Colombo Travel Guide: Exploring Sri Lanka’s Capital in 2025

Colombo is more than just a gateway city, it’s the energetic, multicultural heart of Sri Lanka. With its colonial architecture, bustling markets, seaside promenades, and temples sitting beside modern skyscrapers, Colombo offers travellers a glimpse of the island’s past and present in one place. For backpackers, it’s often the first stop, but it’s also worth lingering a little longer.

Why Visit Colombo?

• Cultural diversity: A mix of Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, and Burgher influences is reflected in the food, festivals, and neighbourhoods.

• Historic architecture: From colonial forts to Buddhist temples and Hindu kovils, Colombo is a living museum.

• Markets and street life: Pettah Market is chaotic, colourful, and an adventure in itself.

• Sea breeze evenings: Galle Face Green offers sunsets, kite-flying, and street food right by the ocean.

• Gateway to the rest of Sri Lanka: Most major train lines start here, making it the perfect launch pad for your backpacking trip.

Top Things to Do in Colombo

1. Gangaramaya Temple

One of Colombo’s most important Buddhist temples, blending Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture. The complex houses statues, relics, and a library.

2. Galle Face Green

A long, oceanfront promenade where locals gather in the evening. Try street food like isso wade (shrimp fritters) and kottu roti as you watch the sunset.

3. Pettah Market

A maze of narrow streets filled with vendors selling everything from textiles to spices. It’s noisy, crowded, and completely unforgettable.

4. Old Dutch Hospital

A 17th-century colonial building now transformed into a trendy spot with cafes, bars, and shops. A good place to recharge in the middle of the city.

5. National Museum of Colombo

Sri Lanka’s largest museum, showcasing artefacts from ancient kingdoms, colonial history, and the island’s cultural heritage.

6. Independence Memorial Hall

Built to commemorate independence from Britain in 1948, this open-air monument is peaceful and symbolic, with striking stone carvings.

Food in Colombo

Colombo is a food lover’s dream. Some must-tries include:

• Hoppers (appa): Crispy bowl-shaped pancakes, often served with egg and spicy sambol.

• Kottu roti: Chopped flatbread stir-fried with vegetables, egg, and curry—street food theatre at its best.

• Seafood curries: Crab, prawns, and cuttlefish are cooked in fiery curries rich with spice.

• Isso wade: A lentil fritter topped with prawns, best eaten at Galle Face Green.

• Sri Lankan short eats: Samosas, rolls, and pastries that make perfect snacks on the go.

Backpacker Tips

• Getting around: Tuk-tuks are cheap but negotiate or use ride-hailing apps like PickMe.

• Budget stays: Hostels and guesthouses are clustered in areas like Kollupitiya and Mount Lavinia.

• Cultural respect: Cover shoulders and knees when visiting temples. Always remove shoes before entering.

• Best time to visit: December to March brings the best weather in Colombo, though it’s busy.

Why Colombo Matters

Many travellers rush through Colombo, treating it as a stopover on their way to Sri Lanka’s beaches or hill country. But Colombo is where you feel the island’s energy at full tilt, where the spice markets, temples, colonial buildings, and modern skyline tell you the story of a nation still balancing its past with its future. Spend at least a couple of days here and let the rhythm of the city draw you in.