List Headline Image
Updated by Joanna James on Mar 16, 2024
Headline for One Day in Negombo? Make the Most of it – Enjoy the colonial charm in 24 hours
 REPORT
Joanna James Joanna James
Owner
6 items   1 followers   0 votes   3 views

One Day in Negombo? Make the Most of it – Enjoy the colonial charm in 24 hours

You don't really need to travel for hours away from Colombo in Sri Lanka in search of a holiday destination when you have Negombo- a colonial coastal town located very close to Colombo. Within one day, you can explore many things in Negombo, and here are some of them.

1

Don't miss the Fish Market

Start your day with an early morning visit to the Negombo Fish Market. This is one of the largest fish markets in Sri Lanka and offers an authentic experience to anyone who visits it. The market opens at 6.00 am and everything begins to be noisy and chaotic ever since then. Explore how fishermen head to the sea with their boats to do their daily fishing routines, and how the others try to sell their fish to their daily customers. The freshest forms of seafood and negotiation are here!

2

Explore the Dutch Fort ruins

No- this is not about the Dutch Fort in Galle, but Negombo has one too! It's also known as the Negombo Fort, and it has been built in 1672. You can't see the entire fort now, as it's mostly about the ruins, but it's worth exploring. Today, a major part of this fort is used as a prison. You may explore the Gate and the Clock Tower here, and click great photos of colonial charm.

3

Head to the churches

Right next to the Negombo Fort, you find a beautiful church. It's the St. Stephen's Church, and in Negombo, you find some other beautiful churches too. Out of all churches, St. Mary's Church in the town is the main and also the largest. You will love everything about its old frescoes on the ceiling and if you wish, you may also join a prayer session in which a lot of locals mark their presence every week. Then there is also the St. Sebastian's Church which is exclusively dedicated to the patron saint of the city.

4

Tour along the Hamilton Canal

Although the canal was built by the British and the Dutch to facilitate trade between Negombo and Colombo in the colonial past, today, it's used by the fishermen to transport their goods and also by the tour companies who offer tour rides along the canal. Yes, that says you can enjoy a boat ride during your stay to explore everything that's around!

5

Visit the Angurukaramulla Temple

Although Negombo is considered a Catholic town in Sri Lanka, the city has a massive Buddhist temple by the name 'Angurukaramulla'. Locals say that the temple is more than 300 years old, but the murals, paintings, and statues you find inside have been well-preserved. You may also head to the old colonial mansion located right next to the temple, and click a photo or two to remember your journey.

6

Staying in Negombo

Relax and chill in one of the top hotels in Sri Lanka when you are in Negombo. Great options such as Amagi Hotels are here to offer you great accommodation and dining moments, and if you wish, you may say yes to their authentic spa treatments as well.