Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, an enchanting island lying o India’s
southern tip. These city folk go about their daily business with a cheerfulness born
of optimism in this chaotic, noisy and trac-congested metropolis.
southern tip. These city folk go about their daily business with a cheerfulness born
of optimism in this chaotic, noisy and trac-congested metropolis.
Colombo sits on the west coast of Sri Lanka and has
developed from an old seafaring port into a huge urban
sprawl bristling with Asian atmosphere. Around the
historic centre of Fort are colonial facades of banks,
buildings and tumbledown shops and streets teeming with
people, trishaws, bicycles, buses - and the occasional cow!
Towering above Fort to the east are gleaming
skyscrapers reecting modern Colombo but wherever you
go in the city you stumble across history, culture and
friendly folk.
developed from an old seafaring port into a huge urban
sprawl bristling with Asian atmosphere. Around the
historic centre of Fort are colonial facades of banks,
buildings and tumbledown shops and streets teeming with
people, trishaws, bicycles, buses - and the occasional cow!
Towering above Fort to the east are gleaming
skyscrapers reecting modern Colombo but wherever you
go in the city you stumble across history, culture and
friendly folk.
DO & SEE
It would be dicult not to immerse yourself in the serenity
of Buddhism, which is practiced by the majority of Sri
Lankans. Yet Colombo is home to all religions as
evidenced by temples, mosques and churches sprouting
amidst a jumble of Dutch and British-built buildings, a
legacy of its colonial past.
of Buddhism, which is practiced by the majority of Sri
Lankans. Yet Colombo is home to all religions as
evidenced by temples, mosques and churches sprouting
amidst a jumble of Dutch and British-built buildings, a
legacy of its colonial past.
EATING
Sri Lankan cooking is partly inuenced by its close
proximity to India, but it still has its own distinct avour.
Rice is eaten on a daily basis and spicy curries are also
frequently consumed.
Taj
Informal stop for no-nonsense blow your head o rice and
curry, lunch packets and self-service snacks known as
‘shorteats.’ Arguably the best budget option that stays
open till late.
Address: York Street, Colombo 1
Long Feng
Chinese cuisine can be consumed here overlooking a
beautiful terrace and a pool. You can choose whether you
proximity to India, but it still has its own distinct avour.
Rice is eaten on a daily basis and spicy curries are also
frequently consumed.
Taj
Informal stop for no-nonsense blow your head o rice and
curry, lunch packets and self-service snacks known as
‘shorteats.’ Arguably the best budget option that stays
open till late.
Address: York Street, Colombo 1
Long Feng
Chinese cuisine can be consumed here overlooking a
beautiful terrace and a pool. You can choose whether you
prefer to sit outside or inside.
CAFES
Coee shops in Colombo oer a lot more than just coee.
You can choose between a variety of beverages including
hot chocolate. As in most parts of the world, a visit to a
coee shop often involves meeting up with friends and
catching up on what's been going on.
Gallery Café
This café occupies the former oces of Sri Lanka’s
renowned architect Georey Bawa. Don’t miss the stylish
setting inside or in the courtyard where gut busting
puddings, French and Italian cuisine and the best frozen
margaritas in town are served.
You can choose between a variety of beverages including
hot chocolate. As in most parts of the world, a visit to a
coee shop often involves meeting up with friends and
catching up on what's been going on.
Gallery Café
This café occupies the former oces of Sri Lanka’s
renowned architect Georey Bawa. Don’t miss the stylish
setting inside or in the courtyard where gut busting
puddings, French and Italian cuisine and the best frozen
margaritas in town are served.
Bars are a relatively new concept although there are some
old favourites patronized by ex-pats and regular visitors.
Generally quiet they erupt into life at the weekend with live
music, good value food and a reasonable drinks’ list.The
best nightlife revolves around the upscale hotels where
you’ll ind bars, nightclubs and karaoke lounges. Dress is
smart casual and entry for hotel guests is free.
Clancy’s Irish Pub
This deservedly popular bar has been going for years for
its live music, weekly quiz, pool tables, good value pub
grub and Guinness and Murphy’s beers.
old favourites patronized by ex-pats and regular visitors.
Generally quiet they erupt into life at the weekend with live
music, good value food and a reasonable drinks’ list.The
best nightlife revolves around the upscale hotels where
you’ll ind bars, nightclubs and karaoke lounges. Dress is
smart casual and entry for hotel guests is free.
Clancy’s Irish Pub
This deservedly popular bar has been going for years for
its live music, weekly quiz, pool tables, good value pub
grub and Guinness and Murphy’s beers.
SHOPPING
Modern air-conditioned malls are found adjacent to top
end hotels or in the same vicinity and they’re perfect for
souvenirs such as traditional masks, batik, gems and
presentation packs of the famous Ceylon tea.
The best shopping area in town is Cinnamon Gardens
where you can nd just about anything made in Sri Lanka.
Check out Paradise Road, 213 Dharmapala Mw, Cinnamon
Gardens, Colombo 7; for trendy home décor and a ne
selection of fabrics and linens, objets d’art and carvings in
a gorgeous colonial house.
Explore Odels; a stylish department store stued with
designer clothing, linens, toys, books and records and
several cafés (5 Alexandra Place, Lipton Circus, Cinnamon
Gardens, Colombo 7).
Also in Colombo 7 - investigate the Elephant Walk, at 61
Ward Place; with two oors of innovative giftware such as
silk placemats and cushions, candles and furniture, in this
delightfully converted colonial villa.
Give Crescat Shopping Centre a visit, adjacent to
Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo 3. It features several
oors of shops linked by escalator selling everything from
books, clothing, records and a place to buy tea from the
Mlesna Tea Centre on the first floor. In the basement
there’s a supermarket and a large bustling food court.
end hotels or in the same vicinity and they’re perfect for
souvenirs such as traditional masks, batik, gems and
presentation packs of the famous Ceylon tea.
The best shopping area in town is Cinnamon Gardens
where you can nd just about anything made in Sri Lanka.
Check out Paradise Road, 213 Dharmapala Mw, Cinnamon
Gardens, Colombo 7; for trendy home décor and a ne
selection of fabrics and linens, objets d’art and carvings in
a gorgeous colonial house.
Explore Odels; a stylish department store stued with
designer clothing, linens, toys, books and records and
several cafés (5 Alexandra Place, Lipton Circus, Cinnamon
Gardens, Colombo 7).
Also in Colombo 7 - investigate the Elephant Walk, at 61
Ward Place; with two oors of innovative giftware such as
silk placemats and cushions, candles and furniture, in this
delightfully converted colonial villa.
Give Crescat Shopping Centre a visit, adjacent to
Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo 3. It features several
oors of shops linked by escalator selling everything from
books, clothing, records and a place to buy tea from the
Mlesna Tea Centre on the first floor. In the basement
there’s a supermarket and a large bustling food court.
SLEEPING
Colombo is divided into districts (or postcodes) numbered
1-15 and knowing these numbers is essential for
orientation. South along the coast from Fort, the district
known as Colombo 1, is Colombo 2-10 where many
top-end hotels are located. These districts continue inland
taking in the fashionable shopping and residential area of
Colombo 7, while Colombo 11-15 spreads northeast
covering the harbour area.
Galle Face Green
Called Asia’s Emerald on the Green, since 1864, the Calle
Face Hotel with its impressive arched façade is hard to
miss. The luxurious hotel overlooks the Indian Ocean and
boasts stunning Victorian architecture.
1-15 and knowing these numbers is essential for
orientation. South along the coast from Fort, the district
known as Colombo 1, is Colombo 2-10 where many
top-end hotels are located. These districts continue inland
taking in the fashionable shopping and residential area of
Colombo 7, while Colombo 11-15 spreads northeast
covering the harbour area.
Galle Face Green
Called Asia’s Emerald on the Green, since 1864, the Calle
Face Hotel with its impressive arched façade is hard to
miss. The luxurious hotel overlooks the Indian Ocean and
boasts stunning Victorian architecture.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Airport
Bandaranaika International Airport (CMB) is located 32km
from the CBD.
The simplest and quickest way to get into town is to take
a taxi. Allow at least 1½ hours for your journey. Bus 187
runs every 30 minutes from 6am-9pm to Fort Bus Station.
The train station lies 500m from the airport with
departures from 7am-6pm and it stops at many stations
before reaching the city centre.
You can also take the Express Train Service to the city of
Colombo. The journey takes 30 minutes and runs three to
four times each way daily.
Internet: www.airport.lk
Public Transport
Buses run from 5am-10pm and are generally crowded and
slow. The best way to get around is to walk or ag down a
trishaw. Always agree to a price before accepting a ride in
a trishaw and pay the exact fare. Comfortable
air-conditioned taxis and chaueur-driven cars can also
can be hired from your hotel receptionist at veryreasonable rates.
Bandaranaika International Airport (CMB) is located 32km
from the CBD.
The simplest and quickest way to get into town is to take
a taxi. Allow at least 1½ hours for your journey. Bus 187
runs every 30 minutes from 6am-9pm to Fort Bus Station.
The train station lies 500m from the airport with
departures from 7am-6pm and it stops at many stations
before reaching the city centre.
You can also take the Express Train Service to the city of
Colombo. The journey takes 30 minutes and runs three to
four times each way daily.
Internet: www.airport.lk
Public Transport
Buses run from 5am-10pm and are generally crowded and
slow. The best way to get around is to walk or ag down a
trishaw. Always agree to a price before accepting a ride in
a trishaw and pay the exact fare. Comfortable
air-conditioned taxis and chaueur-driven cars can also
can be hired from your hotel receptionist at veryreasonable rates.
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