Colombo faces the great Indian ocean as it locates on the lower west coast of Sri Lanka. Being home to a well-functioning airport and one of the busiest harbors in south Asia, the buzzing city is the financial and commercial face of the island. The city experiences the tropical heat from November to March and a wet spell from May to October. Owing to it’s past and strategic location as a natural harbor, the historical significance of the city is depicted by various special landmarks like the Khan clock tower, the magnificent red and white Jami-Ul Alfar mosque, Wolvendaal church and a multitude of others. In addition to bearing an array of wonderful destinations and being a paradise for tourists and locals on a shopping-spree, Colombo is also home to some of the island’s fanciest and top-notch hotels upholding an excellent esteem.
Close to it’s heart lies undoubtedly Colombo’s most popular attraction; Galle face green. It is an urban park that stretches alongside the coast offering a fantastic view of the ocean and the perfect atmosphere to appreciate the serenity of the beach. Originally used in the past for colonial militia, horse racing, golf, polo, and numerous other sports, Galle face is currently a popular spot to relax while enjoying the cool sea breeze and the fabulous view of the ocean as the sun sets warmly across the horizon. It is ideal place to indulge in a vivid array of Sri Lankan street food or to experience the thrill of kite flying in the strong wind. Gaining merit of the location’s popularity, there are plenty of renowned hotels and restaurants in close proximity to Galle face making it ideal for visits.
Apart from modern innovation, the city of Colombo represents the remarkably diverse ethnicity of the nation through multiple religious establishments like churches, mosques, temples and kovils. Among many of the prominent attractions like St. Anthony’s shrine of Kochchikade, Sivasubramania Swami Kovil, and the Jami-Ul Alfar mosque, the Gangaramaya temple is a popular destination for tourists and locals to experience cultural essence and marvelous Architecture. Located on the Beira lake, the temple was established in the late 19th century. The impressive landmark depicts a vivacious blend of Sri Lankan, Indian, Thai, and Chinese architecture, in addition to modern ingenuity. Currently the temple serves as an important place of Buddhist worship and is hospitable to members of many different religions, making it a perfect spot to experience the beauty of Sri Lankan culture.
On account of Colombo’s lucrative commerciality, it is quite the paradise for avid shoppers from all walks of life. From cheap electronics to fashion to some of the country’s finest gems and jewelry, a casual stroll in the buzzing streets of Colombo can get you anything you desire! In addition, the city is also host to a plethora of exemplary and top-notch shopping complexes like One Galle Face, Colombo city center and Marino Mall. Each complex is structured to bring you the best the city has to offer in multiple aspects like fashion, jewelry, food, entertainment and many more.
The food in Colombo is a worthwhile attraction by itself! The city is a haven for food lovers to indulge in countless delicacies from a wide array of cuisines both local and international. Not just authentic Sri Lankan dishes, but also global cuisines like Chinese, Thai, and Italian- just to name a few. Entertainment too is not scarce as the city offers many well standardized and high quality movies theaters ensuring a worthwhile and pleasurable experience.
On account of the weather being more pleasant, January to April might be an optimal time to visit Colombo. Experience a unique blend of culture, history, and contemporaneity as you make your way through the vibrant and bustling city of Colombo!
