms and souvenirs with some lunch at the Barefoot Cafe.
Seeds is another great option for a casual lunch and the Stache is a fantastic option for some cafe style food with a Sri Lankan twist.
The only thing is that you would be going the other direction slightly but Colombo is not a big city size wise and it shouldn’t take you that long to get from point A to B (especially mid day).
Pettah
Pettah is the biggest local market you will find in Colombo. There is honestly nothing you cannot find in Pettah! They have an area with a floating market that is fun to check out. If not, just wander through the streets and really experience the hustle and bustle of the Pettah market.
Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque
This mosque is one of the landmarks of not only Pettah but all of Colombo. It’s also called the Red Mosque owning to its red color. Built in 1909, it’s one of the oldest mosques in Colombo! You can visit the mosque (barring Friday). There is a separate entrance for tourists. Even if you don’t go inside, you should still walk around the building. The architecture is really unique!
Next to the mosque is a “Bombay Sweet House”. If you are looking for a nice cool sweet treat, go inside and ask for a faluda. This pink colored drink is very popular not only among the Muslim community but all Sri Lankans.
Independence Square
The Independence Square is where Sri Lanka gained independence from the British on February 4th, 1948. A year later the Independence Hall was built as a memorial of this historic event. The hall is a replica of the “Magul Maduwa” or royal audience hall where the British took over the country on March 2nd, 1815.
For the longest time, Sri Lanka held its independence day celebrations at this location (today’s it’s held at the Galle Face Green). On a regular day, especially in the evenings, you will see lots of people jogging or walking around the square. This is a popular spot for an outdoor workout. In fact, I used to workout here after work quite often.
Time your arrival to the next place around sunset.
Galle Face Green
Galle Face is Colombo’s green space. It’s next to the beach and an ideal place to sit and watch the sunset for free. You will see lots of families with children at Galle Face. This is also where people come to fly kites! Sit here for a bit and people watch while watching the sunset. If you keep walking passing Galle Face towards Fort, you will find the old parliament building. This building now houses the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka. You can’t really go inside but it’s a nice building, nevertheless.
One Galle Face
Across from Galle Face is a mall called One Galle Face where you will be able to buy souvenirs and things to take home if you are interested. If not, it’s a break from the heat so go in anyways!
Dinner
If you love to eat, here are some of the best restaurants to end your one day in Colombo. I recommend this even more if this is your first day in Sri Lanka. Have a full Sri Lankan meal at a restaurant that offers the whole experience.
Nuga Gama
I really like Nuga Gama for several reasons. Located at the Cinnamon Grand hotel, this restaurant is set in a village like setting. In the center is a huge banyan tree and surrounding it are little clay huts just like in the villages of Sri Lanka. All the food is prepared and served traditionally. It’s buffet style so you pay a fixed price and eat as much as you want. They even have action stations where you can see your food being made.
Thuna Paha
Thuna Paha is actually located in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte but is worth the drive if you want to taste some of the best Sri Lankan dishes. The food was absolutely delicious here and they offer a wide variety as well. It’s a fixed price per head and trust me well worth it!
Culture Colombo
This restaurant is great for those looking for a casual dining experience. You can order individual dishes or get the sampler that comes with some of the popular Sri Lankan dishes.
If you are looking for something more upscale, Gini is a good option, Gini features fusion Sri Lankan food and is set in a beautiful bungalow located in Colombo 5. You do have to make reservation a couple of weeks in advance.
Wondering what to eat and which dish goes with what? Check out my detailed blog post about what to eat in Sri Lanka HERE.
Night Life
If you are still alive and kicking from your one day in Colombo, then consider going out for a cocktail or two. Colombo is a little quiet during the work week but come Friday and Saturday, all the bars, clubs and watering holes are packed! Back in my mid 20s when I worked in Sri Lanka between undergrad and grad school in the US, I spent almost every Friday and Saturday partying like there was no tomorrow! The thing about Colombo is that these hip and happening places change so rapidly.
Park Street was very happening when I visited this time. But, if you are looking for a quieter experience the bar at ICT Rathnadeepa or Colombar at Cinnamon Lakeside will do the trick.
Guided Tours for one Day in Colombo
If you don’t want to figure out transportation and prefer a guided tour, check out the option below! It has very good reviews and will save you some time and hassle.
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