Colombo Sri Lanka Holidays
Colombo
Holidays
Sri Lanka's vibrant capital — colonial architecture, world-class food, luxury hotels and the gateway to the island
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Flight Time
10–11h from London
Best Time
December to March (dry season on west coast)
Country
Sri Lanka
Suppliers
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Colombo Holiday Guide
Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka — a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that rewards a night or two of exploration. Most visitors pass through Colombo at the start or end of their Sri Lanka holiday.
Galle Face Green, Pettah market, Gangaramaya Temple and the colonial architecture are the main attractions. The restaurant scene is the finest in Sri Lanka. The luxury hotels offer excellent value.
The best time to visit is December to March. We search across Travelpack, Emirates Holidays and JTA Holidays for the best deals.
Popular Areas in Colombo
Average Temperatures
Jan
29°C
Feb
30°C
Mar
31°C
Apr
31°C
May
30°C
Jun
29°C
Jul
28°C
Aug
28°C
Sep
28°C
Oct
28°C
Nov
28°C
Dec
28°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Colombo
The colonial history, vibrant food scene and modern luxury that make Colombo the essential starting point for any Sri Lanka holiday.
Galle Face Green
Galle Face Green is the most famous promenade in Sri Lanka — a long stretch of seafront lawn where locals gather in the evenings to fly kites, eat street food and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. The promenade is lined with street food stalls selling kottu roti, isso vadai (prawn fritters) and fresh coconut. The Galle Face Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Asia, overlooks the green.
Pettah Market
Pettah is the most chaotic and fascinating market district in Sri Lanka — a labyrinth of streets each specialising in a different product (electronics, spices, textiles, hardware, jewellery). The market is overwhelming and extraordinary. The Dutch Period Museum and the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (the famous red-and-white striped mosque) are in Pettah.
Gangaramaya Temple
Gangaramaya Temple is the most important Buddhist temple in Colombo — a fascinating complex of buildings housing an extraordinary collection of Buddhist art, antiques and curiosities donated by devotees from across the world. The temple is on the banks of Beira Lake and is one of the most atmospheric religious sites in Sri Lanka.
World-Class Restaurants
Colombo has the finest restaurant scene in Sri Lanka — a wide range of restaurants serving Sri Lankan cuisine, Indian, Chinese, Japanese and international food. The Colombo restaurant scene has developed rapidly in recent years and now rivals Singapore and Bangkok for quality and variety. The street food is also excellent.
Colonial Architecture
Colombo has a fascinating collection of colonial architecture — Dutch, Portuguese and British buildings from three centuries of colonial rule. The Old Parliament Building, the Colombo Fort area, the Cargills department store and the Galle Face Hotel are all excellent examples. The colonial architecture is best explored on foot or by tuk-tuk.
Luxury Hotels
Colombo has some of the finest luxury hotels in South Asia — the Shangri-La Colombo, the Cinnamon Grand, the Taj Samudra and the Galle Face Hotel are all exceptional. The luxury hotel scene in Colombo has developed rapidly and the quality and value is excellent compared to other Asian capitals.
Beira Lake
Beira Lake is in the heart of Colombo — a large lake surrounded by temples, hotels and parks. Boat trips on the lake are available and the views of the city from the water are excellent. The Gangaramaya Temple and the Seema Malaka floating temple are on the banks of the lake.
Street Food
Colombo has the finest street food in Sri Lanka — kottu roti (chopped roti with vegetables and egg), hoppers (bowl-shaped pancakes), string hoppers, pol sambol (coconut relish) and the extraordinary variety of Sri Lankan street food. The Galle Face Green and the Pettah market are the best places for street food.
Explore Colombo on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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