When choosing a hotel in Colombo, it is worth first deciding what you want to focus on during your stay: temple culture, parks, walks by the water or a place to watch the sunset. The destinations differ in theme and visitor experience. So compare the location of a particular accommodation with the places you actually want to visit, rather than deciding solely by the city name.

By Beira Lake

There are paths around Beira Lake and paved walkways along the road. On the water, a 30-minute ride in a swan-shaped boat is available. The 30-minute duration makes the boat ride a clearly defined activity; the paths around the lake and the walkways along the road offer another way to plan time by the water. As the boat service may change, check before your visit whether the ride is being offered.

Galle Face Green: Views and History

Galle Face Green is a good place to watch the sunset. It is on Colombo-Galle Main Road, near the Galle Face Hotel, and two kilometres from Fort Railway Station. The grounds were originally used for horse racing and as a golf course. This earlier use provides a historical contrast to the sunsets the place is suited for.

Parks for Different Interests

Viharamahadevi Park is near Colombo’s colonial-era Town Hall. The grounds include a small zoo and a children’s playground. If these facilities are important to your visit, check their current condition in advance, as park facilities can change. The park was formerly called Victoria Park. Its open-air stadium also serves as a venue for concerts and public events; the programme may change. So check event dates if a concert or public event is part of your travel plans.

Crow Island Beach Park in Colombo 15 is a public park with a boardwalk, viewing decks and an observation tower. The park was developed for seaside recreation, while also aiming to preserve the area’s natural scenic beauty. This gives it a different focus from Viharamahadevi Park, with its combination of a zoo, playground and event venue.

Temple Culture and a February Tradition

The Gangarama Nawam Maha Perahera at Gangaramaya Temple takes place every year in February. If this event is the reason for your trip, plan to travel in February and check the specific event date. Another cultural landmark is Seema Malaka, the well-known water temple on Beira Lake. These offer two different cultural focuses: an annual event and a temple on the lake.

Coordinate Dates with Your Accommodation Search

If both experiences matter to you, plan your travel dates for February and check separately whether the boat ride is available before your visit. This lets you factor an annual event and an activity whose availability may change into your hotel plans in different ways.

Discover More Destinations

Colombo, Hekitta, Kaduwela, Athurugiriya, Brahmanagama, Laksapatiya, Avissawella, Koswatta, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Moratuwa, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Wattala, Jambugasmulla, Piliyandala

For the main travel overview: Western Province.