Colombo Attractions

Most who holiday in Colombo do so for a short time on their way to or from one of the beautiful Sri Lankan beach resorts, because the capital city with its frenetic traffic and general chaos is a little too much for most to handle. Colombo is, however, worth a look, offering colour and some interesting attractions, like the national museum, the Pettah bazaar and some lovely temples. People who travel to Colombo also enjoy the Galle seafront and delicious local cuisine.

Colombo is home to some fascinating places of worship - Buddhist, Christian and Hindu. The Seema Malaka Temple, in the middle of the lovely Beira Lake, is a tranquil place where visitors feel as though they are far removed from the rowdiness of the city. The Isipathanaramaya Temple is another Buddhist gem in Colombo, feeling part museum and part temple. St Anthony's Church is a firm favourite with Christian locals, who believe that the saint answers all prayers made in the church. The old Dutch Wolvendaal Church, though in need of some external maintenance, is full of history, with some interesting Dutch grave stones.

No matter what time of year you choose to travel to Colombo the weather will be hot and humid. It is probably wisest to avoid the monsoon rains, however: these happen between May and August, and October and January.

Colombo National Museum

Sri Lanka's oldest museum was established in 1877 and today boasts a massive collection of antiques and objects d'art, encompassing the cultural heritage of the island. Exhibits include artefacts from…

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Colombo Zoological Gardens

Colombo's zoo has a fine collection of animals, birds, reptiles and fish from all over the world, but in particular showcases the fauna of the island. The complex includes an aquarium, displaying more…

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Pettah

Colombo's bazaar district, Pettah, presents a real treat for shopaholics who can wander through the hustle and bustle of whole streets dedicated to selling a particular type of merchandise, from local…

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