Sunset
Over the ocean.
Balou46 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Saqib Qayyum — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Thamilselvan Kiritharan — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rehman Abubakr — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Saqib Qayyum — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Posh331 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · AKS.9955 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oshani Wijesooriya — CC BY-SA 4.0
A five-hectare park open to the Indian Ocean, running some 500 metres along the shore in the heart of Colombo. It is the city's favourite breathing space, where people come at sunset to stroll, fly kites and enjoy the sea breeze. The British governor Sir Henry Ward laid out the promenade in 1859. The green once stretched much further and was used for horse racing, golf and cricket; the Dutch had kept it open so the guns of their fort had a clear line of fire against the Portuguese. At the southern end stands the historic Galle Face Hotel, at the northern end the old Parliament building and the towers of the financial district, and from the promenade you can watch ships in the harbour and a fast-changing modern skyline. Entry is free at all hours. In the evening food carts line up selling street snacks such as fried prawn fritters, isso vadai, so check the ingredients if you need halal. Sunset is the best time to come.
Over the ocean.
In the evening.
Over the green.
Galle Road, Colombo 3
Yes, entry is free at all hours, and sunset is the best time to go.
