The Best Weekend Getaways From Colombo

Long-term residents of Colombo know that a weekend getaway is necessary sometimes. The hustle and bustle can get to you, and there is no better relief than to jump on a train or bus, or hire a car and driver to take you on the next great adventure. Digital nomads staying in the city will be glad to know that getting out to a villa in a coconut plantation or a beachside surf hotel will still give them great Wifi coverage and no shortage of coconuts, and rice and curry.

South

The south area of Colombo is full of beaches, from long ones lined with hotels to hidden bays perfect for surfing. Any of the beaches to the south make for a great getaway. To top it off, the Galle Fort is also to the south, with gorgeous boutique hotels and wonderful shops to lose time in.

Bentota

There are many beaches south of Colombo, and Bentota is one of the nicest and closest to the capital. With plenty of hotels and restaurants, Bentota is a favorite with locals and expats alike.

Galle / Unawatuna / Talpe

A weekend in Galle gives a bit of both worlds. Time can be spent at both the beaches and the fort for a well balanced weekend. While in the fort, stay at the Amangalla or one of the comfy guesthouses. Have an epic iced tea at Prince of Galle, some rice and curry at Hoppa and a walk around the ramparts in the evening. For a lazy beach day, go to Unawatuna or Talpe and set up shop at one of the seaside cafes and restaurants.

Mirissa

Mirissa is known for whale and dolphin-watching excursions. Before leaving Sri Lanka, take a whale safari to see the blue whales off the coast of Mirissa Beach. Spend the long days lounging on the shore and soaking up the Sri Lankan sun. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

If you really want to pamper yourself, check out Cape Welligama, a perfect hotel for families.

Dikwella / Hiriketiya

Dikwella and Hiriketiya are two small beaches between Mirissa and Tangalle. They are perfect surfing spots and a recent hotspot for digital nomads who like working beachside. A great place to stay in the area is The Verse Collective.

Tangalle

Spending a weekend in Tangalle is better done in luxury at the Amanwella or another secluded resort, where you can soak up some sun and get pampered. Tangalle Beach is small and beautiful, making a getaway in Tangalle a memorable one.

The view from the cafe nook at Verse Collective

North

North and northeast of Colombo are the beach town of Negombo and other special spots. From coconut estates to windsurfing spots, this area is a bit different from the south.

Negombo

The beach city of Negombo is the closest to the capital, Colombo. It is the original beach getaway for the locals, and is where the first resorts were built. A weekend in Negombo is great if you don’t want to go very far from the capital. The hotels are nice and so are the beaches. It is usually crowded with tourists though.

Horatapola Estate

The Horatapola Estate is a quaint bungalow in the middle of rural Sri Lanka, only an hour from the airport and an hour and a half from Colombo. The bungalow has five rooms, a pool and amazing food. A (not so well-kept) secret of expats in Colombo.

Puttalam

A bit further north is the Puttalam Peninsula, where kite surfers go to catch some air. Spend the night at one of the old family villas refurbished for guests, like Bethany 101, and enjoy the real Sri Lankan leisure life.

Take a bike ride through the coconut plantations

Hill Country

If you also want to escape the heat of Colombo, the best place to go is hill country. The most memorable way to get there is definitely by train.

Ella

Ella is the place to go if you love hiking and exploring the mountains. With hotels like the upscale 98 Acres or the quaint Waterfalls Homestay, Ella is a great spot for getting away from the heat and doing some waterfall exploration.

Nuwara Eliya

If what you are craving is a colder climate (frost in the mornings!) and some lovely fresh strawberries, the best place to go is Nuwara Eliya. Bask in the mountain sunshine outside a tea planter’s bungalow and enjoy the crisp air.

Kandy

For a more cultural getaway, head over to Kandy and visit the Temple of the Tooth. For a truly unique experience, stay at Helga’s Folly or the Theva Residency. Walk around the lake and have coffee at Natural Coffee.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.