Jean Frank rightly said, “The best introduction to art is to visit a museum. The more art you look at, the more you’ll learn to define your taste. Museums are the best place to learn about the history of any place. So if you are planning to visit Colombo; The capital of Sri Lanka, so the various amazing museums located in the city should be on your ‘visit’ list. all of these Museum in Colombo, Sri Lanka There is something for every type of traveler and it will definitely charm you!
9 Best Museums in Colombo
Colombo’s museums provide a glimpse and insight into the country’s history and its cultures and traditions as well as the country’s rise as a great architectural heritage. Being one of the most unique countries, there is a lot to see in Sri Lanka. So here is a quick list of museums in Colombo.
- Colombo National Museum
- National Museum of Natural History
- Colombo Dutch Museum
- Independence Memorial Museum
- Currency Museum
- Colombo Port Maritime Museum
- Traditional Puppetry Museum
- National Railway Museum
- Sri Lanka Air Force Museum
1. Colombo National Museum
Established in 1877, the Colombo National Museum is home to exquisite artefacts that serve as testament to the rich Sri Lankan heritage. It is one of the major museums of the country. The design and architecture of the museum is inspired by Italian architecture of ancient times.
Artefacts relating to pre- and proto-historic, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy and transitional periods are displayed on the ground floor and paintings, ancient textiles, pottery and ceramics, coins and currency, arts and crafts, arms and armaments on the first floor. , there are presentations. of traditional agricultural practices and traditional rituals and the DS Senanayake Memorial Gallery.
Museum opening and closing hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed on Public Holidays. Tickets will not be issued after 5 PM)
Place:854, Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 7, Colombo 00700
entrance fees: 300 per person
2. National Museum of Natural History
The museum is home to Sri Lanka’s endemic, endangered and rare species. A huge collection of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, fish, amphibians, a variety of plants and geological rock specimens is displayed here.
The other attraction of this place is the Punani leopard, which is known to have killed about 13 people, which was captured in Batticaloa. One exhibit that arouses a lot of curiosity among the visitors is the skull of Megacereus giganteus (elk) which has huge horns and is displayed in the geological section of the museum. It belongs to the extinct species of deer. This museum is located around the Colombo National Museum and offers a look at the natural heritage as well as the diversity of life that the island offers.
Museum opening and closing hours: 09.00 AM – 06.00 PM (except public holidays)
Place: Nelam Pokuna Mawatha, Colombo 7, Colombo 00700
entrance fees: 300 per person
Must read: 44 soul satisfying things to do in Sri Lanka
3. Colombo Dutch Museum
This three-centuries-old Dutch manor house is located in one of the most visited neighborhoods in the world. The two-storey house cum museum displays objects from the beginning of the Dutch occupation. There are a large number of Dutch antiquities such as swords, clothing, porcelain, mediums of exchange, furniture, ancient maps and documentation of practices.
It also has an attractive inner courtyard garden which is like an oasis in the hustle and bustle of the city. The craftsmanship of the house has exquisite details that are worth admiring such as the craftsmanship in the massive wooden doors.
Museum opening and closing hours:Tuesday-Sat 9am to 4:30pm (Closed on Sunday, Monday and public holidays)
Place: Prince Street, Colombo 1, Colombo 00100
entrance fees: Rs 500 (Tourist); Rs 20 (locals); Rs 250 (for photography)
Read suggestions: Top 7 Water Sports in Colombo That Will Thrill You
4. Independence Memorial Museum
This museum was built to pay tribute to the national heroes who played an important role in achieving independence from British rule. There are also lines of status of national heroes along with some of the paraphernalia of these champions such as weapons, diaries, telephones and many other things.
If you want to understand the freedom movement of Sri Lanka then this is the place for you. There are large charts and pictures that demonstrate the process of independence. A separate section has been created for those war heroes from the year 1983 to 2009 who sacrificed their lives for the country.
Museum opening and closing hours:Tues-Sat 9am to 4:30pm; Closed on Mon, Sun and public holidays
Place: Independence Square, Colombo 7, Colombo 00700
entrance fees: Rs 600, Rs 150-child (tourist); Rs 10, Rs 5-child (local); Rs 250 (for photograph)
Read suggestions: 10 Best Water Sports in Sri Lanka That Will Lift Your Excitement and Stir Your Soul
5. Currency Museum
Also known as the Money Museum, it houses a large collection of notes and coins ranging from ancient coins dating back to 3 BC to modern usage. This museum was established in the year 1982 on 20 April. You can also take a look at coins from different eras such as the Anuradhapura era (3 BC to 107 AD), the Kotte Kingdom era from Polonnaruwa (1017 AD – 1597 AD) and the colonial era.
Museum opening and closing hours: 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM from Monday to Saturday on all working days except public and bank holidays.
Place: Chatham St, Colombo, Sri Lanka
entrance fees: Rupee. Rs 500/- for non-resident adults. Rs 200/- for non-resident students.
Read suggestions: Top 6 Honeymoon Places in Colombo for a Romantic Date
6. Colombo Port Maritime Museum
Also known as the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Maritime Museum, it is built in a former Dutch prison. It is the only Dutch building remaining in the Colombo port area. The museum was officially established in August 2003. The museum displays various historical items relating to the country’s ports, its maritime industry and the ocean surrounding Sri Lanka.
Various sculptures of King Vijaya and many other characters can also be seen here. On display are other artefacts and models that symbolize the timely and systematic development of the Colombo Port along with equipment used in port operations.
Museum opening and closing hours: 09:00 AM – 04:00 PM 9 (Closed on Sunday)
Place: 19, Chaithaya Road, Colombo, Sri Lanka
entrance fees: Rupee. Rs 500/- for non-resident adults. Rs 300/- for non-resident students.
7. Traditional Puppetry Museum
The Museum of Traditional Puppetry was established to preserve the puppetry heritage of Sri Lanka as well as to establish a better platform for puppeteers to display their artwork. It is one of the best museums in Colombo showcasing the cultural, religious and social interactions of the Sri Lankan community. The museum stores artistic creations of skilled puppeteers from across the island country.
Museum opening and closing timings: Mon-Sunday; 9 am to 4:30 pm
Place: Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Pinawatha, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka
entrance fees: without any value
8. National Railway Museum
This museum was built to maintain and preserve the old engines, trains, rail cars, trolleys and other machinery that were used when the railways were introduced in Sri Lanka. The National Railway Museum was inaugurated on 27 December 2014 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of railway service in Colombo.
Museum opening and closing timings: Mon-Sunday; 9 am to 4 pm (on Poya Day)
Place: Kadugannawa, Sri Lanka
entrance fees: Rs 10 (school children), Rs 20 (children without school uniform), Rs 50 (adults), Rs 500 (foreign nationals)
9. Sri Lanka Air Force Museum
The Sri Lankan Air Museum is dedicated to the aviation history of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The main objective behind the establishment of this museum was to increase the knowledge about the field of aviation. Along with airplane models and exhibits, visitors are also allowed to make wooden models of airplanes in the crafts laboratory.
Museum opening and closing timings: Mon-Sunday; 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Place: Ratmalana, Sri Lanka
entrance fees: Rs 30 (local, children), Rs 120 (local, adult), Rs 700 (foreigner, child), Rs 1050 (foreigner, adult)
read ahead: Rachna’s Sri Lanka family tour will make the wanderer in you jealous
Your trip to Sri Lanka can be much more than just beaches, hills, beaches and adventure sports. If you want to see the history of Sri Lanka, you must visit some of the museums in Colombo.
Are you looking to book an international holiday?
Book memorable holidays on TourTravelHotels with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.
