Itineraries for Your Trip to Colombo
2 Days in Colombo for First Timers
My earliest memory of Colombo is of monkeys screeching in palm trees swaying in the monsoon. The recollection has stayed with me ever since, a reminder that despite the city’s urgent modernization, it remains quintessentially tropical at heart.
Look beyond the shiny business district, the traffic-tangled Galle Road, and frenetic Pettah Market, and you’ll find lush, exotic enclaves—leafy parks, serene temples, fresh-from-rain gardens, the occasional snake charmer, and billowing seas—all seemingly plucked from an illustrated adventure book. Mix them up into one sprawling mass, and it’s no wonder Colombo defies pigeonholes. If you’re a first-time visitor with only two days to spare, here are my suggestions for uncovering the essence of this city.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the chaos and color of Pettah Market.
Mosquitoes are a year-round nuisance, so have a quality repellent on hand.
Colombo’s sights are spread out, and its roads are busy, so kick things off with a private morning tuk-tuk or car tour with a driver-guide to navigate the traffic and get you to the main landmarks quickly. Most tours include hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off, cover must-sees like the Gangarayama Temple and Independence Square, and offer the benefit of driver-guide commentary and tips, which you’d miss if traveling alone.
This afternoon is perfect for souvenir shopping. Several city tours swing by Colombo’s popular malls and stores, letting you squeeze some retail roaming into your sightseeing schedule. Favorite stops include the pick of the city’s gem museum stores, the government-run souvenir emporium Laksala, and the gift shops of the colonial-era Dutch Hospital complex. Alternatively, hire a cab to Galle Road’s Barefoot for Sri Lankan-made tableware and trinkets.
Finish your day sampling Colombo’s culinary treats. Join the hordes who eat in the lively Pettah or upscale Cinnamon Garden districts, enjoying a tasty curry at a restaurant or crunching hot samosas or cassava chips from food carts. Embarking on a guided private street food tour is the easiest way to cover the must-try specialties and best foodie spots without worrying about transport.
Explore beyond Colombo today. Book a trip to history-steeped Galle to explore UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, with calls at the Kosgoda Turtle Sanctuary, stilt-fishing beaches, and other attractions on route. Or head to UNESCO-protected Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, and maybe a national park to observe wild elephants and other species. Private and small-group chauffeured road tours are the best options for letting you visit multiple places in a day.
If you’re not out of town on a day trip, earmark this lunchtime or afternoon to discover Colombo’s underrated cuisine. Sign up for a culinary class or market-and-cooking experience. Many of these classes start with a forage around Pettah Market’s fresh produce halls for ingredients before you're whisked to a chef’s kitchen to prep dishes like clay-pot curries. The finale is the chance to savor and discuss your creations afterward.
See out this evening at one of the piano bars or top-notch restaurants at Colombo’s luxury hotels: the elegant Mount Lavinia combines both with atmospheric ocean views. Alternatively, stroll Galle Face Green’s seafront, feasting on crab vadai patties while watching the sunset. Or, take a last look at the floodlit city on a private chauffeured car tour or a fun bike ride, stopping for street snacks along the way.
