Colombo travel guide
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Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka

Colombo travel guide

From Wikipedia and maps · Wikipedia · OpenStreetMap · Open-Meteo

Colonial charm, ocean drives and a spicy food scene. The best time to visit Colombo is February, March, August and December. A mid-range trip runs roughly $130/person/day before flights.

Best time
February, March, August
Ideal length
3 days
~Cost/day
$130
Currency
USD
Plan Colombo
Days, budget, and flights. You can edit it after.
Build my Colombo trip

Best time to visit Colombo

The best time to visit Colombo is February, March, August and December. Here's the average temperature through the year:

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Top things to do in Colombo

Highlights from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap.

Culture & sights

Pettah, Sri Lanka
Pettah, Sri Lanka
Pettah (Sinhala: පිටකොටුව, Tamil: புறக்கோட்டை is a neighbourhood in Colombo, Sri Lanka, located east of the city centre Fort, and behind the Colombo Port. The Pettah neighborhood i
~$18 · 2h
Fort railway station bombing
Fort railway station bombing
The Fort railway station bombing was a suicide bombing of a commuter train while it was stopped at the Fort railway station, the main station in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 3,
~$18 · 2h
Gaffoor Building
Gaffoor Building
The Gaffoor Building is a prominent four-storey wedge-shaped building located on the corner Sir Baron Jayatilaka Mawatha and Leyden Bastian Street, Colombo Fort.
~$18 · 2h
Fort railway station
Fort railway station
Fort railway station is a major rail hub in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The station is served by Sri Lanka Railways, with many inter-city and commuter trains entering each day. Fort Statio
~$18 · 2h

Nature & outdoors

Kayman's Gate
Kayman's Gate
Kayman's Gate was an entrance to the former Colombo Fort located at the foot of the Wolvendaal Hill in the Pettah district of Colombo, Sri Lanka. A historic free-standing bell towe
Free · 2h

Food & markets

Pettah Market
Pettah Market
The Pettah Market also called Manning Market is an open market in the suburb of Pettah in the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
~$10 · 1.3h

A sample 3-day Colombo itinerary

1
Day 1
09:00 · Pettah, Sri Lanka12:30 · Kayman's Gate16:00 · Gaffoor Building
2
Day 2
09:00 · Fort railway station bombing12:30 · Fort railway station16:00 · The One (Colombo)
3
Day 3
09:00 · Colombo Central Electoral District12:30 · Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque16:00 · Lloyd's Building, Colombo

A sample plan. See the full 3-day Colombo itinerary →

Colombo travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Colombo?+

The best months to visit Colombo are February, March, August and December, when the weather is most comfortable for sightseeing.

How many days do you need in Colombo?+

Most travellers find 3 days ideal for Colombo, enough to see the highlights without rushing. Add a day or two if you want day trips.

Is Colombo expensive to visit?+

Budget roughly $130 per person per day for a mid-range trip in Colombo (accommodation, food and activities), before flights. Costs scale up or down with your travel style.

What are the top things to do in Colombo?+

Popular highlights include Pettah, Sri Lanka, Fort railway station bombing, Gaffoor Building and Fort railway station. There's a longer list above, or start a plan and swap things in.

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