Attractions in Colombo – Cosmopolitan City of Ancient Allures

The beach is a predominant sight along the coastal roads of Colombo. But the most famous and best place to chill out at is the Mount Lavinia Beach. This suburb is located about 20 minutes from the city centre and is a prelude to the allures of down south Sri Lanka. Mt Lavinia Beach is a busy hub favoured by joggers, kite sellers, kite flyers and those engaged in a game of beach rugby. The sandy stretch of beach is well serviced by sunny beach cafes and restaurant where anything from fresh seafood to burghers is available.

Galle Face green is a green ribbon of land that sits in front of the Indian Ocean. The green is a much loved icon that welcomes throngs of visitors every evening. Galle Face green was in colonial times a horse racing venue as well as golf course. Today the locals gather there for enjoying the marvellous sea breezes, eating delicious fast food cooked at the open air kiosks and for spending a relaxing evening. There are many Colombo city hotels in the vicinity of Galle Face offering you an excellent base from which to set off on an evening romp to the green. One such uber-chic hotel is the Cinnamon Red Colombo.

Previously known as the Victoria Park; this large and verdant enclave skirts around the busy Cinnamon Gardens area of Colombo. The park is a lovely haven of shade with added benefits of cycling and jogging tracks, plenty of trees for shelter from the sun and beautifully landscaped gardens. Kids throng the park for its huge play area and miniature zoo. There is also a miniature train that takes visitors on a scenic journey around the park. Lose yourself within the tranquil folds of the park that drowns out the busy traffic lines that are part of Colombo's main roads.

A testament to the Dutch occupation of Sri Lanka the century Old Dutch Museum was once a governor's residence, orphanage, hospital, post office and police station. The two-story building holds within its cool interiors beautiful courtyards and Dutch period furniture together with vintage crockery. The museum is located on Prince Street in the busy precinct of Pettah.

Colombo is home to a multi-ethnic community; hence you will come across a number of iconic and historical buildings dedicated to the Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Islamic faiths. Kovils are the worship centres for Hindus. The most famous ones in Colombo are the Sri Bala Selva Vinayagar Moorthy Kovil in Captains Gardens – also called 'Captains Kovil' – and the Kathiseran Kovil on the Galle Road. The Grand Mosque in Pettah is the main Islamic icon while the oldest church in Colombo is Wolvendaal. The Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo 2 is one of the most fascinating temples in Colombo housing a museum and some very glitzy antique treasures; the site is a must visit for all culture buffs.