5 Best Places to Visit in Colombo – Experience the Highlights of the Commercial Capital

Get yourself dropped off by tuk-tuk at this breezy seaside promenade in Colombo. The Galle Face Green is situated less than a 5-minute drive away from hotels in Colombo the likes of Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo and is a must-visit attraction. Fly kites here on windy afternoons or drop by at night to sample simple, yet tasty seafood street snacks sold at the many kiosks facing the ocean.

Step into Sri Lanka's National Museum for a glimpse into the country's past. The museum's galleries date back to the second half of the 19th century and contain artefacts from the country's ancient past to the more recent colonial eras. Keep an eye out for a 17th-century royal throne, 9th-century pair of Bodhisattva Sandals and an array of guns, swords, carvings and paintings. When you are desperate for a break from all the exploring, stop by the onsite café for some light refreshments.

If you happen to be in town during the weekend, drop by the Good Market. This Saturday market sets up shop in the parking lot of the Colombo Racecourse complex located in Cinnamon Gardens. It is located close by to the walking trails and park that surround the Independence Square. Open from about 07:00am in the morning until about 05:00pm in the evening, this market sells an ever-changing and eclectic mixture of items. These include food items such as homemade jams, exotic local honey, free-from snacks, rice and curry, and delicious cakes and pastries; as well as other products such as potted plants and herbs and skateboards.

The main requirement for vendors to be able to set up shop in this market is that they sell wares that are "Good for the people. Good for the environment", keeping in line with the market's motto. While a majority of the lots are occupied by the same stalls every week, you are likely to comeby newcomers if you visit the market regularly.

Once you're done exploring the Good Market in the outdoor car park area, make your way inside the Racecourse Shopping Complex. Here you will find a small range of shops and eateries. These include an Apple Authorised Reseller outlet, a stationary shop, a McDonald's, and a KFC outlet hidden away on the upper floor. If you are looking for branded items, check out the Le Bond and Skechers outlets. For a fine-dining experience, head upstairs to the Tsing Tao Chinese restaurant on the premises. They serve delicious oriental fare, often to a backdrop of tastefully quiet live music. You can also pick up exotic local handicrafts at the Laksala store. If you want more of a selection with regards to handicrafts, consider checking out the Lakpahana store which is also nearby, on the opposite side of the main road.

For unique and beautiful, hand-crafted household ornaments and other items, make your way to the Paradise Road outlet. It is located a 5-minute walk down the road from the nearby Cotton Collection and Kelly Felder stores in the upscale Cinnamon Garden area. Pick up exquisitely moulded candles, quirky ceramic-ware, wooden ornaments and more.