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Colombo Tourism
Enjoy your best trip with the crystal clear beauty of the water
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About Colombo Tourism
Colombo tourism has everything. Visit the zoo and check out many species of fauna that you would not have known earlier. The Colombo travel guide offers some great destinations. The city is a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings and ruins of it. Sri Lanka was colonised by Portuguese and Britishers. The architecture here is reflective of its rich heritage. The city has many major attractions. Galle Face Green is located in the heart of the city. A beach along the Indian Ocean coast, many locals and tourists visit this place. Gangaramaya Temple is one of the oldest temples. It is a perfect mixture of Sri Lanka, Thai, Indian and Chinese architecture. The temple attracts a lot of visitors. Viharamahadevi Park is an urban park located in Colombo Sri Lanka.
Colombo is characterized by beaches, Buddhist temples, sprawling gardens, and historical landmarks. Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka which is a very beautiful place. The capital is pretty clean and pleasant with many destinations to visit. Colombo is the city which offers many adventurous activities such as skydiving, surfing, diving and exploring the oceans deep inside and much more, hence Colombo tourism makes effort to develop the tourist activity in Colombo even better.
History of Colombo
Colombo was a trading port to Portuguese, British, and Dutch. In the 14th century, there was a traveler by the name of Ibn Battuta who visited Colombo and named it Kalanpu. Due to the location of Colombo and it being a port, Arabs started to settle in Colombo for the purpose of trade. Since then, Colombo has gained a lot of popularity and is also one of the flourishing trading areas in Sri Lanka.
Historical Places in Colombo
Colombo Fort Area: There is a lighthouse where you can climb and enjoy the nature’s amazing sight. There is actually no fort here, the city center is known as Fort Area.
Mount Lavinia: This residential neighborhood features some of the best spots to hang-out in the evening. The Mount Lavinia Beach is ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Also, watching the sunset views here one of the top things to do in Colombo.
National Museum of Colombo: It is Sri Lanka’s largest museum, and was built in 1876. A peaceful courtyard surrounds the beautiful building that covers the National Museum. It was founded by a British Governor of Sri Lanka. There are various statues and exhibits and some antique items that were owned by a known family of Sri Lanka.
Delhiwala Zoo: The National Zoo of Sri Lanka is one of the main places to visit in Colombo. It houses more than 300 species of animals within its area of 10 hectares.
Memorial Hall: In 1948, Sri Lanka got its independence from Britain. The statue of Sri Lanka’s first president The Father of the Nation is in front of this monument. There are regular religious events and celebrations which occur here. One can enjoy the peace as there is no such crowd on regular days.
Wander the Markets
Pettah Market: This market is a very popular place which is near to the Fort area. If you love shopping with Colombo sightseeing, this is the place for you. You can get some good items at a very good price. This is a good place to pass the time as you will also see any religious any religious building and this overall makes it a good-to-go place. Eat some delicious local street food.
Galle Face Green: Perhaps one of the most popular tourist places in Colombo, it is a cluster of green lawns very next to some narrow beaches. Wind flows really fast and a great place to walk at night. Initially, it was made by the Dutch for some war strategy, but now this place is considered as perfect for running, kite flying, playing cricket and football. You will see lots of couples out what can be more romantic than watching the sunset at a beach point. Have some great spicy Indian food.
Some Religious places
Vihar Mahadevi Park: The biggest park of Colombo is also an attraction. This is not only a park as you can also enjoy water slides, café, stalls, and large playground with a small aquarium. If you are travelling with your children, spend some quality time with your family or friends.
Gangaramaya Temple: Being the biggest temple of Buddha, it consists many buildings. You need some really good time as there are lots of things to see. There is Buddha made up of stone, silver, plastic, and gold. You can also donate one if you want to.
Shopping in Colombo
Shopping in Colombo can be enjoyed as there are so many amazing places to shop here. Some of the best things to buy from Colombo include handicrafts, handloom fabrics, jewelry and ceramics, leather products, antiques, and fine gems. Some of the best places for shopping here are:
Majestic City: This is a popular shopping mall in Colombo which is famous for buying of luxurious products. It is open every day from 09:00 am to 09:00 pm.
Paradise Road: If you are looking for souvenirs and affordable things to buy in Colombo, then we would suggest you go to Paradise Road for some amazing shopping experience in Colombo.
Arcade Independence Square: This is another great place for shopping in Colombo especially at night. There are so many branded stores here for a luxurious shopping experience.
Nightlife in Colombo
Colombo being a metropolis is blessed with thrilling nightlife. Colombo tourism offers you with splendid nightlife experience. There are so many clubs, casinos and pubs here where people flock in large numbers to enjoy drinks and dance on the tunes to some of the famous songs. Playing casino is a famous activity in Colombo at night and therefore people in large number try their hands on this game to try out their luck. Also, you can visit Arcade Independence Square at night for shopping.
At the center of the Sri Lanka, a huge lake named Beira serves its beauty. There is a small island in the middle of that lake. Some narrow canals connect the other lakes as well as with the Indian Ocean. The city has a rich colonial heritage. It is not the capital, but known as capital. Not only the beauty, it is a great place for shopping lovers. Enjoy the seafood in the Sri Lankan cuisine. It’s a great place and one must visit this place if he/she is traveling in Asia.
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Let the experts guide you to the best of this mesmerizing destination
View AllGangaramaya Temple in Colombo
Located near the Beira Lake in 61 Sri Jinarathana Road, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Gangaramaya Temple is a mix of Indian and Chinese architecture. Gangaramaya Temple timings are 6 am to 10 pm. A stellar example of Buddhist Temples in Sri Lanka, it was built by Don Bastian, a famous naval merchant in the nineteenth century. Gangara...
- Religious sites
- Buddhist temple
- Nature
National Museum in Colombo
The National Museum of Colombo is the gateway to another era. With a great collection of coins, ceramics, daggers, bows, arrows, swords, guns, silverware, jewelry waiting around the corner, this place is a must for history buffs and tourists. Maintained by the Department of National Museum, this is the largest museum in Sri...
- Sightseeing
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Old City Hall in Colombo
The Old City Hall of Ceylon is a British era municipal building. Within the confines of this space, a tourist can almost sense the history of Ceylon unfolding over the ages. Built in 1865 on Main Street, this British era building houses in its ground floor gallery old trucks and municipal equipment. It is interesting to not...
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Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo
Located in the heart of Colombo city, Viharamahadevi Park is also known as Victoria Park. Situated next to the national museum of Colombo, it is Colombo’s largest public park with an area of 50 acres. It is named after the mother of Sinhalese King Dutugamunu. Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo is well maintained with organized ...
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- Ideal for families
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Beddagana Wetland Park in Colombo
Located just outside of the city limits of Colombo, Beddagana Wetland Park is a nature park stretching over an area of 18 hectares. This natural expanse of Beddagana lies within the urbanized administrative capital Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte. The new Parliament building is in proximity to this lovely wetland park. It’s a gre...
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- Ideal for families
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Things To Do In Colombo
Your list of the best things to do, compiled on the basis of actual traveler experiences
View AllVisit the Independence Memorial Hall in Colombo
For the sheer historical value of it all, visit Independence Memorial Hall – a famous place to behold in Colombo. As is expected of any free country, any buildings and statues built in commemoration of their freedom struggle is a sight to behold. There is very little doubt that Independence Memorial Hall is a remarkable bea...
- Sightseeing
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Have Fun at Leisure World Water Park in Colombo
Everyone loves some good old fashioned water theme park rides and the fun at Leisure World Water Park never stops. With daring rides and top of the line safety protocols, Leisure World’s Water Park never ceases to amaze. There is a wide variety of rides for different ages and for children, the ticket price is based on their...
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- Unlimited Fun
Enjoy Shopping in Colombo
While shopping in Colombo, Sri Lanka one should visit the Paradise Road, Good Market, and Majestic City are popular places to buy souvenirs. Colombo is the capital city of Sri Lanka and no tour of any capital city anywhere is complete without shopping in Pettah Market. Tourists can buy fresh produce, electronics, textiles, ...
- Shopping
- Local market
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Spa Massages in Colombo
With ancient Buddhist cities, elephant safaris, and unspoiled Indian Ocean beaches, Sri Lanka is a hot tourist destination. And thus, pampering your body and soul with a massage therapy in a spa in Colombo can be quite rejuvenating. After the sightseeing fatigue sets in, head to one of the best spas in Colombo for some inst...
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Visit St. Wolvendaal Church in Colombo
One of the best Protestant Churches in Colombo is Wolvendaal Church. The best thing about this Church is its ambiance. Unlike other churches that exude a religious sparkle, St. Wolvendaal is actually eerie. With a surprisingly somber atmosphere and a sense of history, it absolutely makes sense to visit St. Wolvendaal Church...
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How to Reach Colombo
Read about the best & quickest routes to save time & money, as suggested by our travelers
By Air
There are only a few international airports in Sri lanka. Ratmalana Airport is situated in Dehiwala- Mount Lavinia in Colombo. Another International Airport is Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake. It takes approximately an hour to reach Colombo from here. Flights to Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia, Middle East and Australia depart and arrive here. Flights like Air India, Spice Jet, Indigo, Jet Airways, Srilankan Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Vistara, Royal Nepal operate to and from Colombo. Domestic flights run from the above mentioned airports as well.
By Train
Fort railway station is served by Sri Lanka Railways. It is a major hub for many intercity and commuter trains. It serves as the terminus of many intercity trains Sri Lanka. Train schedules and fares can be checked online at the official website of Sri Lanka Railways.
By Road
Reaching Colombo from any Sri Lankan country is easy via bus or taxi. Taxi though takes less time but is expensive. A huge network of buses operates in and around the Colombo. The Central Bus Stand is an important stand from where all the buses depart and at which all of them arrive.
The intra city buses helps you to travel within the city. There are express buses as well. One can take Bus number 112 or 132 to reach Galle Face Green. Bus number 187 and 187-E3 will take you to Colombo Fort through the expressway giving you beautiful scenes of the city. One can easily locate the bus and the fare is relatively cheap. If you are coming from the Airport then you have to just walk few metres to reach to a bus. There are buses to almost every tourist attraction. Taxi is also easy to locate within the city.
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Colombo Packages Reviews
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FAQ's of Colombo
Read on to find out why our customers love us!
Where is Colombo located?
The city of Colombo is located on the west coast of Sri Lanka’s Western Province.
How safe is it to travel to Colombo?
Sri Lanka is one of the safest countries to visit in Asia. There aren’t any significant security issues in Sri Lanka, except a few areas. It is not to travel during monsoon in Sri Lanka.
Is Colombo worth visiting?
Sri Lanka is one of the most amazing places to visit near India and Colombo being its capital must definitely be visited on the trip to Colombo. Some of the best places to visit here Arugam Bay beach, traditional puppet art museum, Dehiwala Zoo, Attidiya Bird Sanctuary, Mount Lavinia, Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, and Beira Lake.
What is there to do in Colombo?
Some of the best things to do in Colombo includes a visit to the National Museum which is the largest in Sri Lanka, admire the architecture of the buildings which are located in the fort area, enjoy open deck sightseeing of the city, seek blessings of God at Gangaramaya Temple, enjoy peaceful time at Beira Lake, and try your luck at the casinos in Colombo.
Which is the best area to stay in Colombo?
Kollupitiya is one of the best areas to stay in Colombo for tourists as the area has some good variety of hotels at budgeted prices, shops, street vendors, and restaurants. Overall, you will enjoy a good staycation here.
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