Free things to do · Colombo · Sri Lanka
10 free things to do in Colombo
Colombo without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kondephy, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Colombo without paying an entry fee: Galle Face Green, Viharamahadevi Park, Pettah markets and Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque) are all free. Use PickMe or Uber for tuk-tuks; app fares are usually much lower than street quotes.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 5
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- May–June and September–October
Free sights and experiences
Waterfront · Galle Face and Kollupitiya
1.Galle Face Green
Arrive about an hour before sunset, eat from the stalls near the southern end, then walk to the Galle Face Hotel's verandah for a drink.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Food
- After dark
- Iconic
- Outdoors
Park · Cinnamon Gardens
2.Viharamahadevi Park
Visit in the late afternoon when it is cooler; the trees are full of flowering colour from March to May.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Market · Pettah
3.Pettah markets
Go on a weekday morning, keep valuables secure and use a local guide or walking tour if you want to understand the lanes.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Photo spot
Religious site · Pettah
4.Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)
Visit outside prayer times, especially avoiding Friday midday; dress modestly and women should cover their hair.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
Historic site · Fort
5.Old Dutch Hospital
Book Ministry of Crab or another restaurant here for dinner, and arrive early to explore the courtyards.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Food
- After dark
- Free
Landmark · Cinnamon Gardens
6.Independence Memorial Hall
Come early in the morning or near sunset, when local joggers and walkers fill the paths.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Outdoors
Beach · Mount Lavinia
7.Mount Lavinia Beach
Take the coastal train from Fort for sea views, and swim only where locals do and when the flags allow.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Kids
Religious site · Kelaniya
8.Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
Visit in the late afternoon and dress in white or light colours, as Sri Lankan pilgrims do.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Art
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Pettah
9.Wolvendaal Church
Pair it with a walk through Pettah's markets; it is quiet and cool after the crowds.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Kotahena
10.Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil
Remove shoes and, for men, sometimes shirts, as worshippers do; ask the priests before photographing inside.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- History
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Galle Face and Kollupitiya | Galle Face Green | 1–2 hours |
| Cinnamon Gardens | Viharamahadevi Park and Independence Memorial Hall | 1 hour + 45 minutes |
| Pettah | Pettah markets, Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque) and Wolvendaal Church | 2 hours + 30 minutes + 30 minutes |
| Fort | Old Dutch Hospital | 1–2 hours |
| Mount Lavinia | Mount Lavinia Beach | Half a day |
| Kelaniya | Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara | 1–1.5 hours |
| Kotahena | Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil | 45 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
Religious site · Slave Island
Gangaramaya Temple
Keep your ticket; it also covers Seema Malaka on Beira Lake, a few minutes' walk away.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Religious site · Slave Island
Seema Malaka
Visit at sunset, then walk along the Beira Lake promenade.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Couples
- Photo spot
- After dark
Museum · Cinnamon Gardens
National Museum of Colombo
Allow time for the mask gallery and the regalia room, then walk across to Viharamahadevi Park.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
Zoo · Dehiwala
Dehiwala Zoo
Go early in the morning when animals are active and the heat is lower; combine with Mount Lavinia beach in the afternoon.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Nature · Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Beddagana Wetland Park
Visit at opening time for birds; bring water and insect repellent.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
- Kids
More ways to save
- Use PickMe or Uber for tuk-tuks; app fares are usually much lower than street quotes.
- Eat rice and curry at lunchtime in local eateries for a filling meal at a fraction of hotel prices.
- Second- and third-class train tickets on the coastal line are very cheap and scenic.
- Buy gems only from shops that issue a certificate from the National Gem and Jewellery Authority.
- Hotel rates fall sharply from May to September and in October and November.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Colombo expensive to visit?
Colombo is affordable for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Colombo?
Galle Face Green: Arrive about an hour before sunset, eat from the stalls near the southern end, then walk to the Galle Face Hotel's verandah for a drink.