Joanna James
Colombo, a few years ago and now features vast differences as it has developed immensely. If you are visiting this urban city, here is the list of the top 10 things to do while you are there.
Pettah is a buzzing street market and commercial area with a lot of cultural, historical and interesting things to witness and shop for. You will find an array of different products, cheap knock-offs of international brands but it is also a great way to get insight into the loves of the local community.
The Galle Face Green is great to sit, relax and enjoy the view of the vast Indian Ocean. If you are staying in town you are most likely to be walking distance to the Galle face green, as most of the 4- star hotels in Colombo are located in the vicinity including the Ramada Colombo. If you go towards the evening you can also taste some of the most popular street food in Sri Lanka which is 'Isso Wade' which is a small pastry with a generously sized prawn on top.
The nightlife in Colombo is exhilarating and exciting as there are so many new restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, some of which are done by 5-star hotels and come with a stunning view of Colombo lit up at night, from a rooftop.
The National Museum is housed at a beautiful colonial-era building which was built in 1876 and founded by the British governor at the time. It is also the largest museum in Sri Lanka and you can find a lot of information on history, art, culture, and even traditions as well
The Independence Square is a great place to go hang out or to go for a run. There are running and cycling tracks and a great green garden to relax at. The Memorial Hall was built as a mark of the Independence from the British in 1948 and in front of the building is a monument of the first president of the island, also known as 'the father of the nation'; Rt. Hon. Don Stephan Senanayake.
It is one of the most popular places to hang out for drinks and dinner in Colombo and also has several types of restaurants with different cuisines making it a delightful place to go to while in Colombo. The food is delightful and some of the restaurants will have a saxophonist or a live band playing, depending on the day you go.
The mount Lavinia beach is a gem of a beach in this urban city. You can relax and wind down at the beach as you rest your head and listen to the lull of the waves crashing. You can also indulge in some great food at a nice cosy restaurant or indulge in some street food.
Street Food in Sri Lanka is absolutely delightful and with Colombo being the hub of development in Sri Lanka most of the general street food has developed versions that can be found in Colombo. Kottu is one such street food which now comes in an array of different flavours. When combined with the ice Milo this becomes a divine meal.
Even though this is bound to be on your bucket list for Sri Lanka as a whole, do get a Tuk-Tuk ride in Colombo as well. It is frightening and thrilling at the same time as no-one adheres to road rules, but you get to beat the traffic and enjoy the breeze.
With the drastic development in the city, there are so many shopping malls and department stores that have come up in Colombo. You can easily spend days shopping in Colombo and still not have enough time to cover all the locations.
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 pas...
