Joanna James
Colombo is a vibrant city that doesn't go to sleep until the late hours of the night. The business capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo has some interesting sites to see and things to do for travellers from around the world. Here are some of the highlights of Colombo that you must experience during your time here.
A visit to Sri Lanka is not complete without a ride in one of its tuk tuks. These colourful three-wheeled rickshaws are a fun way to explore the city of Colombo. If you are in one of the popular hotels in Colombo such as Berjaya Hotel Colombo, hailing a tuk tuk won't be a difficult task. Simply get one off the road or use an app like Pickme or Uber to hail your tuk.
Sri Lanka is best known for its delicious food. Locals spend a lot of effort and time for the food making process undoubtedly making anyone fall in love with these delicacies. You can try out some signature dishes here such as Milk rice, Hoppers, String Hoppers or Kottu at a street side shop or even at a restaurant. Beach hotels in Colombo will offer some yummy seafood dishes that Sri Lanka is also famous for.
Visit one of the beautiful beaches of Colombo and get lost in the sandy shores. There are a number of beaches here where you can soak up the sun and enjoy the crashing waves. What's even better is that you can enjoy some delicious local sea food dishes along with the restaurants or hotels that usually line up near the beaches in Colombo.
Galle Face is a favourite place among the locals where long stretches of the beach are complimented with street food stalls and an open hang out area. Here you can try some of the best street food in Sri Lanka and 'Isso Wade' is a must try. Galle Face is the best place to get a sense of Colombo life and meet some locals while you enjoy the sea breeze.
The vast majority of the Sri Lankan population are followers of Buddhism therefore temples are a common site here. The Ganagarama temple in Colombo is one of the most beautiful temples with a lot of unique things to see. There is a museum here as well as a number of Buddha statues that are beautifully lined up. The ambience here is calm and quiet and you can even take part in some religious rituals with the locals here if you like.
Visit the national museum in Colombo to learn about the history and culture of Sri Lanka. Built in 1876 this old building in itself is a beautiful site to see surrounded by a serene green park. You can witness some artefacts belonging to the kings and queens that reigned in the historical days of Sri Lanka which are quite interesting to see.
Fort is home to some beautiful colonial buildings that date back to the Dutch and British colonial times. A walk in this area is worth your time when in Colombo and you can capture some beautiful pictures here. Some of the highlights of Fort are the lighthouse built in 1954, the clock tower and St. Peter's Church among others.
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 passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
