The City of Colombo

From the fifth century onwards, Colombo has been an important entrance and exit port for Sri Lanka. Today, this capital city is still performing that role, as it will be from its airport that most Sri Lanka holidays begin.

Colombo, at the heart of Sri Lanka's cinnamon production, is a hub for travellers wanting to explore Sri Lanka; trains and buses leave the city at all times of the day. The buses are cheap, frequent and chaotic while the trains are less crowded, affordable and reasonably reliable. Don't leave Colombo too quickly however, as there is plenty to see and do in this old colonial city.

The climate of Colombo is typically warm and sunny with temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius between April and October. The months of November through to April see highs of around 20 degrees Celsius - a pleasant temperature for sight-seeing.

There is a range of accommodation in the capital of Sri Lanka. The Taj Samudra on the Galle Face Central Road is a five-star eastern delight and a central place for sightseeing.

There are two museums in the city: the National Museum of Colombo and the Dutch Period Museum. There are three art galleries: the Lionel Wendt and the Kalagaraya which specialise in contemporary works, and the Sapumal Foundation Gallery which displays and sells Sri Lankan art dating back to the beginning of the 20^th century.

Colombo is food heaven. For high quality seafood, try the lagoon on Cinnamon Grand. For nostalgia, try the Cricket Club Café. The Gallery Café is a great Colombo institution and must be visited by tourists. For shopping, the bazaar in Pettah provides a taste of old Sri Lanka.

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Galleries, Museums, Temples and the Zoo

A capital city with a beach 

What the tourists do...

A Day Out in Colombo