Savannah is brimming with hospitality from every corner of its many squares.
27.07.2023 - 18:53 / smartertravel.com
Colombo Things to DoThere are many things to do in Colombo because of its diversity, nice beaches, and its history. In the past, it was ruled by the Portuguese, then the Dutch, and then the British who all left their mark on the city, which now combines with the vibrant independence of the Sri Lankan people.
BeachesMount Lavina Beach and other nice, white-sand beaches lie towards the south of Colombo. At Mount Lavina, the old Governor’s House that was built in 1805 was converted to the Mount Lavina Hotel. There are bathing cabins on the beach that you can rent for the day and plenty of nice restaurants in this area.
TemplesThere are so many fine temples in Colombo you can spend weeks visiting them all.
Elephants Dance at the ZooWhile the Colombo Zoo does not get good reviews in general, there is the daily elephant dance show at 3:30 p.m. that is a crowd pleaser.
Ride in a “Tuk Tuk”Take a ride in one of these three-wheeled vehicles. They are available fro hire just about everywhere. Hold on for dear life. It’s a wild ride.
ShoppingColombo has terrific shopping areas and malls. To buy local things go The Good Market or the outdoor Pettah market. For an upscale mall visit the Odel Mall. Havelock Town is a nice quiet suburb with plenty of arts and crafts sold in boutique shops. Jewelry and unset stones of semi-precious gems are excellent to buy in Sir Lanka because of the mines in this country.
MuseumsColombo has many fine museums which include the National Museum, the Gangaramiya Temple Museum, the Dutch Period Museum, the National History Museum and, the National Art Gallery.
Fort AreaFort area was established in 1588 when the Portuguese landed in Sri Lanka. This area has always been important for those in control of the country. In 1656, the Dutch took over and in 1885 the British gained control. This used to be the capital of the country up until the 1980s, so many commercial buildings and government buildings can be found in this area. Some date back to colonial times. Landmarks to visit include the President’s House, the Clock Tower with the Lighthouse, the Bank of Ceylon building, the World Trade Centre, and the 40-stories tall Twin Towers of Colombo.
Cinnamon GardensCinnamon Gardens is the area with the finest luxury houses in Colombo. This place is most often chosen by the rich and powerful to build an enormous mansion on the beautiful tree-lined streets. There are many exclusive shops and fine restaurants in this area.
In the center of Cinnamon Gardens is the Viharamahdeevi Park, which is Colombo’s largest public space. In this park, you can see the huge statue of the Singhalese Queen Viharamahadevi. There are nice walking paths around a lake and over a bridge. There is an area for
Savannah is brimming with hospitality from every corner of its many squares.
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