3 days in Colombo

Day by day

1. Day 1: Galle Face Green and Gangaramaya Temple

   Galle Face Green, Gangaramaya Temple and Seema Malaka, then Old Dutch Hospital in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Galle Face Green

      This 500-metre seafront lawn and promenade, laid out by the British in 1859, is where Colombo comes to relax.

   2. Late morning

      Gangaramaya Temple

      Keep your ticket; it also covers Seema Malaka on Beira Lake, a few minutes' walk away.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Rice and curry

      Lunchtime 'hotels' (local eateries) across the city, many serving buffet-style until early afternoon.

   4. Afternoon

      Seema Malaka

      Designed by architect Geoffrey Bawa in the 1970s, this meditation hall for monks floats on three platforms in Beira Lake, connected by walkways and lined with seated Buddha statues.

   5. Evening

      Old Dutch Hospital

      Book Ministry of Crab or another restaurant here for dinner, and arrive early to explore the courtyards.

2. Day 2: National Museum of Colombo and Viharamahadevi Park

   National Museum of Colombo, Viharamahadevi Park and Independence Memorial Hall, then Lotus Tower in the evening.

   1. Morning

      National Museum of Colombo

      Allow time for the mask gallery and the regalia room, then walk across to Viharamahadevi Park.

   2. Late morning

      Viharamahadevi Park

      Colombo's largest central park, formerly Victoria Park, faces the white-domed Town Hall and has a large seated Buddha, fountains, shady trees and a children's playground.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Hoppers

      Evening hopper stalls and local restaurants; many places make them only for breakfast and dinner.

   4. Afternoon

      Independence Memorial Hall

      Come early in the morning or near sunset, when local joggers and walkers fill the paths.

   5. Evening

      Lotus Tower

      Go around sunset to see the city in daylight and after dark on the same ticket.

3. Day 3: Pettah markets and Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)

   Pettah markets, Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque) and Wolvendaal Church, then Galle Face and Kollupitiya in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Pettah markets

      Just east of the Fort, Pettah is a grid of streets where each lane specialises: spices and dried fish, fabrics, electronics, hardware or gold.

   2. Late morning

      Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)

      Visit outside prayer times, especially avoiding Friday midday; dress modestly and women should cover their hair.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Kottu roti

      Late-night kottu shops along Galle Road in Kollupitiya and Wellawatte.

   4. Afternoon

      Wolvendaal Church

      Completed in 1757, this Dutch Reformed church on a rise at the edge of Pettah has thick walls, a cross-shaped plan and the tombstones of Dutch governors set into the floor.

   5. Evening

      Galle Face and Kollupitiya

      Hotel rooftop bars with sea views and clubs off Galle Road.

If it rains

• Swap in Number 11 (Geoffrey Bawa's house) (Kollupitiya): Combine it with lunch at the Gallery Café on Alfred House Road, Bawa's former office.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Fort keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Galle Face and Kollupitiya ($$$) suits first-timers, families, nightlife and luxury. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 11–14 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.7 hours in December to 12.5 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Colombo
• 2 days in Colombo

Questions travellers ask