How to Explore Colombo in 1 day – Must-see attractions

 Sri Lanka’s capital city, Colombo, is a delightful blend of history, culture, and modern attractions. Busy and crowded, Colombo is the commercial city of Sri Lanka. Most tourists head directly to a tourist area from the airport, but they miss out on the gems that Colombo offers. There’s no better place to understand the country’s cultural harmony than Colombo. Everything comes together seamlessly here, and there are plenty of things you can do and see if you’ve got an entire day.

AKS.9955, Gangaramaya Temple, CC BY-SA 4.0

National Museum of Colombo

To gain an insight into the country’s history and culture, you should visit the National Museum. The collection here includes a variety of historical items, including jewellery, arms, coins, artefacts, clothing items, and traditional craftwork. The museum is located around 20 minutes from Pegasus Reef.

Viharamahadevi Park 

Also called Victoria Park, Viharamahadevi Park is another place you should visit during your day in Colombo. The park provides a respite from the heat and dust of the city. This large green space is home to a small zoo and a kid’s play area. Tall trees provide ample shade for those who visit, and this is where you find the largest cast Buddha statue in the country.

Mount Lavenia Beach

The main beach resort area in Sri Lanka, Mount Lavenia Beach is located just 15 minutes from Colombo. The beach is a favourite with both locals and tourists. Along the beach are local vendors selling a range of things, including street food and bathing suits. You can also find many clubs and restaurants in proximity to the beach. Be careful when swimming; this is not a protected area, and the sea can be quite rough.

Gangaramaya Temple

A 19th-century temple, Gangaramaya Temple, is one of the most important religious sites in Sri Lanka. The temple hosts several religious festivals, including the celebration held in February on poya day. Although this is a temple, it also serves as a museum; you can find an array of exhibits here, including a vintage car. The temple is located in central Colombo, and most 4 star hotels Colombo, Sri Lanka, has to offer are located within a short distance of the temple.

Excel World Entertainment Park

If you are here with your kids, you should head to Excel World Entertainment Park for a fun evening. The park features a bowling alley, a shopping mall, a food court, a movie theatre, and an arcade. The movie theatre screens Hollywood and Bollywood movies, and the bowling alley is loved by the locals. If you visit during Christmas, you can experience a white Christmas at the Snow World featured by the park.

Galle Face Green

This is one of the most popular spots in Colombo. Locals frequent Galle Face Green in the evening, and there are many vendors selling street food. The park is located near the Fort and fringed by Galle Road. This is the largest open area in Colombo, and the beach expands over 500 metres. If you don’t mind crowds, the best time to visit is the weekend.

Pettah Floating Market

With around 100 stalls, Pettah Floating Market has been here since 2000. The market is located around 5 minutes from Fort. A canal fringes the market, which makes it a fun place to be. This is an excellent spot for shopping, strolling, and watching the sunset. Vendors here sell everything from street food to clothes to fruits and vegetables.

Red Mosque

One of the most unique landmarks in Colombo, the Red Mosque, is located in Pettah. The mosque was built in the 20^th century and is famous for its brick patterns and the contrast between red and white bricks. The mosque has domes and numerous brick patterns. Both men and women can visit the mosque.