Joanna James
Colombo is great place to go on a shopping spree which you can combine with restaurant hopping and luxurious spa therapy. There are plenty of signature shopping malls & retail areas around Colombo.
An upscale mall in Colombo, Crescat Boulevard houses a range of shops that sell branded items. You can easily spot the kind of fashionable items sold in leading cities worldwide in the space along with a scattering of fine dining spaces offering food from various cuisines. Situated near some of Colombo's finest star class hotels, Crescat Boulevard may well be a great starting point for your shopping spree. There are plenty of companies that offer rental cars in Sri Lanka which will afford you a comfortable and a fast way to get around in Colombo. Malkey Rent a Car is one such option worth considering.
Not too far away from Crescat Boulevard is the Majestic City which is a multi-storey shopping mall famous amongst many tourists and locals. The mall is complete with long-standing shops that sell electronic items, shoes, unique clothing items, artefacts, branded watches, perfume and upmarket tea brands. The food court at Majestic City offers a variety of items but tends to be crowded during lunch hour.
The newly established Independence Arcade used to be a beautiful colonial building and the authorities have managed to retain its former beauty while adding modern conveniences and an air of elegance to the building. A number of exclusive shops occupy the building and sell branded electronic and clothing items along with some ethnic wear shops. In addition, Independence Arcade is famous for the gourmet restaurants it houses. If you have the time, there are salons and spas inside the complex that offer hot stone massages as well as beauty care services.
Odel is a store that caters to men, women and children with their range of unique clothing items, herbal cosmetics, branded perfumes & watches, books, homeware, shoes, accessories and much more. Each section is stylishly arranged and easy to access while there are enough cafes and ice cream parlours to make the time spent even more enjoyable.
Run by a government corporation that promotes authentic handicrafts, handloom and carvings, Laksala is an exquisite shop for those interested in the intricate beauty of local goods made to international standards. There are brightly coloured handlooms, lacquer (miniature) elephants studded with semi-precious gems, coconut shell products, and cane and silver handicrafts on display along with some other curious.
Liberty Plaza is a shopping complex that houses a number of clothing, cosmetics, electronic gadget shops and bookshops alongside a range of restaurants and a food court complete with affordable food choices. You can also find some shops that sell souvenirs, local handicrafts and batik wear.
House of Fashion offers a variety of clothing items at affordable prices. There will be readymade clothes for teens, children, men and women for sale. The huge building offers an equally vast range of choices so be prepared to spend some time here.
The Pettah market is a completely different kettle of fish. You can buy an exhilarating range of items as well as clothes and gadgets for wholesale rates. Shopping in Pettah is a bargain. Even if you don't buy anything from the exhausting range of shops in Petah, the experience itself would be worth your while. Pettah is a vibrant place where unique sights, sounds and smells combine to create a one of a kind experience to the discerning traveller.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
