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Colombo Holidays
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Overview
Colombo & West Coast
The west coast of Sri Lanka is one of the busiest parts of the island. This is unsurprising considering that the capital city of Colombo resides here. One of its suburbs is the second major city of the area, Negombo. To spend some time on the beach you have to head a little out of Colombo. In particular, Wellawatte beach is around 3 miles away and makes a relaxing sun, sea and sand driven destination. The popular and historical Mount Lavinia hotel is well worth a visit too if you fancy some fine dining and luxurious scenery, residing on its own beach also.
West Sri Lanka Holidays
The Western province is a diverse area, offering Sri Lanka at its liveliest, with historical sights a plenty, shops, markets, eateries, and some of the most exotic accommodation and peaceful coast lines close by.
At the Northern tip of Colombo is the fort, which sports some Colonial architecture, hotels, banking and shops. It is also quite business orientated, along with places like Pettah, accommodating for those travelling with work. If relaxation is on your mind then south of the fort, in Galle Face Green you’ll find what was once a British Colonial space, designed for horse racing in 1859, but now exists as a place perfect for picnics, romantic strolls, playing cricket or lazing out in the sun, reading. It also has an exciting street food scene, with lots of enticing delicacies to try!
If you travel inland you’ll find what is named ‘Slave Island’. Before you frown, don’t worry, there aren’t actually any slaves here. It got this name after the Dutch used the space to house slaves many years ago. Nowadays it is a lovely spot in which you can visit the Sima Malaka Meditation Island along with the Gangaramaya temple, which sits placidly on the Beira Lake.
To get involved with the cities liveliness (and if you want to do a bit of shopping and grab some food) head to Kollupitiya, where Crescat Boulevard is. This is Sri Lanka’s premiere shopping centre, and includes lots of cosmopolitan restaurants and shops that will keep you occupied for ages. If you fancy taking in some of the luxurious sights of the city you could always go mansion spotting around the tree lined avenues of the Cinnamon Gardens too. If you’re hungry for some serious cultural knowledge, Wellawatte is the place to go, with many Hindu Kovils (temples).
In the evenings there are bars a plenty, especially if you head to some of the lavish hotels around, where you can eat and drink on the decking, over looking the views that are static with exhilarating atmosphere. Other evening entertainment includes the cinema, with the Savoy cinema in particular being well known, and showing a range of films from different countries.
Colombo Holidays
Whilst Colombo is mainly busy, you can always escape down the little side streets that are home to shy shops. You can also even combine the city break with the beach, which is the beauty of Sri Lanka and its many landscapes. The famous Mount Lavinia hotel in particular is popular with tourists and locals that want to sit on the beach and sip refreshments overlooking the sea. In the evenings there’s live entertainment too.
As Sri Lanka’s largest city, Colombo is well worth visiting. Even if you’re not a fan of busy places a day trip here at least will allow you to get a feel for an area charmed by its colourful blur of life that brings together the past and the present, along with those from various countries and cultures around the world. For this reason it is a wonderful representation of the diversity and energy of life.
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More Colombo City Holiday Guides
In 1914, the English author Bella Woolf said of Colombo: “It is the meeting place of the world. It palpitates with life and with the romance of those who wander the Earth.” This is still true to this day, with the hustle and bustle of streets that are electric with culture! Shops, museums, historical architecture, markets, attractions, and delicious eateries selling a diverse range of local and international cuisine all help to shape the strong personality of the city. Beneath its commercial exterior however is a heart of tradition and spirituality. Exploring the area you’ll discover many parts of Sri Lanka’s identity, both old and new. Mosques and temples such as the famous Gangaramaya Temple cast an ambience of mysticism, as well as serenity over those that pass them.
At the Northern tip of Colombo is the fort, which sports some Colonial architecture, hotels, banking and shops. It is also quite business orientated, along with places like Pettah, accommodating for those travelling with work. If relaxation is on your mind then south of the fort, in Galle Face Green you’ll find what was once a British Colonial space, designed for horse racing in 1859, but now exists as a place perfect for picnics, romantic strolls, playing cricket or lazing out in the sun, reading. It also has an exciting street food scene, with lots of enticing delicacies to try!
If you travel inland you’ll find what is named ‘Slave Island’. Before you frown, don’t worry, there aren’t actually any slaves here. It got this name after the Dutch used the space to house slaves many years ago. Nowadays it is a lovely spot in which you can visit the Sima Malaka Meditation Island along with the Gangaramaya temple, which sits placidly on the Beira Lake.
To get involved with the cities liveliness (and if you want to do a bit of shopping and grab some food) head to Kollupitiya, where Crescat Boulevard is. This is Sri Lanka’s premiere shopping centre, and includes lots of cosmopolitan restaurants and shops that will keep you occupied for ages. If you fancy taking in some of the luxurious sights of the city you could always go mansion spotting around the tree lined avenues of the Cinnamon Gardens too. If you’re hungry for some serious cultural knowledge, Wellawatte is the place to go, with many Hindu Kovils (temples).
In the evenings there are bars a plenty, especially if you head to some of the lavish hotels around, where you can eat and drink on the decking, over looking the views that are static with exhilarating atmosphere. Other evening entertainment includes the cinema, with the Savoy cinema in particular being well known, and showing a range of films from different countries.
Whilst Colombo is mainly busy, you can always escape down the little side streets that are home to shy shops. You can also even combine the city break with the beach, which is the beauty of Sri Lanka and its many landscapes. The famous Mount Lavinia hotel in particular is popular with tourists and locals that want to sit on the beach and sip refreshments overlooking the sea. In the evenings there’s live entertainment too.
As Sri Lanka’s largest city, Colombo is well worth visiting. Even if you’re not a fan of busy places a day trip here at least will allow you to get a feel for an area charmed by its colourful blur of life that brings together the past and the present, along with those from various countries and cultures around the world. For this reason it is a wonderful representation of the diversity and energy of life.
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