Top attractions in Negombo – The Best of Negombo

Any list of the best attractions of Negombo will unmistakably include the Negombo Beach as one of the city's top attractions, for the simple reason that it is some of the most pristine beaches along the western coastal line of Sri Lanka. The Negombo beach can be accessed very easily; just ask any local or any taxi driver and they will give you instructions on how to get there. The beach stretches unhindered for a considerable distance and is close to 30m wide at its widest point. Therefore, the beach is rather spacious and hardly ever very crowded. With the warm tropical climate of Negombo hanging out at the beach is a real treat, as the sunny skies, blue skies, and the sapphire waters create an ambiance of total tranquility and serenity. If you are beach or water sports enthusiast the Negombo beach is highly recommendable as the beach is a great place for kayaking, jet skiing, wakeboarding, skiing, and fishing.

Negombo is known for being home to a strong Catholic community, and Catholicism plays a large role in day-to-day life in Negombo. A symbol of the Catholic influence in Negombo is the majestic St. Mary's Church. Situated in the heart of Negombo, the St. Mary's Church was built in the last 1800's and boasts breathtaking neoclassical architecture. St. Mary's Church is known best for its stunning interior design; apart from the ornate columns and wall designs, the ceiling is adorned with intricate drawings of saints as well as a stunning artistic work depicting the life of Jesus Christ by the local artist N. S. Godamanna. The upper walls of the church are decorated with many priceless statues and sculptures of religious value. With these features, visiting this church is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Negombo.

Located in close proximity to the Amagi Lagoon Resort & Spa, Negombo, is the Angurukaramulla Temple. This sacred temple is hard to miss as one of the main highlights of the temple is a magnificent 6m tall statue of the Buddha in the seated position. The temple's internal structures are famous for their amazing architecture and design, particularly the stunning murals and carvings on the walls and ceilings of the main buildings of the temple. Additionally, the temple boasts a priceless collection of Buddha statues which have been collected throughout the years and hail from different eras and parts of Sri Lanka. The shrine room depicting illustrations of the "Mahawamsa"; Sri Lanka's historic chronicle, and the ruins of a library dating back more than 300 years are also highlights of this fascinating temple.

The Dutch Fort in Negombo is a piece of history of the city. Negombo was a key trading city and was, therefore, heavily guarded by Sri Lanka's colonists. The fort was first built by the Portuguese, but in 1644 the fort was captured by the Dutch. Thereafter the fort was restructured and expanded, and in 1672, the Dutch fort was formally declared open. Although the British captured the fort in the 1800's, they saw no major use for it and demolished much of the fort. Today, the remaining portions of the fort are used as a State prison, with just the Eastern ramparts and arched gateway bearing an ornate slab inscribed with '1672' standing as a reminder of the colonial history of Negombo.

The Negombo Lagoon is one of Sri Lanka's famous lagoons. Forming part of the renowned Muthurajawla Marsh, the Negombo Lagoon spreads over an area of 3164 hectares. The lagoon is a hub of marine life, as the brackish waters of the lagoon are a fertile ground for breeding a number of species of fish, as well as prawns and crabs. The lagoon is flanked with luscious forests, making boat rides and fishing trips on the lagoon one of the most beloved experiences Negombo has to offer its visitors.