5 Best Places to Visit Near Colombo Airport - Explore Katunayaka

The Negombo beach is relaxed and calm during weekdays and it is a great location to visit soon after arriving on the island to get an idea of what this country has to offer. The golden sandy beaches around the island will melt all your worries away, and at the Negombo beach, you can indulge in some divine seafood as well. Around Negombo beach are some shops that retail items that are sourced and made in Sri Lanka. Some of these products are made of traditional crafts such as handloom, batik, woodwork and brass work and they make excellent souvenirs and gifts to take back to friends and family.

A rather underrated location among tourist attractions in Sri Lanka is the Negombo Fish Market. While this location is loud and exciting, it is also a place you need to visit early morning to be able to witness the life of the local fisherfolk. The fishermen that went fishing the night before will arrive early morning and the sellers will start the market early in the morning.

If you are planning to take some rest, you can stay in a hotel or resort or even at a boutique hotel offered by the likes of Reveal the Collection, which will expose you to Sri Lankan hospitality. You can then head towards the capital city of Colombo, which is only about half an hour away from the airport. Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo is a wonderful place to start exploring as it gives off serene and peaceful vibes right in the middle of the busy city.

The Gangarama Buddhist Temple is one of the oldest temples on the island and it is located in a picturesque part of Colombo City. Amidst the sky-high apartment buildings and hotels, the Gangarama Temple is able to offer a sense of bliss with a tough exposure to history and culture. For those who love learning about different cultures, traditions, and religions, the Gangarama Temple is a great place to explore. There are age-old buildings providing shelter to some of the most beautiful and oldest buddha statues and other artefacts that were presented to Sri Lanka from other Buddhist countries in the region.

Pettah is a diverse and colourful location in Colombo and there are so many different things to do and see here. The location is filled with shops that retail a variety of things from clothing, fabrics, shoes, jewellery, bags, food and the list goes on. There is also an old, beautiful mosque known as the Red Mosque, which you can visit. Apart from shopping and sightseeing, another popular activity to do in Pettah is trying out street food. There are so many different types of food and beverages to try out, which will make you fall in love with the island all over again. The short eats such as rolls, patties, buns, and other savoury delights, combined with pickled fruits and vegetables are delightful treats to munch on as you explore the streets of Pettah.