The Galle Face is a promenade which stretches for half kilometre along the coast in the heart of financial and business district of Colombo. The promenade was initially laid out in 1859 by the British Governor of Ceylon, Sir Henry Ward, and was also used for horse racing and as a golf course. It was known as the Colpitty Race Course.

The Galle Face Green is currently a 5 hectare ribbon strip of land between Galle Road and Indian Ocean which is now the largest open space in Colombo. This is a popular destination for children, vendors, teenagers, lovers, kite flyers, merrymakers and all those who want to indulge in their favorite pastimes next to the sea under the open sky. On Saturday and Sunday evenings, the land is busy with day trippers, picnickers and food vendors.

Vajiraramaya Temple is one of the best known Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, serving not only as a place for worship, but also as a centre offering Buddhism classes for the youth. It was built in 1901 by a distinguished monk, Sri Vajiraramaya Maha Nayaka Thera, who originated from the southern part of the country. From here the local monks were spreading their beliefs to countries from the West, so the temple became an important religious spot for Buddhist worshippers and in 2009 it received the title of a sacred place.

Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple is one of those magnificent spots that should not be missed when you are in Colombo. Unappealing on the outside, it offers an astonishing view inside. The temple boasts some of the finest wall murals in the country, with refined details and colours. The temple is very appreciated by the Buddhist worshippers for its quietness and warm atmosphere.

Isipathanaramaya Temple has very beautiful frescoes, mural paintings and statues dedicated to the life and activities of Buddha, realized by the artist Sarlis Master in 1920. The temple was built in memory of Edward Henry Pedris, who in 1915 was executed by the British, a fact that was considered by the people of Sri Lanka an injustice and encouraged them to fight for their independence.

Jawatta Jummah Mosque is the religious spot situated on the territory of Jawatta Burial Garden, and it controls the activity of the cemetery. The land for the cemetery and the mosque was donated by Maas Thajoon Akbar, an important personality in the city, who also played a significant role in the building of Jawatta Mosque.

The Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour is a representative of the Anglican Churches Community, which is of considerable interest to Catholic worshippers. Many important manifestations, celebrations, ceremonies and services in the religious life of the Catholics take place here. The church also hosts an annual festival of choirs, on August 1st, gathering together many people from all around the country, either to participate or just to listen.

One of the most visited and elegant landmarks in the city is Aukana Buddha statue. It was established in 1970, opposite the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, and pays tribute to the key figure of the Buddhism religion, which is depicted in a standing position giving a blessing. It is a replica of the statue situated near Anuradhapura, built in the 5th century.

Independence Memorial Hall is a national monument in Sri Lanka built for commemoration of the independence of Sri Lanka from the British rule with the establishment of Dominion of Ceylon on February 4, 1948. It is located at the Independence Square (formally Torrington Square) in the Cinnamon Gardens. It also houses the Independence Memorial Museum. The monument was built at the location where the formal ceremony marking the start of self rule, with the opening of the first parliament by the HRH Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester occurred at a special podium February 4, 1948.

Located at the head of the monument is the statue of the first prime minister of the country Rt. Hon. Don Stephen Senanayake "The Father of the Nation". Most of the annual National Independence Day celebrations have been held here. Apart from a monument it served as the ceremonial assembly hall for the Senate of Ceylon and the House of Representatives of Ceylon until the parliament was moved to the new parliament complex. Currently it is the venue for religious events and annual national day celebrations.

The National Museum of Colombo opened its doors on January 1, 1877, when it was founded by the British Governor of Ceylon at that time, Sir William Henry Gregory. Its purpose is to present the historic and cultural development of the country, that was achieved thanks to the large amount of antiquities and specimens. The collection on the ground floors are arranged according to the historic changes and those on the upper floors are based on different themes; this fact helps the visitors to better understand and follow the sequence of events.

The Cenotaph War Memorial in Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo is dedicated to the men and women from Ceylon died during the two world wars, it comprises a towering Cenotaph and Memorial Walls. It was originally built in the 1920s to remember both Ceylonese and Europeans from Ceylon who were killed in the World War I, was constructed at the Galle Face Green. It was dismantled and re-erected at Victoria Park, during World War II after fears that the Japanese might use it as a marker to direct their artillery.

National Art Gallery is situated very close to National Museum of Colombo and offers a permanent collection, consisting mostly of portraits of important people and pioneers of the country. Very often the gallery hosts some temporary exhibitions of paintings and sculptures, presented by Sri Lankan's artists.

The Viharamahadevi Park (formerly Victoria Park) is a public park located in Colombo, next to the National Museum in Sri Lanka. It is the oldest and largest park of the Port of Colombo. Situated in front of the colonial-style Town Hall building, the park is named after Viharamahadevi, the mother of King Dutugamunu. The park was built during the British rule of Sri Lanka, and was originally named "Victoria Park" after Queen Victoria. The park features include a huge Buddha statue and a series of water fountains. It also includes a mini zoo, a children's play area and a BAC Jet Provost. The Viharamahadevi Park is the only large-scale public park in Colombo, and is maintained by the Colombo Municipal Council. The Vihara Maha Devi Park Open Air Stadium is a venue for concerts and public events.

Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most important temples in Colombo. The Navam Perahara, which started in 1979, attracted more than a million spectators this year to the Gangaramaya Temple, at Hunupitiya, Colombo-02 on the banks of the picturesque Beira Lake. President Mahinda Rajapaksa placed the relics casket on the tusker before the commencement of the Perahara. Chief incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple, Venerable Galaboda Gnanissara Nayaka Thera also participated in the occasion.

The annual event of Gangarama Navam Perahara is Colombo's grandest outdoor parade on the events calendar. It is one of the most colorful and prestigious Buddhist cultural pageants held in Sri Lanka. The event has as many as 1000 performers. Dancers and drummers from around the country join together to take part in a magnificent procession of more than 100 beautifully decorated elephants to displays of Sri Lanka's traditional forms of art and dance. All the participants add colour and vibrancy with their colourful traditional costumes.