Lotus Tower Colombo: Tickets, Opening Hours & Visitor Guide

Lotus Tower at a glance

What is the Lotus Tower?

The Lotus Tower, known in Sinhala as Nelum Kuluna, is shaped like a lotus bud, a symbol of purity in Buddhism and an important flower in Sri Lankan culture. It was built mainly as a telecommunications tower, with construction starting in 2012. It was declared open in 2019, but the public could only visit from 15 September 2022. Today it's a major Colombo attraction, with an observation deck, a revolving restaurant, exhibitions, shops and event spaces.

At night, the tower is lit with thousands of colourful LED lights, and the changing light shows are visible across the city.

What to see and do

The observation deck

The highlight is the observation deck, about 244 metres above the ground. From here you look out over Colombo's skyline, Beira Lake, the Port City, Galle Face Green and the Indian Ocean. Signs on the deck point out landmarks across the island, including Adam's Peak, which can sometimes be seen on very clear days.

The revolving restaurant

The tower has a revolving restaurant that turns slowly while you eat, giving a changing view of the city. Book ahead, especially for sunset.

Digital art and exhibitions

A digital art exhibition is offered as a combined ticket with the observation deck, and seasonal events are held throughout the year. There are also food courts, a souvenir shop and a telecommunications museum.

Adventure activities

Bungee jumping and other adventure activities have been planned for the tower for some years, and occasional special events, such as a base-jumping event in 2024, have taken place. At the time of writing, these are not regular public attractions. Check with the tower if this interests you.

Tickets and prices

At the time of writing (November 2026), foreign visitor tickets are:

Children under 3 are free. Prices can change, so check the official ticket site before you go. See our guide to entry fees in Sri Lanka.

How to buy

• Online: through the tower's official ticket website, up to about three months ahead. Online tickets are for a set time slot, are single-entry and are not refundable.
• At the counter: on the ground floor, subject to availability.
• Bring your passport. You need it to show you're eligible for the foreign visitor ticket.
• Arrive about 15 minutes early for your time slot.

Opening hours

The tower usually opens at 9 am and stays open into the evening, often later at weekends. Published closing times vary, so check the official site on the day. Sunset slots are the most popular, so book ahead if you want one.

Best time to visit

• Late afternoon: arrive about an hour before sunset to see the city in daylight, watch the sun go down over the ocean, then see Colombo light up.
• Clear days: views are best after rain clears the air. Haze can limit the view in the hottest months.
• Weekdays: usually quieter than weekends and public holidays.

How long to spend

Allow about one to one and a half hours for the observation deck and the ground-floor attractions. If you're eating at the revolving restaurant, allow two to three hours.

Is it worth it?

The views are impressive, and the tower is easy to visit, especially if you have a few hours in Colombo. Some visitors find the foreign ticket price high for a short visit, so it's best combined with a sunset and other Colombo sights. If you love city views, go. If you're short on time or budget, Galle Face Green at sunset is a free alternative.

Getting there

The Lotus Tower is in central Colombo, beside Beira Lake. From Galle Face Green or Colombo Fort, it's a short tuk-tuk or taxi ride, usually around 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic. PickMe and Uber both work well in Colombo. See our guide to tuk-tuks in Sri Lanka.

With a private driver, you can include the tower in a Colombo city tour or visit on your way to or from the airport. See our airport transfers.

Other things to do nearby

• Gangaramaya Temple: a busy Buddhist temple and museum near Beira Lake.
• Seema Malaka: a peaceful temple on Beira Lake, designed by Geoffrey Bawa.
• Galle Face Green: a seafront promenade, best at sunset with street food.
• Pettah markets: busy, colourful market streets near Colombo Fort.
• The National Museum: Sri Lanka's largest museum, with royal regalia and ancient art.

See one day in Colombo, our Colombo guide and day trips from Colombo.

A suggested afternoon in Colombo

• 2:00 pm: visit Gangaramaya Temple and Seema Malaka.
• 3:30 pm: a walk or tuk-tuk ride through Pettah.
• 5:00 pm: arrive at the Lotus Tower for your time slot.
• 6:00 pm: watch the sunset from the observation deck.
• 7:00 pm: walk along Galle Face Green and try street food, or dine at the revolving restaurant.

Lotus Tower on your first or last day

Many flights to and from Sri Lanka leave late at night or arrive early in the morning. The Lotus Tower is a good way to use a free afternoon on your last day, before your driver takes you to the airport. It's also an easy first sight if you arrive in the morning and are staying in Colombo.

Tips for visiting

• Book a sunset slot online in advance.
• Bring your passport for the foreign ticket.
• Check the weather. Cloud and haze can limit the view.
• Keep your ticket until you leave the tower.
• Combine it with nearby temples and Galle Face Green.

Travelling with children

Children usually enjoy the lifts, the views and the lights. Children aged 3 to 10 pay a reduced ticket, and children under 3 are free. Keep a close eye on young children on the observation deck. See Sri Lanka with kids.

Accessibility

The tower has lifts to the observation deck. If you have mobility needs, contact the tower in advance to check access on the day.

Photography tips

• Visit around sunset for the best light and the city lights coming on.
• Shoot through the glass at an angle to reduce reflections, or hold your phone close to the glass.
• Photograph the tower from Beira Lake or Galle Face at night, when it's lit up.

Where to stay in Colombo

Colombo has hotels for every budget, from city-centre business hotels to boutique guesthouses and seafront hotels near Galle Face. Many travellers stay in Negombo instead, closer to the airport. See our guide to where to stay in Sri Lanka and the best things to do in Negombo.

Colombo beyond the tower

Colombo is often a stopover, but it's worth a day. Explore colonial Fort, the markets of Pettah, temples and mosques, modern cafés and the seafront. See our west coast guide and our travel agent in Colombo page if you'd like help planning.

A short history of the tower

The Lotus Tower was planned as a telecommunications tower for Colombo's TV and radio broadcasters, and its design takes its shape from the lotus flower, a symbol of purity in Sri Lankan Buddhist culture. Construction began in 2012, and the tower took around a decade to complete and open to visitors. Today it works both as a broadcasting tower and as one of the city's main attractions, and at night its changing coloured lights can be seen across much of Colombo.

What you can see from the top

On a clear day, the view from the observation deck takes in:

• Beira Lake and the Gangaramaya area, just below the tower
• Fort and the Port of Colombo, with ships waiting offshore
• Port City Colombo, the new land reclaimed from the sea beside Galle Face
• Galle Face Green and the ocean front
• The suburbs and canals stretching towards the hills on the clearest days

The air is often hazy around midday, and clearer after rain or early in the dry season.

Weather and visibility

Colombo is warm all year. Heavy showers are common during the monsoon months, especially in the afternoons, and clouds can roll over the tower quickly. If the weather looks poor, it's worth waiting a little or changing your time slot if your ticket allows it. See the best time to visit Sri Lanka.

Combining the tower with a city tour

The tower fits easily into a half-day or full-day tour of Colombo. Your driver can drop you at the entrance, wait while you visit and then take you on to Gangaramaya Temple, Pettah market, Fort or Galle Face. See our Colombo city tour and one day in Colombo.

Booking tips

• Book a sunset slot early in the dry season and at weekends, when these times sell out first.
• Carry your passport, as foreign visitor tickets are checked against it.
• Arrive a little before your slot to allow time for security checks and the lift queue.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Turning up at sunset without a booking. Popular slots sell out.
• Forgetting your passport. You need it for the foreign ticket.
• Expecting bungee jumping. It isn't a regular public attraction at the time of writing.
• Going on a hazy afternoon. Check the weather and go after rain if you can.