Colombo

As the capital and the largest city of Sri Lanka, Colombo offers the unforgettable experience of a modern city that anyone could ever experience. The tropical weather adds up a little twist to the whole tour.

Colombo owns a historic value that runs through the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial times. It also has

sacred places which are beautiful to take a tour.

It is also a place to cover up all your shopaholic needs and to lose your stress out and make you feel refreshed again.

Let’s look more into this city of everything so when you pay a visit next time, you can make sure there will be nothing missed!.

History of Colombo

Colombo has a huge history that goes back to centuries. There are still some areas that remind the past of the city. Sri Lanka was a colony of Portuguese, Dutch and British. So most of the buildings and streets were named by them. Even Though these names are now being replaced, people tend to use the old names. 

This city is also famous for trading 2000 years ago. It was used as a hub by traders from China, Greece and Arabia. The harbor is the main reason and attraction for this. 

Sri Jayawardanapura, Kotte and Colombo centered the Kotte kingdom which were under the kings. When the Portuguese landed Galle, the coastal area was ruled by them. Later when the Dutch came in, they made Colombo as the capital. In 1796, the British took over but Colombo continued to be the capital. This is the reason why we get to see so many buildings around the city which belong to that era. 

When Sri Lanka came to independence in 1948, everything in Colombo was almost developed as the colonial culture. Food, architecture and even the people were modernized. Since then, Colombo is seen as a modernized city which is also more developed than the rest of the country. 

Even at the present, Colombo is the first to experience anything new; imported items, biggest and the luxurious hotels, global food chains etc. It is now the city of wealth and opportunities in Sri Lanka.

Best places to visit in Colombo 

Colombo has several historically valuable locations as well as beautiful places to explore. But if this is your first time visiting, here are some best suggestions to visit.

• Gangaramaya Temple

It is a buddhist temple located near the Beira lake. It is 4km away from the Fort bus station. The architecture of this temple is a collaboration of Thai, Chinese and Indian. The murals and the intricate carvings there are eye catching. 

The peaceful vibe and the astonishing beauty of the temple is the main reason why it attracts so many locals and tourists. 

• Independence Memorial Hall

This was built as a tribute of independence from British rule. It was constructed in 1953 and has been a major attraction among people. Independence day and other national celebrations are annually hosted here. There is also a museum which is built to honor the brave people who fought to get the country back.

This is located at the independence avenue which is around 6 km away from the city center.

• National Museum of Colombo

It was established in 1877 and so far, the largest museum of Sri Lanka. There are collections from different dynasty rulers and monuments and artifacts dating back centuries. This place will give a brief understanding about the culture of the country.

If you are into exploring different cultures and curious, this is one of the best places to go. It’s located at Colombo 7, 4 km from the main bus station.

• Jami Ul-Alftar Mosque (red mosque)

This is a beautiful artwork that is sitting in the middle of the Pettah market. The red and white colors of it take only a few seconds to capture anyone’s eyes. 

It was built by Habibu Labbe Saibu Labbe. It is one of the most culturally significant places that anyone should pay a visit during Colombo touring. It is a gem of combining a few cultural styles together.

• Seema Malakaya

Have you ever seen an island temple?. This place is the perfect option if you haven’t seen any before. In between the rush of city life, this place brings peace and quietness. The lush green trees and the water are adding natural beauty to it and give an extra peaceful feeling. 

This is located in Sir James Peiris Street, which is exactly 4 km from the Pettah bus station.

• Old Parliament

It is one of the oldest government buildings in Sri Lanka. It bears neo-baroque architecture styles. It was initially built in 1930 and was named as the parliament in 1977.

This building is currently serving as the residence of the presidential secretariat. This is located at the Galle Face drive, where all the starred hotels are located.

• St. Anthony’s Church 

This church is also one of the most famous attractions around Colombo and famous among the Christians. It’s visited and filled with crowds from different casts every single day. The place is believed to be sacred and magical as people say that it is a place where all your wishes may be granted. 

It is now declared as a national shrine and a must visit place for any traveler or local person.

• Old Dutch Hospital 

This place was built in the 17th century, with the intention of providing medical aid to the Dutch East India Company’s workers. The place now serves as a space to do a little shopping and to do gatherings. There are multiple boutique shops and cafes in various cuisines and cultures. This is located near the Galle Fort, 2.5 km distanced from the main bus stop.

• Arcade Independence Square 

The old city hall, which is now known as the arcade independence square is one of the most important buildings in Colombo that has architectural history. 

Even though it serves as a shopping complex now, still you’ll be able to see the fantastic architecture of it from the exterior. There’s a guided tour through the building for a cost of money if you are keen to know more about the space. 

• Beddagana wetland park

This is a new addition to the city built by the government with the intention of protecting the area from flooding. It is covered in beautiful grassland and lush in greenery. It is a great romantic getaway and if you want to escape the city life a little, this is a good place.

It’s located at Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, which is 10.5 km away from the city bus station.

Food in Colombo 

Sri Lankan cuisine has been inspired by many cultures and it is one of the delights in the island. Colombo is renowned for its lively restaurant scene, where eccentric colonial eateries, fine dining establishments, and low-cost cafés all have something to offer.

As a result, Colombo offers a wide variety of dining options, including some of Sri Lanka’s best cuisine. 

Nightlife and entertainment 

Colombo is a bustling city that never goes to sleep, and this is also true of its nightlife. Everyone may find something to like here, from hip bars to energetic clubs. Colombo offers both a laid-back evening with a beverage in hand and an all-night dancing celebration.

The night life is spreaded out in 3 major areas of the city; Kollupitiya, the fort and Cinnamon gardens. The bars and the clubs are distanced from each other and you will need to hire a cab to get around. 

Shopping 

The city of Colombo offers a lavish lifestyle and shopping, but visitors can also explore the markets for a more authentic shopping experience. 

Each market is devoted to selling jewelry, clothing, and works of art! Shopping in Colombo offers a fantastic experience with modern and beautiful fashions that is time and money well spent.

If you are looking for high end and luxury brands, One Galle Face Mall and Colombo City Center are some of the go to places. There are some other well known boutiques, shops and clothing stores that offer good quality products.

Transportation 

Colombo has a network of intra-city buses routing from the central bus station in Fort. The buses are numbered to find the routes easily and they depart and arrive at regular intervals. 

The rail network also handles a portion of Colombo’s transportation needs. It consists of an intercity network and commuter rail services. 

If you don’t prefer public transport, you can hire a tuk-tuk. This is the cheapest private transport available around the city. For a comfortable transportation, Uber or Pickme taxi services can also be booked with cars or minivans with air conditioning.

Weather

Colombo has a tropical monsoon weather condition where it rains between May to September due to south-western monsoon and dry during December to March. 

The average daily temperature is roughly 30 degrees Celsius, and temperatures are essentially stable throughout the year. This results in excessive humidity when combined with the copious amounts of precipitation. Colombo is most enjoyable to visit in January, February, July, and August of each year.

Nevertheless, Colombo has become a must-visit location in Sri Lanka. It has developed into a worthwhile destination in and of itself and is a great place to begin or end your experiences in Sri Lanka.