Evening & Sunset Tour
Colombo is at its best when the heat drops. Watch the sun go down at Galle Face with a snack in hand, then ride through the city as the lights come on.
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
From LKR 9,000 (about US$28)
Place in Colombo
Galle Face Green
Galle Face Green is a long grassy promenade on Colombo’s seafront, roughly 500 metres along the shore and about five hectares in all. It is where the city goes to walk, fly kites and watch the sun go down over the Indian Ocean.
- Best time
- Late afternoon into sunset, when the heat drops and the food carts set up
- Allow
- About 1 to 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free to walk. Food from the carts is paid for on the spot
- Good for
- Couples, families, anyone who wants a slow end to the day
What to see and do
-
The sunset
The green faces west over the Indian Ocean, so the sun drops straight into the sea. Arrive a little before sunset to find a spot on the sea wall or the grass.
-
Kites
The green is popular with kite flyers, as well as with children, families and couples.
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Street food
Vendors sell seafood and snacks, especially on weekend evenings. Isso vadai, crisp lentil fritters topped with a prawn, is the Galle Face classic.
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The skyline
From the promenade you can see the city skyline, with the Lotus Tower among the taller shapes. The Galle Face Hotel and the Ceylon Inter-Continental border the green.
A little history
The Dutch are reported to have cleared the open ground so their cannon had a clear line of fire against the Portuguese. The green once covered a much larger area, stretching back towards Beira Lake and the Fort ramparts.
Governor Sir Henry George Ward authorised an oceanside promenade of around a mile in 1856, and it was completed in 1859. The ground has also hosted horse racing (from the early 1820s until 1893), golf from 1879, and the first official rugby match in Ceylon on 30 June 1879.
Today it is also where Sri Lanka holds its National Day celebrations each 4 February.
Visiting tips
- Food vendors are most active on weekend evenings.
- Wear something light and bring a little cash for the carts.
- Check the price before you order from a cart.
See it by tuk tuk
The Evening & Sunset Tour ends the golden hour here, then rides back through the lit-up city.
Near Galle Face Green
Colombo Fort
Colombo Fort is the old colonial heart of the city and today its business district. A short history, what to see, and how it fits into a day by tuk tuk.
Lotus Tower
The Lotus Tower is Colombo’s lotus-bud shaped landmark beside Beira Lake. What it is, how tall it stands, and the best way to see it lit up after dark.
Guides that cover this place
Sources
Facts on this page come from the pages below, read on the dates shown. Opening times and fees change, so check before you go.
- Galle Face Green, Wikipedia, read 12 October 2026
- The changing landscape of Galle Face, Time Out Sri Lanka, read 12 October 2026
- Street food trail in Colombo: what and where to eat like a local, HIDMC, read 12 October 2026