The topography of the Museums precinct, like much of central Colombo, is uniformly flat. It sits on a coastal plain with an average elevation of approximately 10 meters (33 feet) above sea level.
There are no mountains, significant hills, or valleys within this urban district. The terrain has been highly modified over centuries for plantation agriculture and subsequent urban development. The most prominent topographical features are the expansive, gently graded lawns of the National Museum and the adjacent Viharamahadevi Park, which feature artificial ponds and minor landscaping gradients.