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10 Days in Colombo: A Journey of Culture and Adventure

Lisa Alioua

Lisa Alioua

13 Nov 2023

Experience the vibrant city of Colombo in Sri Lanka with this exciting 10-day itinerary. Discover the rich history at Dutch Museum and Old Parliament Building, relax at Galle Face Beach, and indulge in delicious vegetarian cuisine at Sriyani Vegetarian Restaurant and Sri Krishna Vilas. Immerse yourself in the spiritual ambiance of Gangaramaya Temple and Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara. Don't miss the stunning views from Cloud Red and The Pan Restaurant. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Colombo!

Day 1
+

$89

·

$ 2

Sriyani Vegetarian Restaurant
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
$16
2 - 3 min

~

Directions

Dutch Museum
Former 17th-century governor's residence now a museum featuring artifacts from Dutch colonial rule.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
$25
11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Galle Face Beach
Indian Ocean beach in the heart of Colombo with a busy promenade & the popular Galle Face Green.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Free
11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Cloud Red
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
$24
8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Gangaramaya Temple
Historic Buddhist temple with a robust collection of artifacts & statues, plus vocational training.
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Free
9 - 14 min

~

Directions

Sri Krishna Vilas
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
$24
Day 2
+

$64

·

$ 1

The Harbour Room
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
$16
10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Sambodhi Chaithya
Buddhist temple complex offering a mix of Thai, Sri Lankan, Indian & Chinese architecture.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Free
14 - 21 min

~

Directions

The Central Point - Economic History Museum
Exhibits on the economy & currency of Sri Lanka, with a collection of ancient & foreign coins.
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Free
6 - 8 min

~

Directions

Taj Samudra - YUMI bar
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
$24
7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Galle Face Green
Food stalls dot this popular waterfront destination with a long walkway, sandy beach & scenic views.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Free
8 - 12 min

~

Directions

Navaratna Restaurant
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
$24
Day 3
+

$89

·

$ 3

New Saraswathi Cafe
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
$16
7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devastanam Kovil, Kotahena, ஸ்ரீ பொன்னம்பலவனேஸ்வரம் கோவில். கொட்டாஞ்சேனை ශ්‍රී පොන්නම්බලවානේස්වරර් දේවස්ථානය, කොටහේන
Historic stone Hindu temple with intricate carvings, sculptures & colorful shrines.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Free
8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Pettah Floating Market
Food, clothing, electronics & other goods sold from 90+ stalls, including some on built on boats.
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Free
5 - 6 min

~

Directions

Old Parliament Building
Completed in 1930, this neo-Baroque structure now houses the national Presidential Secretariat.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
$25
6 - 8 min

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Directions

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
$24
12 - 18 min

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Directions

Gangarama Seema Malakaya, ගංගාරාම සීමා මාලකය.
Serene Buddhist temple on floating platforms featuring numerous Buddha statues & airy shrines.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Free
6 - 8 min

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Directions

Saskia Fernando Gallery
Large, bright contemporary gallery with 2 rooms championing the Sri Lankan art scene.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Free
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Tea Avenue
Premium Tea House in Colombo, also serves Coffee, Chocolate based drinks, Waffles, pastas and sandwiches.
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
$24
Day 4
+

$114

·

$ 1

Was Great place authentic Sri Lankan food,unfortunately now closed..
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
$16
4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Excel World Entertainment Park
Amusement park with rides, video games, bowling, a pool lounge & laser tag, plus a food court.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
$25
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Bavarian German Restaurant
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
$24
6 - 9 min

~

Directions

Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
$25
8 - 12 min

~

Directions

Navaratna Restaurant
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
$24
Day 5
+

$64

·

$ 2

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
$16
12 - 18 min

~

Directions

Diyasaru Park
60-acre preserve offering footpaths & boardwalks past vibrant vegetation & wildlife.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Free
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Beddagana Wetland Park
Peaceful natural area with walking paths through the wetlands & abundant bird life.
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Free
11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Diyatha Uyana
Landscaped waterfront park with a playground, colorful fountains, aquarium & open-air food court.
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Free
19 - 23 min

~

Directions

New Malar Cafe
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
$24
8 - 11 min

~

Directions

National Art Gallery
Unassuming art gallery with classical paintings & contemporary pieces by local artists on display.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Free
11 - 16 min

~

Directions

Maharaja Palace
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
$24
Day 6
+

$64

·

$ 2

M' Eat Us Grill
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
$16
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Ape Gama
Living heritage museum & events venue with rustic village houses & handicrafts on sale.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Free
40 - 48 min

~

Directions

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
$24
21 - 26 min

~

Directions

Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
Sacred, historic temple said to be visited by the Buddha with paintings by a renowned artist.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Free
22 - 27 min

~

Directions

The Pan Restaurant
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
$24
Day 7
+

$189

·

$ 2

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
$16
14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Water World Kelaniya
Aquatic park with underwater tunnels, tanks & ponds, plus exotic birds & educational programs.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
$25
34 - 41 min

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Directions

Royal Colombo Golf Club
Classy, members-only 18-hole course dating from 1879, plus a restaurant & a fitness center.
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
$100
24 - 36 min

~

Directions

Sensal
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
$24
10 - 12 min

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Directions

The Bayleaf
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
$24
Day 8
+

$99

Sulthan Palace
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
$16
6 - 9 min

~

Directions

Viharamahadevi Park
Relaxed park with jogging trails, kids' play areas, space for picnics & activities like cycling.
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Free
16 - 23 min

~

Directions

Lionel Wendt Art Centre
Cultural venue featuring a theater for drama & musicals, an art exhibition area & a basic cafeteria.
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Free
8 - 12 min

~

Directions

Paradise Vegetarian Food Court
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
$24
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Geoffrey Bawa's Residence
Visitors can explore these refined living quarters bought in 1958 by the famed namesake architect.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
$25
10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Sri Lanka Planetarium
A 500-seat planetarium theater, open since 1965 & offering night camps, workshops & an IT lab.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
$10
8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Sri Vihar
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
$24
Day 9
+

$64

·

$ 1

Haus Chandra Hotel
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
$16
7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Mount Lavinia Beach
Scenic beach offering a stretch of sand, waves, lifeguards, hotels & nearby restaurants.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Free
16 - 20 min

~

Directions

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
$24
12 - 18 min

~

Directions

Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya
Iconic temple with a bodhi tree grown from one of the 32 saplings from the sacred Anuradhapura tree.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Free
12 - 17 min

~

Directions

B-leaf
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
$24
Day 10
+

$139

·

$ 2

Harpo's Pizza & Pasta
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
$16
11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Sri Lanka Air Force Museum
Operational air base of the Sri Lanka Air Force with history exhibits, vintage aircraft & equipment.
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
$25
21 - 26 min

~

Directions

Dehiwala Zoological Garden
Large, long-running zoo with landscaped gardens & many species, plus an aquarium & butterfly garden.
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
$50
4 - 5 min

~

Directions

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
$24
6 - 9 min

~

Directions

Traditional Puppet Art Museum
Artful center offering exhibits of traditional Sri Lankan string puppets, plus performances.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Free
6 - 9 min

~

Directions

Balaji Take Away
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
$24

Budget breakdown: $988 In total

Activities & Food:$975
Transport:$13