Different areas of Colombo are numbered from 1 to 15, along with nine designated suburbs. The historical Colombo Fort is the heart of the city, where many important landmarks—the official residence of the President of Sri Lanka, the 40-story twin tower complex of the World Trade Center, the neo-Baroque styled Old Parliament building, and the Old Colombo Lighthouse, among many others—are located. Other landmarks of Colombo include the Galle Face Green, a scenic promenade situated alongside the busiest highway in Sri Lanka, the Independence Memorial Hall, Town Hall, Nelum Pokuna Theatre, and Viharamahadevi Park, among many others. 

Due to its historicity, Colombo is incredibly culturally, religiously, and ethnically diverse. It’s not uncommon to see Buddhist temples, Hindu kovils, churches, and mosques situated only a few meters from each other around here. Religious sites tend to be some of the most visited places in Colombo. The Gangarama Buddhist Temple and the New Kathiresan Kovil attract throngs of local and foreign tourists every day. Members of almost all ethnic groups in Sri Lanka—including Sinhalese, Tamils, Ceylon Moors, and Burghers—manage to live side-by-side in Colombo in varying degrees of harmony.

Other than showcasing memorable colonial architecture, perhaps the most famous function of Colombo, for both locals and foreigners, is shopping. The city is littered with malls, boutique shops, department stores, and roadside stalls selling everything. The food in Colombo is almost a tourist attraction in itself. Visitors can find all types of Sri Lankan cuisine here, such as authentic Sinhala and Jaffna dishes or the famous fusion dish, kottu. restaurants and eateries offering international dishes—Chinese, Japanese, German, Italian, and many more. Colombo is also famous for its nightlife, possibly the most liberal on the entire island, with world-class nightclubs, casinos, watering holes, and even classy, late-night theatres.