Top 6 things to do in Negombo - A city of water and mystery!

Both The Old Dutch Fort as well as The Dutch Canal are widely considered to be Negombo's two main attractions. They both hold a host of historical value and are a significant part of the city. The Dutch Fort now serves as a part of the local prison. The two were built in 1672 and are located right near the Munnakkaraya Bridge. The two locations can be easily reached on foot from the Negombo bus station.

While you're in the area, you'll find an abundance of places to go about with your regular shopping, so items like clothes, knickknacks, and tea are plentiful. However, another interesting thing to shop around for in Negombo would be Jewellery. You'll find many charming handmade pieces on offer for any suitable budget. Ranging from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars, there'll be an exquisite range of beautiful adornments to choose from. Cartier Jewels is a well-known store on Lewis Place that has friendly staff to help you with your needs.

Located right near the Harishchandra College, the Angurukaamulla temple is a popular location for tourists as well as most Buddhist travellers. The temple features a massive Buddha image and a huge assortment of old paintings as well as murals that you can observe. The temple also details information on many of Sri Lanka's ancient kings. If you're looking for an excellent hotel in Negombo, there'll be many options available, like Arie Lagoon for example.

Considered one of the larger cathedrals across all of Sri Lanka, it is an important as well as a historic location in the city. This makes all the more sense as Negombo has an almost 99% Roman Catholic population. The church features majestic, grand architecture along with some breathtaking paintings. The church is known as Mahaweediya Palliya in Sinhalese by the locals and is incredibly easy to find.

The Negombo beach is also one of those spots that can offer you an incredible amount of relaxation and serenity apart from its main offerings. You can simply enjoy some down time or go for an early morning walk and witness the boats set off from the beach going about on their daily fishing runs. You could come back in the evening to see them haul in their catch as well, you can even buy some from the local market. It is always admissible to take some sunscreen with you as it can get incredibly sunny, and definitely stay for the amazing sunset as well.

An interesting and fun little activity to try in Negombo, Canal Sailing has become increasingly popular amongst tourists. The boats are available for hire to take across the Dutch canal. You'll also find many guides who will show you the highlight features as well as the different wildlife that can be spotted here.