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Things to do in Colombo 3, on foot
Kollupitiya lies between Galle Road and the sea, and most of its highlights are within a twenty-minute walk. Here is what to see, and in what order.
Colombo 3, also known as Kollupitiya, is a part of the city that is best explored on foot. Traffic moves slowly between five and seven in the evening, so walking is often faster than driving. Here is what you can easily reach from Alfred House Avenue.
Fifteen minutes on foot
Independence Square. A memorial hall on a stone platform with a colonnade beneath it, surrounded by some of the best walking paths in Colombo. Local residents walk and jog here at six in the morning and six in the evening. It is free, always open, and worth visiting at either time of day.
Arcade Independence Square. A restored colonial building next to the square, now home to shops, cafés and restaurants, all with air conditioning. A good choice at two in the afternoon.
Galle Face Green. A kilometre of grass beside the sea. Go at half past five, when the food stalls open and families come out for an evening walk. Try isso wade from a stall and stay for the sunset.
Ten minutes by tuk-tuk
Gangaramaya Temple on Beira Lake, with the Seema Malaka temple on the water beside it. Go early, cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes before entering. It is the most visited temple in Colombo, and it is easy to see why.
The National Museum, which is more impressive inside than it looks from the road. The Kandyan royal regalia alone are worth the ticket.
Colombo City Centre for a cinema, a food court and a supermarket, all indoors.
Things to do that are not sightseeing
Colombo is not a city of major monuments. The best afternoons here are spent enjoying an experience rather than visiting a sight: an hour of Balinese massage, a swim, a long lunch, or high tea between half past three and half past six.
Colombo 3 also has several good rooftop venues. The best time to visit them is between six and eight in the evening, when the heat eases and the city lights come on below you.
What to skip
Visit Pettah in the morning rather than the afternoon, and avoid Sundays. The Lotus Tower is impressive to look at, but the view from the top is less memorable. Above all, do not try to see everything at once. Colombo is best enjoyed by doing a few things slowly rather than many things quickly.
We are at 32 Alfred House Avenue. Both restaurants are open to everyone, and the spa welcomes non-residents.
