A breezy oceanfront promenade in the heart of the city, famous for kite-flyers, families and legendary street food at sunset.

Overview

Galle Face Green is a half-kilometre strip of lawn along the Indian Ocean, and Colombo's favourite gathering place. As the day cools, crowds arrive to fly kites, stroll the seawall and feast on isso wade (prawn fritters), kottu and other street snacks from the food stalls. The historic Galle Face Hotel anchors the southern end.

History

The green was laid out in 1859 by Governor Sir Henry Ward as a promenade for the ladies and children of Colombo, on land originally cleared by the Dutch to give the Fort's cannons a clear line of fire.