Colombo
If exotic destinations are your passion, Sri Lanka is sure to catch your eye. Away from the crowds of tourists, who tour the world's major landmarks, but a colorful mix of cultures, civilizations and manners. The capital Colombo is an amazing combination of culture, history and modernity. The colonial history of the city is connected with Portuguese, British and Dutch influences. There are many museums in Colombo, to walk in the quiet green parks or to immerse yourself in the life of the locals by visiting the colorful markets.
If you're wondering where to start - why not look down on the city? Lotus Tower is one of the newest attractions in Colombo, but it is a great opportunity to see the city from a bird's eye view, before going on a tour of the places, who caught your eye. 368-the meter tower is the tallest free-standing structure in South Asia and needless to say, that the views from the top are stunning. In the tower you will find another shopping center, museum of telecommunications, revolving restaurant, hotel and outdoor and indoor observation decks. The tower itself is an attraction for side photography at night because of its beautiful lighting.
The National Museum of Sri Lanka is housed in an incredibly beautiful Victorian building in central Colombo, and you will often see pictures of it on postcards and travel guides.. The museum will transport you through thousands of years of local culture in the form of a variety of attractions. There are both multimedia exhibitions, and works of art, clothes, jewelry, coins, weapons, etc.. If you are not familiar with the history and culture of Sri Lanka - here is the place to do it.
Fort is an area in central Colombo, the main business area of the city, where you can enjoy a stunning mix of colonial and modern buildings. Fort is a mix of old architectural masterpieces from the times of British and Dutch domination and modern construction, which will not leave you indifferent. The presidency and other administrative buildings are also located in this area. The area itself is small and can be walked around, and in it you will find more luxury shops and large hotels. The name of the area comes from the former Portuguese fortification, which surrounded and guarded the port area. Old Galle Buck lighthouse - the perfect place to start your walk around the Fort. Built in 1954 r. and surrounded by old cannons. From there you can enjoy beautiful views of the ocean and the port of Colombo.
This Buddhist temple complex was built at the end of 19 century and is an extremely beautiful place to visit and worship. Its purpose is not only to be a religious temple, but also to educate people about Buddhism. The temple looks a lot like a museum, and in it are exhibited various artifacts - such as jewelry, coins and even an old Rolls-Royce, as well as gifts, made by visitors to the temple. The most sacred relic in the temple is a lock of Buddha's hair. Another important place is a sacred tree, around which the temple was built. The biggest temple holiday is held on the full moon in February, when you can witness a procession, led by the temple elephant. Hundreds of Buddha statues can be seen on the territory of Gangaramaya Temple.
It is located near the Gangaramaya temple and you will notice its bright green waters. Unfortunately, the color is mainly due to contamination. In the center of the lake there is a small island with a religious sanctuary. During the colonial era, the lake and its canals were used to transport goods around the city. And it still bears the Portuguese name "Beira", which means "border". The lake is a nice place to relax, you can enjoy the view or take a boat trip. You will notice storks in the water, pelicans, lizards and a variety of fish.
Colombo Central Park is a giant green area, in which in addition to walking, you can also save yourself from the strong sun. Among the sights is the giant golden statue of Buddha, the park also has a large number of fountains and a small zoo.
It is located in the Dehiwala area and is not just a zoo, but also an educational institution and a center for biodiversity conservation. It is also one of the oldest zoos in Asia. They live above it 3000 animals.
The place is a former industrial zone, but from 2000 r. has since been rebuilt and turned into a charming floating market with over 100 retail space. The market is located on a canal, dotted with wooden footpaths and places for rest and walks. You can also enjoy great street food in the area, numerous shops, fruit and vegetable market and in general you can buy almost anything. If you want nice pictures, visit at sunset.
If you are in the Pettah area, don't miss to see this incredibly beautiful Red Mosque, whose official name is Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid. It was built at the beginning of 20 in. and impresses with its minarets of red and white stone and domes, which from an architectural point of view create a Russian feeling. The style is officially "Indo-Saracen". The mosque is open to outside visitors, as for men, so for women.
This large coastal area is a favorite place of locals for beach entertainment. It is located very close to the Fort area, in the very center of Colombo. 500-the meter beach is a nice place for games, picnic, surf, as well as for night entertainment.
This is one of the oldest colonial buildings in Colombo, dating from the beginning of 17 century. Today it has been restored and houses some of the best restaurants, cafes and shops in the city. This is the perfect place for lunch or dinner, and why not for shopping for clothes and souvenirs.
Because of the two monsoon seasons, you should choose the time to visit Sri Lanka according to your preferred destinations. The best time to visit Colombo is between October and March. Then is the driest season of the year and you can enjoy leisurely walks and sightseeing. If you are planning a visit to the Central Hills, go between January and March, to avoid the rains between October and December. April and September are the best months to visit the eastern and northern parts of Sri Lanka. October and November are generally monsoon months, in which floods occur frequently, but they rarely affect the capital, Colombo.
This article was written with the assistance of BulTravel and Agent Express EOOD.
Author : Ivan Rashkov
Here you can check and find the best prices for travel services:
- Flights and Airline tickets
- Hotels and Accommodation
- Holidays package
- Activities and Tours
- Cars Rental
- Transfers to and from the hotel
- Tourist transport - Ferries, Trains and Buses