Colombo
Capital of Sri Lanka
Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka and has a population of about 648,000. It is a coastal city known for landmarks such as the Lotus Tower, Gangaramaya Temple, and Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque.
What to see
The city features several notable structures. The Lotus Tower stands out as a prominent landmark. Visitors can also tour the Gangaramaya Temple and the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque. Other sites worth noting include the Independence Memorial Hall, the Colombo Dutch Museum, and the historic Wolvendaal Church. St. Lucia's Cathedral and the area known as Slave Island are also present in the city.
When to go
Temperatures in Colombo remain consistent throughout the year, with daily highs between 28 °C and 31 °C and lows between 23 °C and 26 °C. Rainfall varies significantly. January and February are the driest months, with 12 to 13 days of rain each. Precipitation increases in March and stays high through May, with up to 28 rainy days. The wettest period occurs from September through November, which sees high rainfall totals, peaking at 334 mm in November.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Colombo Ratmalana International Airport, located 12 km from the city.
Top sights in Colombo
Weather by month
Temperatures stay much the same all year, around 27 °C on average. The wettest is November, with about 334 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
| Average low, °C | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| Rainfall, mm | 80 | 67 | 103 | 227 | 310 | 190 | 111 | 108 | 213 | 305 | 334 | 124 |
| Rainy days | 13 | 12 | 18 | 25 | 28 | 25 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 22 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Colombo (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka
- Colombo Dutch Museum
- Independence Memorial Hall
- Slave Island
- St. Lucia's Cathedral
- Wolvendaal Church