48 Places to Visit in Colombo

48 Places to Visit in Colombo

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Are You planning to spend your holidays in COLOMBO this time? Your choice is perfect as this is one of the tourist locations that should be visited at-least once in your lifetime. Colombo is the gateway to reach most of the places in Sri Lanka for the travelers. Its difficult to cover the entire place when we go on a tour, but we should not miss the best and famous picnic spots. I have given the details about some of the must see places which will come handy during your trip to this location. There are lot to see and enjoy our holidays in this astonishing country. There are beaches to relax, Light house, museums to know about ancient history, galleries, shopping malls, religious places and much more to fulfill our holiday dreams. 

How to Reach Colombo? 

Bandaranaike International Airport operates Flights to many major cities around the world. Leading airlines like Jet Airways, Emirates, Air India, Air Asia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, etc. operates flights to this Island destination. Sri Lankan Transport Board operates several buses to various destinations within Sri Lanka. Travelling by Train or Three wheeler (Also known as tuk-tuk) are the other available options to move with in the city. 

48 Important Tourist Destinations in Colombo are:

Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, Shri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil, Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, Pettah Floating Market, Maritime Museum, New Kathiresan Kovil, National Museum, Attidiya Bird Sanctuary, Casino Marina, Colombo Walks, The Central Point, Light House Clock Tower, The Khaiyoom Villa, Galle Face Beach, Sambodhi Chaithya, Air Force Museum, Peer Saibo, Buddha Statue, Ancient Building of Ananda College, Kayman's Gate, Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, St. Lucia's Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, Red Masjid, Harrison's, National Art Gallery, Kollupitya Jumma Mosque, Mount Lavinia Beach, New Town Hall, Beddegana Wetland Park, Ape Gama, Wolvendaal Church, Seema Malaka, Sir Edward Barns Statue, Water World Lanka, Bally's Casino, The Independence Memorial Hall, Khan Clock Tower, Beddegana Wetland Park, Diyatha Uyana, Dehiwala Zoo, Galle Face Green, Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya, Viharamahadevi Park, Dutch Museum, National Museum of Natural History, Beira Lake and Independence Memorial Museum.

There are hundreds of shops and restaurants in PETTAH FLOATING MARKET. Varieties of items like local famous fruits, vegetables, garments, electronic items and boutiques are available at an affordable cost. This is one of the landmarks of this city. Since it is situated on the Beira Lake, visitors can enjoy the nature by tasting local famous foods that are served hot on the location. During weekends tourists can enjoy boat riding. 

KELANIYA RAJA MAHA VIHARA is situated at the heart of the city and it is believed that Buddha visited this place after 8 years of enlightenment, along with 500 Monks to teach dhamma to the then King of Kelaniya, King Maniakkhikha. This tourist place is usually crowded on weekends. 

THE GANGARAMAYA BUDDHIST TEMPLE is 120 years old and one of the important temples. While entering you can witness the architectural work on the doors leading to the main deity. There is an amazing museum inside the temple which holds numerous Buddha idols from all over the world. There is a Buddha statue which is considered to be the smallest on the Island, being preserved in a glass box. On the ceilings one can see Buddhist stories engraved beautifully. This temple is open to all irrespective of faith or religion. 

SHRI PONNAMBALAWANESWARAM KOVIL is a famous Hindu shrine. The carving and other architectural work inside the temple gives us the clear picture about ancient history. 

NEW KATHIRESAN KOVIL is located on the Galle Road. Main deity of this temple is Lord Murugan also affectionately called by localites as War God Skanda. Idols of Hindu mythologies are found all over the temple. Devotees are welcomed by the garland seller near the entrance of the temple. It is more than hundred years old. 

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF COLOMBO displays over 100,000 exhibits. Located near Nelum Pokuna Cinema, it is the largest museum on the Island. Buddha statue carved during 4th and 5th century in meditation pose welcomes all visitors at the lobby. Right from ancient agricultural civilization to the current modern period exhibits are found in this huge museum display. Do not forgot to visit the library inside which has the collection of more than 12 million documents which includes few publication acquired more than 125 years. 

COLOMBO WALKS is a daily walking tour hosted there for about 2.5 - 3 hours in the morning, in order to explore the city with fun and fitness. 

THE CENTRAL POINT, run by Central Bank is a money museum. Museum construction resembles the style of Roman architecture. Once upon a time, this Museum was the tallest in Colombo consisting seven floors. Old coins and notes found inside the museum along with big replication of the money. Tourists gets a chance to learn how notes get printed by visiting this beautiful tourist spot.  

GALLE FACE GREEN, once a horse race course and a golf course, is now the largest open space spread across 12 acres of land, is now the favorite destination of merry makers to pass time on the weekends with family and friends. It is being maintained by the Urban Development Authority of Sri Lanka. Some of the activities that take place today here are cricket, polo, football, tennis and rugby. 

A Buddhist shrine built in the year 1956 to commemorate Sambuddhatva Jayanthi is the SAMBODHI CHAITHYA. It is built above 2 interlocking arches at the entrance of Colombo Harbour. 

AIR FORCE MUSEUM, the only Aviation museum that speaks about the history of Sri Lanka Air Force. Irrespective of the age, this tourist spot would definitely gives an unique experience. Equipment's used during World War II are found here which are a treat to watch. 12th commander of Sri Lankan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal WDMRJ Goonetileke initiated this present form of museum in the year 2008. Museum is open to public from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on all days other than Monday and public holidays. 

ANCIENT BUILDING OF ANANDA COLLEGE, was established as a national school for boys by Sir Henry Steel Olcott in 1886.It belongs to the Buddhist Theosophical Society and  was made a government school in 1961. It is the famous and leading school in the Island Country. 

JAMI UL ALFAR MOSQUE, one of the sacred worship places for Muslims was constructed during 19th century for South Indian businessmen. Entire building of this mosque is painted in white & red color. Mosque can accommodate 1500 people to attend prayers. 

Located in the north east of Colombo, ST. LUCIA'S CATHEDRAL is the place of worship for Roman Catholics. In the year 1938 Madonna statue and Baby Jesus statue was brought to this church and it was called as "Our Lady of Kotahena". Every year during the month of May, these statues are taken out for procession all over the streets of Kotahena. 

KOLLUPITIYA JUMMA MOSQUE is the oldest Mosque / Jumma Masjid located in the western part of the country, in Colombo. It is beautiful and well maintained. 

BEDDEGANA WETLAND PARK is situated near the Parliament House of Sri Lanka. Spread across 18 acres of land, it consists of a wooden ramp to walk across as the land is wet always. Nature lovers enjoy this place for its serenity and beauty. 

APE GAMA, also known as BATTARAMULLA JANAKALA KENDRAYA is a rural village situated in the middle of the city. It showcase the history of ancient Sri Lankan village life style. There is a zoo and bird watching zone inside ape gama. 

Built in 1749, the WOLVENDAAL CHURCH is one of the important building during Dutch period. Walls are of 1.5 meters thick and Dutch furniture inside is indeed a real treasure. 

SEEMA MALAKA is an elegant Buddhist Temple that is situated in the middle of Beira Lake. Architect of the temples keeps us guessing how its built with three raised platforms that are connected to each other in the absence of modern technologies. Like other Buddhist temples in Lanka, this temple too is open to all irrespective of their belief and religion.

WATER WORLD LANKA is a public aquarium that is spread across five acres of land on the banks of the river kelani. In South Asia, this is the only public aquarium with an underwater tunnel. There are more than 10,000 aquatic organisms found in the aquarium. These species enjoy their living in one million liters of water available in this unique aquarium. Other attractions includes shark diving, boat rides, fish feeding and touch pool. Visiting this location not only gives us entertainment but also gives educational information about aquatic creatures. 

BALLY'S CASINO is the place for thorough entertainment during night time. Casino is open for guests daily from 8.30 pm to 3.00 am. Live music by local artists with dance floor are also available to lighten our mood. 

THE INDEPENDENCE MEMORIAL HALL earlier known as TORRINGTON SQUARE is situated at Independence Square. Statues of lions are found around the building. The pillars are well decorated with ancient Sri Lankan architectural designs. On the front of this monument there is a statue of the first prime minister of Sri Lanka, Late Hon. D.S. Senanakaya. They have recently renovated the basement of the museum to display the statues of their national heroes who fought for freedom from British government. There is a special section for the war heroes who dedicated their life in the war against Tamil Terrorists. 

KHAN CLOCK TOWER is one of the City's three ancient clock towers. This clock was built by Parsi family of Framjee Bhikhajee Khan during early 20th century. The water fountain on the tower is not in working condition. 

Spread around 18 hectares of land, BEDDEGANA WETLAND PARK is a nature park nestled within the "Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Bird Sanctuary. Park will be full of several species of Birds from the month of August till April every year which will be the ideal time to visit. 

DEHIWALA ZOO also known as THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS OF SRI LANKA was established in the year 1936. One can see close to 3000 animals that includes mammals, reptiles and birds. Walking through the zoo is little tedious affair and it is suggested to avoid visiting during afternoon as there are no much shades. Zoo conducts animal show and the highlight of the show would be the seal playing with a colorful ball. One can get the chance to see elephant elegant dance in this show. 

BELLANWILA RAJAMAHA VIHARAYA, situation in the village of Bellanwila is a sacred place for Buddhists. There is a huge Bodi Tree in this religious spot and it is believed that if a child treads the ground under the shade of holy Bodi Tree never fails in life. 

The Oldest VIHARAMAHADEVI PARK is also the Largest Park situated in the city. Formerly known as Victoria Park, was built during the British era and named after Queen Victoria. It was occupied by the British Army during II World War and later restored to public in 1951. There is a mini zoo, a huge Buddha statue and series of waterfalls inside the park. Visiting this place refreshes our mind. 

BEIRA LAKE currently runs across 65 hectares of land. Earlier it was flowing in the land of 165 hectares and due to various reasons it got reduced. During Portuguese time this lake was connected to various canals providing way to transport goods with in the city.

Know some Facts about Colombo: 

The currency used is "Sri Lankan Rupee". Sinhalese and Tamil are the two official languages spoken across the country. Until 1972 Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon. This City is the largest city of Sri Lanka. More than 70% of the people follow the religion Buddhism. Established in 1909 "Dinamina" is the oldest Sinhala Newspaper and "Daily News" established in 1918 is the oldest English Newspaper. Climate through out the year is moderate. Famous International cricketer and world's current leading wicket taker "Muttiah Muralitharan" is from this Country. 

Some of the celebrities born here are movie actress Jacqueline Fernandez  & Pooja Umashankar, famous cricketers Thisara Perera, Angelo Mathews & Mahela Jayawardane, Metal Singer Chitral Soma pala, Politician Namal Rajapaksa and TV Show Host George Alagiah. Shopping lovers can shop the mentioned popular items of this beautiful City, Traditional Craft, Antiques, Contemporary Crafts, Gems & Jewelry, Hand-loom, Products, Tea and Spices. 10 Famous Foods are Sour Fish Curry, Kottu, Chicken Curry, Dhal Curry, Appam, Polos, Brinjal Pickle, Gotu Kola Sambol, Wood Apple and Coconut Relish.

OTHER TOURIST PLACES IN THE WORLD

TOURIST PLACES IN INDIA