21 Best Things to Do in Colombo in One Day
When most people land in Sri Lanka, they bypass the capital on their way to adventures elsewhere. However, there are so many great things to do in Colombo.
Colombo often gets overlooked, which is a shame. That’s why I wanted to share my own experience and create a guide for squeezing the best out of Colombo in one day.
The city is a diverse smorgasbord of beautiful architecture that mixes the modern with the old in a seamless way from Hindu temples to Buddhist shrines to bustling markets and vibrant food scene.
This one day in Colombo itinerary is packed with all the city’s hidden gems to make sure you don’t miss out.
If you’re curious about what makes this city special and how to see it all in just a day, keep reading.
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Is Colombo Worth Visiting?
Yes! Colombo is definitely worth visiting, even if you only have one day.
As the nation’s capital, it’s the largest and most developed city in Sri Lanka, making it a hub for culture, history and delicious food.
It’s also a great starting point for exploring the rest of the country.
With its colonial past and diverse heritage, Colombo is a melting pot where East uniquely meets West.
Top Things to Do in Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Sivasubramania Swami Kovil
- Gangaramaya Temple
- Presidential Secretariat
- Galle Face Beach
- Galle Face Green
- Colombo Galbokka Lighthouse
- Old Dutch Hospital – Shopping Precinct
- Colombo Fort Old Lighthouse & Clock Tower
- Sambodhi Pagoda Temple
- Khan Clock Tower
- Pettah Street Market
- Pettah Floating Market
- The Old Town Hall Building
- Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque
- Cenotaph World War I Memorial
- Colombo National Museum
- Nelum Pokuna Theatre
- Viharamahadevi Park
- Independence Square
- Srī Buddila Fountain
- Colombo Lotus Tower
Map of Places to Visit in Colombo City
This map shows everything I mention in this Colombo guide so you can easily plan your one day itinerary.
I’ve partnered with Sri Lanka Tourism to bring you this travel guide. This article is based on some of the destinations and experiences I took part in. All views and opinions are my own
Getting Around Colombo
Colombo is quite a sprawling city, twin that with the heat and humidity, I don’t recommend walking to all of the places I mention.
The easiest and most convenient way to get around Colombo is by taking a tuk-tuk or taxi with a driver. Hire one for the full day and tell them which Colombo tourist spots you want to visit.
This is the best option for convenience and gives you time to stop off at all the places of interest. Make sure to negotiate the price before setting off.
Alternatively, take the red tourist bus, which passes by the main city highlights.
👉 I used the tourist bus. This is a great way to see the city without the hassle of organizing transport. It’s also the best option if you’ve limited by time. Onboard, your Colombo tour guide will point out the main attractions.
21 Places to Visit in Colombo in One Day
Ready to find out what to do in Colombo?
Here’s my list of 21 great places to see in the city.
1. Sri Kailawasanatan Swami Temple
Start your Colombo tour by visiting the Sri Kailawasanatan Swami Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
It’s beautiful!
The temple features intricate carvings and colourful paintings, making it one of the most beautiful places in Colombo.
Location: Sea Street, Colombo
2. Gangaramaya Temple
The Gangaramaya Temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the city and visiting is one of the must-do things in Colombo.
It’s known for its eclectic mix of architecture – the facade is beautiful – as well as religious artefacts in the onsite museum.
The temple is one of the most photogenic places in Colombo
Inside Gangaramaya Temple you’ll find an impressive collection of Buddha statues.
Location: 61 Sri Jinarathana Road, Colombo
👉 If you have time, then I also recommend visiting the nearby Gangarama Seema Malaka. This temple has stunning views which look out over the lake!
3. Presidential Secretariat
Although this impressive colonial-era building is closed to the public it’s still worth seeing from outside.
Located in the heart of Colombo, the Presidential Secretariat is one of the most iconic places to visit in Colombo.
Location: Galle Face, Colombo Main Road, Colombo
4. Galle Face Beach
Galle Face Beach is a popular spot for locals and tourists. The city beach offers stunning views out across the Indian Ocean.
The beach itself is pretty narrow, and admittedly I don’t think it’s the best spot for sunbathing (there are better beaches around Sri Lanka for that!).
However, the promenade is a great spot for either an early morning or a late afternoon walk.
In recent years, Olive Ridley turtles have come to this little stretch of beach to nest. There’s a push to make this area a declared sanctuary.
Location: Colombo Main Road, Colombo
📖 Read More: Best Destinations for Eco-Tourism in Sri Lanka
5. Galle Face Green
Adjacent to the beach is Galle Face Green.
This large public park is where you’ll often see locals gathering to fly kites. You can also pick up street food around here.
It’s also a great place to watch the sunset over the ocean.
Location: Colombo Main Road, Colombo
6. Colombo Galbokka Lighthouse
Located at the entrance of the Colombo Harbour, you’ll find this iconic lighthouse.
The lighthouse was built in 1952 by British engineers as a naval gun battery.
Although you can not enter the lighthouse, there is a raised plaza surrounding it which is a great vantage point for Colombo’s skyline and the Indian Ocean.
Location: Chaithya Rd, Colombo
7. Old Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct
Located in the central Colombo Fort area, this elegantly restored 17th-century Dutch colonial hospital has been repurposed into a trendy shopping and dining precinct.
This is thought to be the oldest building within the Colombo Fort area and was created to serve the health of the Dutch East India Trading Company officers and staff.
It features a mix of boutique shops and restaurants, set around two courtyards.
Location: Hospital Street, Colombo
8. Colombo Fort Old Lighthouse & Clock Tower
Built in 1857, the Old Lighthouse and Clock Tower is another iconic landmark of Colombo.
The Galbokka Lighthouse replaced this lighthouse in 1952 – the lighthouse I mentioned earlier in this article – so although it no longer functions as a lighthouse, it’s still a reminder of Sri Lanka’s colonial past.
The clock tower is still working and chimes every hour!
Location: Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo
9. Sambodhi Pagoda Temple
Located in the busy Pettah district, this Buddhist temple has an eclectic design with a mix of architectural styles.
It stands high on four arch-like legs with a connecting access tower giving it the appearance of a space rocket launch pad – I’ve never seen a stupa anywhere else that looks like this!
You can take the steps to the upper part of the pagoda for views overlooking the port.
Location: Chaithya Rd, Colombo
10. Khan Clock Tower
The Khan Clock Tower was built in 1923 by the Khan Family of Bombay. At first glance, it looks a little like a minaret you’d find in a mosque.
The tower stands at the entrance to Pettah Market and the Port of Colombo and features four clocks – one on each side – that are still functional to this day.
Location: Colombo Main Street, Colombo
11. Pettah Street Market
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Colombo, then I recommend visiting the Pettah Market.
This bustling marketplace is a sensory overload – it feels like organised chaos with an abundance of colours, noise and smells – sometimes good, sometimes not.
You can find just about anything here – from fresh produce to clothing to electronics.
Location: Pettah, Colombo
12. Pettah Floating Market
Slightly different to the street market, the Pettah Floating Market is built on a canal.
The market stalls here are on floating platforms. Similar to Pettah Street Market, you’ll find a whole mix of things for sale in the 90+ stalls.
You can also pick up boat rides here- the slightly kitch swan boat rentals are towards the east end of the canal.
Location: Bastian Mawatha, Colombo
13. The Old Town Hall Building
The Old Town Hall is a beautiful colonial building that was constructed in the late 1800s.
It was originally used as the office of the Mayor and Municipal Council of Colombo. Today, it’s a venue for conferences, meetings and various cultural events.
The building hasn’t been gentrified yet (unlike the Dutch Hospital I talked about earlier), so it still has plenty of old-world rustic charm with decorative stone and ironwork, old hanging signs, and carved wooden detailing, which I recommend seeing if you’re interested in old buildings.
Location: Main Street, Colombo
14. Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)
This striking red and white striped mosque is one of the most beautiful locations in Colombo.
It was built in 1908 and is one of the oldest mosques in the city and one of my favourite landmarks we saw on our day in Colombo.
The exterior is decorated with intricate patterns and designs, while the interior has a beautiful red and white striped ceiling that gives the mosque its nickname “Red Mosque”.
Location: Second Cross Street, Colombo
👉 Non-Muslims are allowed to visit outside prayer times – check online before you go.
If you aren’t able to go inside, then just look and admire the exterior from within the courtyard – although generally there aren’t strict rules of what women can wear in Sri Lanka, here women should cover their heads.
15. Cenotaph World War I Memorial
Located in the heart of Colombo, this memorial was built to honour those who lost their lives during World War I.
It features a tall white column surrounded by stone archways listing the names of soldiers who died during the war.
The annual Remembrance Day ceremony is held here on November 11th and is attended by government officials and citizens.
Location: Just off Green Path Road, Colombo
16. Colombo National Museum
This was the first public museum in Sri Lanka and was established in 1877.
The museum is divided into two parts – one side houses various artefacts and exhibits showcasing the country’s history, culture, and natural heritage, the other side is about natural history.
It’s well-curated and set within a beautiful colonial building.
You can also find one of the oldest known human fossils in South Asia, the Balangoda Man, here.
Location: Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo
17. Nelum Pokuna Theatre
Opened in 2011, this modern landmark is a tribute to Sri Lankan architecture and culture.
The name translates to “lotus pond”, which the building resembles with its interesting shape and design.
Its main purpose is a theatre but also serves as an exhibition hall for art shows and cultural events.
Location: Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo
18. Viharamahadevi Park
This is the largest urban park in Colombo and was originally named “Victoria Park” during British rule.
It’s a popular spot for locals to relax or exercise – if you’re feeling energetic, then it’s popular with early-morning joggers.
It also features a beautiful golden Buddha statue, a lake with boat hire, and plenty of places to sit in the shade.
Location: Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo
19. Independence Square
Sightseeing in Colombo wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Independence Square.
This monument commemorates Sri Lanka’s independence from British rule in 1948 and is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens.
The building itself is an impressive structure with a unique design, modelled on ancient temples, making it a popular spot for photography.
Location: Independence Avenue, Colombo
20. Srī Buddila Fountain
Located in the heart of Colombo’s business district, this fountain is a popular meeting spot for locals and tourists.
One end of the park is flanked by a giant standing Buddha statue.
On my day of visit, the fountain wasn’t working, but it’s still a peaceful place visit to sit and people-watch or take some photos with the beautiful backdrop of the city skyline.
Location: Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo
21. Colombo Lotus Tower
One of the most recognisable landmarks in Colombo is the Lotus Tower.
Standing at 356m, (1,153 ft) not only is the tallest tower in Sri Lanka but also the tallest tower in South Asia!
The multi-purpose building serves as a telecommunications tower as well as an observation deck for visitors to enjoy panoramic views of the city.
There are also restaurants – with a revolving floor, entertainment and luxury suites.
At nighttime, the tower can be seen all over the city. The top of it ripples through a rainbow of colours.
If you’re looking for things to do in Colombo at night, the observation deck is open until 10 pm on weekdays and 11 pm at weekends. Head up at sunset for the best views, and watch the city light up at dusk.
Location: Lotus Tower Road, Colombo
Where to Stay in Colombo
I stayed for two nights in Colombo at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel.
This 5-star hotel is located in the heart of Colombo and offers comfortable rooms with beautiful views of the Beira Lake.
There is an onsite gym, a large outdoor terrace and a swimming pool as well as several on-site bars and a buffet-style restaurant.
Colombo Things to Do: FAQs
Is Colombo a Good Place to Visit?
Yes, Colombo is a great place to visit! It offers a mix of traditional culture and modern city life.
There are plenty of things to do in Colombo to keep you busy for at least a day.
How Many Days Are Enough for Colombo?
I only spent 1 day in Colombo, I felt this was enough for a whistle-stop tour to see the city highlights. and I didn’t go inside many of the attractions because I was restricted by time. You could easily see all the stuff I mentioned in this article and have more time at each attraction if you had 2 days in Colombo. You won’t be bored.
What Are the Best Places to Visit at Colombo City?
The three top things to do in Colombo are the Lotus Tower observation deck, the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple and Galle Face Green and Beach.
What is the Best Time to Visit Colombo?
The best time to visit Colombo is during the dry season which runs from December to March.
What to Do in Colombo for a Day?
In this Colombo travel guide, I listed out the best things to do in Colombo for a day. The most efficient way to see them is by hiring a driver (taxi or tuk-tuk) or by using the red tourist bus.Â
Is Colombo Walkable?
Colombo is not particularly walkable, especially in the heat. However, some areas are more pedestrian-friendly such as Galle Face Green and certain parts of the city centre (like the market area and parks). I recommend using taxis, tuk-tuks or the tourist bus to get around.
How Do You Get to Sigiriya From Colombo?
To reach get to Sigiriya Rock Fortress from Colombo, you have options: you can go by bus (takes 5+ hours), private taxi or tuk-tuk (about 4 hours) or take a flight (the flight takes about 30 minutes but also factor in time to get to and from the airport). An easy option could be to book a day tour.Â
Final Thoughts About Things to See in Colombo in a Day
As you’ve read, Colombo is a great city to visit with a mix of traditional culture and modern city life.
Whether it’s relaxing at Galle Face Green, getting a head for heights at Lotus Tower, or exploring the city’s beautiful temples, you’ll find plenty to do in just a day!
If you enjoyed this Colombo city guide and want to explore more of Sri Lanka, then check out more travel tips and guides to start planning your trip today.