Colombo , Western Province
About Colombo
Colombo, the capital and the largest city in Sri Lanka is a crowd-puller and has an array of attractions and activities to offer. One side of the city has mansions, luxurious hotels, lush gardens, malls whereas on the other, we find slums and congested roads bustling with people. Call it religious, historic, or cultural, this is the land of diversity and temples, decorated with greenery, studded with flora and fauna. The beautiful Mt.Lavinia beach adds to the scenic beauty of this place. All these and The Royal Colombo Golf club, which has attracted golfers for 129 years, make this city a tourist destination.
A religious symphony can be seen here as it houses the temples of Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Gangaramaya Vihara is the most revered Buddhist temple, located beside a Holy Bo tree under which Lord Buddha is believed to have preached. Kelaniya Raha Maha Vihara and Asokaramaya Buddhist temples are equally brilliant. Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam kovil, meaning a Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is the oldest temple of Colombo. Due to the colonial influence, there are many cathedrals of which St. Lucia’s is the most visited one.
The Old Dutch Fort at Galle, a UNESCO heritage site, Beira lake, the Colombo harbour are a must visit places. The light house is supposed to be the only one in the world that tells time. There is no lack of museums, one can travel through time to 4th century BC while glancing at the art, sculptures and paintings in the National Museum. The Colombo Dutch House museum gives a glimpse of the life of the colonialists. Independence Commemoration Hall located on independence square, built in 1948 after the country gained its independence, exemplifies excellent art and architecture.
Take a stroll at Galle Face Green, a long stretch of lawns facing the sea especially on Sunday evenings to grab a bite if the delicious Street food. Viharamahadevi, the largest park in the city, is distinguished for its flowering trees, best visited in March, April and May. Pinnawala elephant orphanage delights you with an unusual experience of relaxing and lunching around elephants. Also, Dehiwala zoological gardens is a worth seeing place.
Touring of the city is by no means complete without an open double decker ride, sponsored by Sri Lanka tourism. Tune in to the buzzing night life of the city by chilling out in lavish bars. Have a bite of kothu rotti, a quintessential snack of this country and dig your teeth into Wattalappam, a Sri Lankan dessert. Go on a shopping spree to Beverly Street, Fun Planet, No Limit and take a tuk-tuk ride to Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct which offers sumptuous food and souvenirs. Last but not the least, enjoy the Trishaw ride, the local transport, which will leave you with an unforgettable experience.
Freedom to make your own trip!
What you want, when you want and how you want.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Colombo
Bally's Casino, Colombo, Western Province
1.7 km from Colombo - See map
Bally’s Casino is the most well-known, sophisticated, fashionable and highly frequented Casino of Colombo. It is not only the biggest one in...
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Viharamahadevi Park, Western Province
2 km from Colombo - See map
Among the smoke, noise, crowd and stink of the bustling city lies the vast, green Viharamahadevi Park. The landscape of this park is decorated...
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Gangaramaya Temple, Western Province
2.3 km from Colombo - See map
With a mix of cultural heritage and unique architecture, this temple is of prime importance to Buddhism. Situated just by the Beira Lake, the...
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Colombo Fort, Western Province
2.9 km from Colombo - See map
The general impression of forts is that they are majestic and colossal, however, the Colombo Fort is a clear exception. With no major timeworn...
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Wolvendaal Church, Colombo, Western Province
2.9 km from Colombo - See map
Dating back to the 17th century, this antique church is an interesting Dutch masterpiece. To maintain its olden architecture and design, the...
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Pettah Floating Market, Western Province
3 km from Colombo - See map
Built by the engineering teams of Navy and Army and located in Bastian Mawatha in Pettah neighborhood is the Pettah Floating Market which floats...
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Dutch Museum, Colombo, Western Province
3.1 km from Colombo - See map
Among busy streets and crowded bazaars lies the Dutch Period Museum, a place that showcases the Dutch history of the island. The museum is old,...
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National Art Gallery, Colombo, Western Province
3.3 km from Colombo - See map
The National Art Gallery in Colombo is situated next to National Museum in Cinnamon gardens displays many beautiful portraits and landscapes. As...
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National Museum of Colombo, Western Province
3.3 km from Colombo - See map
Colombo National Museum, Sri Lanka’s largest one, is a fine representation of the nation’s vast history and heritage. The building is a large,...
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Beira Lake, Western Province
3.5 km from Colombo - See map
Situated in the heart of Colombo city, the Beira Lake provides a nice evening out, however, due to the poor maintenance, once cannot spend too...
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Independence Square, Colombo, Western Province
3.7 km from Colombo - See map
The Independence Square is a site of historic consequence, natural beauty and architectural significance. Best known for its cleanliness and open...
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St Anthony's Church, Kochchikade, Western Province
3.7 km from Colombo - See map
Within the majestic Portugese-style Kochchikade Church lies St. Anthony’s shrine, a central place of worship for Sri Lankans of different...
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