the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, perfectly combines the incredible culture and history of the island with modern attractions and facilities.The unique colonial history of the city (Portuguese, Dutch and British) adds additional layers to the mixture.
About
Best period
The best months for good weather in Colombo are January, February and March
On average, the hottest months are January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December
The sea temperature is suitable for swimming throughout the year
Tourist Attractions
The Colombo National Museum, also called the Sri Lanka National Museum, is the official Sri Lanka Museum and takes you on a journey over thousands of years of culture in Sri Lanka.It is one of those museums that has several types of media, from art to artifacts, as well as clothing, jewelry, coins, weapons and handicrafts.The exhibitions present both the cultural and natural heritage of the country, presented chronologically, starting with prehistory and leading to this day.The museum is hosted in a great Victorian colonial building in the Colombo center, near Viharamahadevi Park.
The first (and the only) planetarium in Sri Lanka can be a fascinating way to get rid of the hot sun.The planetary is located at the University of Colombo.There is a public entrance to the Independence Square.The big room has 570 places with a couple, and on it the night sky and its constellations are designed.The design of the lotus flower shares elements with the emblematic modernist cathedrals in Liverpool, England and Brazil.The shows are presented at 10:00 and 14:00, and the tickets are less than $ 1.
One of the hottest (and highest) places to visit in Colombo is also one of the latest things to do in the city.Colombo Lotus Tower is the highest standing structure in South Asia (368 meters/1,168 feet), and a trip at the top rewards visitors with unobstructed views on Colombo and urban landscape and the surrounding sea.A shopping center (at the base), a refined rotary restaurant and interior and exterior observation areas.The tower is also a view to be seen from the outside - it is covered with LED lighting and has seasonal lighting display every night.
This large and modern complex of the show arts hosts a wide range of music, dance and cultural shows.Recently he was renamed for the former president of the country, Mahinda Rajapaksa.Like many other things in Sri Lanka, the design intentionally reminds a lotus flower.I also make modern pop concerts.The shows take place in the main room or in the outdoor amphitheater.The theater is located in the Colombo center, opposite the Viharamahadevi Park. In the program of the theater can be watched online, and tickets can be purchased online.It is a great place to visit in Colombo, because no matter what you go to see, you will wake up surrounded by locals.
This Buddhist temple complex was built at the end of the 19th century.The temple is a place of worship, but it also tries to educate people about Buddhism.It is also like a museum, because it presents a lot of physical objects, from jewelry to coins and even an era.Visit during the full month of February (called "Poya") to see the colorful annual religious ceremony of the Gangaramaya Temple, which includes a procession led by the Temple elephant.
The main beach resort city in Sri Lanka, Mount Lavinia is a suburb of Colombo.There are many hotels here and it can be a good alternative to staying in the city.It is a light 30-minute trip by car from Colombo (or a 15-minute trip by train) and a fun way to spend an afternoon or a few days.The main portion of the beach is known as Golden Mile and is full of business focused on tourists, as well as an active nightlife.Mount Lavinia has also become popular as a friendly LGBTIQA+area, hosting a Rainbow Kite festival every year.Be careful when swimming.There are a few very cute restaurants along the promenade on the seafront, and the beach itself is full of sellers selling everything, from food to swimsuits.If you stay at the beach after 6:00 pm, you will be rewarded with an incredible sunset.
This huge green space is the Central Park in Colombo (and one of its only large open areas) and offers areas to relax and enjoy (or escape).There are many wells in the park, as well as a small zoo.Children will enjoy the playground.You can visit the Cenotaph (the war memorial statue), as well as the National Library, both being located in the park.Now named for one of the ancient queens of the country, the park has previously been called Victoria Park.Viharamahadevi Park is located between the National Museum in Colombo and City Hall.
Since 2000, this former industrial area of Colombo has been refurbished in a flowering floating market, with almost 100 sellers.Pettah is located in the Colombo center, about five minutes driving.They both align and cross the channel, making it a fun area for shopping, walking and observing people.There is also great street food here.It is also a fruit and vegetable market.You can buy clothes, crafts, jewelry, even electronic like phones.Sun is a great time to visit and for photos (about 5:00 pm).
Colonial History of Colombo (it was a British, Dutch and Portuguese colony at different times) contributes so much to its current culture.You can find out all about the Dutch influence and the history of the island at the Dutch Museum Colombo.The collection includes artifacts, works of art and furniture, as well as weapons and military.There is information in English. Including the museum was built at the end of the seventeenth century as an official residence of the Dutch governor.The collection highlights the history of almost 200 years of Dutch control over the coastal areas of the island, from 1640 to 1796. The island, then known as Ceylon, served as a key stop in the world trade, because it was on one of the most important east areas.-the western maritime of the Dutch company to the Eastern Indei of the country.
Cemeteries can be interesting places to visit, because they permanently document the local culture.Kanatte is the main cemetery of the city and was opened in the middle of the 19th century.It has a fascinating mixture of memorials, representing all religions and beliefs.Each one has its own section and each has its own style of physical memorials.Clarke was born in Sri Lanka when he was a British colony and later withdrew here.
Located right next to the Colombo National Museum, opposite the Viharamahadevi Park in the Colombo center, the National Museum of Natural History presents the incredible natural history of the country.Many rare animals presented are threatened with disappearance.In addition to plants, there are many exhibitions of rock and mineral, also those that are originally from the island. In near animals and plants, there are skeletons and fossils of ancient and missing creatures, including dinosaurs.The museum is a great tourist experience for families and children.
Trainers and train observers will want to visit this outdoor museum in the Colombo center, near the main Maradana station of the city.Although there is a larger railway museum in Kadugannawa, near Kandy, the one in Colombo has a respectable collection of wagons, rolling stock and locomotives, including many steam locomotives.
If you have children and visit Colombo, this small fun center must be on your itinerary.It is a fun local experience, with a shopping center, a few walks, a bowling track, a game room and a dietary area.There is also a cinema (presenting western and Bollywood movies).The bowling alley is particularly popular, because it is the only one in Colombo. In the park, a carousel, a carousel cars and a jump house.If you visit during December, the mall is known for bringing snow to create an inner winter land called snow World.It is the only place in Sri Lanka who celebrates a white Christmas, with Santa. N Nexcel World is located near Lake Beira.
While you are in the Pettah area, visit the incredible red mosque of the city, officially known as Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid.It was built at the beginning of the twentieth century and makes a statement with its red and white stone minarets, covered with onion and pomegranate domes.They rise above the area, and the domes give the building an almost Russian, architectural appearance.The style is called "Indo-Saracenic.It is particularly interesting, because the red and white bricks are arranged in different models.Some involution, others in spiral and other areas have alternating colors with an almost optical illusional effect.
The Great Colombian area of the city is located in the Dehwala area.More than animals in cages, the zoo focuses on education, as well as the preservation and well -being of animals.One of the oldest Zoological Gardens in Asia, houses almost 3,000 different animals of all shapes and dimensions.The zoo has daily demonstrations with the holders of different animals.In addition to the Urban Zoological Garden in Dehwala, about two hours outside Colombo, in Pinnawala, there is a larger wild animal park and an elephant sanctuary, both administered by the Department of Zoological Gardens.
This large area of the park, on the banks of the ocean, is the place where many from Sri Lanka go to play on the beach.The park is between Galle Road and the Indian Ocean, right in the heart of Colombo, near the fort.The hot sun in Colombo means that this is also a popular area for night fun - Saturday nights and Sundays are the best times to visit.It is a fun place for families and is good for running.
Another of the most popular places in Colombo for picnic, relaxation and boat or run is Lake Beer.This artificial lake (not to be confused with its older neighbor, Lake Beira) is surrounded by a lot of green space, but it is right in the middle of the city.There are swans that you can rent and walk around the lake.There are several shops with snacks and a floating restaurant with refined tables.The restaurant is on a boat and floats during a dinner cruise.The island is a popular place for couples for romantic walks.Otherwise in the lake, there is a small Buddhist temple (Gangarama Seema Malaka) seated on the water on several dams.The lake is an excellent location to take pictures, especially at night.You have a beautiful, outdoor environment with the horizon of Colombo as a background.
