Colombo

The largest museum in Sri Lanka, the National Museum of Colombo was established in January 1877 by Sir William Henry Gregory, the then British Governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Currently maintained by the Department of National Museum of the central government, the museum is home to a lot of important collections, including the crown and throne of the Kandyan monarchs.Housed in a two-storied building, the museum has a big, well-maintained, lush green lawn right in front that is shaded by mighty banyan trees, which adds to the beauty of the place. As you enter the museum, you shall also find a fourth-century Buddha smiling at you in the lobby. Going forward, you will be mesmerized to find the collections in the museum.The galleries are as old as 1877, and you shall find all sorts of ancient art, carvings, and statues from Sri Lanka’s past along with a collection of antique demon masks. You can also find guns, swords, and other things from the colonial times. If you love art, you are totally in for a treat as the gallery also has in display 19th-century reproductions of English paintings of Sri Lanka.On display are the royal throne made for King Wimaladharmasuriya II in 1693, the 9th-century bronze Bodhisattva Sandals, and much more. And that is not all. There are agricultural displays and many more things that are sure to grab your attention and leave a mark in your memories.

The tallest skyscraper of Sri Lanka- Colombo Lotus tower is also known as “Nelum Kuluna” in Sinhala. Colombo lotus tower is one of the most famous tourist sites in the town of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Standing at a height of 356 meters this tower is the tallest tower in South Asia, 11th tallest tower in Asia and 19th tallest tower in the world. It has become one of the major tourist attractions in Sri Lanka and popular among tourists. If you plan on visiting the country then this tower is a must-visit. It basically serves as a transmission tower for tv and radio. Besides being a transmission and communicating tower it also serves various leisure activities. There are banquet halls, shopping malls, hotels with suites, restaurants, museums, auditoriums and much more for the tourist to explore in the tower. There is a revolving restaurant at the top which provides a scenic view of the city. It completes one rotation every 90 minutes. This tower is one of the biggest highlights of Colombo and due to its enormous length, it can be seen from as far as 10kms from the main site. Approximately 50 television and radio broadcasters can be accommodated in the tower, along with 20 telecommunication providers. Lotus tower can attract more than thousands of tourists every day. It is open 24 hours and 365 days of the year for the tourists. On special festivals such as Pongal, Diwali, Eid, Christmas and many more the interiors of the tower are decorated accordingly. This tower is surely a gem in the busy city of Colombo and must not be missed if you are planning to tour this beautiful city.

Galle face green, a mesmerizing destination with a magnificent coast, it is one of the most admired grounds in the world. Found in Colombo, the Galle face green park is spread across an enormous area of more than 12 acres. Running alongside the picturesque costs, the park is celebrated among various tourists as an extraordinary spot to relish upon a number of activities including gazing at the mesmerizing sunset, enjoying delicious street food, picnics, taking a tour of the ancient Galle Fort, kite flying, volleyball, and many more adventures. The origin story of this enigmatic urban park goes way back to the 18th century. It was Sir Henry Ward, Governor of the British Ceylon who had first proposed the notion of constructing this park. The park is now a go to spot for tens of hundreds of localities and international tourists for various recreational activities. From delicious delicacies of Srilanka to multitudes of beach adventures, visitors are found here having a time of their lives. What makes the place even more special is it's fun ambiance that allows even the little ones to open their wings and fly. In other words, it doesn't matter if you are a sports fanatic looking to indulge in some thrills or a food fanatic craving for some flavorful munchies, you will find everything here at the Galle face green. Additionally,  some of the most prominent events including hosting the largest artificial Christmas Tree in the world during Christmas are held on this ground. All in all, a fun place to delight upon the beautiful landscape, indulge in some adventures with friends and family and savoring a few delicious street foods, Galle face green can quite simply be your next weekend destination.

Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is a Buddhist temple in Kelaniya, a suburb in the western region of Colombo, Sri Lanka. This temple is both a perfect combination of historical significance and architectural aesthetics. Over the years, this site has come to be associated with the flourishing of Sri Lanka.It is often considered that the rise and fall of this temple were highly associated with the rise and fall of Ceylon.This Buddhist temple was developed during the rise of Ceylon and had a lot to offer in terms of the stored artefacts historical figures within it. Apart from being a prominent Buddhist temple, it is also a significant tourist attraction of Sri Lanka.Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara has not only become a popular tourist spot in Sri Lanka but has also developed as an educational institution, especially for students of history and architecture. You would often find schools and colleges conducting excursions here. A lot of research activity is carried out here too. Located on the banks of the Kelani River this temple is often considered to be a site of worship for the popular Ramayana character, Vibhisana.Be it the elaborate architecture, or the beauty of the surroundings, this place is sure to keep your eyes fixed to it in terms of the enriching history and beauty. If you are fond of history, architecture and aesthetics, this temple provides for a perfect conglomeration of all these which is sure to be etched in your heart forever.

Colombo Fort is the cultural, financial and economic hub of the city and is home to many important buildings and offices. It is the supreme business district of Srilanka and is home to the Stock Exchange building and the World Trade Centre, which is the tallest building in the country.The area is a very dynamic area as it not only facilitates trade and business in its lanes but also has some of the finest food stalls, tourist places, casinos and bars. Colombo Fort also has the popular Galle Face Green Promenade which is sea-facing ground built-in 1859.It is one of the finest and most popular places in the city. In the yesteryears, the area was home to the biggest palace in Sri Lanka which was demolished and repaired from the Dutch-era to the Portuguese-era. Till date, the remains of the palace are in existence like the Bastin Dan Briel, Battenburg Batteries, etc. Colombo Fort is also home to the official residence of the President of Sri Lanka and other important Ministers.The fort area also has the Consulate of Spain, Seychelles, Latvia, Denmark and Lithuania. Colombo Fort is the ultimate place to enjoy the original vibe of the Island nation and embrace the rich culture of the country through its food and various other things and activities.

In Colombo’s heart, Viharamahadevi Park is home to a spectacular display of green space and recreational environment. The locals as well as tourists, are attracted to the park for its clean, bright and cheerful ambience. Whether you are out with your friends and family or with your spouse, Viharamahadevi Park is a perfect leisure space for you. People are often found basking under the sun, enjoying picnics and appreciating the light breeze. The Park boasts of a well maintained and alluring landscape. Every corner of the park is perfect for photographs. Spring season, showers the garden with colourful, fragrant blossoms. Your eyes will find pleasure in the tall palms canopying the walkways, soft green grass spread across the area and beautiful fountains conspiring with the sun to create charming rainbows. Sri Lanka’s Buddhist faith is marked by the presence of a huge gold-toned, brass, Buddha statue, facing the Colombo Town Hall, which is surrounded by fountains and lotus ponds. The Cenotaph War Memorial is set up in the park premises to honour the martyrs of WWI and WWII. A popular spot among tourists is the lake where visitors can have a boat ride and experience the wobbly suspension bridge. If children accompany you, take them to the play area for a fun time or give them a pony ride of the park. The park’s mini aquarium has a display of local fish, turtles and lobsters. Several food stalls selling cotton candy, ice cream and local snacks are set up all across the park. At night, the park presents a dreamy aura with lit up pathways, fountains and buildings. Viharamahadevi Park is a central location for several city events like Vesak Poya, Navam Perahera etc. During this time the city gathers for a celebration here.

Established in the year 1936, Dehiwala Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Asia. It is also believed that the open zoo concept was introduced by this particular zoo which was further taken ahead by various others. Basically known as the Dehiwala Zoo, the real name of the zoo is the National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka.The place is a flourishing landscape that is housing over 2,500 splendid animals, birds, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians and much more. The distinct species does not limit to the ones found in Sri Lanka but there are animals from various other countries too. Not only the fauna, but the tropical flora of the zoo is also renowned for its diversity among its visitors.The visitors can experience the variety of the species kept in the zoo along with close interaction with the various harmless birds and mammals. They also get to witness the lifecycle of various animals and insects along with the breeding and symbolic patterns of butterflies and fish. Also, the two of the most popular activities of the zoo, elephant dance & show and the other being the night safari is a must-to-do.The soothing green flora and dense wood patches in the zoo make it even more appealing to the tourists. Also, one can unwind themselves in the butterfly garden where they could witness the colorful myriad of butterflies fluttering over their heads. You must take help from the zoo map in order to not miss any part of the sprawling zoo.

One of the most renowned landmarks in Sri Lanka, Beira Lake has been existing in the country since the sixteenth century.  In the present days, the waters of the lake clearly reflects everything aligning it. You can see lush green and dense trees eding the lake as well as getting fed by it. Offering spectacular views, high rising buildings stand crystal clear on the horizon to give the lake a dimension. Everything in and around the lake sums up to become a eye-candy masterpiece of Colombo. It offers a full package of fool-proof fun which can cover the areas of adventure, pilgrimage, picnic, boat ride and ample serene time with yourself. It is a place which welcomes people of every age with a warm heart. Children can come here in the excitement of having a family picnic whereas teens can get jolly with the thought of capturing a number of pictures. Adults can also enjoy some alone time during the famous boat ride, however the alderlies will not miss the nearby Budhha temple.Spread over an area of 160 acres, the lake is a huge water body which used to be as huge as spreading over 410 hectares. Portuguses constructed this for the defense of their people and for the very same reason a lot of crocodiles used to live in it. Don’t worry! Now there are no crocodiles but several other species of flora and fauna. You can easily spot egrets, storks, cormorants, pelicans, monitor lizards, and a variety of fish in and around the lake. Along with that there are several places inside the lake premises which you would be interested in visiting. Also, the lake is surrounded with various important attractions of Colombo which are must to be explored by tourists from foreign places and locals alike. You can visit the lake anytime between 07:00 am to 06:00 pm and cover all the places in its proximity.