How to Explore Colombo, an Underrated City in Sri Lanka in a Day – Captivating Highlights in a Bustling Metropolis

An excellent place at which to commence your tour of the city of Colombo would be the captivating Gangaramaya Temple which would be a well-known religious attraction. This appealing temple would be a wonderful site at which to gain an understanding of the Buddhist religion. At this compound, you would encounter an array of eye-catching statues, a museum, an assembly hall, various chambers, a sacred Bodhi tree and other features of interest. At the museum, you would find many engrossing artefacts such as articles made of gold, ivory, rare stamps, sculptures from China, coins, photographs and so on. 

Another entrancing religious attraction in Colombo would be the unmistakable Red Mosque which would present an arresting sight for the observer with its candy-cane-like red and white appearance. Counted amongst the city's oldest mosques, this place of worship would present a hybrid architectural style featuring Indo-Islamic, Indian, Neoclassical and Gothic revival elements. Originally, this amazing mosque had the capacity to accommodate 1,500 worshippers but has now been expanded to provide enough space for 10,000 devotees. 

After visiting the Red Mosque, you may take the opportunity to stroll through the market district of Pettah which would be a unique Colombo experience. As you make your way through this lively area, you would encounter an array of unusual sights, sounds and aromas with innumerable shops, street vendors and hawkers vying for the attention of the throngs of people passing by. Here, you would also have the chance to avail yourself of some attractive bargains on clothing, accessories and knick-knacks. If you desire to replenish your energies, there would also be plenty of cafes and stallholders offering snacks and drinks. 

An attraction of a rather different kind would be Independence Square which is sure to capture the interest of history and culture lovers. As its name indicates, this monument commemorates the attainment of Sri Lanka’s independence which took place in 1948. In addition to a memorial hall, you would find an interesting museum and pleasant green lawns at this square. Apart from sightseers, numerous leisure seekers visit this square to jog, cycle or take a respite from the urban environment of the city. 

Should you be rather tired out from your sightseeing exertions, the location of choice at which to relax and recharge would be the appealing Galle Face Green. This pleasant urban park by the seaside is often frequented by locals as well as visitors who desire to unwind amidst the idyllic coastal surroundings. You would also be able to buy some delicious snacks from the numerous food vendors and enjoy them whilst observing the stunning sunset. To truly do justice to the attractions of the city, however, you should undertake a longer stay. In this regard, consider an accommodation provider that is within easy reach of Galle Face Green such as Cinnamon Red Colombo where you could stay at modern Colombo hotel rooms for business and leisure travellers.

One of Colombo’s modern landmarks would be the stunning Lotus Tower which happens to be the tallest structure of its kind in the entirety of South Asia. This tower’s design was inspired by a lotus blossom and symbolizes the steady development of the nation of Sri Lanka. As you might expect, it would be an entrancing experience to ascend the tower and admire the stunning views over the city of Colombo at night from the observation deck.