Guidebook for Colombo 2
Food Scene
Pizza Hut - Union Place
Doctor Colvin R de Silva MawathaGood place to try Sri Lankan-style pizza.
KFC - Union Place
278 Dr Colvin R de Silva MawathaGood place to try Sri Lankan-style rice without too much of spices.
Part of the Hilton chain of hotels, 3 restaurants and bars offer a choice of Sri Lankan and Western cuisine. A gym, swimming pool, sauna and tennis court are open to those who like to stay fit.
Hilton Colombo Residences
200 Union PlPart of the Hilton chain of hotels, 3 restaurants and bars offer a choice of Sri Lankan and Western cuisine. A gym, swimming pool, sauna and tennis court are open to those who like to stay fit.
Founded in 1864, the GFH is the oldest hotel east of Suez. It is listed in the book, '1000 Places To See Before You Die'. The hotel has 4 restaurants, a museum, an art gallery and a salt water pool.
47 locals recommend
Galle Face Hotel
2 ගාලු පාරFounded in 1864, the GFH is the oldest hotel east of Suez. It is listed in the book, '1000 Places To See Before You Die'. The hotel has 4 restaurants, a museum, an art gallery and a salt water pool.
Essentials
The Staple Street branch stocks a wide variety of local and foreign groceries, fruits, vegetables and toiletries.
21 locals recommend
Cargills Food City - Ward Place
48 Ward PlThe Staple Street branch stocks a wide variety of local and foreign groceries, fruits, vegetables and toiletries.
Keells Super Union Place branch has a wide variety of local and foreign groceries, fruits, vegetables and toiletries. The entire range of the famous Elephant House Ice Cream brand is also available.
8 locals recommend
Keells Super
199 Union PlKeells Super Union Place branch has a wide variety of local and foreign groceries, fruits, vegetables and toiletries. The entire range of the famous Elephant House Ice Cream brand is also available.
Shopping
As Sri Lanka's largest state-owned gift, souvenir and handicrafts shop Laksala features a vast array of local handmade crafts. Rigorous selection processes ensure only the best creations are on sale.
40 locals recommend
Laksala
215 Bauddhaloka MawathaAs Sri Lanka's largest state-owned gift, souvenir and handicrafts shop Laksala features a vast array of local handmade crafts. Rigorous selection processes ensure only the best creations are on sale.
Dating back to 1681, it is the oldest building in the Colombo Fort area and was built by the Dutch. The precinct consists of 12 stalls including a restaurant, jewelers, textile and handicraft stalls.
62 locals recommend
Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct
Hospital StreetDating back to 1681, it is the oldest building in the Colombo Fort area and was built by the Dutch. The precinct consists of 12 stalls including a restaurant, jewelers, textile and handicraft stalls.
A unique shopping site situated on a canal of the Beira Lake in the Pettah area. Whether you are shopping for gems and handicrafts or fresh fruits and vegetables, the 92 stalls will be hard to resist.
10 locals recommend
Pettah Floating Market
West East Bastian MawathaA unique shopping site situated on a canal of the Beira Lake in the Pettah area. Whether you are shopping for gems and handicrafts or fresh fruits and vegetables, the 92 stalls will be hard to resist.
Sightseeing
Originally the home of Count Carl Van Ranzow, this colonial Dutch town house was built in the latter part of the 17th century. The era's unique architectural features and artefacts are displayed here.
24 locals recommend
Dutch Museum
Prince StreetOriginally the home of Count Carl Van Ranzow, this colonial Dutch town house was built in the latter part of the 17th century. The era's unique architectural features and artefacts are displayed here.
Home to the biggest collection of historical and cultural artefacts in Sri Lanka including the regalia of the last King of Kandy.The Italian style building was built by the British and opened in 1877.
186 locals recommend
National Museum
Sir Marcus Fernando MawathaHome to the biggest collection of historical and cultural artefacts in Sri Lanka including the regalia of the last King of Kandy.The Italian style building was built by the British and opened in 1877.
The former parliament house of Sri Lanka, this Neo-Baroque style building was built by the British colonial government. Completed in 1930, it housed the various legislative bodies of state until 1983.
Presidential Secretariat
Colombo Main RoadThe former parliament house of Sri Lanka, this Neo-Baroque style building was built by the British colonial government. Completed in 1930, it housed the various legislative bodies of state until 1983.
Also known as 'Kompanna Vidiya Railway Station', it was built in the 1870s by the British colonial government. This station has many architectural features which are typical of the Victorian era.
8 locals recommend
Kompannavidiya station
Station PassageAlso known as 'Kompanna Vidiya Railway Station', it was built in the 1870s by the British colonial government. This station has many architectural features which are typical of the Victorian era.
This beautiful Buddhist site was designed by Geoffrey Bawa - one of Sri Lanka's most famous architects. Situated on the Beira Lake, it is reached by a short bridge and has many statues of the Buddha.
16 locals recommend
Seema Malakaya
Sir James Pieris MawathaThis beautiful Buddhist site was designed by Geoffrey Bawa - one of Sri Lanka's most famous architects. Situated on the Beira Lake, it is reached by a short bridge and has many statues of the Buddha.
A Buddhist temple where Buddhist art and sculptures can be viewed leisurely. The temple also has its own tame elephant which takes part in religious processions.
105 locals recommend
Gangaramaya Temple
61 Sri Jinarathana RdA Buddhist temple where Buddhist art and sculptures can be viewed leisurely. The temple also has its own tame elephant which takes part in religious processions.
Entertainment & Activities
This public park is situated opposite the Colombo Town Hall and is easily accessed by road. There is a dedicated children's section named 'Sathutu Uyana' with slides, swings, ponies and mini-train.
191 locals recommend
Viharamahadevi Park
This public park is situated opposite the Colombo Town Hall and is easily accessed by road. There is a dedicated children's section named 'Sathutu Uyana' with slides, swings, ponies and mini-train.
The Galle Face Green is a public promenade facing the beautiful Indian Ocean. Situated opposite the old parliament building, it is a favourite spot for walking, jogging, kites and sea-front picnics.
19 locals recommend
Galle Face Green
The Galle Face Green is a public promenade facing the beautiful Indian Ocean. Situated opposite the old parliament building, it is a favourite spot for walking, jogging, kites and sea-front picnics.
The island on the Beira Lake is reached using the Gangarama Bridge. It's a great place to relax,surrounded by pelicans swimming in the lake. Paddle boats are also available to take a ride on the lake.
Gangarama Bridge
The island on the Beira Lake is reached using the Gangarama Bridge. It's a great place to relax,surrounded by pelicans swimming in the lake. Paddle boats are also available to take a ride on the lake.
Everything Else
Whether you need to get regular medical tests for a health condition or treatment for 'holiday tummy', this private hospital has the latest facilities.
7 locals recommend
Nawaloka Hospitals PLC
H K Dharmadasa MawathaWhether you need to get regular medical tests for a health condition or treatment for 'holiday tummy', this private hospital has the latest facilities.