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Colombo
Sri Lanka
Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery
Why visit Colombo
Although it's unlikely it will reclaim its 19th-century moniker 'the garden city of the East', Colombo has nevertheless emerged as a must-see stop in Sri Lanka. No longer just the sprawling city you have to endure on your way to the beaches, it has become a worthy destination in its own right and makes an excellent start – or finish – to your Sri Lankan adventures.
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Signature Sri Lanka: City, Coast, and Wildlife Corridors in 14 Days
14 days / 13 nights
highlights
- 1 Sipping Ceylon straight from the source during a historic Haputale tea plantation tour
- 2 Searching for leopards in Yala National Park, one of the world's most significant leopard habitats
- 3 Traveling by train from Ambewela to Haputale — the country's most scenic rail journey
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Sri Lanka15 days / 14 nights
Snapshots of Sri Lanka: a Cultural Cross-Country Odyssey
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Sri Lanka
15 days / 14 nights
Snapshots of Sri Lanka: a Cultural Cross-Country Odyssey
FROM $4,050
per person
Top places to visit in Colombo
Discover the best attractions in Colombo from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.
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Attraction in ColomboDutch Hospital -
Attraction in ColomboNational Museum -
Attraction in ColomboGalle Face Green -
Attraction in ColomboOld City Hall -
Attraction in ColomboViharamahadevi Park -
Attraction in ColomboDutch Period Museum -
Attraction in ColomboFederation of Self Employees Market -
Attraction in ColomboWolvendaal Church
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Travel Guides
Colombo travel tips from Lonely Planet experts
Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.
Best Things to Do
It’s no secret that Sri Lanka easily charms visitors. What’s missing from most of these itineraries, however, is Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital.
Read full article
Things to Know
Colombo is a great introduction to the island of Sri Lanka. Plan your visit with this first-timer's guide.
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