One of the coolest places to visit in Colombo is also one of the city's newest attractions. The Colombo Lotus Tower is South Asia's tallest freestanding structure (368 meters/1,168 feet), and a trip to the top rewards visitors with unobstructed views across Colombo and the surrounding cityscape and sea.
The tower, which houses a lot of telecommunications equipment, has a telecom museum, a shopping mall, a revolving fine dining restaurant, a hotel, and indoor and outdoor observation areas. The tower is also a sight to see from the outside — it's covered in LED lighting and presents seasonal themed lighting displays each night.
The Lotus Tower, designed to replicate a lotus bulb and flower, simultaneously represents the historic culture of the country and its focus on the future.
2. National Museum of Colombo
National Museum of Colombo
The National Museum of Colombo, also called the Sri Lanka National Museum, is the official museum of Sri Lanka and takes you on a journey over the thousands of years of Sri Lankan culture. It's one of those museums that has multiple types of media, from artwork to artifacts, as well as clothing, jewelry, coins, arms, and craftwork. The displays show both the cultural and natural heritage of the country, presented chronologically, starting with pre-history and leading to the present day.
Give yourself a few hours to fully explore the collections. The museum is housed in a grand Victorian colonial building in central Colombo near Viharamahadevi Park.
3. Sri Lanka Planetarium
Sri Lanka's first (and only) planetarium can be a fascinating way to escape the Sri Lankan sun. The planetarium is located at the University of Colombo. There's a public entrance across from Independence Square. The large auditorium has a domed ceiling, and the night sky and its constellations are projected onto it.
Aside from the exhibits and programming, the structure itself is architecturally striking and a must-do for Instagram. The lotus flower design shares elements with iconic modernist cathedrals in Liverpool, England, and Brazil.
The Sri Lanka Planetarium is open from 8am to 4pm everyday except Mondays. Shows are presented at 10am and 2pm.
4. Viharamahadevi Park
Golden Buddha statue in Viharamahadevi Park
This giant green space is Colombo's Central Park (and its only large open-space area) and provides areas to relax and enjoy (or escape from) the sunshine. The are many fountains in the park, as well as a small zoo. Kids will enjoy the playground. You can visit the Cenotaph (war memorial statue), as well as the national library, both of which are located in the park.
The park is also home to a large, 15-foot-tall Buddha statue, the largest cast brass Buddha statue in the country. Now named for one of the country's ancient queens, the park was formerly called Victoria Park. Viharamahadevi Park sits between the National Museum of Colombo and City Hall.
5. National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka
Bathing elephants at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
The city's large Colombo Zoo is located in the Dehiwala area. More than just animals in cages, the zoo focuses on education, as well as animal conservation and welfare.One of the oldest zoos in Asia, it hosts almost 3,000 different animals of all shapes and sizes.
The zoo has daily demonstrations with keepers of various animals. There is one for the zoo's friendly sea lion, one in front of the elephant enclosure, a bird presentation, and one on snakes.
The zoo is open seven days a week, from 8:30am to 6pm. In addition to the urban zoo in Dehiwala, about two hours outside of Colombo, in Pinnawala, there is a larger wildlife park and an elephant sanctuary, both operated by the Department of Zoological Gardens.
6. Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre
Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre
This large, modern performing arts complex hosts a wide range of music, dance, and cultural performances. It was recently renamed for the country's former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa. Like many other things in Sri Lanka, the design is intentionally reminiscent of a lotus flower.
Programing includes symphony performances and opera (Chinese, Sri Lankan, and Western). They also do modern pop concerts. Performances are given in the main auditorium or in the open-air amphitheater. The theater is in central Colombo, across from Viharamahadevi Park.
The theater's schedule can be viewed online, and tickets can be purchased online as well. It's a cool local experience, and regardless of what you go to see, you'll find yourself surrounded by locals.
7. Mount Lavinia Beach
Colonial hotel on Mount Lavinia Beach
Sri Lanka's main beach resort town, Mount Lavinia is a suburb of Colombo. There are many hotels here, and it can be a good alternative to staying in the city. It's an easy drive from downtown Colombo and a fun way to spend an afternoon.
The beach is not a protected bay, so the water can be very rough during certain times of the year. Use caution when swimming. There are some very nice restaurants along the beachfront promenade, and the beach itself is filled with vendors selling everything from food to bathing suits.
If you stay at the beach past 6pm, you'll be rewarded with an incredible sunset view.
8. National Museum of Natural History
National Museum of Natural History |David Stanley / photo modified
Located at the same place as the Colombo National Museum, across from Viharamahadevi Park in central Colombo, this interesting museum showcases the country's incredible natural history.
Plants, insects, fish, amphibians, and animals are displayed, exclusively those that are endemic to the country. Many rare animals shown are threatened with extinction. Aside from plants, there are many displays of rocks and minerals, also those that are native to the island.
In addition to the animals and plants, there are skeletons and fossils of ancient and extinct creatures. The museum is a great tourist experience for families and kids.
9. Gangaramaya Temple
Gangaramaya Temple
This Buddhist temple complex was constructed in the late 19th century. The temple is a place of worship but also looks to educate people about Buddhism. It's also like a museum, as it showcases a lot of physical items, from jewelry to coins and even a vintage Rolls-Royce.
You can also view the temple's most sacred religious relic, a lock of the Buddha's hair, as well as a sacred tree around which the temple was built. Visit during the February full moon (called "Poya") to see the Gangaramaya Temple's annual religious ceremony, which includes a procession led by the temple's elephant.
The temple complex is in central Colombo not far from Bere Lake.
10. Excel World Entertainment Park
If you have kids and you're visiting Colombo, this tiny amusement center needs to be on your itinerary. It's a fun local experience with ashopping mall, a few rides, a bowling alley, and a food court. There's also a movie theater (showing Western and Bollywood films). The bowling alley is especially popular, as it's the only one in Colombo.
Activities at the park include laser tag, a carousel, bumper cars, and a bounce house. If you visit during December, the mall is known for bringing in snow to create an indoor winter wonderland.
Excel World is right next to Beira Lake.
11. Galle Face Green
Galle Face Green
This large, oceanfront park area is where many Sri Lankans go to play on the beach. The park is between Galle Road and the Indian Ocean, right in the heart of Colombo next to the Fort area.
It's the largest open space in the city and has 500 meters of beach, along with a beachfront promenade filled with vendors. Colombo's hot sunshine means this is also a popular area for night fun — Saturday and Sunday nights are the best times to visit.
You can wade in the water, picnic on the beach, or fly a kite in the ever-present wind. It's a fun place for families, and it's also good for running.
12. Colombo Dutch Museum
Colombo Dutch Museum
Colombo's colonial history (it's been a British, Dutch, and Portuguese colony at different times) contributes so much to its current culture. You can learn all about the Dutch influence and history of the island at the Colombo Dutch Museum.
The museum building was built in the late 17th century as the official residence of the Dutch governor. The collection highlights the almost 200-year history of Dutch control of the island's coastal areas, from 1658 to 1796. The island, then known as Ceylon, served as a key stop in Holland's world trade, as it sat on one of the important east-west shipping routes.
The collection includes artifacts, artwork, anud furniture, as well as arms and militaria. There is information in English.
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