THE 10 BEST Colombo Museums
Museums in Colombo
Category types
Museums
Awards
Travelers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travelers across the globe.
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24 places sorted by traveler favorites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Speciality Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Art Museums
Speciality & Gift Shops • Speciality Museums
Speciality Museums
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries
Temporarily closed
Historic Sites • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries
What travelers are saying
- oldiesontherunNorfolk228 contributionsA trip to this museum was part of a complimentary tour from our hotel. There was lots to see there but there were lots of staircases.Written January 30, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MWBoise, ID296 contributionsThis was a must visit in Colombo for us. The tours are small and the guides very well informed, some of them having spent time with Mr Bawa before he passed away. It appears as though everything was left in place since that time. This is a charming and eclectic home that gives insight into the mind of Mr Bawa.
Although the tour confirmation suggested we could pay in USD it appeared this was not the case when we arrived - just FYI. We paid in SLR.Written March 1, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - dinah hParis, France1 contributionfantastic new modern art museum!
very well curated exhibition of minette de silva, asia’s first female architect (1918-1998)Written May 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BTW2 contributionsSo glad I spared the time to visit this delightful home gallery. It’s a short ride away from central Colombo. I took a tuk-tuk via PickMe app – no fuss, no hassle.
I was warmly welcomed at the door by the artist, Mahen, the inimitable, and his charming wife Rachel. Mahen is cerebral and charismatic. Both he and his wife are extremely laid back and affable, making you instantly feel at home in their home.
You can’t help but be drawn in by the incandescent pieces adorning the walls – the glory of Ganesh in all his resplendent forms. Magical and meaningful to me. The walls literally buzz with energy as the canvasses hum and whirr in harmony with nature.
Mahen and Rachel accompanied me throughout the gallery, taking time to explain the paintings, answering my questions and peppering the conversation with informative snippets to make for an engaging visit.
There was no hard sell, nor sales pitch to entice a buy– quite the opposite really.
Thank you, Mahen and Rachel, for welcoming me into your enchanting home, for taking the time to enable me to meet to Ganesh in his many guises, and for inviting me to your table for the scrumptious lunch. I am looking forward to adorning my wall with the radiant Ganesh who hummed in my ear as loudly as his winged friend thrummed in his.
A real treat to visit this place, whether you buy or not, and meet the Talent behind the captivating canvasses.
Tip to visitors: ring beforehand to ensure timings and a more customized visit.Written May 1, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - zamanwhoDhaka City, Bangladesh1,076 contributionsThe two story colonial era building located on Prince Street at Pettah in the old part of Colombo city, which houses this museum was constructed during the Dutch occupation of Colombo during 17th Century. It represents a unique architectural features of a colonial Dutch town house. The museum closed for renovation during our visit, we only could see the entrance hall and courtyard garden, we were disappointed.Written November 21, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DAMITH CHANDANAKandy, Sri Lanka61 contributionsColombo’s street art has a long history with paintings hung on railings, attracting the admiration of tourists as well as customers who buy colourful Sri Lankan scenes (the stilt fishermen of Weligama, village life, and Sigiriya are popular) for their homes or guesthouses. Paintings of all kinds and styles, including abstract and still life, can be seen on most days along one side of the main thoroughfare of Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha.
Colombo’s Street Art Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Holiday Guru
Under the unamused eye of a stately statue of Queen Victoria (sitting on a plinth at a side entrance to the Museum), painters display their wares while commuters rush past in buses and cars. It’s a pleasant walk for pedestrians and a chance to pick up a unique and unusual souvenir of Sri Lanka. Bargaining is expected – but how do you price an original work of art?
For the past quarter of a century, on a Sunday early in the New Year, the John Keells Foundation has sponsored a day-long street art fair so artists from around the country can join the regulars in exhibiting their works of art. The talent on display then is amazing. Some painters will even demonstrate their skill by painting peoples’ portraits as they pose in the shade of trees beside the road.
With the weather usually fine at this time of the year, Colombo’s street art fair becomes a jolly event, with entertainers, snack stalls and the chance to buy a work of art to take home.Written August 5, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Peter MMelbourne, Australia1,293 contributionsThis museum is run by he Central Bank of Sri Lanka and has a wide variety of coins dating back to 200sAD. It was formerly the National Mutual Life Association of Australia Colombo head office There are chargesWritten August 23, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- hdiasReigate, UK493 contributionsThe J R Jayawardene centre is the Presidential Library and study centre of a Sri Lankan President who had a long career both in government and opposition. It contains many paintings, gifts from distinguished visitors and his personal library with no charge to enter. The latter may be of particular interest to those studying political science, international relations and history.
If you visit, you need to tell the security at the gate (armed services) that you wish to visit the centre. They will probably escort you to the door and ring the bell for admission. We were the only visitors and the interior resembles a sleepy government office that no one visits. There are a few people manning the centre but they don't seem to expect (or get) too many visitors. We started at the top of the building (where the books are) and worked our way down. There is an exhibition of photographs in a small room at the back of the ground floor.Written October 19, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - IvanLondon, UK115 contributionsThis was an absolute highlight of a recent trip to Sri Lanka. I was taken on a fascinating journey going back in time to the 1920s and marvelled at the mastery of the 43rd Group of Sri Lankan artists among them Harry Peiris, ( the Foundation is housed in his old villa), George Keyt, Ivan Peries, W.J.G. Beling, Justin Deraniyagala, Aubrey Collette, Richard Gabriel, Stanley Abeysinghe, L.T.P. Manjusri, George Claessen and their patron, the Sri Lankan photographer Lionel Wendt.
Admission is free but they would value donations. All kinds of art classes take place here. What a shame my UK card did not work on their card reader despite using it that day elsewhere in Colombo, (I would highly recommend that they get an up to date credit card reader - so needed for business these days - I dearly wanted to buy books, prints, cards but couldn't do so.
This place needs funds to refurbish the villa and to protect these twentieth century Sri Lankan masterpieces from the Colombo heat. I worry about whether people can view these paintings in 50 years time. They urgently need benefactors who will fund a new building and keep the art in the right temperature and conditions. Sadly this art heritage might vanish if climate change comes into play when it comes to preserving these masterpieces.
If you are visiting Sri Lanka this is a "must see" art heritage place in Colombo. I highly recommend the Sapumal Foundation to visitors wanting to experience the Sri Lankan 20th Century masters of art. This place is well worth a visit.Written August 23, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Yashi g1 contributionA wonderful art gallery with a private museum collection of Sri Lankan masterpieces.
Amazing environment filled with absolutely rare collection of Sri Lankan master painters including Laki Senanayake.Written May 12, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Seevali DColombo, Sri Lanka8,965 contributionsI have been visiting Lionel Wendt Memorial Art Centre for over 20 years. My last visit was on 17th and 19th January 2020 to view two art exhibitions.
The Art Centre is named after photographer and Artist Lionel Wendt. It stands at 18, Guildford Crescent (now named Premasiri Kemadasa Mawatha) in Colombo and is the place where the artist originally built his small house that he made accessible to art lovers.
The theatre for performing arts has over 600 seats and is the premier location in Colombo for both Sinhala and English stage plays, with an occasional one in Tamil. Here at this theatre, I have watched the stage dramas Maname, Sinhabahu and Hunuwataye Kathawa among many others. Though non-alcoholic drinks are available at a little cafeteria, visitors are not permitted to take food or drinks into the theatre. The theatre is air conditioned. It is run-down and a renovation would be much appreciated by patrons.
Photographic and sculpture exhibitions are held at the two art galleries. The one on the ground floor facing the road is the more common one. Here I viewed an exhibition of paintings by four artists on 17th January 2020. On the same day there was another exhibition at the Harold Peiris gallery upstairs displaying wild-life photography. I enjoyed both exhibitions that were of a high order.
Photographic Society of Sri Lanka conducts its operations in one of the rooms on the ground floor. Photographic enthusiasts meet here regularly. The society organizes educational programmes for beginners and enthusiasts. They also conduct an annual international photographic exhibition.
The Lionel Wendt Memorial Art Centre is the premier institution dedicated to the performing arts, to drama, ballet and music, and to painting, sculpture and photography.
The four stars allocated do not reflect comfort at the Art Centre. It reflects the quality of paintings exhibited and the high standard of plays staged there.Written January 31, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ranee BAdelaide, Australia757 contributionsWe were very disappointed with this, There are nice paintings but no plaques with information as to the subject matter or the name of the artist. There should be a small label beneath each painting. There was no one capable of giving us any information, but just 2 security guards!!!
The area next door with the sculptures was closed. Very sad to see this in a beautiful building located in a very nice area in Colombo, located just before the entrance to the National Museum on the left.Written August 18, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - nrm77London, UK1,090 contributionsI was visiting Colombo earlier in the year with some of my friends. During my time there, I wanted to buy some art pieces, and I was recommended to visit Saskia Fernando Gallery for looking at some modern Sri Lankan modern art. It was about a 10 minute drive from the Galle Face Hotel, where I was staying. I enjoyed the place very much, it is beautifully decorated, all in white and has some really nice pieces of art there. Highly recommended for those who love art.Written September 21, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mohan W1 contributionA much needed art gallery providing the opportunity to some of the talented artists ! Worth a visit where the friendly staff will ensure all your questions and needs are taken care ofWritten July 19, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- zamanwhoDhaka City, Bangladesh1,076 contributionsGem Museum is not a typical museum but a shop displaying highly expensive Gems. Most of the taxi drivers were proposed to take to this places for shopping. All the salespersons are always pushy in these type of shops and try to sell their products but you have to do bargain if you like to buy as they have always asked very high price. It was a good experience to visit the shop in Colombo.Written November 18, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
