What are Colombo’s Most Instagrammable Spots?

As Sri Lanka’s largest city, Colombo is not only the cultural and financial heart of the island nation. Home to some of the country’s most iconic highlights and landmarks, Colombo is a bustling metropolis with a rich history and heritage. Whether you’re visiting the Sri Lankan capital on a business trip or a long-awaited holiday, Colombo’s main points of interest are among its most photogenic attractions. Here’s a list of must-visit hotspots for avid Instagrammers in search of the best optics.

Galle Face Green

If there’s one location in Colombo that all travellers must visit, if only to photograph its breathtaking surroundings, it’s the lush and green confines of the Galle Face Green. As the city’s most popular oceanfront park, this lengthy promenade that runs along the western shores not only offers panoramic views of the Indian Ocean but also Colombo’s biggest malls, department stores and 5-star hotels silhouetted against the sky. Built by Dutch colonialists, the Galle Face Green has been Colombo’s favourite sunset viewing hub for centuries. Frequented by couples and local families, it’s not unusual to see kites flying high above the lawns of this tranquil recreational space.

Gangaramaya Temple

Those based at NH Collection Colombo or any other conveniently located Colombo city hotel must drop by this historic Buddhist temple that’s been a part of the city’s spiritual landscape for nearly 120 years. Located near scenic Beira Lake, the Gangaramaya Temple is a cultural point of interest that’s centred around a holy Bo tree which lies at the heart of the compound. A vibrant hubbub of activity during the Vesak Festival and sacred Poya days, the temple’s peaceful atmosphere makes it a sanctuary for those who wish to capture Colombo’s quieter corners. Some of the most Instagram-worthy areas of the temple include the makeshift museum where the institution’s large collection of Buddha sculptures is on display.

Viharamahadevi Park

Travellers who wish to document local events, flower shows, and culinary festivals in the heart of Colombo will find few green spaces as welcoming or as photogenic as the confines of Viharamahadevi Park. Lined with jogging trails and play areas, Colombo’s verdant public park is also home to its own share of water features and sculptures. As the preferred host venue for local food festivals and Vesak lantern showcases, the area around Viharamahadevi Park is also where holidaymakers can snap photos of local painters and artists displaying their creative wares.

Independence Square

The Independence Memorial Hall or Independence Square as it is more widely known, is another Colombo monument that is tailor-made for social media posts and photo sessions. Frequently used for pre-wedding shoots by local photographers due to its stately architectural features, the monument was constructed in the late 1940s to commemorate Sri Lanka’s independence from British rule. Having hosted countless Independence Day celebrations and state occasions, the area around this imposing stone monument is usually populated by joggers and families on weekends and weekday evenings.

The Lotus Tower

While it may be one of the newly constructed landmarks in Colombo, the Lotus Tower holds the distinct honour of being the tallest freestanding structure in all of South Asia. The tower’s design and 360-degree views of Colombo are the reasons why Instagrammers can’t afford to miss a ride up to its observation deck. There’s no better way to announce to your followers that you’ve arrived in the Sri Lankan capital than with a selfie from this tower, that remains as captivating by day as it is by night.

The Red Masjid

An architectural marvel in its own right, the Red Masjid in Pettah is not only one of Colombo’s finest mosques but also one of its most photographed landmarks. As the largest mosque in the country, the venue’s red and white tiled exteriors stand out among the other structures in this highly commercial region of the city, lined with bazaars and street markets. Having opened its doors to pilgrims in 1909, the “Red Mosque” is an active place of worship and a symbol of the city’s cultural diversity.