The nearest proper beach suburb, south of the city — a golden strand of seafood restaurants and beach bars around the grand old Mount Lavinia Hotel, with a relaxed, resort-lite feel. Calmer and cooler by the sea, a train or drive from the centre; the base for travellers who want beach days and sunset seafood dinners with the city a short hop away. A lovely, laid-back alternative to downtown.
€50–110
typical per night in Sri Lanka
The sensible middle
Typical prices for Colombo — neither steal nor splurge.
Where it sits
The circle is Mount Lavinia and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- Sri Lankan street food22 min taxi7.3 km
- The National Museum24 min taxi8.0 km
- Gangaramaya Temple26 min taxi8.7 km
- Galle Face Green28 min taxi9.5 km
- The Lotus Tower29 min taxi9.8 km
- The Fort district33 min taxi10.9 km
- Pettah Market33 min taxi11.1 km
- Jami Ul-Alfar (Red Mosque)33 min taxi11.1 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 9.Mount Lavinia beach — The nearest real beach to the city — a golden strand south of the centre, watched over by the grand old colonial Mount Lavinia Hotel, lined with seafood restaurants and beach bars perfect for a sunset dinner. Not the island's finest beach, but a lovely, easy escape from the city heat; swim, laze on the sand, and feast on fresh crab and prawns as the sun sinks into the sea. A relaxed, breezy afternoon and evening.
- 12.The coastal train — One of the world's great cheap train rides — the coastal line hugs the shore south from Colombo, the track often running right along the beach with the Indian Ocean crashing metres from the open doors. Ride even a short stretch (to Mount Lavinia or beyond) for the breeze, the sea views and the joyous, local experience of a Sri Lankan train; hang out the door (safely) as the palms and waves slide by. Cheap, scenic and unforgettable.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Mount Lavinia; flights via Google Flights.