Colombo

Sri Lanka's largest city and main financial and tourist centre, with colonial Fort, Pettah's crowded markets and the Galle Face promenade on the Indian Ocean.

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Colombo is Sri Lanka's largest city and its executive and judicial capital, on the island's west coast. It is also the main financial and tourist centre. Most major Sri Lankan companies have their head offices here, and the Fort district is the main business centre. The official capital is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, next door, but many government offices, the Supreme Court and the Central Bank remain in Colombo. Most countries keep their diplomatic missions here too.

The city's history runs from the Portuguese, who arrived in 1505 and began a fort in 1517, to the Dutch, who captured Colombo in 1656. The British took it in 1796 and made it the capital of their crown colony in 1815. Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948 and Colombo kept its capital status. The climate is hot all year, with highs around 31°C in March and April. Heavy monsoon rain falls from April to June and September to November. Most international flights use Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake, and Fort Railway Station links to Kandy and Galle.

Colombo in five

Get your ETA before you flyMost visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorization. Apply on the official site only.Sri Lanka ETA
Allow an hour from the airportBandaranaike International is at Katunayake, north of the city. The expressway takes about 45–60 minutes.
Use ride-hailing apps for tuk-tuksApps give a fixed fare. Street tuk-tuks should use the meter.
Book trains out from Fort stationTrains to Kandy and Galle leave from Colombo Fort. Reserve seats ahead on popular routes.
Do Pettah and the temples before noonThe Pettah markets, Gangaramaya temple and Fort are best on foot in the morning, before the heat builds. Keep Galle Face Green for the late afternoon sea breeze.

Things to do in Colombo

See all attractions in Colombo

Sight · ColomboCanlanka International

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Need to know

Airport: Bandaranaike International (CMB), about 1 hour by road
Getting there: Flights from the Gulf, India and Southeast Asia
Getting around: Tuk-tuks by app, taxis and buses
Best base: Colombo 3 (Kollupitiya) or near Galle Face
Time needed: 1 day

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Dry
FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Dry
MarchRain19 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Dry, hot
AprilRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Hot
MayRain30 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Monsoon starts
JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Wet, windy
JulyRain28 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low26°Showers
AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Showers
SeptemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Showers
OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Wet
NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Wet
DecemberRain18 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Drying out

Average daily high and low in Colombo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Colombo

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 31°
Humidity: 76%
Wind: 9 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Colombo

02:10 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today28°24°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed29°24°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu29°24°100%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Fri29°23°100%Friday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sat29°23°100%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun29°23°100%Sunday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Mon30°23°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 10:09 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 332.4 LKR

Amount

Converted to

LKR · Sri Lankan Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Colombo

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Kandy, Sri LankaKandy Esala PeraheraAug 7 – 17, 2027 · Read the event guide

Day trips by train

Before you go to Colombo

Hotels in Fort and Colombo 3Short runs to Fort stationCheck availability

Colombo walking and tuk-tuk toursPettah and temples with a guideCompare tours

eSIM for Sri LankaRide-hailing apps work from arrivalRead the guide

Travel insurance for Sri LankaCover for monsoon delays on rail tripsRead the guide

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Rules for Colombo, checked

Check whether you need an electronic travel authorization (ETA) for Sri Lanka and apply on the official site before you travel.Source
Declare foreign currency above the legal limit on the arrival card. Check the current limit with Sri Lanka Customs before you fly.
Use metered taxis from private companies. Three-wheeler auto rickshaws are privately run and hardly regulated, so settle the fare before you ride.
Keep shoulders and knees covered and take off your shoes before entering Gangaramaya Temple and other active temples. Do not point your feet at Buddha statues.

Plan around Colombo

All of Sri Lanka

Hill country, south coast and when to go

Read the guide Kandy

Temple of the Tooth, a short train ride inland

Read the guide Galle

Fort town and beaches down the coastal line

Read the guide Sri Lanka ETA

Apply online before you fly

Read the guide Getting around Sri Lanka

Trains, buses and drivers compared

Read the guide Hikkaduwa

The first beach stop down the coast line

Read the guide

Colombo FAQ

Is Colombo worth visiting?

For a day. Fort, the Pettah markets, Gangaramaya temple and a sunset on Galle Face Green are enough before moving on.

How do I get from Colombo airport to the city?

By taxi or app cab on the expressway in about 45–60 minutes. Buses are cheaper but slower.

When is the best time to visit Colombo?

December to April, when the west coast is dry. The southwest monsoon brings rain from May to September.

How do you get from Colombo to Kandy?

By train from Colombo Fort in about 2.5 to 3 hours, or by road in a similar time depending on traffic. The train is the more scenic choice; a driver is easier with luggage.

Is Colombo worth a night or just a stopover?

One night lets you see Fort and Pettah without rushing for a train. If you land late or leave early, sleep near the airport or Fort and spend your days in the hills or on the coast.