Things to Do in Colombo
Discover the Artificial Beach at Port City, Colombo
A 3.5 km stretch of golden sand right in the heart of the capital — free to enter, easy to reach, and one of the newest reasons to spend a full day in Colombo.
Colombo has never been short of things to see, but until recently it was missing one obvious thing: a proper beach in the middle of the city. Port City Colombo has changed that. Built on reclaimed land beside Galle Face, the new artificial beach runs for roughly 3.5 km and has quickly become one of the most talked-about additions to the city’s list of attractions.
The best part? It costs nothing to visit. Locals and foreign travellers alike can walk straight in, spread out a towel, and enjoy sun, sand and sea without paying a rupee. If you’re staying in Colombo at the start or end of a Sri Lanka tour, this is one of the easiest half-days you’ll ever plan.
At a glance
- Location
- Port City Colombo, beside Galle Face Green
- Length
- Approximately 3.5 km of sand
- Entry
- Free for locals and foreign visitors
- Good for
- Families, couples, sunset walks, photography
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours, or a full evening
What makes this beach different
Sri Lanka is famous for its beaches, but almost all of them are a two- to four-hour drive from Colombo. Port City puts one within a ten-minute tuk-tuk ride of the city’s main hotels. The sand is soft and pale, the promenade behind it is wide and shaded in places, and the whole area was designed from scratch — so it feels more like a planned waterfront district than a stretch of coast that happens to have a road beside it.
That planning shows in the details: clean walkways, clear sightlines out to the Indian Ocean, and enough open space that it rarely feels crowded even on weekends. For travellers arriving on an evening flight or waiting on an early-morning departure, it’s a genuinely pleasant way to fill a few spare hours.
Dining and entertainment
The beachfront promenade is lined with restaurants, cafés and bars, so you can move from the sand to a cold drink in under a minute. The mix covers everything from quick bites and coffee to sit-down meals, and there are usually options for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners — something we’re asked about constantly by our guests from India.
Live music performances and cultural shows are held along the promenade from time to time, and they lift the atmosphere considerably after sunset. Evenings are when the area really comes alive, with the city lights behind you and the ocean in front.
Things to do at Port City beach
There’s more here than sunbathing. Depending on the day and the operators on site, visitors can typically enjoy:
- Swimming in the designated areas
- Snorkelling
- Jet skiing
- Beach volleyball
- Sunbathing and picnics
- Long walks along the promenade
- Sunset photography
- Café and restaurant hopping
Water sports operate at set times and are weather-dependent, so it’s worth checking on the day if a jet ski ride is the main reason you’re going.
Best time to visit
Late afternoon into the evening is the sweet spot. Colombo’s midday sun is strong and there is limited natural shade on the sand itself, so arriving around 4 pm gives you comfortable light, a proper sunset over the water, and the promenade at its liveliest. Mornings before 9 am are the quietest option if you’d rather have the place close to yourself.
How to get there
- From Colombo Fort or Galle Face: a short walk or a five-minute tuk-tuk ride.
- From Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB): roughly 45–60 minutes by road, traffic depending.
- On a Ceylon Hunt tour: your driver can drop you at the entrance and wait, so you’re not negotiating parking or return transport.
What to bring
- Sunscreen and a hat — shade on the sand is limited.
- Drinking water, especially if you’re visiting in the middle of the day.
- A change of clothes if you plan to swim.
- Cash or card for the cafés along the promenade.
Common questions
Is there an entrance fee?
No. Entry to the beach is free for both Sri Lankan residents and foreign visitors. You only pay for food, drinks and any water sports you choose to do.
Is it safe for swimming?
Swim only in the marked areas and follow any instructions from on-site staff. As with any ocean swimming in Sri Lanka, conditions vary with the weather and season, so check on the day before going in.
Is it suitable for families with children?
Yes. The wide promenade, open sand and nearby cafés make it an easy outing with children, and there’s no long drive involved if you’re already staying in Colombo.
How long should we spend there?
Two to four hours is plenty for most visitors. If you’re going for sunset and staying on for dinner along the promenade, plan for a full evening.
Can you add it to a Sri Lanka tour package?
Absolutely. We regularly build it into Colombo city tours and into the first or last day of our round-tour packages, when guests are already in the city.
Add it to your Sri Lanka itinerary
Whether you’re after a quiet morning walk, an afternoon in the water or a relaxed evening of food and live music, the Port City beach earns its place on any Colombo itinerary. It’s free, it’s central, and it slots neatly into a day that already includes the city’s temples, markets and viewpoints.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to the Artificial Beach at Port City, Colombo. If you have any questions, send us a message through our contact page or leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you.
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