Joanna James
For all island dwellers and visitors of Sri Lanka, nothing sates longing shoppers like the bustling capital city of Colombo. Amidst the collage of chaos of the heartland, awaiting you is a host of assorted shopping destinations, ready to treat you to a slice of quintessential island retail therapy.
Where glass-swathed skyscrapers soar, and buzzing urbanites bide, Colombo is indubitably crowned the metropolitan city of Sri Lanka but is never far away from its olden golden roots — the atmospheric Pettah Market being a living testament to the fact. Clamouring vendors galore and stalls bursting with everything from fresh produce to electronics, textiles to jewellery — the atmosphere is brimming with colour, smells and sound — all of which join forces to treat you to a shopping experience where authenticity is at its finest in the Indian Ocean island nation. Shopping isn’t only what visitors to the bustling marketplace have to savour, but also a glimpse into the local way of life, which, without a doubt, is just as fascinating as the shopping itself.
Longing shoppers to Colombo today have got a whole host of ritzy shopping malls to take their pick from, each housing international fashion labels, luxury flagship stores and eclectic boutiques galore, sure to spoil you for choice. However, Majestic City in the suburb of Bambalapitiya, Colombo, basks in the glory of being the first ever “big city” shopping mall to call Colombo home. The long-standing urban shopping destination may not see as many shoppers as it used to, but the charm of yore is still intact, unmarred and unblemished by the new upsprings to the market.
Steer clear of the score of towering shopping malls that steal the limelight in Colombo and head over to the Good Market for a change in scenery. The weekly market that comes to life every Saturday features all sorts of organic products, from snacks, to produce and skin and hair treatments, putting the marketplace on the map as a sustainable and ethical shopping destination. After a day of delightful retail therapy, retreat to one of the finest 5-star hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the likes of Cinnamon Grand Colombo.
The home-grown luxury fashion label needs no introduction to the island dwellers and has more than a dozen outlets throughout the city of Colombo. While high-street clothing brands are the highlight of the department store chain, shoppers can also treat themselves to an elegant collection of homeware, jewellery, souvenirs and lifestyle accessories. Less than a few minutes in one of the well-appointed ODEL stores will have more than a few items that tickle your fancy; caution of maxed-out credit cards is advised.
Shopping for authentic and traditional souvenirs is part of the classic holiday experience, and bustling Colombo is certainly no exception. For your scoop of quaint Sri Lankan souvenirs, head over to Barefoot Garden Cafe and Shop in Bambalapitiya, right beside the buzzing Galle Road. Take your pick from brightly coloured textiles, children’s toys, homeware and lovely handmade goodies galore that make the perfect souvenirs to take back home.
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