Everything You Should Know About Colombo, Sri Lanka

Colombo is the largest city and the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, located on the island’s western coast. As a tourist destination, Colombo has much to offer. It’s a vibrant mix of old world charm and modern-day luxuries, and is well suited for both short stay as well as long visits, offering something for everyone right from history and culture buffs, to art and architecture aficionados, nature lovers and leisure seekers.

How do I get to Colombo?

Whether you’re planning on arriving via air, land or sea – there are plenty of options available when looking to travel to and from Colombo.

Via Air

The airport closest to Colombo is the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Located in Katunayake, about 25 kilometres north of Colombo, it’s one of South Asia’s busiest airports and serves as a hub to a number of airlines including SriLankan Airlines, Mihin Lanka and Cinnamon Air. The airport features three terminals with an array of international and domestic flights arriving and departing from it each year.

By Sea

The Port of Colombo is one of the busiest shipping ports in South Asia and the main international maritime gateway for Sri Lanka. Containerized cargo ships from more than a hundred countries call here, at the port’s sprawling network of piers spread across nearly 600 hectares. The 15th century Galle Harbour is primarily used to host cruise ships that call here on their passage to other destinations along Sri Lanka’s coast. The port is easily accessible from the city centre, with a public ferry service plying between the two.

By Land

If you’re looking to make an overland journey to Colombo, there are plenty of local buses and trains making regular trips between Bucharest in Romania and Istanbul in Turkey. You can also make an overnight journey on a luxury express train the Demu Express 2017 or choose from a variety of express busses operated by Sri Lanka Bus Station.

What are Some Things to do in Colombo?

Colombo is a melting pot of culture, food, history and art – all of which offer visitors a fascinating insight into life in Sri Lanka. There’s no limit to the number of activities you can indulge in while in this bustling city, such as shopping at downtown malls, taking a culinary tour in Pettah or exploring its rich colonial heritage at some of its noteworthy cultural sites. Here are some of the top must-dos while visiting Colombo:

Make the most of Shopping Tours

As one of the region’s most vibrant cultures, Sri Lanka has a thriving artistry that is evident in many places like the downtown malls and the markets of Pettah. Many visitors visit the city for its vibrant retail scene and for souvenir shopping such as lace-crafted cloth material, wooden masks and jewelry crafted by local artisans. Many shopping tours are also available for those who want to discover the best shops without having to find them on their own.

Be Amazed at Cultural Sites

The city offers many glimpse into its colonial heritage at prestigious cultural sites such as St. Paul’s Church (built in 1851), Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil (1830s), Isipathanaramaya Buddhist Temple (1952) and Beira Lake (1796) among many others. These landmarks are awe-inspiring and offer visitors not just sights to discover but also plenty of insight into the Sri Lankan culture and history.

Be Part of Vibrant Nightlife

For those who love partying and don’t want to miss out on any nightlife activities, there are plenty of bars and pubs dotting the cityscape where you can have a lively night out accompanied by music, drinks and great people. The Dodgy Bar Crawl Colombo Almost Unlimited Food N Drink is one of the most popular activities in town that allows you to explore some of the most vibrant pubs in Colombo all under one pass.

Not just great food and beverages, but you can also be part of several events that draw tourists from around the world like music concerts, festivals and poker tournaments etc. Such occasions offer great opportunities to interact with locals as well as other tourists making your visit to Colombo even more memorable.

What Else is There To Do In Colombo?

Apart from its vibrant nightlife, there is plenty else that Colombo has to offer its visitors day or night. There are many sights that are sure to amuse you, such as the National Museum of Colombo which offers an insight into Sri Lankan culture through its collections dating back to ancient times. The Seema Malaka temple located at Beira Lake is picturesque with its floral gardens providing an oasis of serenity within this bustling city. Galle Face Green is a beachfront promenade that stretches for a mile along the banks of the Indian Ocean and is perfect for relaxation with its amazing views, food vendors and other entertainment options like kite flying etc.

There are also many activities available for those wanting an adventure such as parasailing, scuba diving and snorkelling amongst choppy waters as well as nature walks where you get to explore jungle-clad hills and spectacular waterfalls – something for every type of nature lover!

The Bottom Line

Colombo is definitely a great holiday destination whether you’re looking for fun activities or cultural exploration. It has so much on offer catering to all types of interests whether you’re an adventure junkie or an art enthusiast who likes to take things slow. From exploring colonial sites to shopping in vibrant markets or participating in upbeat cultural events – there is something for everyone! Add all this to the hospitality typically extended by locals, you’re sure get a wonderful experience that won’t be soon forgotten. If you want to experience some incredible sights in Colombo while enjoying delicious beverages and great company along the way then you should check out the Colombo Almost Unlimited Food N Drink Dodgy Bar Crawl. This way you can make sure you get everything from your stay in Colombo – from traditional sights and foods that tell stories about life here, as well as exciting new experiences in this ever-evolving city!