Beira Lake
A 65-acre lake in central Colombo used by the Dutch as a defensive moat in the 17th century, now a public park and rowing venue.
Duration
1 hour
Entry Fee
Free
Difficulty
easy
Budget
free
About Beira Lake
Beira Lake covers 65 acres in the heart of Colombo and was originally deepened and shaped by the Dutch in the 17th century as a defensive moat around the Fort district. Today it is surrounded by the Slave Island neighbourhood, luxury hotels, and the Gangaramaya temple complex. The lake's most photographed feature is the Seema Malaka floating meditation pavilion, designed by Geoffrey Bawa. Rowboats and pedal boats are available for hire on the western bank, and the lakeside walkway between the Colombo Hilton and Gangaramaya temple is a shaded path popular in the early morning and late afternoon. Waterbirds including painted storks and cormorants are regularly seen roosting on the small islands near the northern shore.
Highlights
- 65-acre lake in the city centre, shaped by the Dutch in the 17th century as a defensive moat
- Seema Malaka floating Buddhist temple (Geoffrey Bawa design) on the lake
- Rowboats and pedal boats available for hire on the western bank
- Painted storks and cormorants visible on the northern island roost
- Lakeside walkway connecting Gangaramaya temple to the Colombo Hilton
Practical Tips
Walk the lakeside path between 6am and 9am or after 4pm to avoid the worst of the midday heat.
Pedal boats can be hired on the western bank for around LKR 300 for 30 minutes.
Combine with Gangaramaya Temple and Seema Malaka, both on the southern shore.
Explore by Interest
Best Time to Visit
Best time of day: Year-round; early morning and late afternoon are most pleasant
Location
Planning Info
- Crowd level
- Moderate
- Physical difficulty
- easy
- Setting
- outdoor
- Child friendly
- Yes
- Senior friendly
- Yes
- Budget level
- free
- Photography
- ★★★☆☆
Plan Your Visit
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ALSO IN THE AREA
Nearby Destinations
Independence Memorial Hall
Octagonal open-air memorial in Colombo 7, built in 1953 to mark Ceylon's independence from British rule on 4 February 1948.
Explore →
Seema Malaka Temple
A Buddhist meditation pavilion on three floating platforms on Beira Lake, designed by Geoffrey Bawa and completed in 1978.
Explore →
Gangaramaya Temple
Colombo's most visited Buddhist temple, built in the 1880s, housing a museum of rare artefacts gifted by donors from across Asia.
Explore →PLAN YOUR VISIT
Ready to explore Beira Lake?
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