Colombo itinerary — 2 days
Day 1 — Colombo
5 stops · ≈ 7 h 22 minThe Red Mosque of Pettah, built in 1908-1909 for the Muslim community of Colombo's port quarter. Its facade is striped in alternating red and white — a candy-cane mix of neo-Moorish and Indo-Saracenic elements crowned by small domes. The mosque is active: visitors are welcome outside prayer times, shoulders and knees must be covered, and shoes come off at the entrance.
A restaurant inside the 17th-century Dutch Hospital building in central Colombo, opened in 2011 by chef Dharshan Munidasa with cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. Its speciality is lagoon crabs in nine size grades, from half-kilo specimens to two-kilogram giants, cooked in black pepper, garlic chilli or butter. The restaurant regularly features in lists of Asia's best dining venues.
A premier commercial landmark dominating the skyline of Colombo's historic Fort district in Sri Lanka. Rising 152 metres across 39 storeys, these iconic twin towers opened in 1997 and stood as the tallest buildings in South Asia for years. The complex houses the Colombo Stock Exchange and international corporate headquarters, alongside a multi-level podium mall offering Ceylon tea, fine gems, and casual dining.
Colombo's premier seven-storey shopping and lifestyle destination, opened by the Shangri-La Group in 2019. The upscale mall features international fashion retailers, a modern multiplex cinema, and a vibrant gourmet food court. Open-air terrace restaurants provide sweeping panoramic views across the Galle Face Green promenade and the Indian Ocean.
A historic ocean-side urban park and promenade stretching along the Indian Ocean coast in the heart of Colombo. Established in 1859 by British Governor Sir Henry George Ward, it remains the city's favourite gathering spot. Visitors come to fly colourful kites in the sea breeze, watch vibrant tropical sunsets, and sample classic Sri Lankan street food like crispy prawn isso vadai and freshly chopped kottu roti.
Reserve
5If you have time left — worth it too.
Expansive lake near the city center known for its scenic island, Buddhist temple & lakefront paths.
One of Colombo's premier and longest-running gaming and entertainment venues, welcoming guests since 1995. The casino features dozens of gaming tables for American roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and Texas hold'em, alongside modern slot machines. Renowned for its hospitality, Bally's offers live musical performances, nightly stage entertainment, and complimentary gourmet dining with fine hospitality around the clock.
Cheerful, small market featuring locally sourced organic produce & goods, a cafe & outdoor seating.
Sri Lanka's oldest and largest museum opened in 1877 on the initiative of British governor Sir William Gregory. Its colonnaded neoclassical building shelters the island's treasures: the throne and crown of Kandy's last king Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, galleries of bronze Buddha statues, palm-leaf manuscripts, masks and weapons. A separate wing is given to natural history, and the courtyard is dotted with Buddhist and Hindu sculpture.
Founded in 1936 in a suburban district of Colombo, the National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka in Dehiwala spans 30 acres of landscaped tropical botanical grounds. It showcases an impressive collection of wildlife with an emphasis on Asian species, including Sri Lankan leopards, Asian elephants, sloth bears, and exotic birds. The zoo also features a walk-through marine aquarium, a vibrant butterfly garden, and sea lion demonstrations.
- Agree on tuk-tuk fares before riding, or insist on the meter — or just use PickMe to avoid haggling
- Carry small cash notes; many local shops and tuk-tuks don't accept cards
- Visit Buddhist and Hindu temples with covered shoulders and knees; remove shoes and hats before entering
- Traffic is heavy and slow — allow extra time between meetings or sights, especially at rush hour
- Stay hydrated and use sunscreen; it's hot and humid year-round, with monsoon rains roughly May–September and October–January