A city of contrasts, a city of great culture, a city that never sleeps; as Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, Colombo is all this and more! There is much to see, do and experience in this dynamic cultural melting-pot where the East meets the West in a colourful clash of ideas and ideals. Before you begin to explore this city that is constantly on the move, make sure you find a convenient base from which to set off on your adventures. Look to stay at a centrally located Colombo city hotel such as The Steuart by Citrus which is conveniently placed within easy reach of the best this cosmopolitan metropolis has to offer.
From here you can head to Pettah, an area that is always bustling with activity and where you will find a vibrant market where you can purchase everything from clothing to fresh produce and electronics to toys. There are great bargains to be had, though your bargaining skills will be put to the challenge. For more modern shopping you can always head to the Majestic City and Crescat malls, while clothing stores such as Odel and House of Fashion offer brand name and budget fashion options respectively.
Want to soak up some culture? Visit the National Museum of Colombo and learn more about the history and heritage of this island nation, head to the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, view local artistic talent at the National Art Gallery or even take in a play at the Lionel Wendt Art Centre.
When the day slowly turns to night, the city begins a transformation process, offering a whole new set of adventures. A part of truly experiencing what Colombo has to offer is to go on a foodie tour, sampling the exotic culinary delights that can be found throughout the city. Many roadside eateries serve something called “kottu” which is a spicy dish featuring a form of ‘rotti’ that is cut up into slices and fried with your choice of meat such as chicken, beef or mutton. There are a great many vegetarian dining establishments in the city as well, while rice and seafood curry be it prawns or crabs is also popular. Of course you can always find western favourites too and Italian, Japanese, German, Chinese, Indian and Thai cuisine are also readily available.
Once you had your fill you can always head to Galle Face Green and enjoy a pleasant stroll at this locale by the sea or even head to one of the many cafes and coffee shops in the city for dessert. Colombo also has a happening nightlife scene and clubs such as Kama, Amuseum, Silk and Disques are party people magnets, especially after midnight, letting you dance the night away!
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travelers.
