Galle Face Green, Sri Lanka

Galle Face Green is a long strip of lawn and seafront promenade in the heart of Colombo, running for about half a kilometre between the business district of Fort and the old Galle Face Hotel. It's the city's favourite open space. Every evening, families, couples, joggers and kite flyers gather here to catch the sea breeze and watch the sun go down over the Indian Ocean.

A short history

The Dutch first cleared this ground to give their cannons a clear line of fire. Under the British, it became a place for horse racing, golf and cricket. In 1859, the governor, Sir Henry Ward, laid out the seafront walk "in the interest of the ladies and children of Colombo", as a plaque on the promenade still records. The skyline around it has changed a great deal since then, with hotel towers, a shopping mall and the reclaimed land of the Port City rising nearby.

What to do

• Watch the sunset. Arrive around 5 pm. The sky often turns orange and pink over the water.
• Eat street food. The row of food carts is the main attraction. Try isso wade, spicy lentil fritters topped with prawns, along with crab, kottu, grilled corn, pickled fruit (achcharu) and fresh pineapple with chilli and salt. Our street food guide explains what's what.
• Fly a kite. Vendors sell cheap kites, and on windy evenings the sky is full of them. August is the peak kite season.
• Walk the promenade. It's flat and breezy, and it's ideal for an evening stroll.
• Have a drink at the Galle Face Hotel. The colonial hotel at the southern end, founded in 1864, has a terrace facing the sea, and it's a classic place for a sundowner.

The sea here is rough, with a strong undertow, and people don't swim.

Tips

• Evenings and weekends are lively and crowded. Mornings are quiet, and you'll share the green mostly with joggers.
• Choose food stalls that are busy, where the food is cooked fresh in front of you.
• Keep an eye on your phone and wallet in the crowd.
• Carry small notes for snacks and kites.
• Public displays of affection are frowned upon in Sri Lanka, though you'll see many young couples sheltering under umbrellas.

Getting there

Galle Face Green is a short tuk-tuk ride from Fort railway station and from most hotels in central Colombo. Use a ride-hailing app or agree a fare first. It's the natural place to end one day in Colombo, after Pettah Market and Gangaramaya Temple.