Joanna James
Colombo, the gateway to exploring numerous and appealing wonders of Sri Lanka, speaks volumes of a rich colonial heritage and it is a melting pot of cultures, religions, and races. This city will mark an excellent end or beginning to Sri Lankan adventures of all leisure travellers.
Undoubtedly the best place to delve into the city's cultural diversity! With chaotic markets and crowded streets, a walk along the multi-ethnic Pettah area will give you a chance to mix and mingle with locals. These busy streets are lined with markets selling fresh fruits, vegetables, and even saris and electronics. As the locals call it, in Pettah district you can buy a suit made in one hour even though it lasts only for a few days.
A leisurely walk along Galle Face green in the evening gives an opportunity to enjoy spellbinding seascapes as well as a stunning sunset view. Sundays are a big day for kite flyers, local families in the area and food trucks serving popular local snacks like 'isso wadey'.
It is surprising to see how an old Dutch Hospital converted into a place with a relaxing ambience featuring bars, restaurants and shops. The charming colonnades, red-tiles roofs, wooden windows and doors give an aura of the Dutch colonial past. Don't miss visiting this place experience chic dining at Ministry of Crab, soothing spa treatments, tea drinking at Heladiv Tea Club and more. If you are staying at a city hotel in Colombo the likes of Mandarina Colombo, it's just a 12-minute drive to the Dutch Hospital.
Needless to say, Sri Lanka has known the world over for its finest tea. Know about the history of tea creation and culture while tasting different combinations of tea with a tea expert. You can learn the basics of tea tasting (how to use your nose to identify the aroma of each flavour) and why certain varieties of tea have different colours.
One will get astonished seeing this holy temple located in the heart of bustling Colombo. This intriguing temple complex is located on the stilled waters of Beira Lake. This temple is often a popular site among tourists for its lavish architecture and fascinating artefacts.
With a vibrant history dating back to 1877, the Colombo National Museum is one of the best places in Sri Lanka exhibiting the country's rich history and ancient heritage. The museum comprises of two floors, including multiple viewing galleries. You can learn and discover numerous artefacts indicating pre-historic Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and transitional periods. In addition, you'll come across ancient textiles, ceramics, pottery, and paintings.
Those who seek more tranquillity and peace in Colombo will find many temples and kovils. The Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple, a temple with a spectacular grandeur, the old and new Kathiresan Kovil featuring the annual chariot festival and Sri Ponnambalam Vanesar Kovil known for its mesmerising architectural patterns are some of the top religious places in Colombo.
During the day, Colombo is an all-engulfing sprawl of heavy traffic! It will be one of a kind experience to ride through Colombo at night, especially amidst the air of grace and warm evening breeze. Peddle through numerous street markets, the city's most elite neighbourhood and don't forget to stop for some tea and Indian sweets. What more could you ask for?
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