Colombo Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.

com/travel-guide/colombo

Famous For

Colombo
From being a Dutch and British
colony, Colombo today stands as a
high-tech city of colossal
proportions. The city's
contemporary landmarks, World
Trade Center and Twin Tower
complex, dominate the city skyline
alongside the old world ones, Jami
Ul Afar mosque and St. Paul's
church. With an architecture that
spans dynasties and traces the
evolution of this classic city,
Colombo will have you hopping on
to the ancient world at one stop
and getting off at the modern city

page 1

CitMetropolitan

Hop onto an auto rickshaw and get ready to

explore Colombo inside out.There are
ancient architectural structures - ancient
churches, Buddhist sculptures amongst
other things to explore and when you get
tired sip refreshing coconut water
(Thembill). Even the traditional coffee here
works like a delicious magic potion! When
you walk through The Galle Face Green with
swaying palm trees greeting you and
colourful kites in the sky, youll know what a
real reposeful holiday is all about.

Max: 30.5C

When To

Rain:
102.199996948242
19mm

Jul

VISIT

Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,

umbrella.

http://www.ixigo.com/weather-in-colombo-lp-1138425

Max:
30.10000038
1469727C

Min:
25.70000076
2939453C

Rain: 75.0mm

Aug
Jan
Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.
Max:
31.89999961
8530273C

Min:
22.39999961
8530273C

Rain:
33.5999984741210
94mm

Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,

umbrella.
Max:
32.59999847
4121094C

Min:
22.79999923
7060547C

Rain:
52.0999984741210
94mm

Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,

umbrella.
Min:
23.89999961
8530273C

Rain:
68.9000015258789
mm

Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,

umbrella.
Min:
24.79999923
7060547C

Rain:
173.899993896484
38mm

Rain:
67.5999984741211
mm

Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,

umbrella.
Max:
30.60000038
1469727C

Min:
25.20000076
2939453C

Rain:
113.400001525878
9mm

Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,

umbrella.
Max:
30.29999923
7060547C

Min:
24.39999961
8530273C

Rain:
302.700012207031
25mm

Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,

umbrella.
Max:
30.60000038
1469727C

Min:
23.60000038
1469727C

Rain:
247.899993896484
38mm

Dec

May
Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,
umbrella.
Max: 31.5C

Min:
25.79999923
7060547C

Nov

Apr

Max:
32.20000076
293945C

Max:
30.39999961
8530273C

Oct

Mar

at another.

Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,

umbrella.

Sep

Feb

Max: 32.5C

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registered and/or common law trademarks of
ixigo.com and/or third parties.

Min: 26.0C

Min: 26.0C

Rain:
194.899993896484
38mm

Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,

umbrella.
Max:
31.10000038
1469727C

Min:
22.89999961
8530273C

Jun
Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,
umbrella.

What To

Rain:
75.5999984741211
mm

Colombo Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/colombo

SEE

tourists and locals every day. 

5 Sights

http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-colombo-lp-1138425

Gangaramaya Temple

The temple is known for displaying the

main features of a Vihara, the Vihara
Mandiraya, the Cetiya (Pagada) the
Bodhitree, the Seema malaka (assembly hall
for monks) and the Relic Chamber. Not only
that, there is also a museum and a library
which are little treats in themselves.
Interestingly, the complex does not only act
as a temple, it also is a hub of social welfare
through an old age home, an orphanage
and educational centers. 

Colombo National Museum

National Museum, is one of the most

remarkable edifices in the city of Colombo. It
is kind of a reservoir for the citys rich
heritage and culture wrapped in the
indulging history. 

The museum is known for its wide range of

half a million books that are on display
along with more than 4000 archaic palm leaf
manuscripts. The museum also has rock
sculptures from the ancient times with a lot
of artifacts made out of brass and royal
weapons of Sri Lankan Kings. The finest
collection in the museum will charm you
with a dozens of demon masks and
enthralling paintings from the bygone eras.
An attraction in the museum that attracts
hundreds of people to the premises is the
regalia of the Kandyan Kings which date
back to the 17 CE.

3
Gangaramaya Temple, Sri
Jinarathana Road, Colombo, Western
Province, Sri Lanka

Located on an island in Beira Lake, the

Ganagaramaya Temple is one of the most
prominent ones in Colombo. Famous for
featuring a blend of Thai, Chinese, Indian
and Sri Lankan styles of architecture, this
temple is visited by a large number of

page 2

Mount Lavinia Beach, Dehiwala,

Colombo, Sri Lanka
Mount Lavinia Beach lies in the
suburbs of the city of Colombo, in the town
of Dehiwala, about 13 km away. The
countryside coastal essence and the
community lifestyle will immediately give
you a sense of relaxation and happiness.

The famed Golden Mile of beaches are

endowed with pristine beauty and vast
splendorous flowing waters. The place is
ideal for outings with family and friendschatty lunches, long walks in the evenings
and watching the sun sink slowly in the seayou know it is one of your most memorable
experiences in Colombo. Also, enjoy the
happening nights here.

Mount Lavinia Beach

4

Department of National Museums,

Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo 7, Sri
Lanka

A museum which has an ancestral colonial

building as its house, the 
Colombo 

Dutch Period Museum

Colombo Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/colombo

+94-11-2-497371

Pettah, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Visit the Dutch Period Museum in Colombo
to learn about the Dutch Colonial rule in Sri
Lanka. A must visit on your Colombo tour,
this one has an interesting collection of
items related to the Dutch reign in the
country and it is worth taking a look at to
know more about the culture and history.

page 3

If you want to experience what art in

Colombo is all about, then this must be the
place for you. Photography in this gallery is
not allowed but if you are researching about
something and want to click one or two of
them, you can have a talk with the
authorities and can do that. 

National Art Gallery

Located inside the Cinnamon Grand Hotel,

The Lagoon ranks amongst the citys top
seafood restaurant. You can make a
selection from the fresh catch of the day
and even ask the chef to prepare it
according to your liking. Watch your food
being prepared in the open exhibition
kitchen or sit back and enjoy the views
offered by the man-made lagoon with a cool
drink in hand.

Royal Thai 115, Sir C.A. Gardiner,

Mawatha, Colombo 02, Sri Lanka
+94-11-2-491945

Royal Thai is one of the restaurants in the

Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, which has been
the declared as the best among fine dine
reataurants by the Sri Lankan Tourism
Department. So you can rest assured that
this is the best place to indulge in some Thai
cuisine. 

Where To

Eat

5 Places

http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-colombo-lp-1138425

106, Ananda Coomaraswamy

Mawatha, Cinnamon Gardens,
Colombo, Sri Lanka

Located next to the National Museum, the

National Art Gallery is a building that
houses some of the most prominent
exhibits showcasing the art flowing in the
veins of the city. It has a wide range of
permanent exhibits which are basically
portraits and landscapes and there are also
theme based temporary exhibits which are
put on display time and again. 

The Lagoon

You can either go for the Sunday lunch

Maalu Maalu, or indulge in some chilly
octopus, fish roe, lobster thermidor and/or
baked crabs. Their seafood in Thai curries is
an absolute hit. The restaurant is a good
value for money, but not exactly cheap.

The restaurant overlooks a paved terrace

and boasts of a soothing ambience. As far as
the food is concerned, the Thai master chefs
will give you no cause for complaints. Try
the crab meat curry, kangkung in garlic
gravy and the panang chicken. This is a
pricey affair, but each flavourful bite is
worth the money

Royal Thai
3

Cinnamon Grand 77, Galle Road,

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Cricket Club Cafe

Colombo Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/colombo

Cricket Club Cafe, 34 Queens Road,

Kollupitiya, Colombo, Sri Lanka

53/3, Ramakrishna Road, Wellawatte,

Colombo-00600, Sri Lanka

+94-11-2-501384

+94-11-2-587629

Unlike any other regular cafe, Cricket Club

Cafe is a themed bar and restaurant. Almost
every surface is covered with cricket
memorabilia, including bats, balls, hats,
gloves and shoes belonging to several
famous cricketers like Sir Don Bradman,
Shane Warne, Arjuna Ranatunga, Ray
Lindwall, Sunil Gavaskar, to name a few.
Apart from this, there are other odds and
ends related to cricket. The cafe also screens
cricket matches on TV for its cricket loving
patrons.

Shanmugas restaurant gives out strong

South Indian vibes. The courteous staff is
always welcoming and is prompt in its
services. The seating facility is comfortable
and the awesome ambience assures you of
a good time over here. Try the special
South Indian Thaali which comprises of
delicacies like Dosa, Sambhar, Chutneys,
Rassam, etc. Also you can try Poori Masala
or the Paper Roast (Thosai). The restaurant
takes prior reservations and even gives
home-delivery.

Ministry of Crab

This place is targeted at the cricket lovers,

and much of its popularity is because of its
ambience, rather than the food. You will find
an interesting menu, with many dishes
starting with the names of famous
cricketers. Both the main course and drinks
menus are quite extensive. This is a high
class affair, so not suitable for people
travelling on a tight budget.

Shanmugas

Ministry of Crab, Old Dutch Hospital,

Colombo, Sri Lanka
+94-11-2-342722

The Ministry of Crab is a joint

venture of the Sri Lankan cricketers Mahela
Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, along
with Darshan Munidasa (owner of the
Japanese restaurant, Nihonbashi). The main
focus is on the succulent crab based dishes,
but other non-seafood and vegetarian
options can also be found. Being a sister
restaurant of the Nihonbashi, the food here
has a predominant Japanese flair. 

You must try the Chilli Crab and the Baked

Crab. Their Sashimi selection is fantastic!
The restaurant is run in what used to be the
Old Dutch Hospital, one of the oldest
buildings in the Colombo Fort. The
absolutely scrumptious fares available at
affordable prices will make you come back
again and again...and again.

page 4

Colombo Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/colombo

Quick

LOCATE
http://www.ixigo.com/hotels-in-colombo-lp-1138425

See
A: Gangaramaya Temple
B: Colombo National Museum
C: Mount Lavinia Beach
D: Dutch Period Museum
E: National Art Gallery

Accommodation
F: Ceylon Tea Trails
G: The Fortress
H: Tintagel Hotel Colombo
I: Ceylon Tea Trails
J: The Fortress
K: Tintagel Hotel Colombo
L: Ceylon Tea Trails
M: The Fortress
N: Tintagel Hotel Colombo

Food
O: The Lagoon
P: Royal Thai
Q: Cricket Club Cafe
R: Shanmugas
S: Ministry of Crab

page 5