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Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka

3 days in Colombo

Colonial charm, ocean drives and a spicy food scene. Here's how to spend 3 days in Colombo: a realistic day-by-day plan you can copy and tweak. The best time for this 3 days Colombo trip is February, March and August. Budget roughly $130/person/day before flights.

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Length
3 days
Best time
February, March, August
~Cost/day
$130
Currency
USD
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Your 3 days Colombo itinerary, day by day

1

Day 1

09:00
Pettah, Sri Lanka~$18
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
12:30
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
16:00
Gaffoor Building~$18
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.
2

Day 2

09:00
Fort railway station bombing~$18
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,
12:30
Fort railway station~$18
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
16:00
The One (Colombo)~$5
The One is a tri-tower US$650 million mixed-use development project in Colombo, Sri Lanka, estimated to be the 10th largest of its kind in the world. It comprises the Ritz-Carlton
3

Day 3

09:00
Colombo Central Electoral District~$5
Colombo Central electoral district was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Colombo in Colombo Distric
12:30
Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque
Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque (Sinhala: කොලඹ කොටුව රතු පල්ලිය, romanized: Kolomba Kotuwa Rathu Palliya, Tamil: மஸ்ஜிதுல் ஜாமிஉல் அஃபார் அல்லது சம்மாங்கோடு பள்ளிவாசல், romanized: Sammankodu
16:00
Lloyd's Building, Colombo~$18
Lloyd's Building is a prominent five-storey 19th century building located on Sir Baron Jayatilaka Mawatha, Colombo Fort.

A starting point, not a script. Reshuffle it in the planner →

What 3 days in Colombo costs

What this trip costs

$901
Flights$45050%
Stay$11713%
Activities$10011%
Food$11713%
Local transport$475%
Shopping$313%
Buffer$394%
$300/day

Estimates for planning, so check live prices before you book.

Have more or less time in Colombo?

2 days in Colombo 4 days in Colombo 5 days in Colombo 1 week in Colombo Full Colombo guide

3 days in Colombo: FAQ

Is 3 days enough for Colombo?+

3 days is enough to cover the main highlights of Colombo without rushing the essentials. The plan above balances the must-sees with time to wander.

What should I do on day 1 in Colombo?+

Start with Pettah, Sri Lanka, Kayman's Gate and Gaffoor Building. The full first day is mapped out above.

How much does 3 days in Colombo cost?+

Budget around $130 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and activities), before flights, so roughly $390 per person for 3 days. The cost breakdown above splits it by category.

When is the best time to visit Colombo?+

The best months to visit Colombo are February, March, August and December, when the weather suits sightseeing best.

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