Joanna James
Colombo with its varied attractions is also a mecca for shopping and while purchasing traditional handicrafts is a treat, the city is also, home to numerous branded goods stores, glitzy malls and some very interesting open-air markets. This article looks at the best shopping venues in Colombo.
Spa Ceylon has branches across the city and can be easily reached from some of the best hotels in Sri Lanka. The place is a holistic sanctuary for purchasing a variety of luxurious relaxing aromatherapy products, elixirs to rejuvenate mind, body, and soul, as well as cosmetics. The place is also one of Colombo's best spas, where you can indulge your senses to loads of holistic pampering. Guests at Colombo Court Hotel & Spa will find the nearest Spa Ceylon in 27 minutes away, which means you have no excuse for enjoying some extravagant wellness treatments while staying at a Colombo city hotel.
Sri Lankan gems are famous the world over, and Ratnapura is the centre for mining these precious stones. You don't, however, have to trek all the way to Ratnapura; the Gem Museum in Colombo is your one-stop shop for variety and purchasing high-quality precious stones. There you can make a purchase without having to worry about the authenticity of the gems as quality comes guaranteed.
The well-established Barefoot Gallery is the best place for purchasing a variety of top quality handloom products. The vibrantly coloured handloom fabric is sold by the metre, while comfortable clothing for men and women as well as handloom toys for kids and home-ware is sold at this iconic store, which is a popular landmark in Colombo.
The newest mall cum entertainment centre to open in Colombo, the Colombo City Centre or CCC, is home to a range of high-end branded goods stores. The glitzy complex is often packed with happy shoppers and boasts a variety of entertainment, including a multi-screen cinema complex and food court.
In order to savour the flip side of chic Colombo, you need to explore the open-air markets; the World Market in Pettah as well as, bustling, chaotic and loud Main Street in Pettah are perfect for experiencing local lifestyles, feeling totally overwhelmed and enjoying every minute of a typical Asian bazaar. At these markets and shopping streets, you can buy a variety of products, from cheap watches to clothing and accessories as well as textiles, towels, plastic goods and toys for kids.
ODEL is a premier department store, which is well-established amongst elite shoppers in Colombo. The place is a kind of a hangout for shoppers with deep pockets, with the Colombo 2 branch boasting a lovely outdoor dining boulevard. There you can shop for branded, clothing, accessories, cosmetics, perfumes, home-ware and loads more!
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