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Things to do near Galle Face Green

The closest sights are the Galle Face Hotel, One Galle Face mall, Port City and the old Parliament, all less than 10 minutes’ walk from the green. Pettah Market and the Red Mosque are 20 to 25 minutes on foot, and the Lotus Tower is a short tuk-tuk ride.

Full guides to the big places

Opening hours, tickets, the way there from the green, and tips.

Map of places near Galle Face Green

Map of Galle Face Green and places nearby Galle Face Green is a long, narrow park by the sea in the middle of Colombo. Port City is on new land to the north-west. Fort and Pettah are to the north. Beira Lake and the Lotus Tower are to the east. Gangaramaya Temple is to the south-east. The numbers match the numbered list of places on this page. Indian Ocean Port City Beira Lake Galle Face Green 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 500 metres
Number 13 (Independence Square) is off the map: its arrow points the way. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Places to visit

The numbers match the map. Walking times are from the nearest end of the green. Ticket prices are for foreign visitors, in October 2026.

  1. The white colonial Galle Face Hotel with red-tiled roofs, seen across a roundabout under a blue sky
    Photo: Rehman A. and Azeez A., 2017, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Galle Face Hotel

    A grand old hotel from 1864, right at the south end of the green. Have a cool drink by the sea at sunset, when a bagpiper plays as the flag comes down.

    • About 2 min walk (0.15 km) from the south end of the green

    Neat, casual clothes are fine. No swimwear or gym clothes. No alcohol on Poya (full-moon) days.

    Full guide to the Galle Face Hotel Open in Google Maps: the Galle Face Hotel

  2. The long, low One Galle Face mall with tall towers above it, seen across the grass of Galle Face Green on a cloudy day
    Photo: Dennis Sylvester Hurd, 2025, CC BY 4.0

    One Galle Face mall

    A big, cool, modern shopping mall with a food court, a cinema and toilets for shoppers. Great when it is hot or raining.

    • 3 to 5 min walk (0.3 km) from the green: cross the road at the traffic lights
    • Kids like it
    • Good on a rainy day

    Open every day, 10 AM to 10 PM.

    Full guide to One Galle Face mall Open in Google Maps: One Galle Face mall

  3. An aerial view of the sandy beach and turquoise water at Port City Colombo, with beach huts and the Colombo skyline behind
    Photo: SinsiDILINI123, 2023, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Port City Colombo

    Brand-new land built in the sea. Walk to the big white arch bridge, or sit on the long, calm beach. The public areas are free.

    • About 5 min walk (0.4 km) from the north end of the green, to the Lotus Roundabout in front of the old Parliament
    • Kids like it

    Entry rules change, so ask the guards at the gate. The beach is about 2 km further in. Bring your passport if you want to shop duty-free.

    Full guide to Port City Colombo Open in Google Maps: Port City Colombo

  4. The columned Old Parliament Building in Colombo, with a red tuk-tuk driving past in front
    Photo: Scott Edmunds, 2015, CC BY 2.0

    Old Parliament Building

    A beautiful white stone building from 1930 at the north end of the green. Today it is the Presidential Secretariat, a government office.

    • About 6 min walk (0.4 km) from the north end of the green

    Look from outside. Do not take photos of the guards or security points.

    Open in Google Maps: the Old Parliament Building

  5. The Old Dutch Hospital in Colombo Fort, with a red-tiled roof, yellow pillars and café tables in front
    Photo: Dan Lundberg, 2016, CC BY-SA 2.0

    Dutch Hospital

    One of the oldest buildings in Colombo (from about 1681). Today it is full of cafés, restaurants and small shops.

    • About 10 min walk (0.7 km) from the north end of the green
    • Good on a rainy day

    Open in Google Maps: the Dutch Hospital

  6. A wooden walkway leads across the lake to the blue-roofed Seema Malaka temple, with red flowers beside it
    Photo: Nigel Swales, 2014, CC BY-SA 2.0

    Seema Malaka

    A calm, beautiful temple that sits on the water of Beira Lake. It was designed by the famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.

    • About 18 min walk (1.5 km) from the south end of the green
    • Kids like it

    Cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes.

    Full guide to Seema Malaka Open in Google Maps: Seema Malaka

  7. A bright yellow and white temple courtyard with stone lions, golden Buddha statues and a red carpet
    Photo: vivali, 2013, CC BY 3.0

    Gangaramaya Temple

    A busy, colourful Buddhist temple near Beira Lake, packed with statues and treasures from all over Asia.

    • About 20 min walk (1.7 km) from the south end of the green, or about 200 to 250 rupees by meter tuk-tuk
    • About 500 rupees (about $1.50)

    Cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes and hat.

    Full guide to Gangaramaya Temple Open in Google Maps: Gangaramaya Temple

  8. A busy Pettah market street with colourful shop signs, traders unpacking goods and shoppers walking by
    Photo: Francisco Anzola, 2019, CC BY 2.0

    Pettah Market

    Busy, noisy, colourful streets where people sell almost everything: fruit, spices, clothes, toys and more.

    • About 21 min walk (1.6 km) from the north end of the green

    Go in the morning. Hold your bag close in the crowds.

    Open in Google Maps: Pettah Market

  9. The red and white striped domes and towers of the Red Mosque in Pettah, against a pale blue sky
    Photo: Ranji Banji, 2020, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Red Mosque (Jami Ul-Alfar)

    A famous mosque in Pettah with red-and-white stripes that make it look like a giant cake.

    • About 25 min walk (1.9 km) from the north end of the green
    • Kids like it

    Visit outside prayer times and cover your arms and legs.

    Open in Google Maps: the Red Mosque (Jami Ul-Alfar)

  10. A big golden Buddha statue sits in Viharamahadevi Park, with tall palm trees and a blue sky behind
    Photo: Alexey Komarov, 2015, CC BY 3.0

    Viharamahadevi Park

    Colombo’s big city park, with huge old trees, wide lawns and space to run around. A shady break from the heat.

    • About 30 min walk (2.4 km), or a short tuk-tuk ride
    • Kids like it

    Open in Google Maps: Viharamahadevi Park

  11. The big white Colombo National Museum with rows of arches, a curving path and green lawns under a blue sky
    Photo: Nigel Swales, 2014, CC BY-SA 2.0

    Colombo National Museum

    Sri Lanka’s biggest museum, in a grand white building from 1877, full of old crowns, statues and treasures.

    • About 330 rupees by meter tuk-tuk (a 30-minute walk, 2.6 km)
    • $5 adult, $3 child
    • Good on a rainy day

    Closed on Mondays.

    Open in Google Maps: the Colombo National Museum

  12. The tall Lotus Tower in Colombo with its pink bud top, reflected in a lake beside orange market roofs
    Photo: Saaremees, 2023, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Lotus Tower

    The tallest tower in South Asia, 351.5 metres high and shaped like a lotus flower bud. Go up to its open-air deck to see all of Colombo below you.

    • About 250 to 400 rupees by meter tuk-tuk (a 35-minute walk, 2.8 km)
    • $20 adult, $10 child
    • Kids like it

    Book a time slot online and go just before sunset. Skip it in heavy rain or thunder: the deck is outdoors.

    Full guide to the Lotus Tower Open in Google Maps: the Lotus Tower

  13. Independence Memorial Hall in Colombo, with a red roof, stone pillars and lion statues along the steps
    Photo: Charaka Ranasinghe, 2009, CC BY 2.0

    Independence Square

    A big, peaceful memorial hall with stone lions, built to remember Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948.

    • A short tuk-tuk ride (a 45-minute walk, 3.6 km)

    Open in Google Maps: Independence Square

Where our facts come from

Facts checked on 17 October 2026. Prices and times can change, so check the official source before you go. Main sources:

Updated · Found a mistake? Email us

Questions people ask

Which places near Galle Face Green are free?

Galle Face Green, the public areas of Port City, Pettah Market and the Red Mosque (outside prayer times) cost nothing, and you can walk around Independence Square and look at the old Parliament from outside for free. You pay to go up the Lotus Tower and to enter Gangaramaya Temple and the National Museum.

Can you walk from Galle Face Green to Pettah Market?

Yes. It is about 1.6 km, a 20 to 25 minute walk from the north end of the green. Go in the morning, when the markets are busiest, and hold your bag close in the crowds.

Which places near Galle Face Green do children like?

Port City’s beach and big arch bridge, the Lotus Tower’s lift and digital art rooms, the games and food court at One Galle Face mall, the lawns of Viharamahadevi Park, and of course flying a kite on Galle Face Green.

What is there to do near Galle Face Green when it rains?

Go to One Galle Face mall, the Colombo National Museum (closed on Mondays) or the cafés at the Dutch Hospital. All are a short walk or tuk-tuk ride away. Skip the Lotus Tower in heavy rain: its viewing deck is outdoors.

A perfect day near Galle Face

Busy markets in the morning, temples in the afternoon, and the sunset to finish.

  1. Morning

    Pettah Market and the Red Mosque

    The markets are busiest and most colourful in the morning. Then cool down with a drink at the Dutch Hospital.

  2. Lunch

    One Galle Face mall or the Dutch Hospital

    Lots of choice, air-conditioning and toilets.

  3. Afternoon

    Gangaramaya Temple and Seema Malaka

    Two very different temples next to Beira Lake. Or go up the Lotus Tower for the view.

  4. Evening

    Sunset at Galle Face Green

    Fly a kite, watch the sunset over the sea, then try the street food.

Plan your day

Finish the day at Galle Face Green

After the sights, watch the sunset over the sea and try the street food. It is free.

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