Our Insider Guide to Colombo: Discover the Soul of Sri Lanka’s Bustling Capital

By c+l editor Laura Birtles

While many people are drawn to Sri Lanka for its lush tea country or rugged coastlines, we believe the capital Colombo deserves to be explored too. The city is vibrant in every sense, blending a rich history with a modern spirit. Its many cultures and religions have shaped its identity for centuries, and this intermingling makes for a fascinating melting pot of architecture, religious sites and stories.

The Sinhalese, known for their Buddhist heritage, trade and work alongside Catholics and Christians, Muslims, Tamils and Burghers. Every one of these cultures brings its own customs, food influences, acts of faith and festivals, making Colombo a truly cosmopolitan city. Deep-rooted traditions are honoured on every street and in every place of worship. Residents celebrate their diversity with a warmth and acceptance that is not often found elsewhere. Ancient banyan trees offer shade to stallholders selling their wares, tuk-tuks make easy work of navigating the busy streets and the whole city basks in a golden glow when the sun sets over the ocean.

Our Destination Experts have walked the city’s streets to seek out the hidden corners that are guaranteed to delight you. Read on to discover our inside track on Colombo.

Things to do and see in Colombo

Colombo’s skyline is covered with temples, mosques, kovils and churches, a reminder of the diversity of faiths here. Buddhist peraheras, Hindu temple processions, Islamic Eid, Catholic feasts and Christmas celebrations are just a few of the city’s festivals that foster a sense of community and shared delight. Whatever your interests, there is something here to discover – from art and fashion to bustling markets and ancient religious buildings.

Below is our pick of the best places to go to experience the charm, colour and spirituality of the city:

Pettah, the beating heart of Colombo

Far more than a chaotic bazaar, Pettah has an electric energy. The maze of narrow streets is packed with traders, stalls and wholesalers, selling everything from textiles and electronics to spices and gold. Deals made in Pettah shape markets across the island, and beneath the hustle and bustle lies a rich history of entrepreneurship.

Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka

With an ever-changing display of modern Sri Lankan art, this museum invites you to soak up the colour, creativity and spirit of the country’s rich artistic heritage.

Saskia Fernando Art Gallery

This is a contemporary art space that displays the work of a variety of established and emerging Sri Lankan artists.

Old Dutch Hospital

This colonial building has been renovated and transformed into a modern dining and shopping district, an impressive blend of old and new. From artisan coffee to seafood feasts, it is a wonderful place to explore at any time of the day.

Galle Face Green

On this seafront promenade you will find families flying kites, couples having picnics and street vendors selling isso wade (unmissable spicy lentil prawn cakes) and ice cream. It is best experienced as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.

Colombo National Museum

Home to a dazzling array of exhibits, this is the country’s largest and oldest museum. It is a veritable treasure trove of ancient royal regalia and Buddha sculptures, Kandyan throne rooms, traditional masks and fabrics, which illustrate the island’s history in a truly engaging way.

St. Anthony’s Shrine

Situated in Kochchikade, this is one of the city’s most beloved churches. Pilgrims of all religions come here from across the nation to seek blessings, miracles and solace. During the Feast of St. Anthony in June, you will find thousands of people gathering here for special masses and processions – a remarkable remarkable sight!

Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam

Colombo’s oldest Hindu temple, also known as the Sivan Covil, is carved completely out of granite and covered in colourful carvings of gods and mythical creatures. Filled with fragrant incense and melodic bells, it has a truly spiritual gravitas. During the festival of Maha Shivaratri, it bursts to life with rituals and processions.

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque

Also known as the Red Mosque, this impressive building is hard to miss as you explore the streets of Pettah, with its striking red-and-white-striped exterior, twisting towers and turrets. Built in 1909, it is the spiritual hub for Colombo’s Muslim community.

St. Lucia’s Cathedral

Colombo’s largest and oldest cathedral has served as a centre for Colombo’s Catholic community since the colonial era. With a majestic white exterior, tall columns and decorative statues, it emanates grace and peace.

Gangaramaya Temple

One of the city’s most treasured landmarks, the temple’s design is a fascinating mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian and Chinese influences. Inside, you will find a museum filled to the brim with interesting artefacts. During the annual festival of Navam Perahera, the temple hosts a grand procession of elephants, dancers and drummers.

Where to shop in Colombo

Whether you are looking for vibrant sari fabric, fragrant spices or colourful clothes you would not be able to find at home, Colombo has some stylish shopping spots to lighten your wallet and fill your luggage. Scroll down to discover three of our favourite shopping spots to enjoy some retail therapy in the Sri Lankan capital:

Good Market

A glorious celebration of artisanal crafts, eco-friendly products and organic produce, Good Market is brimming with everything you might expect in a modern farmers’ market. Locals come here to stock their fridges and in-the-know travellers go home with beautiful, handmade items. You will find the market near the racecourse on Saturdays and, throughout the week, on Independence Avenue, where there is also an excellent community deli.

Barefoot

Here, handloom textiles are used to make chic clothing and furnishings, marrying pops of bright colours with age-old weaving techniques.

Paradise Road

The flagship store of this world-renowned design brand showcases minimalist home furnishings with handwoven decorations; it is a celebration of Sri Lankan craftsmanship.

Where to eat + drink in Colombo

The diversity of Colombo is most deliciously displayed on the plate, and the city is gaining increasing renown among foodies. Our experts have sought out the best places to tickle your tastebuds – from elegant fine dining restaurants to modest street-food stalls – and below, they reveal their checklist of the best spots to eat and drink like a local:

Uncle’s

This firm favourite with locals and travellers alike serves delicious bites and cocktails with a dose of fun and sass, where every ingredient tells a story. Its no-frills décor and determinedness not to take itself too seriously makes it feel like a true discovery.

Kolomba Kade

This cosy, homestyle restaurant dishes up Sri Lankan food with soul. The evening air is filled with rich aromas of spiced chicken and mutton curries, crispy hoppers, buttery ghee parathas and fragrant prawn rice.

Galle Face Green

This is the perfect spot to sample delicious street eats with an unforgettable ocean view. Tickle your tastebuds with spicy isso wade (prawn fritters), sizzling kottu roti, barbecued seafood, achcharu (pickled fruit), and crispy manioc (or cassava) chips.

Palmyrah

This restaurant is the best bolthole for authentic Jaffna (northern Sri Lankan) cuisine in the city, such as spicy crab curry, crispy ghee thosai and sweet jaggery hoppers. Come for the bold, traditional flavours crafted with care and some respite from the busy streets of Colombo.

The Dutch Burgher Union of Ceylon

This lively local joint serves traditional Burgher cuisine, such as lamprais (rice and meat wrapped in banana leaves), black pork curry and frikkadels (Dutch-style meatballs) in a lovingly restored heritage building and courtyard.

Upali’s by Nawaloka

This is one of our favourite spots for a low-key lunch or dinner, where home-style dishes display the variety of flavours in Sri Lankan cooking. Do not miss the spicy seafood kottu and marinated jumbo prawns.

Ministry of Crab

Set in the Old Dutch Hospital, one of the city’s most iconic buildings, this establishment is the perfect setting for an extravagant seafood feast. Indulge in rich garlic-chilli crab, juicy prawns and bold Sri Lankan flavours. This is perfect for a special celebration.

Paradise Road The Gallery Cafe

This is a peaceful spot for breakfast, coffee and a pastry, or lunch, tucked inside a beautiful Geoffrey Bawa-designed bungalow, with an elegant courtyard, local art and lush gardens. Coconut-milk French toast and Sri Lankan hoppers are just some of the highlights.

Gini Colombo

Live fire-cooking, hand-picked, sustainably sourced ingredients and artful presentation elevate traditional Sri Lankan dishes to fine dining standards at this elegant restaurant. If you are looking for a stylish setting, innovative dishes and warm hospitality, Gini will not disappoint.

Ceylon Curry Club

This lively spot brings a modern, stylish twist to classic Sri Lankan cuisine. Standout dishes include fresh hoppers made and served right at your table and the mouthwatering Negombo lagoon crab cart, serving three to four people.

Why book with c+l?

We, at cazenove+loyd, know the best local hosts, insiders and guides who will take you off the beaten path and under the skin of this bustling city. You can trust our knowledgeable team of specialists to design the perfect bespoke itinerary for your stay in Colombo, so get in touch and speak to an expert to start planning your Sri Lankan adventure now.