Mount Lavinia Beach is located just to the south of Colombo city, on the West coast of Sri Lanka. It is one of the only beaches near Colombo that has a lot to offer for locals as well as tourists visiting the city. It has a wide, sandy strip of beach and is populated by many restaurants, pubs and areas to chill out. If you’re spending time in Colombo, visiting Mount Lavinia is a must.

The weekends see a huge local crowd gathering from morning to evening. They comprise anything from office workers on organised company parties, touch rugby players, couples, families, joggers, dog walkers, fisherfolk and vendors of various kinds. Mount Lavinia beach is a fantastic place to get a slice of authentic local life and try some street food such as ‘accharu’ the spiced fruit hugely popular in virtually every public gathering space in Sri Lanka.

Mount Lavinia beach is one of the best beaches in Colombo, and dare we say even Sri Lanka, to watch the sunset from in the evening. Putting a blanket on the beach and sitting down is something you can do, or sit at a table on the beach and enjoy a drink or meal as you watch the sun go down. A very nice place to see the sunset from is the Terrace of the Mount Lavinia Hotel. The Terrace also has a beautiful pool which you can use for a reasonable fee. The view from the terrace to the North is one of the most spectacular you will see of Colombo.

The beach has plenty of hotels to stay at. Mount Lavinia hotel is a historic, luxurious institution that is as part of the landscape as the beach and the sea. Other hotels include Berjaya, Paradise Beach, Bay Show Beach Hotel and many more. The beach is home to some of the best restaurants in Colombo, Loon Tau and Sugar beach come especially recommended.