Introducing Colombo
Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, biggest city and major port, draws together all the colours and cultures that make up this island nation, condenses them into a patchwork of markets, gardens and buildings both humble and grand, and knocks them against a narrow slab of beachfront.
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Many visitors will appreciate Colombo’s colonial heritage, its fine dining and shopping opportunities, and the dash of urban buzz in an overwhelmingly rural country. Others will tire quickly of the diesel fumes and the modern buildings on Galle Rd, the city’s main artery. If you’re only on a short trip to Sri Lanka, you may wish to pass by Colombo, but if you have the time – say at least two days – there are plenty of cultural and historical attractions in areas such as Fort, Cinnamon Gardens and Pettah.
Colombo is the political, economic and cultural centre of Sri Lanka, so if you need to extend your visa or buy a plane ticket, you’ll find yourself here. The city was the scene of quite a few bombings during the war years, but security has been relaxed since a cease-fire was declared and peace talks began.
Last updated: Mar 24, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Sri Lanka 3 weeks
by smokenack 02 June 2012
Thanks for your replies. Is it unreasonable to hope to be able to get a single room for £20 ($30) away from Colombo. I don't need luxury,…
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Advice for an American trying to get a 6-month India visa while abroad
by fonnae 01 June 2012
Hello, I goofed and did not get my Indian visa while I was in the States. Now I'm in Asia and trying to figure out how I can stay in…
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RE: Visa on arrival - be careful!
by Pirate_at_50 01 June 2012
The Indian govt figgered out how to strongarm Jet and Kingfisher years ago on flights from Sri Lanka to India. Doubt it's changed much,…
Colombo
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Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Colombo
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1 Food
Chewing, sipping and slurping your way through the huge variety of food on offer
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2 Pettah
Elbowing your way through the street-stall ‘boutiques’ in Pettah
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3 Viharamahadevi Park
Relishing peaceful Viharamahadevi Park after navigating the darting three-wheelers and the jungle of streets
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4 Galle Face Green
Taking a sunset promenade on Galle Face Green
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5 Kovils and Gangaramaya Temple
Visiting Hindu kovils during the Thai Pongal festival or watching elephants and dancers parade during the Navam Perahera at Gangaramaya Temple
Our favourite Colombo Blogs (beta)
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Photo Essay: Sights of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Blog: GoBackpacking - 20 December 2011
With around 6 million inhabitants, Colombo is not even close to being one of the larger cities in Asia – yet there’s no denying that the city is full of vibrant energy and always action packed! The streets of central Colombo are characterized by bright colorful signs, streams of rickshaws, tons of pedestrians and rowdy buses that [...]
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Review of Mount Lavinia Guest House, Sri Lanka
Blog: The Travel Project - 5 December 2011
A small review of Mount Lavinia Guest House in Colombo, Sri Lanka.This article originally appeared on The Travel Project
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Colombo to Anuradhapura by Train
Blog: The Travel Project - 5 December 2011
Burnt out train wrecks from a war not long forgotten, butterflies and birds of intense blues and reds, heards of cattle feeding in the fields of green and waves from local villagers tending their rice paddies await for you along rails from Colombo to the ancient city of AnuradhapuraThis article originally appeared on
