Colombo walking tour & city guide

Fort, Pettah and the seafront

Colombo Fort is the old colonial core, with the Old Dutch Hospital, now a restored precinct of shops and restaurants, the red-and-white Cargills building and the clock tower that once served as a lighthouse. Just east, the Pettah is the city's most crowded district: each street specialises in something, from fabrics and spices to electronics and fruit, and the striped red-and-white Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque rises above the stalls.

South of the Fort, Galle Face Green is a long seafront lawn where locals stroll and eat street food at sunset. Inland, Beira Lake surrounds the Seema Malakaya temple, and the Gangaramaya Temple nearby is a mix of shrines and collections. The Lotus Tower dominates the skyline, and further south, Viharamahadevi Park and the white Independence Memorial Hall sit in the leafy Cinnamon Gardens district.

A classic walk: the Pettah to Galle Face

Start in the morning in the Pettah, when the markets are at their busiest, and find the Red Mosque among the stalls. Walk west into the Fort, past the clock tower and the colonial facades, and stop at the Old Dutch Hospital.

In the late afternoon, continue south to Galle Face Green and walk along the seafront as the sun sets over the ocean. The food stalls along the promenade sell isso vadai, crispy prawn fritters, and kottu roti cooked on a hot griddle.

Good to know

December to March is the driest time on the west coast; the southwest monsoon brings heavy rain from May to September. Tuk-tuks are everywhere, and ride-hailing apps make fares easy. Cover shoulders and knees at temples and remove your shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue for photos. The coastal train south to Galle is a popular trip.