Colombo Holidays

Where is Colombo?
Colombo sits about two thirds down the west coast of Sri Lanka, with Beira Lake at its heart and the mouth of the Kelani River at its port. The city is about 35 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport and is used as gateway to the rest of the island.

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Colombo city temples
For those keen to temple trot around the city, Colombo has Hindu and Buddhist temples open to all faiths. On the shores of Beira Lake, Gangaramaya Temple reflects Sri Lankan, Indian and Chinese architecture whilst floating on the waters, Geoffrey Bawa designed Seema Malaka is a minimalistic temple with an emphasis on meditation. In the heart of the city, visit the candy-coloured lotus-carved Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil or attend one of the pujas held every Friday in the solid granite Hindu Sri Ponnambalam Vanesar Kovil.

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Colonial architecture and history
Colombo’s colonial history dates back to 1505. The city was first seized by the Portuguese, then captured by the Dutch and further colonised by the British in 1802 before peacefully gaining independence in 1948. From government buildings and department stores to churches and street names, influences from all three nations are still found in the city. Head to Pettah for the Dutch colonial Wolvendaal Church and the British built Old Town Hall. Explore the Fort area and you’ll find the Instagram-worthy power red and white Cargills Miller 1900s department store, the restored Old Dutch Hospital and centuries-old cannons left by the Dutch along the waterfront of Galle Face Green.

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Shopping in Colombo
If you enjoy the hustle, bustle and local flavours of a market, nothing beats Pettah for bargain buys including leather bags, sumptuous silks, vibrant saris, beautiful cottons, exotic fruits, hot cobra chillis and glamorous gold jewellery. If it’s a more refined shopping experience you’re after, try Park Street Mews in Colombo 2 for handcrafted teas or Odel Mall and Paradise Road in Colombo 7 for high street brands, hand painted ceramics, elegant homeware and art work.

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Waterfront life
Galle Face Green is the easy breezy social hub of the city, a 12-acre oceanfront park loved by locals where you’ll find everyone playing sports, flying kites and dipping their toes in the water. Go for the evening street food stalls and the sunsets.

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Food & drink
Colombo’s restaurants serve up everything from market fresh seafood to Sri Lankan comfort food whilst street food joints and roadside shops (kades) dish out spicy deep-fried prawns, biryani, famous string hoppers and kottu roti. The Old Dutch Hospital’s Ministry of Crab is a firm favourite, continuously making it onto the list of Asia’s 50 best restaurants. The city is littered with independent cafes, traditional sports pubs and stylish rooftop bars and the eateries on Park Street Mews are the latest hip spot for artistic small plates and creative cocktails.

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