Explore ancient artifacts at National Museum
Colombo, Sri Lanka • INR 469 approx.• 
Must Do
Must Do
Best months to visit
Jan, Feb, Dec
23°C – 31°C, january in colombo features warm temperatures ranging from 23, high crowds, peak season
23°C – 31°C, january in colombo features warm temperatures ranging from 23, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Wheelchair accessible; some areas have steep slopes and cobblestones.
Wheelchair accessible; some areas have steep slopes and cobblestones.
Value for money
Medium
Mixed reviews on price and exhibit quality.
Mixed reviews on price and exhibit quality.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Rich History
Couples found the museum's historical artifacts fascinating and a great cultural experience.
Beautiful Building
Visitors loved the architecture. The building and grounds made for a romantic stroll.
Well Organized
Couples appreciated the chronological order of exhibits, making it easy to follow.
Poor Lighting
Some couples noted the lighting made it difficult to fully appreciate the exhibits.
Price Discrepancy
Travelers felt the price difference between local and foreign tickets was unfair.
Limited Colonial
Couples wished for more exhibits on the colonial era.
How to book
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Hours of operation
Monday
-
Tuesday
09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Wednesday
09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Thursday
09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Friday
09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Saturday
09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Sunday
09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
Embark on a virtual tour of National Museum of Colombo.
Discover the highlights of National Museum of Colombo.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
MEDIUM
24-30°C
December sees a decrease in rainfall and pleasant temperatures, making it a favorable time for outdoor activities.
December sees a decrease in rainfall and pleasant temperatures, making it a favorable time for outdoor activities.
Open
No specific restrictions, but increased demand may require advance booking for some activities.
No specific restrictions, but increased demand may require advance booking for some activities.
Recommended
December's favorable weather conditions and festive atmosphere make it an ideal time to visit Colombo. The National Museum may experience moderate crowds, so planning ahead is advisable.
December's favorable weather conditions and festive atmosphere make it an ideal time to visit Colombo. The National Museum may experience moderate crowds, so planning ahead is advisable.
January
HIGH
23-31°C
January in Colombo features warm temperatures ranging from 23.1°C to 30.8°C, with an average of 27.0°C. It is the driest month, receiving approximately 40mm of rainfall over about 11.6 days, and enjoys around 9.1 hours of sunshine daily.
January in Colombo features warm temperatures ranging from 23.1°C to 30.8°C, with an average of 27.0°C. It is the driest month, receiving approximately 40mm of rainfall over about 11.6 days, and enjoys around 9.1 hours of sunshine daily.
Open
No significant restrictions; however, it's advisable to book tickets in advance due to high demand.
No significant restrictions; however, it's advisable to book tickets in advance due to high demand.
Recommended
January offers favorable weather conditions with minimal rainfall and ample sunshine, making it an excellent time to visit the National Museum. Due to peak tourist season, expect larger crowds and higher prices. Booking in advance is recommended.
January offers favorable weather conditions with minimal rainfall and ample sunshine, making it an excellent time to visit the National Museum. Due to peak tourist season, expect larger crowds and higher prices. Booking in advance is recommended.
February
HIGH
24-31°C
February continues the dry season with temperatures ranging from 24.0°C to 31.0°C, averaging 27.5°C. Rainfall is minimal, with about 49mm over 5 days, and the city enjoys approximately 9 hours of sunshine daily.
February continues the dry season with temperatures ranging from 24.0°C to 31.0°C, averaging 27.5°C. Rainfall is minimal, with about 49mm over 5 days, and the city enjoys approximately 9 hours of sunshine daily.
Open
No significant restrictions; advance booking is advisable due to high demand.
No significant restrictions; advance booking is advisable due to high demand.
Recommended
February offers warm and dry weather, ideal for visiting the National Museum. Expect high tourist activity and elevated prices. Advance planning is recommended to ensure availability.
February offers warm and dry weather, ideal for visiting the National Museum. Expect high tourist activity and elevated prices. Advance planning is recommended to ensure availability.
March
MEDIUM
25-32°C
March experiences temperatures between 25.0°C and 31.8°C, with an average of 28.4°C. Rainfall increases to about 87mm over 9 days, and sunshine hours average around 8 per day.
March experiences temperatures between 25.0°C and 31.8°C, with an average of 28.4°C. Rainfall increases to about 87mm over 9 days, and sunshine hours average around 8 per day.
Open
No significant restrictions; more availability compared to peak months.
No significant restrictions; more availability compared to peak months.
Recommended
March offers warm temperatures with a slight increase in rainfall. With moderate crowd levels and more reasonable prices, it's a good time to visit the National Museum.
March offers warm temperatures with a slight increase in rainfall. With moderate crowd levels and more reasonable prices, it's a good time to visit the National Museum.
How to get there
Bus
Recommended
Public buses are an economical way to reach the museum. Several routes pass near the museum, with stops near Viharamahadevi Park and Town Hall. Commonly cited bus routes include numbers 100, 101, 112, and 122. From the Colombo Fort area, travelers can take the 154 bus to the "Museum stop".
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber and PickMe are readily available throughout Colombo and offer a direct way to get to the museum.
Train
Recommended
The Colombo Fort Railway Station is approximately 3 to 5 kilometers from the museum. From the station, visitors can hire a taxi or tuk-tuk to the museum.
Bike
Cycling is feasible, though specific bike rental information is not readily available.
Car
Visitors driving to the National Museum can access it via major roads. Limited parking is available on-site, and there is also street parking in the vicinity. A dedicated car park is situated at the back of the museum, with an entrance on Nelum Pokuna Mawatha.
Walking
Walking to the museum is a pleasant option for those staying in nearby areas, especially from landmarks like Viharamahadevi Park.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required