Colombo, Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean
Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, has a historic heritage, beautiful coast, and modern cityscape.
It is known for its diverse culture and rich food scene, and is a place to explore beautiful architecture and ancient ruins.
You can enjoy the conveniences of a big city with all its amenities, but there are also some great beaches in and around the city that you can visit whenever you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Experience Colombo’s diverse culture by admiring the traditional atmosphere of the Old Town and the ancient ruins of the South River, tasting the delicious food, and enjoying the beautiful harmony of nature and city.
The Fort Area
Colombo Sightseeing Tour by Tuk Tuk City Tour
This area was settled and fortified around the harbor when the Portuguese occupied Sri Lanka in the early 16th century. However, when Sri Lanka came under Dutch rule in the 17th century, the fort became the administrative center and the residential area expanded to what is now the Pettah district. By the early 19th century, the British had established hegemony over the area, and the main institutions of the British government were located in the Fort.
The Fort area is more of a historic district than a tourist attraction, reflecting Sri Lanka’s modern history. If you’re looking to step back in time as you stroll among 17th- to 19th-century colonial buildings and 20th- and 21st-century modern skyscrapers, there’s no better place to do it than the Fort area.
Pettah area
Best of Colombo – Private Guided City Tour
The Pettah area, which can be considered Colombo’s Old Quarter, is a traditional commercial district located east of the Fort area.
Pettah Market is packed with shops selling almost every kind of household goods and electronics, clothing, fabrics, cell phones, toys, bookstores, and more.
The main attraction in Pettah is the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, which has become a Colombo landmark with its distinctive red and white striped exterior. Buddhist temples dot the streets, including the Wolvendaal Church, Sri Lanka’s oldest Protestant church, St. Thomas’ Church, the first Anglican cathedral, and the New Kathiresan Temple, a Hindu temple.
Other popular attractions include the Dutch Museum, which explores the history and culture of the 17th-century Dutch occupation, and the Pettah Floating Market, where you can wander through canal-side shops and buy produce, food, handicrafts, and more.
Colombo National Museum
Colombo City Tour
Sri Lanka’s largest museum explores the country’s history and folklore
Founded by British Governor General Sir William Henry Gregory on January 1, 1877, the museum is the largest national museum in Sri Lanka, occupying a building designed by architect J. G. Smither in the Italianate style. The museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts dating back to the 2nd century BC, including the crown of the Kandy dynasty and other symbols of royal power, furniture, jewelry, and documents made of palm leaves, as well as many artifacts and contemporary artworks.
There are also many sculptures and fountains around the grounds. The museum is divided into several sections, including a contemporary art gallery, ethnology exhibits, anthropology exhibits, history exhibits, and a gallery of rare books and manuscripts. Visitors can enjoy a variety of cultural artifacts, including artifacts from Buddhism, Hinduism, and other religions that have shaped Sri Lanka’s culture and history. The museum is free to the public and open every day except Sunday.
Galle Face Green
Full-Day Colombo City Tour (Private Car)
Galle Face Green is a large urban park located in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, right next to the Indian Ocean, right next to the old Dutch Hospital.
A seaside civic park in downtown Colombo, Galle Face Green is a very unique coastal park in Colombo that is unlike any other. While beaches usually have white sand or rocks lining the shore, this park is unique in that it is a large, open space with grass and a view of the ocean.
It’s mostly visited at sunset, as the sunsets over the Arabian Sea are nothing short of mesmerizing. It’s a great way to end the day after a long day of sightseeing.
It is one of the main attractions of the city and offers a wide range of activities, from joggers and fitness enthusiasts to families out for a stroll. The park is also home to a number of food stalls and restaurants where you can sample a variety of Sri Lankan dishes.
Negombo
Negombo City Tour from Colombo
Negombo is located about 32 kilometers north of Colombo, and must-sees in Negombo include the Negombo Lagoon, with its dried fish and mangrove forests that line the beach behind the fish market, the Negombo Dutch Fort, which was built during the Dutch period and is all that remains of it, and St. Mary’s Church, built in 1922.
Negombo’s beaches aren’t as spectacular as some of the more popular destinations in the southwest, but the golden sand stretches north and south and offers a variety of water sports. However, the waves are strong and the water quality isn’t the best, so you’ll find more people just lying on the beach, tanning, and enjoying the sunset.
The biggest attraction at Negombo Beach is the Fish Market. The early morning hauling and sorting of the fish, the cleaning of the nets, and the sale of the fish on the spot are fascinating to watch as it show the real life of the locals.
