The capital city of Sri Lanka, Colombo has a rich colonial heritage running through its veins as a delightful merging of cultures, religions, and traditions come together to paint a picture worth a thousand words. A city with both provincial and cosmopolitan sides, the contrasts within make the city stand out as the gateway to the rest of the country. Take in the beautiful sights or dig into the local cuisine as you prepare for a visit full of memories like no other.
History and Culture
The religious diversity of Colombo’s citizens is represented in its geography, as temples, churches, and kovils dot the landscape. It’s a pleasure to immerse yourself in these cultures, but it doesn’t stop there – the colonial history is remarkably well-preserved in museums and buildings in various districts of the capital, telling yet more stories from beyond the call of time.
The Cuisine
With lots and lots of fresh seafood and vegetables as a staple of Sri Lankan cuisine, the island jewel boasts tastes from spicy to sweet, plucky street food to refined dishes. It’s a banquet for the body, but be prepared – for the spicy stuff can get really spicy. Make sure to try the kottu roti, a dish best found outside of a Colombo airport hotel and created out of a delicious flatbread that’s chopped on a skillet along with veggies, a choice of meats, and eggs.
The Sights
There are some beautiful beaches to see in the city, and the sunsets are an optical feature that can’t be missed – but it’s not all there is. The city has its fair share of beautiful historical structures, and such places as the Zoological gardens are great to take a local Elephant show. Drop by in the evening for a glance at these majestic creatures!
The Nightlife
For those embroiled in their youth, physical or otherwise, the city doesn’t sleep at night. Pockmarked with bars, pubs, and nightclubs around the city, you don’t have to go to bed if you don’t want to – visit Mount Lavinia or the other commercial hubs around the town, and discover the night at your own pace. These are usually found within a reasonable distance from a hotel such as the Pegasus Reef Hotel, and for more wholesome fun, you can always take a nightly bike ride through illuminated streets and bright monuments to figures past.
