Listly by Joanna James
Sri Lanka’s largest city, Colombo, would offer a myriad of novel experiences for travellers. Whilst there would be some visitors who would not experience this commercial capital and head out to other destinations, this would be a mistake; in actual fact, this city would offer captivating sightseeing attractions, cultural highlights, entertainment options, shopping opportunities, leisure sites and fun nightlife. Provided below are some suggestions for spending five days in cosmopolitan Colombo.
You could spend your first day in the city exploring one of its central commercial hubs, the Fort. You would encounter several important buildings and some engrossing sightseeing attractions here. Take the opportunity to visit the Dutch Hospital complex which dates to the colonial period; today, however, it features a number of interesting shops as well as some attractive restaurants. Another interesting sight would be the Old Colombo Lighthouse which was later used as a clock tower. You may also stroll around Beira Lake and admire the pleasant sights amidst the bustling cityscape. You could additionally visit the impressive World Trade Centre, one of the nation’s tallest buildings and have a look at its appealing stores.
To start your second day in Colombo, you could enjoy a delicious breakfast at one of the outstanding cafes and take a leisurely stroll through Cinnamon Gardens, amongst the most prestigious neighbourhoods in the city. Then, you could visit a few of the captivating local temples such as the Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil and the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple. Next, you may obtain a fascinating glimpse into Sri Lanka’s history and culture by visiting the Colombo National Museum. You could round off your day by making your way to Park Street Mews where you could enjoy dining, drinks and a happening nightlife scene.
You may commence your next day by savouring a hearty breakfast at the Barefoot Garden Café and shopping at the adjoining store for woven sarongs and handmade craftwork to take home. As you might expect, these products would make wonderful mementoes from your visit to Colombo.
In the evening, you could enjoy leisure at Galle Face Green, one of the most popular urban parks in the city. Numerous locals as well as tourists visit this green to relax and enjoy quality leisure time amidst the appealing seaside surroundings; it's a great spot to catch a magical sunset and savour delicious street food. An accommodation choice to consider from which you could easily visit this attraction and other top sites would be Cinnamon Grand Colombo which offers diverse dining venues to end the day with some culinray adventures.
When it comes to dining in Colombo, there are several alluring choices to consider. You may take the opportunity to enjoy an authentic Sri Lankan breakfast with foods like coconut roti and dhal curry. The highlight of this day can be to visit the appealing Mount Lavinia Beach. Many residents arrive here especially in the morning and evening to spend time by the seaside; another not-to-be-missed local experience would be enjoying a lunch of seafood at a beachside restaurant or café found along the shore. You may choose to order grilled prawns with some fresh king coconut water.
Naturally, it would be a marvellous experience to enjoy refreshing and rejuvenating therapies at a quality spa. An outstanding choice in this regard would be White by Spa Ceylon where you could experience Ayurvedic massages or perhaps a facial. You could also purchase some locally manufactured Ayurvedic products to take back home. For a flavourful lunch, you could make your way to the Ministry of Crab for their irresistible crab curry; another great option would be Café Kumbuk which happens to be known for its outstanding culinary creations. If you have time to spare, look to enjoy some of the experiences you may have missed.
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.