Plan Your Trip to Colombo: Best of Colombo Tourism
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Essential Colombo
Things to do
Food & drink
Browse collections
Beach lifeRelax or get active on the coast
Colonial architectureExplore the city's colonial past
Local cuisineTaste the city's diverse dishes
Religious landmarksExperience the city's spiritual side
Tea cultureSample the finest local brews
Art galleriesDive into the vibrant local art scene
Hidden gemsFind spots only locals know about
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Colombo Is Great For
Safaris
Cultural Tours
Art & history
Multi-day Tours
Colombo travel advice
Top Attractions
According to forum posts, some of the must-see places in Colombo include the Gangaramaya Temple, Galle Face Green, and the Colombo National Museum. The Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamaha Devi Park are also highlighted as significant spots.
Historical and Cultural Sites
Travelers have called out specific historical and cultural sites such as the Red Mosque, Kelaniya Buddhist Temple, and the Dutch Museum. The old Parliament Building and the Dutch Reformed Church in Fort are also recommended for their architectural and historical value.
Recreational Areas
For those interested in recreational activities, places like Mount Lavinia Beach, Bellanvila and Beddegana Wetlands, and Diyasaru Park are suggested. These areas offer a mix of natural beauty and leisure activities.
Shopping and Dining
Forum users have suggested exploring Pettah Market for a local shopping experience and the Barefoot café and shop for unique souvenirs and a relaxed atmosphere. For dining, the Ministry of Crab and The Lagoon at Cinnamon Grand are frequently recommended for their exceptional seafood.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.
Was this helpful?Public Transport Options
According to forum posts, for travelers aiming to reach destinations like Nuwara Eliya or Kandy from Colombo Airport, buses are available but may not be practical late at night. For journeys starting in the morning, one can take a bus from Colombo central bus stand to Nuwara Eliya, or from the Avirawatte bus stand near the airport directly to Kandy. Specific bus numbers like 187 and EX03 can bring travelers close to the Colombo train station from the airport.
Taxi and Private Transport
Some travelers have indicated that taxis are readily available at the airport and can be hired from desks right inside the arrivals area. The cost for a taxi from the airport to Kandy is mentioned, and for other short routes like to Negombo, it's advisable to use either taxis or local apps like PickMe for better reliability than Uber. For those needing to reach Colombo city, the recommended transport is a cab due to the time efficiency compared to buses.
Car Rental
Although not extensively discussed, private car rental options are available at the airport for travelers preferring to drive themselves to various destinations around Colombo and beyond.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.
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- We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Colombo, which include:
- Some of the most popular restaurants in Colombo include:
- Colombo is known for some of its popular attractions, which include:
- We recommend checking out these popular tours when looking for something to do in Colombo:
- If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Colombo between December and February, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between September and November.