10 of the best · Sri Lanka
Art Galleries and Museums in Sri Lanka
Contemporary galleries in Colombo, the national museums and the island’s best small collections.
Our 10 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Sri Lanka
Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Sri Lanka.
-
Modern Sri Lankan art
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka (MMCA)
Sri Lanka’s museum of modern and contemporary art, with changing exhibitions of artists from the island.
117 Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 2Explore View on map
-
Founded in 1877
National Museum of Colombo
Sri Lanka’s largest museum, in a white colonial building in Cinnamon Gardens.
Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 7Explore View on map
The full list: Art & Museums, A–Z
Show 8 of 10 places on a map
Colombo 5
Galleries, the arts centre and the National Museum.
-
Since the ’43 Group
Lionel Wendt Art Centre
A Colombo arts centre named after Lionel Wendt, the photographer behind the ’43 Group, with a theatre and exhibition spaces.
Guildford Crescent (Premasiri Khemadasa Mawatha), Colombo 7Explore View on map
-
Modern Sri Lankan art
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka (MMCA)
Sri Lanka’s museum of modern and contemporary art, with changing exhibitions of artists from the island.
117 Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 2Explore View on map
-
Founded in 1877
National Museum of Colombo
Sri Lanka’s largest museum, in a white colonial building in Cinnamon Gardens.
Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 7Explore View on map
-
Contemporary art
Saskia Fernando Gallery
A leading gallery for contemporary Sri Lankan art, with changing exhibitions.
-
The back story
The ’43 Group to the rainforest: Sri Lankan art
Ancient frescoes, a generation of modernists, a painter of rainforests and the galleries where you can see Sri Lankan art today.
Beyond Colombo 5
Galle, the tea country and Sigiriya.
-
In an old factory
Ceylon Tea Museum
A museum of tea in an old tea factory in the Hantana hills just south of Kandy.
Uduwela Road, Hantana, KandyExplore View on map
-
Village life
Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum
The birthplace of the writer Martin Wickramasinghe (1890–1976), with a folk museum of southern village life.
-
In a Dutch warehouse
National Maritime Museum, Galle
A maritime museum in the old Dutch warehouse by the Fort’s main gate.
-
In a Dutch building
National Museum, Galle
A small national museum in one of the oldest Dutch buildings in the Fort.
-
Before the climb
Sigiriya Museum
The site museum at Sigiriya, which explains the water gardens, the frescoes and the life of the fortress.
Opening days and hours change; check with each museum or gallery before you go.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
28 of the best Restaurants9 of the best Cafés
9 of the best Bars & Rooftops
67 of the best Hotels23 of the best Sights9 of the best Culture9 of the best Parks & Gardens8 of the best Walks4 of the best Golf
23 of the best Shopping
7 of the best Spas & Wellness20 of the best Health & Fitness8 of the best Property6 of the best Developments
11 of the best Motoring11 of the best Getting Around