Family-Friendly 5-Day Colombo Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Galle Face Green
    10 minutes (2.0 km) from Colombo City Center

    Start your trip with a visit to Galle Face Green - a popular waterfront park perfect for kite-flying, picnicking, and sunset gazing. This open space is perfect for family activities and evening walks.

  2. Day 2: National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka
    15 minutes (5.0 km) from Galle Face Green

    Spend the day exploring the National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka - a family-friendly attraction. Meet the lions, bears, elephants, monkeys, and other animals in their natural habitats. The zoo is open every day of the week.

  3. Day 3: Gangaramaya Temple
    20 minutes (6.0 km) from National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka

    Visit the famous Gangaramaya Temple to see the fusion of modern architecture and traditional Sri Lankan temple design. Here you'll find a museum of sacred Buddhist artifacts, a library and beautiful ancient murals. Note that temple is closed on full moon day each week.

  4. Day 4: Mount Lavinia Beach
    30 minutes (9.8 km) from Gangaramaya Temple

    Spend a day at Mount Lavinia Beach - a tranquil, family-friendly beach for water activities and sunsets. Don't miss the vivacious nightlife with great seafood restaurants offering stunning views of the ocean. The beach is open every day of the week.

  5. Day 5: Colombo Museum and Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre
    20 minutes (5.3 km) from Mount Lavinia Beach

    End your trip with a visit to the Colombo Museum - a spectacular museum with impressive art, crafts, ancient artifacts and carvings. Children can enjoy museum galleries specialised in topics such as nature, science or heritage. Continue to Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre to catch a family-friendly cultural event. These locations are open from Wednesday to Sunday only.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Galle Face Green (free)
  • National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka (3 hours, LKR 500 per person)
  • Gangaramaya Temple (1 hour, LKR 200 per person)
  • Mount Lavinia Beach (full day, LKR 1000 for beach activities, meal and transportation)
  • Colombo Museum (2 hours, LKR 250 per person)
  • Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre (2 hours, LKR 1500 per person)
  • Total Estimated Costs (per person): LKR 3450.

Useful Tips

You can visit more parks and beaches around Colombo that are family-friendly or extend your stay to visit other areas of Sri Lanka such as Kandy or Galle. Take caution when using public transportation during peak times as congestion is expected.

0