Colombo Tourist Places to Visit in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Asia
Colombo is the cultural, industrial and financial capital and the biggest city of Sri Lanka placed on the west coast of the country. It is also the administrative capital of Colombo District and Western Province of Sri Lanka. Colombo is placed 9 kms away from the political capital of Sri Lanka ‘Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte’.
The important landmarks in Colombo:
- Galle Face Green
- Viharamahadevi Park
- Mount Lavinia Beach
- National Museum
Geography and Climate of Colombo:
The city of Colombo is spread over an area of 37.31 sq. km. and placed between 6°56′04″ N latitude and 79°50′34″ E longitude.
Economy of Colombo:
Colombo houses the higher majority of Sri Lanka’s industries, entertainment centres and international hotels. It is home to the industries of textiles, glass, cement, leather goods, jewellery and chemicals. World Trade Centre is the major business complex of Colombo.
Etymology and history of Colombo:
There are several theories about the origin of the name Colombo. One theory states that, the name derives from Sinhalese word Kolon thota means “harbor on the river Kelani” and another theory claims that, the name derives from Sinhalese word Kola-amba-thota and its meaning is “port with leafy mango trees”.
Colombo was under the Portuguese, Dutch and the British and formed as a capital of Sri Lanka during the time of independence of the country in the year 1948.
Transportation in Colombo:
Colombo is served by Bandaranaike International Airport with international flights and Ratmalana Airport with domestic flights. Also Colombo has good connectivity with all the major cities of the country through road and railway mode.
Bastian Mawatha and Gunasinghapura Bus Terminal are the two primary bus stations of Colombo City. The Fort Railway Station is located 2 kms away from the centre of Colombo City. Colombo is connected through ferry service with Indian city Tuticorin in Tamilnadu.
Other than buses, Auto Rickshaws and Taxis are also playing a major role in the local transportation of Colombo.
Food, Culture and Shopping in Colombo:
Colombo houses the population of all the major religion people like Hindu, Buddhism, Muslim and Christian. Similar to country population, Buddhists are higher in majority in Colombo. Colombo Fort, Colombo Dutch Museum, Sir Ernest’s ‘Sirimathipaya’ Mansion and The Murugan Hindu Temple are the best examples for ancient Sri Lankan architecture. The locals of Colombo celebrate Buddha’s birth anniversary with great enthusiasm every year in the month of May. Eid Ul Fitr and Eid Ul Adha are the two Muslim festivals celebrated by the Muslim natives of Colombo. Christmas is also a big celebration in Colombo.
Colombo City is the shopping hub of the country and one can purchase variety of products ranging from daily usable to gadgets here.
The best shopping centres in Colombo are:
- Crescat Boulevard
- Barefoot Handicraft Store
- Majestic City
- The Pettah Market
The prominent food corners in Colombo include:
- The Gallery Cafe
- The Lagoon
- Nihonbashi Main Restaurant
- Chesa Swiss
Must see places in Colombo:
National Museum of Colombo:
National Museum of Colombo was constructed in the year 1877, displays throne of King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king of Kandy Kingdom.
The Natural History Museum:
The Natural History Museum is located in the centre of Colombo City and is open from 9AM to 5PM.
Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque:
Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque is the religious place and the popular tourist destination of Colombo situated in second Cross Street in Pettah.
The list of other tourist attractions in Colombo is as follows:
- The Beira Lake
- Town Hall
- The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
- The World Trade Centre towers
- Royal College Colombo
- The Murugan Hindu temple
- The Nelum Pokuna Theatre
Best time to visit Colombo:
Between December and March is the ideal time to visit Colombo.
Accommodation Options in Colombo:
The best resorts, home stays and hotels in Colombo City are as follows:
- Kamvelta Holiday Resort
- Parisare Homestay
- Global Towers Hotel
- Hotel Ranmuthu
- Hotel Sansu
- Galle Face Hotel
- Garden Guest House
- Palm Village Hotel
- Hotel Renuka & Renuka City Hotel
- Hotel Galadari
- The Havelock Place Bungalow
- Park Street Hotel
- Casa Colombo
- Ceylon Continental
- Cinnamon Grand Colombo