Visit The Most Significant Sites To See In Colombo -A Little Bit of Everything

The beaches in Colombo might not be as awesome as some of the other Sri Lankan beaches like Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Passikudah; but they are still worth a visit, especially at the end of a long day of exploring. Here are two beaches to check out when in Colombo.

Galle Face Beach: The place to head over to with the family and enjoy some quality time, the Galle Face Beach is located in the very heart of Colombo close to mega shopping malls like Crescat Boulevard and many a luxury hotel in Colombo. Though, it's not safe to swim here there are plenty of other things to try out at Galle Face such as flying kites and sampling delicious street food.

Mount Lavinia Beach: Situated about 30 minutes away from Galle Face, the Mount Lavinia Beach is more laidback and relaxed. If you need to chill with a beer, this is the best place to go to as there are hotels like _Berjaya Hotel Colombo _lined along the beach where you can sit down and enjoy the gorgeous sunset while sipping on your favourite beverage.

Museums are usually a bit of a boring affair but the National Museum in Colombo presents quite an exciting experience to learn about the past of Sri Lanka. The museum itself is an artefact as the grand building built in 1877, is a stunning representation of colonial architecture. Just as you enter the building you'll be welcomed by a giant Buddha statue that belongs to the 9th Century. Walk inside and you'll see a horde of artefacts belonging to different eras from the prehistoric age to Sri Lankan monarchy and colonisation by the Dutch, Portuguese and the British. Stroll through the many galleries to see impressive collections of art, sculpture and carvings. Some of the highlights of the museum comprise of the regalia of the Kandyan Kingdom including the magnificent, jewel-encrusted throne built for King Wimaladharmasuriya II. There's also a section dedicated to displaying the natural history of the country and here you can see the gigantic skeleton of Heiyantuduwa Raja.

Need a bit of escape from the grey and want to find solace in the green? The Viharamadevi Park is your answer. Colombo's largest and oldest park, the Viharamahadevi Park was originally named as Victoria Park as a tribute to Queen Victoria during the British rule. However, after the country gained independence the park was renamed after one of the greatest queens in Sri Lanka. Queen Viharamahedevi is revered for her brave act of sacrificing herself to save her motherland from a terrifying tsunami. She is also much respected for her immense political intellect which she used to mentor her son, King Dutugamunu on how to overthrow the rule of the Chola invaders.

Located next to prominent landmarks such as the Town Hall and the Lotus Theatre, Viharamadevi Park is a wonderful getaway for those who wish to experience some peace and quiet amidst soothing natural surroundings. There is a play area in the park called Sathutu Uyana that features fun slides, pony rides and a whole lot of other amusements for the kids.

Situated just five minutes away from the Viharamahavadevi Park, the Independence Square is also a good option if you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The most prominent feature of this is the Independence Square monument that was built to commemorate the nation's independence from the British in 1948. The monument, made entirely of stone, has an impressive collection of carvings that depict the history of Sri Lanka through the ages.

Once you've explored the monument, go and take a stroll through the gardens for there is much to be enjoyed here. The gardens are a favourite among cyclists and joggers as there are many walking and cycling trails here. Next to the gardens is a shopping arcade called the Independence Square Arcade, which consists of local and international brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, FCUK, and much more.

This is a beautiful Buddhist temple that situated by the banks of the Beira Lake in Colombo. The Gangaramaya Temple has an impressive range of attractions that range from antiques to sculptures and monuments. Opposite the main temple, perched above the Beira Lake is the Seema Malakaya which is the meditation centre designed by the world famous Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa.