Where To Stay In Colombo For First Time 2024 - 6 Best Areas
In this article, we dive deeper into your question about where to stay in Colombo.
To make it as simple as possible for you as a reader, we start with an overview of all the recommended areas we cover followed by a short description.
Then, we briefly answer a few commonly asked questions:
Where to stay in Colombo first time?
Where to stay in Colombo with family?
Where to stay in Colombo for backpackers?
Where to stay in Colombo for couples?
Where to stay in Colombo for nightlife?
You can always tap on a purple link to go directly to that part of the article.
This will save you a lot of time and only read what you need to read.
Enjoy!
Overview of the best areas to stay in Colombo
| Name of the area in Colombo | Description of the recommended area |
|---|---|
Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | This is the central business district of Colombo and offers easy access to many attractions such as the Colombo Dutch Museum, Old Parliament Building, and Galle Face Green. It’s also well-connected by public transportation, including the Fort Railway Station. Combining these factors you have the most popular area in Colombo among tourists. For the majority of first-time visitors, this is the ideal area, although there are some alternatives. *You can click on the purple or blue link to directly navigate to that part of the article to read in-depth information about that specific area. |
Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | This area is located close to the ocean yet it still offers a convenient location with great access to the major attractions of the city. Many hotels here offer beautiful views, although the area is not as bustling as Colombo Fort. |
Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | If you’re looking for an upscale experience, consider staying in this area. It’s known for its colonial-era architecture and the beautiful Viharamahadevi Park. It’s a quieter area compared to the bustling Fort district, with boutique hotels and guesthouses offering a more relaxed environment. A great option for families and couples. |
Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | Located just south of Colombo Fort, Bambalapitiya is a vibrant area with plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes. It’s also close to the beach and offers a mix of budget and mid-range accommodation options making it an ideal area for those who travel on a (somewhat) stricter budget. |
Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | If you’re willing to stay outside the city center, Mount Lavinia is a popular coastal suburb located about 12 kilometers south of Colombo. It’s known for its beautiful beach, seafood restaurants, and the historic Mount Lavinia Hotel, which offers a colonial-style ambiance. Of course, the downside is that you have to travel quite a bit in order to reach the main attractions of Colombo, but beach lovers will definitely appreciate this area. |
Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | Wellawatte is another coastal suburb located south of Bambalapitiya. Although it’s mainly a residential and commercial area, it’s quite a fun experience to stay in an area where you can find a diverse population and have access to beaches like Marine Drive Beach. This area is another budget-friendly area and a great alternative to Bambalapitiya. |
Where to stay in Colombo first time
The best areas to stay in Colombo first time are Colombo Fort, Galle Face Green, and Cinnamon Gardens.
These three are by far the most popular areas among first-time visitors in Colombo.
The most convenient and most central area you can choose is Colombo Fort.
You’re located right in the heart of the city with many attractions nearby and you have great access to public transport, including the Fort Railway Station.
For the majority of the tourists, this is the optimal area to stay in.
If you prefer to stay near the beach while still being centrally located, Galle Face Green is your best option.
For an upscale experience surrounded by colonial-era architecture, Cinnamon Gardens is an excellent option.
There are three alternative areas you should consider staying at.
When travelling on a budget, Bambalapitiya is a great stay and this area is just located south of Colombia Fort.
There are two areas located outside the city center that is worth considering for some travellers.
Mount Lavinia is a coastal suburb that’s known for its beautiful beach, delicious seafood, and historic Mount Lavinia Hotel.
Wellawatte is a great budget-friendly area outside the city center where you can have a non-touristy, authentic experience.
Where to stay in Colombo with family
The best areas to stay in Colombo with family are Colombo Fort, Galle Face Green, and Cinnamon Gardens.
These three areas are located within the city center and provide good access to the major attractions of the city.
In this article, we also recommend several suburbs outside the city center, but require you to travel a bit to reach the city center and its main attractions, which is not convenient when travelling with kids.
When it comes to location and convenience, Colombo Fort is by far the best option for families.
You have perfect access to most of the main attractions of the city, all within walking distance.
However, consider staying at Galle Face Green instead, as you have access to the beach while remaining centrally located, which is always a great option when travelling with kids.
Families who prefer a more upscale experience should stay at Cinnamon Gardens, which is a beautiful and relatively quiet part of Colombo surrounded by colonial-era buildings.
If you still want to stay in one of the suburbs, further away from the city center, then Mount Lavinia is your best option.
This area is known for its beautiful beach.
Where to stay in Colombo for backpackers
The best areas to stay in Colombo for backpackers are Colombo Fort, Bambalapitiya, and Wellawatte.
Colombo Fort is the most convenient area for tourists in all of Colombo and you can find all sorts of accommodation options in all budget classes, including hostels and guesthouses.
Another centrally located area is Bambalapitiya, which is particularly known for being budget-friendly.
These two areas are by far the best options for backpackers.
However, there is one alternative area, namely Wellawatte.
This is a coastal suburb a dozen kilometres from the city center.
Here, you are away from the touristy areas and can truly experience the local lifestyle while being in a budget-friendly area.
The downside, of course, is that you do have to travel a bit to reach the city center and its main attractions.
Where to stay in Colombo for couples
The best areas to stay in Colombo for couples are Colombo Fort, Galle Face Green, and Cinnamon Gardens.
These three areas are centrally located and most definitely couple-friendly.
Colombo Fort is the best option for couples who prioritize convenience as many of the main attractions are located in or near this area.
It’s also the most touristy area of Colombo.
Galle Face Green is the best option for couples who prefer to stay near the beach while still having good access to the main attractions and the bustling heart of the city.
Cinnamon Gardens is the best option for couples who seek an upscale experience in a colonial-era neighborhood.
If you’re willing to stay outside the city center, and thus have to travel a bit to reach the main attractions, Mount Lavinia is a great option.
This coastal suburb is known for its beautiful beach, incredible seafood, and historic Mount Lavinia Hotel.
Where to stay in Colombo for nightlife
The best areas to stay in Colombo for nightlife are Colombo Fort, Galle Face Green, and Bambalapitiya.
In Colombo Fort, you can find trendy bars, rooftop lounges, and nightclubs around the World Trade Center and the Bank of Ceylon area.
When you go towards Galle Face Green from Colombo Fort, you will find several bars and nightclubs dotted all over the area, especially around Green Path.
This part of the nightlife scene also stretches to Bambalapitiya where you can find a more concentrated nightlife scene.
1. Colombo Fort
For most tourists, Colombo Fort is the best option when picking an area to stay in Colombo, simple as that.
Colombo Fort is the central business district of Colombo.
Many of the city’s top sights, such as the National Museum, Galle Face Green, and Pettah Market, are within easy reach from this area.
The area is well-connected by several modes of transportation, including trains, buses, and taxis.
The Fort Railway Station, located in the heart of Colombo Fort, serves as a major transportation hub, providing access to other parts of the city as well as destinations across Sri Lanka.
These two factors alone make it an incredibly convenient area.
You can also find several other historical attractions such as the Old Parliament Building, the Colombo Dutch Museum, and the iconic Galle Face Green promenade.
As you can expect from a bustling city center, there are plenty of shopping and dining options to discover too, from upscale malls like One Galle Face to bustling street markets in Pettah.
Those who want to discover Colombo’s nightlife also won’t be disappointed as Colombo Fort is one of the three areas where you can find plenty of nightclubs, rooftop lounges and bars.
And when it comes to accommodation options, there is something for everyone.
From luxurious hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses, it’s all available here.
As said, Colombo is an excellent choice for the majority of the tourists.
But there are some things worth considering.
First of all, it’s the most touristy area of Colombo.
Secondly, there are two other excellent options nearby that offer a different experience.
If you want to have good access to the beach, stay at the nearby Galle Face Green (next paragraph).
If you want to stay in a quieter, colonial-area neighborhood with upscale amenities, then stay at Cinnamon Gardens (third paragraph).
But even if you choose to stay here, you can easily reach these areas without much hassle simply because Colombo Fort is so well-connected.
For a carefree stay and great access to Colombo’s main attractions, you can’t go wrong with this area.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Colombo in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
2. Galle Face Green
Galle Face Green is located south of Colombo Fort and is situated along the picturesque coastline of Colombo.
Despite its central location, Galle Face Green has a relatively relaxed and laid-back atmosphere, although Cinnamon Gardens is even quieter.
One of the highlights of staying near Galle Face Green is the opportunity to witness breathtaking sunsets over the Indian Ocean.
The area is also known for its street food scene, where you can explore local delicacies such as isso vade (shrimp fritters), isso wade (shrimp patties), and kottu roti (chopped roti with vegetables and meat).
Those who seek a scenic location and relaxed atmosphere won’t be disappointed when choosing Galle Face Green as their base.
But the area is far from boring.
Colombo’s nightlife scene takes place in this area too.
A few blocks away from the promenade, you can find several bars, nightclubs, and rooftop lounges with excellent seaside views.
Although this is a beachfront area, you’re not able to swim here.
For swimming, have to visit the nearby Wellawatte Beach.
Is there anything not to like about this area?
Overall, it’s an excellent area, but you won’t find as many accommodation options here compared to other areas.
Especially when travelling on a budget, there is not much choice.
However, Wellawatte, a budget-friendly area, is located just south of this area.
If you want to stay in a calmer area than Colombo Fort and you prefer to have seaside views that offer beautiful sunsets, this is one of the best options you have!
And although it does offer some nightlife, it’s actually a superb option for both couples and families.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Colombo in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
3. Cinnamon Gardens
Cinnamon Gardens is one of Colombo’s most prestigious and upscale neighborhoods.
Here, you can find elegant colonial-era houses and upscale residences.
It’s a centrally located neighborhood that is surprisingly quiet.
Many of the city’s top sights, including the National Museum, Independence Square, and Arcade Independence Square shopping complex, are within walking distance or a short drive away.
The area is considered the safest area in the city, although Colombo is a relatively safe destination in general.
Areas like Colombo 7 and Independence Square offer fine dining and luxury shopping options, making Cinnamon Gardens the best option for those seeking an upscale experience in Colombo.
If your budget allows it, Cinnamon Gardens is the perfect option for you to indulge in Colombo’s luxury scene.
But obviously, this doesn’t come cheap.
Also, keep in mind that nightlife options are somewhat limited.
Especially couples and families will highly appreciate this area.
And I must admit, it’s one of the most stunning areas in the city thanks to all these well-preserved colonial houses.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Colombo in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
4. Bambalapitiya
Bambalapitiya is the last area that I recommend that’s still centrally located (in the next two paragraphs I dive into suburban areas).
This area is between the bustling commercial district of Colombo Fort and the upscale neighborhoods of Colombo 3 (Kollupitiya) and Colombo 7 (Cinnamon Gardens).
In other words, you have good access to the main attractions.
Bambalapitiya is particularly known for being a budget-friendly area when it comes to accommodations.
Yes, you still can find upscale hotels, but compared to Colombo Fort and Galle Face Green, Bambalapitiya has far more affordable accommodation options.
You also have access to the beach, if you take a short tuk-tuk ride.
Mount Lavinia Beach and Wellawatte Beach are not far from here.
Bambalapitiya also has a lively nightlife scene with several bars, pubs, and entertainment venues.
Combining all of this you understand that especially younger travellers, such as backpackers, tend to stay in this area.
It’s a great base for sightseeing and beach life during the day while partying during the night.
Keep in mind that you do have to travel a bit to reach either the beaches or the main attractions.
And you will come across heavy traffic congestion, especially during peak hours.
This is inevitable.
Areas like Colombo Fort, where several main attractions are within walking distance, are therefore more tourist-friendly.
But other than that, Bambalapitiya is an excellent base, especially when you’re a younger traveller.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Colombo in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
5. Mount Lavinia
Mount Lavinia is one of the two suburbs that I recommend in this article.
It’s particularly known for its beautiful beach.
If you want to have direct access to the beach, where you can actually swim, sunbathe, and relax, this is your best option.
The area is also known for being relaxed and laid-back.
You can even find some beach bars in this area.
Foodies who love fresh seafood are in luck because this area is known for its seafood restaurants.
Mount Lavinia is home to the iconic Mount Lavinia Hotel, a colonial-era mansion with a rich history dating back to the 19th century.
Even though you’re located outside the city center, it is possible to take the train from here to Colombo Fort.
When it comes to accommodation options, Mount Lavinia offers something for everyone.
From luxury beach resorts to budget-friendly guesthouses, travellers can find a range of accommodations to meet their needs.
Just keep in mind that you’re simply located outside the city center and further away from the main attractions.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Colombo in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
6. Wellawatte
The last area that I recommend is Wellawatte.
Although there are far more convenient areas to stay in as a first-time visitor, I know that there is a group of travellers that seek a more authentic experience.
Wellawatta is a coastal suburb located south of Colombo’s city center.
It offers access to beautiful beaches like Wellawatte Beach and Marine Drive Beach.
You can also explore local street markets such as Wellawatte Market and dine at local eateries that serve tasty food for a bargain.
And the accommodations here are among the most affordable in all of Colombo.
So if you’re travelling on a budget and you want to experience the local life of the city, Wellawatte is an excellent choice.
And as the cherry on top, you have access to beautiful beaches that are not crowded.
The main concern is getting to the city center from this suburban area.
Luckily, Wellawatta is well-connected by public transportation, including buses and trains.
The Wellawatta Railway Station serves as a major transportation hub, providing easy access to other parts of Colombo as well as destinations outside the city.
Of course, you do have to travel a bit to reach the main attractions.
This area is not for everyone, but those who want to experience a bit of an off-the-beaten-path adventure, should definitely stay in Wellawatte.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Colombo in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.