Colombo was once a lovely colonial city with majestic boulevards and flowering gardens. In the 19th century, it was even called the “garden city of the East”. Colombo today is a huge metropolis, which is a large shopping center. Modern tourists will be looking for bits of both cities - past and present in Colombo. The former Colombo has many historic landmarks, including a 16th century Portuguese fort. The countless markets where everything your heart desires will be best told about modern Colombo.
Colombo has long been the main city of the island of Sri Lanka. Now the capital of the Sri Lankan state is considered to be a town with the difficult name of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, which is adjacent to Colombo.
Colombo is rarely chosen for a vacation in Sri Lanka: this island has a sufficient number of good resorts, where everything is subordinated to the needs of tourists. You can stay here for a couple of days after arrival or on the eve of departure home. There is an international airport near Colombo, so every tourist will see this city at least through the bus window.
Activities in Colombo
Rest in Colombo will appeal to absolutely all tourists. You can come here with a friend or children, the whole family, including elderly relatives, or alone. Everyone in Colombo has something to do. The most popular types of recreation in one of the most interesting Asian cities include:
- beach … There is a promenade in Colombo where you can spend time in the company of street vendors and snake charmers. There are also beaches, but due to the proximity to the local port, the sea off the coast of Colombo will not be very clean. Head to Mount Lavinia, the closest resort to Colombo, for the right watering spots. Here begins a Sri Lankan paradise with sandy coastlines, beach cafes and entry into the sea suitable for inexperienced bathers;
- active … With children, go to Galle Face Green, where playgrounds are open and there is an opportunity to fly a kite, or to Viharamahadevi Park, famous for its attractions. If you are traveling alone or with friends, plan a game of golf at one of the local golf clubs. The Royal Colombo club gets good reviews. In the beach resorts close to Colombo, you can do water sports - windsurfing, diving, etc. Gambling tourists will not miss the opportunity to visit the casino. There are several similar establishments in Colombo, we recommend Bally's or Bellagio.
- sightseeing … You can just walk around Colombo, marveling at skyscrapers and colorful markets, tasting juices on the Galle Face Green, looking at the colonial buildings in the Fort area, plying from mosques to churches and Buddhist sanctuaries in the Pettah area. With children, we recommend visiting the Dehiwela Zoo, which is located near the Mount Lavinia resort. You can also go on a guided tour of the mangroves of Lake Bolgoda. Finally, there is public transport from Colombo to the central regions of the country, where the former capitals of Sri Lanka Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy with monasteries, temples and valuable relics are located; unique rock complex Sigiriya.
Top 10 attractions in Colombo
Colombo Tours
Sri Lanka is a unique island located in two climatic zones - subtropical and tropical. The seasonality in Sri Lanka is actively influenced by monsoons. In the summer months, they bring rain to the western and southern coasts of the island, in the winter to the east and north. Colombo is located on the west coast, so the best time to visit it is the period from December to April. At this time, tours to Colombo rise in price, because tourists are expected by sunny, dry weather, when you can swim, sunbathe, travel around the city, and do water sports.
Interestingly, some tourists prefer to come to Colombo during the low season. It is a large city where hotels, restaurants and shops do not stop operating during the monsoons, as they do in small beach resorts. But during this period, you can find housing at a reduced price, which means you can save a little.
Hotel base
Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka. There are always many travelers here who need to live somewhere. That is why Colombo has an extensive hotel base, consisting of both classic chain hotels, boutique hotels, villas, and inexpensive guesthouses and hostels. Accommodation prices are quite high. A room in an ordinary, unremarkable hotel will cost at least $ 50. For accommodation in the hostel, you will have to pay $ 25 per day.
One of the best areas to live in is Kollupitia, which in recent years has turned into a commercial center of the city. There are many restaurants, shops, nightclubs, markets here. The area is home to the National Museum, and the city's other attractions are within easy walking distance.
Creative people will love the Wellawatte area. There are many jewelry and textile shops, and there are quite good art salons. It is here that the Savoy Cinema Hotel is located, which is considered one of the symbols of the city of Colombo.
The area of Borella is recognized as the most suitable for family tourists. Here you can find cozy and comfortable boutique hotels. On the other hand, there are not many restaurants and shops in this part of the city.
