The Best Walks To Take In Colombo

Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is full of Buddhist and Hindu temples, museums, parks and historical sights. Getting to know a city by walking it is the best way to really see how the locals live and work. The best times to walk in Colombo is the early morning or the afternoon. Read on to discover the best walks to take in Colombo.

Colombo Fort

Colombo Fort is the oldest part of the city, but also the most developed, next to the water. On a walk here, visitors can see the old Dutch and British buildings with a backdrop of mega-construction. It’s an interesting area, but one that is at risk of succumbing to major modernization. En route is the Dutch Hospital, where visitors can have a fresh drink or lunch. Another idea is to come back to the Dutch Hospital with a tuk tuk after the walk is over and relax.

The walk in Colombo Fort includes Galle Face Green, Lighthouse Clock Tower, Colombo Lighthouse, Dutch Hospital, Cargills Building, Pettah Market, Dutch Museum and Red Masjid Mosque.

For an awesome guided tour of the area, contact Colombo City Walks.

Slave Island and Cinnamon Gardens

Slave Island and Cinnamon Gardens are two of the nicest areas in Colombo and a walk from the Gangaramaya Temple in Slave Island to the Independence Square in Cinnamon Gardens will give visitors an idea of what Colombo was like in its high days. This walk is best for the afternoon and end with a nice tea at the T-Lounge at the Arcade Shopping Complex in the Independence Square. The map shows that from the Viharamahadevi Park to the National Museum you have to go around but that isn’t necessary, you can go in through the back by crossing the road from the park.

The walk from Slave Island to Cinnamon Gardens includes Seema Malaka, Gangaramaya Temple, Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo National Museum and the Independence Square.

Mt. Lavinia Beach

A different kind of walk is one along the shores of Mt. Lavinia Beach. Most of the coastal section of Colombo has train tracks running along it except for the Galle Face Green and Mt. Lavinia. A great way to experience Mt. Lavinia is to spend the day there. Start with breakfast at the Mount Lavinia hotel and a dip in the pool. Visitors who eat at the hotel can also use the pool. Afterwards visitors can either go down to the private Mount Lavinia Hotel beach or go back out on the road and go around the next block to enter the public beach, either northwards or southwards. On both the north and south beaches that flank the hotel, there are restaurants and hangout spots. Most of them are more lively at night but the best for daytime hanging is the Shore by O. Walk along the shore and see how the locals do the beach!

View of the Mount Lavinia Hotel from the north beach

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.