Perhaps what the vibrant city is most famous- Negombo is home to a pristine beach creating the perfect getaway to relax and enjoy the beautiful sunset while the caressing wind sweeps over the golden sand. The beach is filled with numerous fun activities like jet skiing through the strong waves, incredible catamaran rides, and wrestling the ocean breeze while kite surfing. Due to the city’s popularity there are multiple beach-side resorts, villas, and hotels capitalizing on the stunning ocean view. Negombo also has many highly rated seafood restaurants serving top notch seafood dishes in a variety of cuisines.
Although previously being a seafaring region which was also known for it’s prominent cinnamon trade, Negombo was captured from the Sinhalese monarchy by the Portuguese in the early 1500s. After more than a century under Portuguese rule, Negombo was yet again seized by the Dutch in 1646. The change in governing power brought in the mass conversion of the majority of the native Buddhists and Hindus to Catholicism. Two-thirds of the present day population of Negombo follow Catholicism and hence the city being referred to as ‘little Rome’. The city’s infrastructure too was greatly influenced by the colonial rule as depicted currently by the city’s European style architecture and beautiful old churches. St. Mary’s church is one of the largest roman catholic churches of the island and is an ideal portrayal of the fusion of European practice with Sri Lankan art and culture. Following it’s completion in 1922, the church is currently a popular landmark located on the grand street in the heart of Negombo. Other famous landmarks reminiscing colonial rule include the Negombo fort, which was built to defend Colombo, and the Hamilton canal which veins through the core of Negombo.
Yet another popular destination in the city is the lively and bustling Negombo fish market. The Lellama fish market is one of Sri Lanka’s largest local markets selling a variety of fresh sea food like fish, prawns, crab, and squid among many others. What makes Lellama fish market special is that travelers can witness the local fishermen hauling in the fresh catch of the day live early in the morning. Though the market opens at 6 am, the fishermen unload their boats at around 4-5 am, which makes an excellent opportunity to witness a glimpse of the fishing culture of the city. Seafood stalls and eateries around the market offer a chance to taste the incredible quality of the fresh catch through a wide array of prepared sea food dishes. Fishing and seafaring is extremely important to the city’s economy and is part of Negombo’s rich culture dating far back beyond the 15th century.
A visit to Negombo is certainly incomplete without experiencing the diverse wildlife and ecosystem of the Negombo lagoon. The large estuarine lagoon is converged into by many small rivers and of course the Hamilton canal, linking out to the ocean near the city. The lagoon has an extensive system of mangroves and is home to a remarkably bio-diverse environment. Though the area is mostly used for fishing and agriculture, the locals also offer boat tours through the murky waters offering a chance to catch sight of the many exotic species of the bird inhabiting the mangroves. Lagoon prawns and crabs are also high in demand owing to their exquisite taste. Another major destination of the area is the Muthurajawela marsh located in the southern region of the Negombo lagoon. The Sinhalese title translates to ‘swamp of royal treasure’, and it is named so due to the exceptional and highly diverse ecosystem supporting 192 distinct species of flora and 209 species of fauna including the elusively rare slender loris, in addition to another 102 species of birds. Visitors are keenly supervised by the Muthurajawela marsh center staff to preserve the natural environmental standards.
Whether you’re looking to unwind and relax by the beach, immerse yourself in historical culture, indulge in impeccable sea food cuisines, or embrace a slice of incredible bio diversity, this coastal city has something for every eager traveler. Don’t miss the fortune of experiencing the unique charm of Negombo.
