Things to do in Colombo

Why go to Colombo

• Gangaramaya Temple

  An eclectic Buddhist shrine stuffed with priceless artifacts, vintage cars, and a serene lakeside setting.

• Galle Face Green

  A sweeping ocean-front promenade alive at sunset with kite-flyers, street food vendors, and sea spray.

• National Museum of Colombo

  Sri Lanka's crown-jewel museum housing the last king's throne, ancient masks, and millennia of island history.

• Pettah Bazaar

  A sensory-overload market district where every street sells something different, spices, electronics, fabrics, and chaos.

• Beira Lake & Seema Malaka Temple

  A floating Buddhist meditation hall rising from the lake, glowing gold at dusk and completely free to admire from the shore.

Good to know in Colombo

• Transit: Colombo's red city buses and the commuter rail to Fort Station are extremely cheap (under $0.30 a ride); use PickMe or Uber for AC tuk-tuks and avoid flagging random taxis.
• Tipping: Not mandatory but rounding up or leaving 50-100 LKR ($0.15-0.30) at local eateries is appreciated; upscale restaurants sometimes add a 10% service charge.
• Tap water: Do not drink tap water, bottled water is everywhere and costs under $0.25 for 1.5L; carry a reusable bottle and refill from sealed coolers at guesthouses.
• Free-entry days: The National Museum is free on Sundays for Sri Lankan nationals but charges foreigners (~$4) every day; Gangaramaya Temple has no scheduled free-entry days but donations are voluntary.

Trip essentials