From tuk tuk rides to sunset views and street markets, discover the best things to do in Colombo, Sri Lanka for families.<\/p>\n A lot of visitors to\u00a0Sri Lanka\u00a0choose to skip Colombo altogether, or at best squeeze in a quick overnight stay before heading off in the morning to Sri Lanka\u2019s beaches, tea plantations or national parks.<\/p>\n But we loved checking out Colombo. <\/p>\n The city surprised us in the best possible way. It\u2019s vibrant, a little chaotic (in a fun way), full of character, and packed with beautiful architecture, great food and some of the most stunning sunsets we experienced anywhere in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re wondering whether Colombo is worth your time, I would say absolutely yes \u2013 for a day or two. <\/p>\n This post contains affiliate links. If\u00a0you\u00a0make a booking through the affiliate website, we will receive a small commission \u2013 at absolutely no extra cost to you.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Getting around\u00a0Colombo\u00a0is part of the fun of experiencing the city.<\/p>\n Tuk tuks are everywhere and are often the quickest (and most fun) way to get around \u2013 kids will love the ride! We found it easiest to use apps like\u00a0PickMe\u00a0or\u00a0Uber\u00a0so you don\u2019t need to negotiate fares.<\/p>\n Note that tuk tuks only comfortably seat two passengers (three at a squeeze), so if you want to travel together as a family, then taxis and Ubers are also easy to organise.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re short on time, a guided city tour<\/a> is a fantastic option. A tuk tuk food tour or private sightseeing tour will help you see the highlights, learn about Colombo\u2019s history and try local food, all without the stress of planning.<\/p>\n This highly rated private tuk tuk tour<\/a> takes you around all the major city sights in just a few hours. Click here to check prices and availability.<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Colombo is a fantastic place to pick up souvenirs, gifts, and even a few stylish pieces for yourself.<\/p>\n Our favourite find was Paradise Road<\/a>, a beautifully curated homewares store filled with ceramics, textiles and unique pieces that are actually worth making space for in your suitcase.<\/p>\n Another must-visit is Barefoot<\/a>. This colourful shop is full of handmade crafts and textiles, and the courtyard caf\u00e9 is perfect for a relaxed break (good coffee too \u2013 always a win when travelling!)<\/p>\n If you need something more practical,\u00a0One Galle Face Mall\u00a0is your go-to for clothes, supplies, and air-conditioning.<\/p>\n And don\u2019t miss the\u00a0Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, one of the oldest buildings in the city, now beautifully restored with shops and restaurants. It\u2019s a great place to wander, soak up the colonial architecture and grab a bite to eat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you want to see the real Colombo, head to\u00a0Pettah Market.<\/p>\n This is where locals come to shop \u2013 and it\u2019s an experience! Think busy streets, market stalls spilling over with everything imaginable, tuk tuks weaving through crowds, and a whole lot of energy.<\/p>\n We came purely to soak up the atmosphere (and yes, the chaos), and it was one of the most memorable parts of our time in Colombo.<\/p>\n You can watch my Instagram reel here<\/a> to get a feel for the area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Right in the heart of Pettah, you\u2019ll find the striking\u00a0Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, better known as the Red Mosque.<\/p>\n With its bold red-and-white striped design, it\u2019s one of the most unique buildings in Colombo and well worth a quick stop for photos.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n One thing we\u00a0didn\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0manage to do, but absolutely will next time, is a tuk tuk food tour. A food tour is usually our first activity we book in a new city but unfortunately we just couldn\u2019t squeeze it in this time around. <\/p>\n If you\u2019ve travelled in Asia before, you\u2019ll know these are one of the best ways to get your bearings in a new city. You\u2019ll zip between different neighbourhoods, try local dishes, and learn a bit about the culture along the way.<\/p>\n It\u2019s top of our list for our next visit to Colombo. This tuk tuk food tour<\/a> looks great and has loads of 5-star reviews.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Colombo\u2019s sunsets are something special.<\/p>\n Because the city faces west, you can watch the sun sink directly into the Indian Ocean, which always makes the moment more magical!<\/p>\n Galle Face Green\u00a0is the most popular spot, especially with families. Kids can run around while you grab street food and watch the sky change colour.<\/p>\n For something a little more relaxed, head to the iconic Galle Face Hotel for sunset drinks, or try the rooftop bar at\u00a0Cinnamon Life\u00a0for sweeping city views.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The\u00a0Colombo Fort\u00a0area is perfect for a wander and this was our favourite part of the city. <\/p>\n Once the centre of colonial administration, today it\u2019s a fascinating mix of old and new. Grand historic buildings sit alongside modern offices and hotels.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an easy place to explore on foot and gives you a real sense of Colombo\u2019s history and how the city has evolved.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss the\u00a0Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct. It\u2019s a great place to soak up the colonial architecture and grab a bite to eat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you\u2019re a seafood lover, don\u2019t miss Ministry of Crab.<\/p>\n This world-famous restaurant serves up some of the best crab dishes you\u2019ll ever try. It\u2019s a bit of a splurge, but for a special meal, it\u2019s absolutely worth it. I mean, where else can you eat a 500g prawn?!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Standing tall above the city, the\u00a0Lotus Tower\u00a0is hard to miss. You\u2019ll spot it wherever you go in Colombo.<\/p>\n Head up to the observation deck for panoramic views over Colombo. It\u2019s a great way to get a sense of the city layout and spot places you\u2019ve already explored.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n While in Colombo, we stayed two nights at the Galle Face Hotel<\/a>, a colonial grande dame right on the waterfront. Rooms are a bit tired (and, if I\u2019m honest, the staff were a little surly) but the location can\u2019t be beaten.<\/p>\n It is the only hotel in Colombo with a direct waterfront location. We loved lying by the pool and hearing the crashing of the waves, it has a good choice of restaurants, and it\u2019s one of the best spots in town for sundowners. <\/p>\n You can see my Instagram reel of the hotel<\/a> to get a better idea.<\/p>\n![\"Colonial](\"https:\/\/www.mumonthemove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/colombo-fort-cargills.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nGetting around Colombo<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nGo Shopping in Colombo<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\nExperience the Chaos of Pettah Market<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nVisit the Red Mosque<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nTake a Tuk Tuk Food Tour<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nEnjoy Sunset by the Ocean<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nStroll Around Colombo Fort<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nEat Crab at the Famous Ministry of Crab<\/h2>\n
Visit the Lotus Tower<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\nOur Colombo Accommodation<\/h2>\n
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