8 Best Things to Do in Negombo - Top 8 Activities to Enjoy in Negombo

Tipped to be the area's most celebrated natural attribute, spending time splashing around in the water is the best way to enjoy Negombo Beach. The white, sandy beach is not only ideal for morning walks and swimming activities but is also a fantastic venue to catch the sunset in the afternoon. Lined with food kiosks, Negombo Beach also remains the best place to purchase fresh fish, crabs and lobsters, right off the boats.

Angling fanatics heading to Negombo will find that the area is ideal for their favourite pastime. As a traditional fishing village, Negombo remains a premier venue for fishing tours which primarily concentrates on the abundance of marine life in the Negombo Lagoon. Deep-sea fishing tours are also organized by local tour operators as well as certain resorts.

A canal boat ride in Negombo is not only a great way to discover the coastal reaches of the area but also the colonial history of the town. Built to be used for transporting goods to and from the island to other destinations which were once under colonial rule, the guided cruise allows visitors to understand the significance of the route during that era. Intensive canal cruise tours can take up 6 hours on occasion at it also includes pit stops at various cultural landmarks along the route.

As a largely Catholic town, the Angurukaramulla Temple is a religious and cultural anomaly in Negombo, which is home to more churches per square meter than any other location in Sri Lanka. Situated near the Harishchandra College, the Buddhist temple is home to ancient murals as well as other artefacts dating back to the era in which the temple was first constructed.

As the largest church in Negombo, it should come as no surprise that St.Mary's Church is also among the biggest cathedrals on the island as a whole. The stunning architecture of this ancient religious edifice is what makes a tour of this iconic shrine a must for all tourists. The paintings, as well as the stained glass windows of the church, hark back to a resplendent time in Negombo's colonial history when so many churches were built around the area as many locals converted to the religion to appease their colonial masters.

Although the Dutch Fort is nowhere near as impressive as the Galle Fort, this centuries-old defence mechanism remains a focal point of many sightseeing tours in Negombo and rightfully so. Built in 1678, the fort grounds now serve as a prison and also encompasses a ground in which cricket matches are played.

Regarded as a must-have dining experience, dinner on a catamaran is not only an option that's reserved for couples honeymooning in Negombo. Visitors based at the Heritance Negombo or any other Negombo beach hotel can arrange a catamaran dinner cruise via their accommodation provider.

Whether it's gems and jewellery or casual clothing and accessories, a shopping spree at the Negombo Plaza is another productive way to spend the day in Negombo.