Despite typically being a mere gateway to the fascinating island of Sri Lanka, the capital city Colombo has a surprising number of attractions worth checking out. Nearly one million people call this busy seaside metropolis home, so make sure you explore what it has to offer before moving on to the country’s more obvious tourist destinations.
The commercial and cultural heart of Colombo lies in Fort district, a colorful area of colonial buildings, historic landmarks and the city’s best selection of restaurants and hotels. Here you can see the world’s only inland lighthouse and explore the few museums Sri Lanka has to offer.
Other interesting parts of Colombo include a pleasantly green seafront district, the enormous Pettah Bazaar and a few parks in upscale neighborhoods such as Cinnamon Gardens. The best shopping can be found in and around Fort and along Galle and Pettah roads. There isn’t much of a nightlife scene in this city, but with its heady mix of Hindu, Buddhist and Christian spiritualism confronting you at every corner, Colombo will keep your buzz going. ****
Highlights
Galle road: to get a sense of the reality of Colombo, venture for a walk along its busiest, most hectic street, where modern buildings and rundown shops coexist among a soup of exhaust fumes.
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara: this amazing Buddhist temple to the east of Fort was supposedly the site where the Buddha himself once preached more than 2,000 years ago.****
Pettah Bazaar: one of the oldest and most ethnically diverse neighborhoods, Pettah has a fascinating marketplace atmosphere selling everything from local food to religious souvenirs. ****
Fort: during its period of European colonization, Colombo did indeed have a fort, but today this district is a commercial hub where modern and derelict colonial buildings compete for space.
Viharamahadevi Park: Colombo’s largest park offers a quiet, clean and green escape from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city.
Wolvendaal Church: a perfect example of Dutch colonial architecture from the 17th century can be found in this impressive church which serves as one of the few reminders of Colombo’s colonial past.