Sri Lanka has two capital cities and the most popular of these is Colombo, the commercial hub of the country. Here are the top 5 things to do when in the spectacular city of Colombo.
1. Sunset & Street Food in Galle Face
A gorgeous sunset and great food- the perfect recipe for an evening well spent. Head over to the Galle Face Green promenade to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean and gobble down some of Sri Lanka’s most popular of street food such as isso wade. The promenade is situated in the very heart of Colombo where you will find the crème de la crème of luxury apartments, shopping malls, and 5 Star hotels in Colombo. This area is also the centre of economic and financial growth home to rising mega projects like the One Galle Face.
2. Nature’s Serenity in the Midst of the Urban Jungle
If you want to experience a bit of nature when in Colombo head over to the Independence Memorial Gardens. These lush gardens are a favourite with joggers, cyclists, families as well as tourists. Also, a great place to chill amidst the green is the Viharamahadevi Park, that’s just 5 minutes away from the Independence Square Gardens.
3. Shop Till You Drop
Colombo is great for shopping and you have a wide variety of options to choose from depending on your requirements and your budget. For high-end shopping, head over to malls like ODEL, the Arcade Independence Square, Liberty Plaza, Majestic City and Crescat Boulevard. If you want to go bargain hunting, Pettah is the place to be. It’s famous for its open air markets and bazaars where you can buy everything from saris to sweets, electronics, and much more; for great prices.
4. Learn About Sri Lanka’s History
If you’re a history buff, a visit to the National Museum in Colombo is the perfect excursion for you. This magnificent, colonial-style museum houses many precious artefacts such as weapons, fossils, and regalia including the gold, jewel-encrusted throne of the Kandyan Kingdom.
5. A Surreal Spiritual Experience
Colombo city is home to many great Buddhist temples that are well worth checking out due to their impressive architecture, sculptures, and murals. Some of the best include the Gangaramaya Temple, Isipathanarama Temple, and the Kalani Raja Maha Viharaya. There are many spectacular building belonging to other faiths as well, and these include the likes of the Red Mosque in Pettah, Sri Bala Selva Vinayagar Moorthy temple in Colombo 10 and the Shiva Subramania Swami temple on Slave Island.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
