Luxury hotels in Colombo

Colombo guide

Colombo: Galle Face and the gateway to Sri Lanka

A seafront green at sunset, the Gangaramaya Temple and the start of a journey around the island.

Galle Face Green, a seafront promenade where families gather at sunset and street vendors cook isso vadai, is Colombo's most cited sight. The Gangaramaya Temple, with its eclectic collection, and the Seema Malaka pavilion on Beira Lake are nearby.

Pettah's markets, the colonial Fort district and the Red Mosque show the city's mix of cultures, and the restaurants of Colombo are a fine introduction to Sri Lankan cuisine. Most journeys continue to the Cultural Triangle, the hill country or the south coast.

Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth

Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the most cited destination reached from Colombo, about three hours away. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which houses a tooth of the Buddha, holds daily ceremonies with drums and offerings.

The Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens are close by, and the train from Kandy to Ella through the tea plantations of the hill country is one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world. In July or August, the Esala Perahera procession fills the streets.

Sigiriya and the Cultural Triangle

Sigiriya, a fifth-century royal fortress built on top of a rock about 200 metres high, with frescoes of celestial maidens and the giant Lion Gate, is Sri Lanka's most cited sight and a UNESCO site. Climb at opening time to avoid the heat and crowds.

The Cultural Triangle also includes the cave temples of Dambulla, filled with Buddha statues and paintings, and the ruined royal cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. Jeep safaris in Minneriya to see gatherings of elephants are a classic addition.