Popular Destinations in Sri Lanka

Colombo

Any tour to Sri Lanka will start from Colombo – the capital, the main air gate of the republic and a city with a rich history and opportunities for tourism. Colonial architecture is perfectly combined here with modern neighborhoods, built-up hotels, boutiques and other entertainment venues with a national flavor.

• Andyeducation: Introduction to education system in Sri Lanka, including compulsory schooling and higher education.

Beaches

There are no beaches within the city, since the port part of Colombo significantly pollutes the shallows, and even in good weather, waves throw a lot of garbage on the coast. To get to know the beauty of these places, you should drive 12 km from the capital and find a place called Mount Lovinia – one of the best beaches in the country in terms of equipment and level of service.

The Galle Promenade and its surrounding areas, contrary to popular belief, are not considered beaches – descent into the water is not safe here, but walks and picnics overlooking the ocean are only welcome.

Attractions

All memorable places in Colombo, like in many other Asian capitals, are conventionally divided into religious and historical sites. The first type is:

• Гангарамая;
• Mosque Jami Ul-Alfar;
• Temple on Lake Sima Malaka;
• Katiresan;
• Kelania Raja Maha Vihara;
• Cathedral of Saint Lucy.

Of the secular places and architectural wonders of the city, it is worth seeing:

• National Museum;
• Dutch Museum;
• Khan’s Clock Tower;
• Colombo Public Library.

The city is also popular due to its gambling zones, such as:

• “Bellagio”;
• “Balli”;
• “Marina”;
• Jims Poker.

Shopping

Any trade in Colombo associated with tourists begins with the famous Arcade on Independence Square. In fact, this is a typical covered market located in a historic building of the 19th century. In terms of prices, it is quite possible to compare it with GUM in Moscow or boutiques on the Champs Elysees in Paris – beautiful, but expensive.

Other important trade areas of the city:

• «Odel»;
• “Laksala”;
• «Pettah»;
• «Aashkii».

Negombo

The best, according to observers, vacation in Sri Lanka – in Negombo – is a pearl among Asian beaches, a city and a fishing village of the same name, founded by the Dutch, who gave it an almost European look – with canals and boat marinas.

Beaches

For many, this is surprising, but there is only one beach in Negombo – and it is also the coast of that very picturesque lagoon, postcards from which you can buy here at every step. Conventionally, the coastal zones are divided between hotel owners and local fishermen, whose boats occupy a smaller part of the sandbar.

The half, suitable for recreation, is well equipped with showers, changing cabins, as well as inventory rental points.

Attractions

Once Negombo was the city of the “white man”, but only the ruins of the Dutch Fort of the 17th century, which are now carefully preserved by local residents, remind of colonial grandeur.

Among other interesting buildings here, it is worth looking at Catholic temples and ancient Buddhist shrines, such as:

• Church of Saint Sebastian;
• Church of Mary;
• Kali Amman;
• Sri Sitivinayagar;

Bentota

If you are looking for a luxury holiday, Sri Lanka will offer you Bentota, a small resort in the southwest of the island. Unlike many other places, this town already in the 19th century attracted wealthy Englishmen who wanted a long sea cruise and Asian exoticism.

Beaches

There are only two of them – northern and southern, and both sectors of the coast are a mirror image of each other. In the north, luxurious hotels with a declared rating of 4 stars and above grow like mushrooms, and the south is a semi-wild coast with modest hotels with unobtrusive service.

Attractions

Despite its modest size, even by Sri Lankan standards, there are a lot of temples in Bentota, a visit to which is a must in all excursions. Some of them were built before the arrival of the “white man”:

• Kaluyanaramaya;
• Udakotuva Raja Maha Viharaya;
• Benata Galapatha;
• Benvehera Gane Purana;

Other attractions of the resort include:

• Turtle farm;
• Lunuganga Manor;
• Lake Dedduva.

Candy

For tourists who arrived in Sri Lanka for the first time, the discovery that “the same tea” was named after the real princess of the kingdom of Kandy, and the city of the same name in Ceylon was once the capital of an ancient state. Now, in addition to hectares of plantations, this city is also known for its historical heritage, included in the World Heritage List.

Attractions

The main object that attracted the attention of UNESCO is the ancient Temple of the Tooth Relic, which began to be built as early as 371 AD. now it has a renovated building, but the shrine itself is carefully preserved and, on rare occasions, is put on public display on a lotus flower.

No less interesting objects of the city and its environs are:

• Royal Botanical Garden;
• Sri Dalada Museum;
• International Museum of Buddhism;
• Temple complex Four Delaways;
• Udawattakele National Park.