8 Cool Places to Visit in Colombo in 2022

Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and the largest city by population. It has a population of approximately 5.6 million people in its metropolitan area and around 752,993 people in the municipality area. The city is spread over an area of 37,32 square kilometers and is the financial center and a major tourist destination of Sri Lanka. The climate here is tropical monsoon and hot throughout the year. Best time to visit it is from December to March and from July to September.

We have selected 8 cool places in Colombo for you to visit in 2021.

1. Lotus Tower

(Photo by Christoph Theisinger on Unsplash)

The Lotus Tower is one of the coolest places to visit in Colombo. With a total height of 1,168 feet (368 meters), it is the tallest freestyling structure in South Asia. The tourists can go to the top and witness an unobstructed view of Colombo’s cityscape and sea. The tower houses a lot of telecommunication equipment along with a shopping mall, a telecom museum, a hotel, outdoor/ indoor observation areas, a telecom museum, and a revolving fine-dining restaurant. From the outside, the tower is covered with LED lighting and displays seasonal theme lighting every night. This tower is designed to replicate a lotus bulb and flower, representing the historic culture of the country.

2. Sri Lanka Planetarium

(Photo by https://www.likesrilanka.com/blog/tour/sri-lanka-planetarium/)

Located at the University of Colombo, this is the first and only planetarium in Sri Lanka and is a good way to escape the scorching sun. The auditorium has a huge domed ceiling, with the constellations of the night sky projected upon it. Aside from the exhibitions, the structure is architecturally impressive. The lotus flower design’s elements with iconic modernist cathedrals of Liverpool, Brazil, and England. 

3. Viharamahadevi Park

(Photo by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viharamahadevi_Park)

This huge space full of greenery is one of the most soothing places in Colombo. This Central Park of Colombo has many fountains and a small zoo. The highlights include the National Park, and the Cenotaph- a war memorial statue. It is also home to a 15-foot-tall Buddha statue, which is the country’s largest cast brass Buddha. Formerly, the park was called Victoria Park. Now named for one of the country’s ancient queens, Viharamahadevi Park is situated between the City Hall and the National Museum.

4. National Zoological Gardens

(Photo by https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyoQ8HSo3tM)

The Colombo Zoo is more than just a sighting of animals in cages. It also provides the visitors with an opportunity to learn, focusing on educating them. It also focuses on the conservation of animals and their welfare. Being one of the oldest zoos in Asia, it houses almost 3,000 different animals of several species. The zoo holds its daily demonstrations for the keepers of different animals in several places. One is held for the zoo’s friendly sea lion, a bird presentation, one on snakes, and one in front of the elephant enclosure. Apart from this, the Department of Zoological Gardens also operates a larger wildlife park and a sanctuary for animals just outside Colombo.

5. Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theater

(Photo by https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Nelum_Pokuna_Mahinda_Rajapaksa_Theatre)

Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theater hosts a wide range of dance, music, and cultural performances. It is a huge modern art performing theater that was recently renamed for the former president of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa. The design is intentionally reminiscent of a Lotus flower, like many other things in the country. The programs held here include opera and symphony performances (Sri Lankan, Chinese, and Western). They also hold modern pop concerts, and the performances are held in the open-air amphitheater or the main auditorium.

6. Mount Lavinia Beach

(Photo by Ishan Kahapola Arachchi on Unsplash)

Mount Lavinia Beach is the main beach resort town of Sri Lanka and is a suburb of Colombo. It has many hotels and is a good option if you don’t want to live in the city. However, the beach is not a protected bay, and the water could be rough several times of the year, so be cautious while swimming. There are many restaurants along the beachfront, and it is lined with vendors selling everything from basic food to bathing suits. If you decide to stay for the sunset, you’ll be awarded one of the best views.

7. Gangaramaya Temple

(Photo by https://www.slideshare.net/laviniawoolf/gangaramaya-temple-in-colombo)

Gangaramaya Temple is a Buddhist temple constructed in the late 19th Century. It not only serves as a place of worship but also educates people about Buddhism. It showcases a collection of many physical items from jewelry to coins and even a vintage Rolls-Royce, serving as a museum. You can also see the religious relics such as a lock of the Buddha’s hair and a sacred tree around which the temple’s foundations were built. If you decide to visit during February’s full moon, you can watch the annual religious ceremony where a procession is led by the temple’s elephant. 

8. Excel World Entertainment Park

(Photo by https://www.attractionsinsrilanka.com/travel-directory/excel-world-entertainment-park/)

Excel World Entertainment Park is a perfect place to visit in Colombo with kids. Here you can have a fun experience with a shopping mall, a food court, a bowling alley, and a few rides. It also has a movie theater that shows both Bollywood and Western films. The bowling alley is quite famous because it is the only one in the city. Some fun activities at the park include; laser tag, bumping cars, a bounce house, and a carousel. During December, the mall is known to bring in the snow to imitate a winter wonderland indoors.

Posted by Ahmad Saud

Content writer, Traveler, and Partnerships Executive.