The biggest metropolis in Sri Lanka and the nation’s capital, Colombo serves as an ideal cosmopolitan escape amid island life. Providing a healthful mix of tropical climate and trendy cityscape, it creates an unforgettable expertise, combining conventional heritage and a recent life-style that the island nation has been steadily embracing.

Whether or not you need to expertise the Sri Lankan panorama or study its historical past spanning the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial occasions, Colombo unravels all of it for you poetically. Moreover, there’s loads to discover on this a part of Sri Lanka’s western province that’ll make your vacation a reminiscence to cherish.

As an example, in the event you want to faucet into your religious aspect, town has numerous sacred locations, similar to Gangaramaya Temple, Pink Mosque and Wolvendaal Church, to go to. If a taking place nightlife is in your itinerary, Colombo has varied nightclubs, together with Rhythm and Blues, Bally’s On line casino and The Ground by O! that will help you let unfastened and dance the night time away.

For shopaholics, the place is brimming with purchasing centres and complexes such because the Colombo Metropolis Centre, One Galle Face mall and Pettah Floating Market that go away them spoilt for decisions.

Methods to plan a Colombo journey?

Planning a visit to any new vacation spot requires enough analysis prematurely — be it by way of flights, lodging bookings and visa necessities or the locations to go to. To your journey to Colombo, determine on the season you’d be visiting, finalise the dates and e-book your flight tickets.

Begin planning your itinerary whereas contemplating the mode of transportation you’d be utilizing, the cuisines you’d prefer to try to the actions and belongings you’d need to take pleasure in. Whereas reserving motels, attempt selecting properties that make travelling to completely different vacationer spots handy by way of time and distance.

Colombo climate and the very best time to go to

December to February makes for the very best time to go to for the reason that climate is often sunny and nice to even take pleasure in outside actions.

The months between April and October are for monsoons with June to September being the wettest months. Vacationer footfall throughout this season is comparatively low. The months of March and April are scorching and dry, making outside excursions and exploring town troublesome and uncomfortable. Nevertheless, you might be able to snag good offers on flights and resort bookings.

Methods to attain Colombo

Taking a flight to the Bandaranaike Worldwide Airport (Colombo Airport) located in Katunayake is without doubt one of the greatest methods to achieve town. The airport is linked to virtually all main flights and is an hour’s drive from Colombo.

Whereas town can be linked with the Katunayake Railway Station and every day scheduled trains run backward and forward between the 2 locations, you too can attain town by public buses and taxis obtainable from the Bandaranaike Worldwide Airport.

Finest locations to go to in Colombo

Gangaramaya Temple

Gangaramaya Temple is without doubt one of the most outstanding vacationer spots to go to in Colombo. Constructed within the nineteenth century, this Buddhist temple combines Thai, Chinese language and Indian structure and design — the intricacy of which leaves everybody in awe of its magnificence.

Located close to Beira Lake, it’s as a lot a museum, educating folks about Buddhism as a lot as it’s a place of worship. The temple homes loads of murals, statues, relics and different historic gadgets like jewelry, vintage items and cash that inform the story of the bygone period. The temple premises function many halls and buildings such because the Vihara (most important temple), Cetiya (a pagoda), Vihara Mandiraya, Bodhi Tree and relic chamber.

Location: Gangaramaya, 61, Sri Jinarathana Street, Colombo 00200

Timings: 6 am to 10 pm

Entry Charges: No entry ticket.

Viharamahadevi Park

With an enormous Buddha statue surrounded by fountains as its cynosure, the Viharamahadevi Park is yet one more attraction in Colombo that ought to positively be in your itinerary. Positioned near the Colombo Nationwide Museum, it’s a picnic spot that makes for that much-needed rejuvenating escape within the metropolis.

Providing beautiful views of the environs throughout dawn and sundown, the park additionally contains a mini zoo, varied strolling trails and waterfalls on its premises. It’s the right place for {couples}, pals and households alike to unwind and spend a day amid verdant greens and nature. The park was beforehand referred to as the Victoria Park. Later, it was renamed Viharamahadevi after the title of King Dutugemunu’s mom.

Location: Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo 07

Timings: 7 am to six pm

Beira Lake and Seema Malakaya (Malaka) Temple

An expertise combining journey, leisure and pilgrimage at one spot, the Beira Lake is an interesting place to discover in Colombo. Perfect for birdwatching, boating, taking images or just ending the day by admiring the sundown, the Beira Lake is a well-known vacation spot amongst each vacationers and locals alike. It additionally contains a small island within the centre that has the favored Seema Malakaya Buddhist temple that makes for a peaceable getaway crafted in Indian, Chinese language and Thai architectural types.

Location: Sir James Pieris Mawatha, Colombo

Timings: 7 am to six pm

Entry Charges: No entry ticket.

Colombo Nationwide Museum

Courting again to 1877, the Colombo Nationwide Museum needs to be in your itinerary if studying in regards to the metropolis’s previous in addition to its pure and cultural heritage pursuits you. It was based by the previous British Governor of Ceylon, Sir William Henry Gregory, and is the most important museum on the island in-built Italian-style structure with lush inexperienced lawns surrounding it.

The museum homes varied displays, together with watercolour work, artefacts, vintage puppetry, demon masks, swords, jewelry, rocks with inscriptions, cash and lamps. Depicting the nation’s historical past spanning centuries, it additionally options an ornate throne of the final Sri Lankan King of Kandy and a library that has a set of centuries-old palm leaf manuscripts written on subjects of astrology, structure and folklore.

Location: Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 00700

Timings: 9 am to five pm, closed on public holidays.

Entry Charges: USD 15 (INR 1,250) for adults and USD 7.30 (INR 604) for youngsters (approx.)

Sri Lanka Planetarium

Whether or not you’re an admirer of the universe and what lies past or just need to be indoors to keep away from the recent solar, spending a couple of hours contained in the Sri Lanka Planetarium could possibly be price it. Constructed in a singular design, the planetarium consists of a big auditorium with 570 seats and a four-dimensional projector, taking you on a journey of the universe. It’s positioned on the College of Colombo campus and was established in 1965. In case you’re travelling with your loved ones, a go to to this planetarium would make for an ideal selection, particularly on your youngsters.

Location: Prof Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, Colombo 00700

Timings: 8:30 am to 4 pm, closed on Sunday and Monday. Present timings – 10 am to 2 pm.

Pettah Floating Market

Beforehand a swamp with run-down warehouses, the Pettah Floating Market now makes for an exquisite purchasing vacation spot in Colombo. Established alongside a canal, it’s a calm and serene market (with no overcrowding) that’s lined with cemented and wood pathways to walk about. This market options round 90 stalls promoting genuine and native produce and handicrafts, starting from contemporary vegetables and fruit to electronics, artwork and craft items, garments and jewelry.

Location: W E Bastian Mawatha, Colombo 01000

Timings: 9 am to eight pm

Entry Charges: No entry ticket.

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque

Standing out for its red-and-white-striped exterior, the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque is certain to go away you in awe of its magnificence. Constructed by Habibu Labbe Saibu Labbe, this mosque accounts for being one of the vital well-known cultural gems of Sri Lanka. It combines the fashion and aesthetics of Indian, neoclassical, Indo-Islamic and gothic structure that lends its outstanding façade an attention-grabbing enchantment.

Location: No.228, Second Cross Road, Colombo 11

Timings: 4 am to 10 pm

Entry Charges: No entry ticket

Galle Face Inexperienced

An open oceanfront park house between the Indian Ocean and Galle Street, Galle Face Inexperienced is yet one more taking place vacationer vacation spot that you should discover in your trip to Colombo. This seaside park is fashionable for leisure actions similar to seaside volleyball, kite flying, fishing, soccer and easily stress-free by the ocean waters. The realm additionally has many stalls serving meals, drinks and different goodies similar to toys, trinkets and kites. It’s additionally an ideal spot to take pleasure in idyllic dawn and sundown views.

Timings: Open 24 hours. Finest time to visit- 9 am to six pm.

Entry Charges: No entry ticket.

Nightlife in Colombo

Bally’s On line casino

This is without doubt one of the most interesting casinos in Colombo that makes for an opulent expertise, together with fantastic eating, leisure, innumerable video games and a variety of delectable meals and cocktails. It additionally provides completely different packages to vacationers to go well with varied budgets. In case you’re in search of an evening of enjoyable and video games within the metropolis, making an attempt your luck at Bally’s On line casino ought to positively be in your bucket checklist. Moreover, it additionally homes an expensive spa the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in a therapeutic session to rejuvenate your self.

Location: 34 McCallum Rd, Colombo 01000

Timings: Open 24 hours

Rhythm & Blues

A taking place celebration vacation spot in Colombo the place you’ll be able to drink and dance till the wee hours, the Rhythm and Blues nightclub is the place it’s best to head to in the event you’re within the temper to celebration. From DJ nights to dwell performances, this place has completely different occasions scheduled for various nights of the week.

Location: 19/1 Daisy Villa Avenue, Bambalapitiya , Colombo

Timings: 7 pm to 4 am (Sunday-Wednesday), 7 pm to five am (Thursday-Saturday)

Sky Lounge

Positioned in The Kingsbury Resort, the Sky Lounge is a well-liked and stylish rooftop bar that’s good for an evening out of merely unwinding over cocktails and delectable meals. Providing panoramic views of town and the huge skies, the lounge offers simply the appropriate ambiance one wants after a day of sightseeing. Each indoor and outside seating choices can be found right here.

Location: The Kingsbury Resort, 48, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 01

Timings: 5 pm to 12 am

The Ground by O!

Yet one more membership in Colombo the place you’ll be able to dance your coronary heart out till midnight is The Ground by O! Promising an evening of upbeat music and delicious meals and drinks unfold, it’s a tremendous cool place to hang around and is located within the Colombo Hockey and Soccer Membership.

Location: 41 1/1 Maitland Crescent, Colombo

Timings: 7 pm to 12 am (Sunday-Thursday), 7 pm to 2 am (Friday-Saturday)

ON14 Rooftop Bar & Lounge

A rooftop vacation spot providing beautiful views of town skyline is ON14 at Radisson Resort. With relaxed seating alongside a pool, this terrace lounge combines appetising meals, distinctive drinks, spectacular views and a chill atmosphere to lend an unforgettable expertise to all. The place can be fashionable for its themed DJ nights hosted at times.

Location: 36, 38 Clifford Pl, Colombo 00400

Timings: 11 am to 1 am

Issues to do in Colombo

Discover the seashores

Whereas town is prominently recognized for its historic landmarks and sacred temples, Colombo additionally has many seashores simply outdoors of town that one can head to for a rejuvenating time. Among the well-known seashores and seaside parks in and close to town embody the Galle Face Inexperienced, Crow Island Seaside Park, Bentota Seaside and Negombo Seaside. A lot of the seashores might be simply reached through public transport or a non-public automotive.

Go to the Attidiya Chicken Sanctuary

In case you’re an admirer of lush greens and need to expertise the great thing about wildlife, plan a go to to the Attidiya Chicken Sanctuary. It’s a bio-diversity park that’s house to bugs, crocodiles, jackals, fishing cats, and 50 species of native and migratory birds, together with butterflies and different wildlife. It may be explored on foot owing to strolling trails and pathways sprawling throughout the sanctuary land. The place is right for wildlife fans and photographers and might be reached simply through automotive or public bus.

Spend time at a church

Very like temples and the Pink Mosque, Colombo can be house to many church buildings and cathedrals, some even courting again to the seventeenth century. If such locations enchantment to you otherwise you merely need to soak up the great thing about their structure and old-world appeal, you’ll be able to plan a go to to a number of the most well-known ones similar to Wolvendaal Church, St. Lucia’s Cathedral, All Saints’ Church and St. Anthony’s Shrine.

Take a look at the museums

Illustrating the nation’s wealthy heritage and evolving previous through the years are the varied museums in Colombo that’ll enthral any historical past fanatic’s coronary heart. Whereas the Colombo Nationwide Museum is a must-visit for each traveller, there are various different spots you could discover in order for you in-depth information in regards to the island. Among the different well-known museums embody Nationwide Railway Museum, Conventional Puppet Artwork Museum and Colombo Port Maritime Museum.

What to eat in Colombo

One factor that completely stands out about Colombo and Sri Lanka generally is the nation’s delicacies that’s actually soul-satiating. Whether or not you want to attempt genuine, native Sinhalese road meals or take pleasure in a fine-dining continental unfold, this metropolis won’t ever go away you disillusioned. Among the most outstanding dishes that you should attempt when in Colombo embody:

Lamprais — originating from the Dutch Burgher Group is a rice dish that entails cooking rice with meat inventory, combined meat curry, brinjal, seeni sambol, meatballs and shrimp paste after which wrapping it in a banana leaf and baking it.

Rice and curry — a signature dish within the nation that features rice served with completely different vegetarian or non-vegetarian curries together with papadams, mallung and pol sambol on the aspect.

String hoppers — regionally referred to as idiyappam, these rice-flour steamed noodles are served with kiri hodi (coconut milk gravy), pol sambol and meat or potato curry. It makes for a preferred breakfast or dinner possibility.

Kiribath (milk rice) — a staple meals cooked on events within the type of rice cake, it’s usually served with lunu miris chilli paste.

Kottu (kottu roti) — rotis, meat, curry, egg and greens chopped and cooked collectively, usually eaten at dinner.

Watalappan — creamy and wealthy coconut custard made utilizing kithul jaggery, coconut milk, cardamoms and cashews.

Isso vadai — deep-fried prawn and lentil crunchy fritters eaten as a snack.

What to buy in Colombo

The purchasing expertise in Colombo is kind of numerous, owing to the distinctive purchasing locations that this metropolis encompasses. From malls dealing in high-end manufacturers and native labels to devoted memento shops, road markets and a floating market, there’s a lot to expertise as a vacationer. Whilst you can store worldwide and native manufacturers at malls, such because the Colombo Metropolis Centre, Marino Mall and One Galle Face, you too can store for genuine handicrafts and souvenirs at Laksala, discover all issues natural at Good Market or experience the great thing about Pettah Floating Market.

Every purchasing hub has a speciality of its personal — whereas many boutique shops are additionally current all through town, dealing in numerous gadgets and spanning classes like style, life-style and residential and residing. As an example, whereas Mlesna Tea Centre is a superb retailer to take a look at for quite a lot of teas, Barefoot is ideal for getting some designer style and life-style gadgets, and Lakpahana is without doubt one of the greatest locations to purchase artwork and craft.

(Hero Picture Courtesy: Kanishka Ranasinghe/Pexels; Featured Picture Courtesy: Jalitha Hewage/Unsplash)

Associated: Siem Reap Journey Information: Every part You Want To Know About This Traditionally Wealthy Metropolis