Listly by Joanna James
Sri Lanka is a great place for shopping. The prices are cheap, the goods are of high quality, and there are plenty of places where you can strike a bargain. These are the best places to shop in Sri Lanka.
The Pettah Market is probably the busiest market in Sri Lanka. Located in the heart of Colombo, the Pettah Market is essentially a network of streets and by-lanes, all of which are dotted with hundreds of shops, stores, and stalls, selling almost anything and everything. At the Pettah Market you can find clothing, footwear, fashion accessories, cheap electronics, toys, stationary, plastic and steel goods, second-hand books, artificial jewelry, and many other fascinating items. What is truly fascinating about Pettah Market is that it has a bargaining culture, so you can be assured of striking some great deals. The Pettah Market also offers goods on wholesale and on retail. Walking around the busy and maze of a market is sure to be quite an experience, even if you don't end up buying anything.
Sri Lanka doesn't have any major malls, but it does have a number of amazing shopping complexes. One of the top shopping complexes is Majestic City, which has four stories of stores selling all kinds of products and goods. Crescat Boulevard, another popular shopping complex, is also known for its branded stores and food courts. Two of the newer shopping complexes in Colombo; the Arcade Independence and the Colombo Racecourse, are also recommendable shopping options with several highly recommendable stores. Liberty Plaza, and its recently opened Liberty Arcade, are also perfect places for shopping as they are home to numerous stores, several eateries and other attractions. If you happen to be in Kandy, make sure you visit Kandy City Centre; a state of the art shopping complex offering superb shopping options and other services.
Online portals are the latest shopping trend in Sri Lanka, with more and more stores creating online platforms, giving their customers the option of ordering products through their websites or apps. Thus, if you don't have the time to drive all the way to a shop that you want to go to, simply check out the websites of the store, and they will almost certainly have online shopping. You can even use the services of the many delivery-on-demand service providers in Sri Lanka to get your goods for you! Many convenient stores in Sri Lanka, such as Keells Super , has also started online shopping in Sri Lanka, giving customers the opportunity of getting their groceries ordered in the comfort of their own homes.
Located in Pettah, some distance from the Pettah Market, is the Floating Market. It is a great place to shop in Colombo and has been a popular shopping attraction since its establishment in 2014. The Floating Market boasts several shops which sell mobile phones, electronic equipment, fresh produce, clothing & footwear, fashion accessories, as well as many kiosks selling bites to eat. Apart from being a great place to shop, the Floating Market is also a perfect place to wander about, as the Floating Market space is calm and scenic.
Sri Lanka has its fair share of department stores which attract locals and tourists alike. The Odel Department Store is one of the most popular department stores in Colombo, and is also one of the best places to check out the latest fashion. The House of Fashion, a multi-storey department store is also a great place to make some quality fashion products and clothes. The Good Market is a weekly happening in Colombo that is a great place for lifestyle products. At the Good Market you can purchase numerous hand-made items, healthy foods and wellness products, and assortment of other items.
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.