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Top 10 attractions in Colombo

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Galle Face Green
No. 5 of Night Attractions in Sri Lanka

Galle Face Green

4.7
4.4/5
112 reviews

Galle Face Green is a scenic seaside promenade located in the heart of Colombo's financial and business district. Stretching for half a km along the Indian Ocean coast, it is a great place to watch the sunset. The surrounding area has a strong commercial atmosphere and is rich in activities. 1. Coastal scenery Strolling along this promenade with the sea breeze and the sound of waves, you have the Indian Ocean view on one side and the modern cityscape of Colombo on the other—it's truly delightful. In the evening, this is also a great spot to enjoy the sunset. Below the seawall is a narrow strip of beach; while not the cleanest, it's still a good place for playing in the water. There is an observation deck in the middle of the square where you can get up close to the sea. 2. Activities nearby There is a flag-lowering ceremony on the square every evening at 6:00 PM, which is quite spectacular and worth seeing. Additionally, there is a night market near the beach in the evening where you will see many barbecue stalls. The grilled fish is a pleasant surprise, and various traditional Sri Lankan foods are gathered here. It becomes very lively and bustling at night. Furthermore, because it is close to the Independence Palace, the Independence Day military parade has also been held here in recent years. 3. History of the square During the Dutch colonial period, this area was used as a breakwater and fort. In 1859, the then-Governor of British Ceylon developed this green space for use as a horse racing track and golf course. Today, Galle Face Green has become a popular local leisure spot, where you can often see locals jogging, walking, and flying kites, and even couples enjoying romantic moments.

Colombo · 1.8km from downtown
BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall)
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Colombo

BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall)

4.4
4.4/5
140 reviews

BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall) is located in the heart of the Pettah district in Colombo. With its magnificent and spectacular architecture, it is one of the city's iconic landmarks. The building was a project provided as free aid by the government of China to Sri Lanka. Since its completion 30 years ago, it has played an important role in the social life of Sri Lanka. The entire building is well-equipped, with a 16,000-square-foot conference hall, 400 telephone lines, and a newly built library that showcase its grandeur. The building features an octagonal floor plan, an outer corridor composed of 48 snow-white marble columns, large overhanging eaves, and openwork lattice exterior walls. It is light and airy, rich in tropical architectural style and local characteristics. Since its completion and opening over 30 years ago, it has played an important role in the social life of Sri Lanka. In 1964, China decided to provide free aid to build an international conference hall for Sri Lanka. It was completed in May 1973. Since its completion and opening over 30 years ago, it has played an important role in the social life of Sri Lanka, with a status equivalent to that ofThe Great Hall of the Peoplein China. It is hailed as "a symbol of Sri Lanka-China friendship and a pearl of Sri Lanka." Opposite it stands the Embassy of China in Sri Lanka, highlighting its political significance. The two buildings complement each other, symbolizing the close unity between the people of China and Sri Lanka.

Colombo · 3.1km from downtown

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Featured Culture & history in Colombo

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Colombo Express Food Tour with 9 + Tastings
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4.8/5
· 77 reviews
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97.4% of travelers recommend
FromINR 2,454.47
Colombo Highlights Audio Tour: Colonial Heritage and Vibrant Markets
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
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20% off
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FromINR 549.93INR 687.42
Private charter for 10 hours | Colombo 1-day tour with downtown hotel transfer | 5-seater vehicle
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FromINR 8,852.40
In-depth guide of Galle Face Green in Colombo, Sri Lanka for 2 hours
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FromINR 2,390.84
In-depth guide of National Museum in Colombo, Sri Lanka for 2 hours
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Duration: 2 hrs
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Colombo National Museum + Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque + Beira Lake day tour in Sri Lanka
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Duration: 4.5 hrs
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FromINR 16,311.19

Featured Food & drink in Colombo

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Colombo Cooking Class
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5.0/5
· 106 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
English
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100 consecutive positive reviews
FromINR 5,664.16
Colombo Eat Like a Local Food Experience
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Duration: 3 hrs
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FromINR 2,830.15
Colombo: Forgotten Colombo Tuk Tuk Tour with Tea Tasting
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Duration: 4 hrs
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COLOMBO PRIVATE guideCITY TOUR WITH street food( All inclusive )
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4.3/5
· 46 reviews
Duration: 270 mins
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FromINR 3,209.69
Colombo: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Lunch
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4.9/5
· 9 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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FromINR 2,358.82
Colombo: Sri Lankan Street Food Tasting at a Rooftop Bar
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Duration: 2.5 hrs
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Colombo: Sunset & Cocktails at a Rooftop Bar
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Featured Outdoor & sports in Colombo

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Angel Rock Snorkeling Adventure – Explore Vibrant Fish
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3.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 90 mins
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FromINR 2,076.86
Mirissa Sri Lanka Motorcycle Day Tour or Half-Day Tour 15227
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Duration: 1 hr
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FromINR 4,908.54
Colombo, Sri Lanka Departure | Sea Train + Stilt Fishermen + Galle Fort Day Tour
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 7.5 hrs
English
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FromINR 26,991.32
Galle sea train tour + Old town of Galle and its fortifications + Clock tower + Unawatuna Beach
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Private Trip Sigiriya Dambulla and safari from Colombo or Negombo
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4.7/5
· 10 reviews
Duration: 10–12 hrs
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From Colombo to Sigiriya Fortress, Dambulla & Minneriya Safari
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4.5/5
· 16 reviews
Duration: 12 hrs
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Sunset Cruise In Colombo
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Duration: 3 hrs
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Colombo: Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Dambulla Day Trip
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Duration: 10 hrs
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What travellers say about Colombo

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Laowai on the Loose24 January 2025
5.0
If you want to learn about the history of Sri Lanka this is a great place to start. The museum shows pre-historic finds and the earliest civilization of Sri Lanka as well as the Colonial era and the history or resistance to those colonial powers. As a history teacher I really enjoyed the museum.

Colombo National Museum

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khcc1 May 2024
4.0
It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the museum. This is a large square. It is said that it was the place where independence celebrations were held. It has good greening and is very suitable. Take a walk here at dusk.

Independence Square

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Quest Journey4 October 2023
5.0
Jami ul Alfar Mosque: Vibrant Red Mosque, Colombo's Architectural Gem of Srilanka

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque

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purplepolarbear16 August 2023
5.0
It's a nice and quiet beach in the city center with an upscale shopping mall. There isn't a sandy beach but has a deck reaching out over the waters to watch the waves. Beware of stray dogs in the area. People were also flying kites on the grass.

Galle Face Green

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wzchcjy19 January 2020
5.0
It is a building funded by China, which makes it very familiar. It is located in the center of Colombo, with a very high-quality design. There is also a large square in front of it, with a high green coverage rate. However, you cannot go inside, you can only look at the exterior.

BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall)

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_TI***ul31 December 2025
5.0
Beautiful

Diyatha Uyana Park

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Sanka Abeywickrama3 October 2019
5.0
Kelaniya Maha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple in near to Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Buddhists believe the temple to have been hallowed during the third and final visit of the Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka, eight years after gaining enlightenment. According to the ancient book call 'Mahawansa' the original pagoda at Kelaniya enshrined a gem studded throne on which the Buddha set and preached. The temple was refurbished in the first half of the 20th century.

Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya

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Tareq1248911 January 2026
5.0
Colombo Lotus Tower is a must-visit attraction for anyone traveling to Sri Lanka. Located in the center of Colombo, this iconic tower offers spectacular 360-degree views of the city, coastline, and nearby greenery. The observation deck is clean, well-organized, and perfect for taking photos, especially during sunset. The lighting of the tower at night is truly impressive and adds charm to the city skyline. Inside, visitors can enjoy cafes, exhibitions, and comfortable seating areas. The staff are friendly and professional, making the visit smooth and enjoyable. Overall, Colombo Lotus Tower provides a memorable experience and is worth every minute spent there.

Colombo Lotus Tower

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yangduoduo1721 June 2020
4.0
I stayed here with my family for the weekend and it was a good experience. Although it was very crowded during the weekend, the staff tried their best to keep the park clean. I haven't seen any major developments in this zoo, when I look back at my childhood, I remember there were more animals than there are now, and the animals are probably not well maintained. There is a children's play area in the zoo, which is very fun. I think zoos are national treasures, so they need more attention.

Colombo Dehiwala Zoological Gardens

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泰宁根吴承恩5 May 2020
5.0
This is a Tibetan Buddhist temple with a large area and a long history. From the perspective of architecture alone, it is slightly different from the temples we saw in Tibet. There are many Buddha statues in the temple, and there are many tourists and believers.

Gangaramaya Temple

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Colombo?

Don't miss these attractions in Colombo: Colombo National Museum, Independence Square, and Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque. If you like Culture & history, try Colombo Express Food Tour with 9 + Tastings. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Colombo Cooking Class.

You can give Colombo Cooking Class and Colombo Eat Like a Local Food Experience a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

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