1. National Museum Colombo (Sri Lanka)
The National Museum of Colombo was declared opened in 1877 with just 800 exhibits displaying a few aspects of the history and culture of Sri Lanka. Today, it has more than 100,000 exhibits and the most important library on the island. The Museum turned out to be so popular throughout the years, the Sri Lankan Government had to build up another ministerial department committed exclusively to manage the Museum situated close to the Nelum Pokuna Theater in swanky Colombo 7, the National Museum is the biggest museum on the island. The two-storied Italianate building and its luch, very much manicured garden with banyan trees is an exhibit in itself. Visitors are welcomed at the Museum’s lobby by a serene Buddha statue in reflection posture carved out of stone dating as far back as fourth to fifth century. This is one of the best-protected protected statues found on the island and is hailed by a historian as a sculpting masterpiece.
2. Viharamahadevi Park
The main central park in the city of Colombo, Viharamahadevi Park, formerly known as Victoria Park, is a recreational space for unwinding, relaxation, fun, and play. A greatly cherished recreation retreat in the city, the recreation center is a haven for joy for the whole family.There used to be three main doorways to the recreation center: the primary passageway that faces the Colombo Municipal Council where a large Buddha statue and a long pool of water replete with fountains await guests, the other directly opposite Park Street and the third alongside the Public Library. Given the fact that the pack no longer has fencing, walk-ins can be made from any angle, which is part of the fun.The park is scenic and beautiful with tasty green grass, age-old magnificent trees. The elegant daytime park turns into an emotional, magical space with beautiful lit lamp posts all around, as dusk falls.The park also houses a World War Memorial. This memorial comprises of Greek columns that imitate ancient design.
3. Go to Mt Lavinia Beach
Mount Lavinia is well known for its “Golden Mile” of beach where the Mount Lavinia Hotel is pleasantly settled. From the beach, the high-rise structures of central Colombo are easily noticeable at night, brightening of Colombo together with the lighting of the hotel gives you charming strolls around the beachfront, wrapped in the ocean breeze.
The prestigious 5-star Hotel of universal standing has been one of the areas of David Lean’s exemplary “The Bridge on the River Kwai” shot mainly at Kitulgala in Ceylon.
It became a government rest house in 1877. Converted into a hotel in 1895, it got to be distinctly a standout amongst the most venerable colonial landmarks in Sri Lanka. Presently stretched out with modern wings, it is a standout amongst the most prominent hotels in Sri Lanka among the foreign tourists and also local based.
4. Colombo City Tour
The Colombo City Tour is Colombo’s first open deck city tour service propelled by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Ebert Silva Holidays (Pvt) Ltd. The Colombo City Tour adds flavor and energy to the touristic encounter the city of Colombo needs to offer.No tour is really complete without a tour through its capital city. Colombo, in spite of being unprepossessing at first look, offers visitors full knowledge into Sri Lanka’s turbulent history, its varied religious groups and also the modern and cosmopolitan side of the nation that you are beginning to see today. The tour also passes through the frenetic open air Pettah Market and takes in various sanctuaries and mosques, which disseminate the city.
5. Gangarama Temple
The Gangaramaya Temple is strikingly delightful, and it is additionally the most vital place of love for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. It is perfectly planned, with an insight of Chinese, Indian and Thai impact in its design. The Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is a significant sight in itself. It also houses a museum and a library. A stroll along the premises is prescribed for all travelers, as it is a position of love as well as an inside for learning and offers spectacular perspectives of the surrounding zone. The monthly Buddhist full moon Poya and the week-long Buddhist festival celebrating the birth of Lord Buddha are two noteworthy festivals for Buddhists in Colombo.
6. Dehiwala Zoological Garden
Dehiwala zoo, which is otherwise called the national zoo of Sri Lanka, was established in 1936. it is spread over wide ranges and is a host to a wide variety of fowls and animals. Presently, this zoo has roughly 3000 creatures of almost 250 distinct species. in spite of the fact that the obvious target of setting up this zoo was to show creatures, it is presently regarded as a creature welfare and preservation focus.
john hagenbeck, who at first began the dehiwala zoo, has a place with a family occupied with creature bazaars. he gathered and kept the creatures in this premises for exchange. Mr. hagenbeck sent out wild creatures to Europe to his sibling carl hagenbeck who was one of the greatest creature merchants in Europe around then. to hold the creatures before trading them to Europe he purchased 05 sections of land of land at dehiwala toward the start of the century. this turned out to be very famous among the occupants of the zone. the aggregate territory of the accumulation focus was expanded to 11 sections of land to hold the creatures got. along these lines, the inside was assumed control by the administration in 1936. the degree of the land was expanded bit by bit to present status of 23 sections of land Colombo zoo is open 8.30am to 6 pm each day of the year, including Sinhala – Tamil new year and Christmas day, Thai Pongal day. last ticket deal at 5.30pm
7. Leisure World
Leisure World is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. Situated around an hour and a half’s head out from Colombo, extending across 52 acres of greenery, this amusement park is encompassed by a region of rich biodiversity and peaceful environment. It gives visitors a once in a lifetime experience of unique water-related and delight exercises. All around prepared educators, operators, lifeguards and pool specialists are at your service for the whole day. A fresh out of the box new amusements arcade and the race course was opened recently and new slides added to the assorted water park. It is a sensational place for individuals of any age
8. Ride in a Trishaw
Going by trishaw in Sri Lanka can be an extraordinary experience. Notwithstanding when you have to move around the city you can go by trishaws as they have strong drivers who move out of the tricky situation and achieve your goal in a matter of minutes. The trishaw standout when it comes to traveling around and its one of the well-known methods for going around the country. They look somewhat like cabs despite the fact that they are very less expensive. They tend to cheat outsiders; subsequently, it is critical to ensure that you know the right fair for specific spots.
9. Colonial Building
Colonial building in Sri Lanka are spread all through the tiny island country, everyone having particular qualities that may originate from the British, Portuguese and Dutch. Among these structures, the rundown of Dutch Colonial building is very long, yet some of these structures have been demolished or deserted. The good news is a majority of this structure still exist and are being used.
10. Independence Memorial Hall
Aside from its notable essentialness the Independence Memorial Hall is likewise a relaxation scene. It’s a monument cum park, cum strolling ground offered in one area. One can go there just to unwind, take in the lovely surroundings, the cool blowing natural air, while going for a moderate walk or have yourself some quiet time. For the more dynamic, the area is perfect for a lively stroll before you begin your day or toward the finish of a hard day to demolish the anxiety. On your visit to the Independence Memorial Hall, keep in mind to observe the Independence Memorial Museum which is situated in the building’s basement. There aren’t many places in Sri Lanka worked out for appreciating legends. It contains statues of the individuals who assumed a huge part in Sri Lanka’s battle for freedom. Recently redesigned, it now holds numerous memorabilia of Sri Lanka’s British rule and other momentous events.
11. Galle Face Green
Quickly south of Fort is Galle Face Green, a long stretch of lawn facing the ocean. It was initially cleared by the Dutch to give the cannons of Fort a reasonable line of fire. Today its wide yards are a prominent meet spot; on weekdays it’s spotted with joggers, kite flyers, and walkers, and on ends of the week food sellers assemble to feed the hordes.
12. Colombo Nightlife
One thing is without a doubt, you can never get exhausted in Colombo with such a great amount to see and do.
It is no Las Vegas, yet at the same time, there is a lot of nightlife in Colombo. Numerous clubhouse, or otherwise called clubs here. The clubs offer card sharks roulette, baccarat, poker, blackjack, and different games for people to try their luck as well as complimentary nourishment and drinks, also there is live music band playing.
13. Jami Ul-Afar Mosque
This Moorish architectural mavel is situated at Second Cross Street in Pettah with a stunning red and white-bricked outline. Some say that this landmark affirmed to sailor coming to port that they were indeed near Sri Lanka.
14. Sri kailawasanathar Swami Devasthanam Kovil
Sri kailawasanathar Swami Devasthanam Kovil likewise called Kovil Veediya is the oldest and one of the biggest Hindu Temple in Colombo. It is situated at Captain’s Garden, Maradana region, behind the Fort Railway Station. As such, it is also called Captain’s Gardens Pillayar Kovil. Inside it are shrines devoted to Shiva and Ganesh. Situated down a peaceful rear way in the bustling city of Colombo, this Hindu temple is viewed as the oldest in Colombo. Depending on the day you choose to visit, you may experience the Ketti Melam music played at Tamil weddings or have the capacity to watch two Festival, the Kovil plays host to one in March committed to goddess Pattini and the other in August devoted to god Easwaran.
15. Dutch Period Museum
Dutch period Museum is situated in the former residence of Count August Carl Van Ranzow. Built in the Early seventeenth century it has an amazing gathering of furniture, crockery, coins, arms and other historic items from the Dutch time frame. The Dutch time frame in Sri Lanka initiated with the seizure of the Portuguese settlements in Sri Lanka by the East India Company-Vereenigde Oost Indische Compagnie (VOC) on twelfth June 1656 and ended with the surrender to the English East India Company on fourteenth Feb 1795. The Tombstone hall here houses headstones from the old Dutch cemetery in Pettah from the period 1656-1796. Every tombstone has a crest on the top with a symbol of death.
16. New and Old Kathiresan Kovil
New Kathiresan Kovil situated in Bambalapitya, Sri Lanka is a Hindu temple devoted to the war god Murugan (Skanda). A lot of tourists visit the kovil and earn merits from God Murugan.Old Kathiresan Temple is one of the holistic temples in Sri Lanka. The temple is arranged in Colombo-4 and is an exceptionally acclaimed temple. The main god in the temple is also lord Muruga. The place draws the attention of many people and attracts the general population inside and outside Srilanka. The kovil has an extremely vivid Gopuram (doorways). Both temples are dedicated to God Murugan. Since Hindu’s celebrate a lot of festival in a year, the most part of the temple has a ton of Poojas.
17. Wolvendaal Church
Wolvendaal Church is a standout amongst the most important Dutch Colonial era building in Sri Lanka and is one of the oldest Protestant churches still being used in the country. The Wolvendaal Church is considered as a standout amongst the most important Dutch structures in Colombo. Built in 1749, the Church is located on a hill, giving an incredible view disregarding the Colombo harbor.It is believed that when the Church was built, what is presently a clamoring and crowded area was at one time a forested wilderness. The Dutch, mistaking a pack of jackals for wolves named the region Wolvendaal or Wolf’s Dale.
18. Pettah Market
The Pettah Market also called Manning Market is an open market in the suburb of Pettah in the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The passage to the Pettah Market is marked formally by a tall monument in the center roundabout, known as the Khan Clock Tower which was built by the family of Framjee Bhickajee Khan, a famous Parsi family from Bombay who used to have a substantial business interest in the country and who also owned the Colombo Oil Mills. The Colombo Old Town Hall and Museum, which was built by the prominent Muslim Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar, is situated at Kayman’s Gate, so named because the Dutch used to stock crocodiles at Beira Lake to keep their slaves from getting away. Today the building act as a post office on the ground floor, and as a museum on the upper floor. Outside, there is a display of old steam motors.
19. Kolluptiya Super Market
Another really sweet market to visit is the Kollupitiya Super Market situated in Colombo 3. The district is home to lots of shopping and a market with various interesting malls.
20. Colombo Fort
The Colombo Fort district of town is a historic area that is today the monetary business district of Colombo. It was the Portuguese who initially started to build up the fort, yet from that point, the Dutch took it over.
Among the cutting-edge buildings, also look at the old General Hospital and Post Office, the old Lighthouse, and various church cathedrals in the area.
21. Cinnamon Gardens
Cinnamon Gardens is an area of Colombo, Sri Lanka found 3 kilometers southeast of Colombo’s center. Cinnamon Gardens is named from the former cinnamon estate plantation around there. In the year 1789, there were 289 acres of cinnamon trees in the gardens. At present, Cinnamon Gardens is the location of the Prime Minister’s Office, Independence Hall, Colombo Town Hall and National Museum and also numerous foreign embassies and high commissions, situated down streets lined with fine trees and mansions that are home to the nation’s elite.
22. Explore Moratuwa
only south of Colombo city is the suburb of Moratuwa. The town is intriguing to explore, offering various classic buildings, neighborhood life, and the becoming more prominent Bolgoda Lake.You can easily catch the train or bus south from Colombo to visit Moratuwa.
23. Eat Rice and Curry (with Your Hands)
A decent dinner ought to be something that invigorates every of your senses. It is the amalgamation of smell, look, touch, and taste that combine together to make a truly unique eating experience In Sri Lanka, meals are colorful and outwardly engaging, and particularly rice and curry, the scent has lingering aromas of rich flavors and the taste is robust and contrasting in flavor. Eating with your hands can take a touch of getting used to at initially, however once mastered it turns almost natural.
24. Wood Apple Juice
Wood apple juice is to a greater degree a thick smoothie than a watery juice, and it’s something Sri Lankan’s love and is profoundly passionate about. wood apple ensures regular smooth bovel habits. It is also recommended as a remedy for chronic dysentery. The fruit contains citrus acid however it is harsh, it is useful for gastric patients.
25. Snake Charmer
Snake Charmer, as you likely know, is the act of playing flute and using hand movements to hypnotize a snake, most times a cobra. Around Colombo, there are a lot of nomadic snake charmers that carry their cobras in a little crate and wait for tourist to stroll by so they can put on a show.
