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Colombo — Colombo

Cover photo: Andrew Fysh (Flickr, CC BY)

District

Colombo

Province

Western

Best for

City-break travellers; malls, skyline walks and the Port City seafront

Map

See it on the map

About this place

Sri Lanka's modern capital on Beira Lake: colonial Fort streets, Pettah markets, a seven-floor mall scene and the new Port City seafront. Two days covers old and new; the expressways make it the easiest arrival and exit on the island.

Visitor brief

Good to know before you go

• Two days does it: one for Fort/Pettah/Galle Face, one for malls and Port City.
• One Galle Face (7 floors) and Havelock City Mall anchor mall evenings.
• Lotus Tower at night, Galle Face promenade at sunset.
• PickMe tuk-tuks beat street hails; airport expressway 30–40 minutes.

How to travel there

In Colombo District, Western Province. Katunayake airport via expressway (30–40 min) or taxi; Fort station for trains south and east. PickMe for city hops.

Where to stay

Stay in Fort and Kollupitiya (mid-luxury business hotels) or Bambalapitiya/Dehiwala guesthouses (budget-mid) near the sea and trains.

Nearby places

Galle Face Green, Pettah Market, Gangaramaya Temple, Port City Promenade

Scams to watch for

• Street-hail tuk-tuks quoting triple PickMe rates; check the app first.
• 'Helpful' guides at Fort station selling overpriced day tours; agree everything in writing.

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