Overview
Take a trip to Colombo on your Sri Lanka Vacation
On Sri Lanka vacations, Colombo is Sri Lanka’s largest city and was the island’s capital till 1978, although still remains Sri Lanka’s commercial and financial centre.
Located on Sri Lanka’s west coast and featuring a large harbour, Colombo is ideally situated along the east-west sea trade routes and has been a port city for the last 2000 years.
Before obtaining its independence in 1948, Sri Lanka was under the control of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British from the 16th century, and its history is reflected in the colonial architecture, food, clothing, language, and attitudes found throughout the city. While the Portuguese and Dutch primarily used Colombo as a military fort, the British set Colombo on its way to major development, constructing houses and other various structures.
With Colombo’s own cultural and historic attractions in districts such as Fort, Cinnamon Gardens and Pettah, on Sri Lanka vacations, it is also used as a gateway to other cities including Nuwara Eliya, a high-altitude, a picturesque city featuring Sri Lanka’s most important tea production site, and Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural capital and home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha.
Surrounded by various canals, a river to the north and northeast, and a lake in the heart of the city, Colombo is a mix of land and water, as well as of old and new, and offers interesting places to shop, dine, and experience some of Sri Lanka’s arts and culture on a Sri Lanka vacation.
Surrounded by various canals, a river to the north and northeast, and a lake in the heart of the city, Colombo is a mix of land and water, as well as of old and new, and offers interesting places to shop, dine, and experience some of Sri Lanka’s arts and culture on a Sri Lanka vacation.
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3 Trips Found
Highlights of Sri Lanka: Dambulla, Kandy & the Coast
Sigiriya Rock Fortress and ColomboUncover the treasures of Sri Lanka on a journey from bustling Colombo to tranquil beaches, ancient temples, and the breathtaking landscapes of the countryside.
10 days
From US$2,353/p.p.
Request a Quote
Highlights of Sri Lanka: Dambulla, Kandy & the Coast
Sigiriya Rock Fortress and ColomboUncover the treasures of Sri Lanka on a journey from bustling Colombo to tranquil beaches, ancient temples, and the breathtaking landscapes of the countryside.
10 days
From US$2,353/p.p.
Request a Quote
What do the experts say?
You should try a Zen meditation session. Imagine slipping into a silk kimono for the day—carefully tied by an expert dresser, every fold precise, every colour chosen to suit the season. It’s a ritual that feels as personal as it is timeless.
What do I love about Japan? In a word - EVERYTHING. The incredible contrast that Japan offers - new/innovative vs old/traditional, the warm and welcoming people, the incredible rich culture, the culinary wonders awaiting around every corner, the cleanliness, efficiency and safety. It's one of the best places to visit in Asia in my opinion.
Pub Street in Siem Reap, Cambodia, is a local favourite with very inexpensive drinks. It's also a great place to try the local delicacy, BBQ frog.
I love how laidback and relaxed Laos is compared to other countries in Southeast Asia. It's like the best of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand all rolled into one, and then sent back in time 20 to 30 years.
The Festes Majors are summer festivals held in the villages of Andorra. Each festival is unique to the village, with its own distinct style.
Colombo is the largest city and former capital ...
Sammangodu Sri Kathiravelayutha Swami Temple
Tuk-tuks are a popular mode of transport in Col...
A wedding pattern on the hands of a Colombo bride
A fishing boat at sunset
Most Popular Time to Travel
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Place
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Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
ColomboOccasional Showers
32°C / 89°F
55mm / 2.2"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.Popularity rating
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ExcellentBased on 5,306 ReviewsWe have used Goway several times to plan simple & more complicated trips. The last 2 trips we worked with Brooke Theron who is extremely customer focused. She listens well & is alway flexible to look at alternatives. We will continue using this representative & Goway.
Our only criticism is that they do not break down the various costs of a trip which makes tipping very awkward. It can also create a sense of " mistrust" when all the costs are not transparent. Cheryl HayesOur trip to Switzerland was an amazing experience. Our travel agent at GoWay, Bo was so helpful in helping my husband Louie plan just what we wanted to do on this trip. Taking the trains thru the county was easy by the many hours Louie and Bo worked on this. Also our helicopter ride in Zermatt on my birthday was just unbelievable. Flying around the Matterhorn and the Alps is one flight we will never forget. Thanks Bo for setting this up. The trip was one incredible adventure that we will never forget. Thanks again Bo, Lynn Gerber. Lynn GerberWe booked a Goway tour to Botswana and Zimbabwe and it was excellent. We worked with Brooke, the Goway represntative, to set up the tour and she was an outstanding agent who answered any questions we had very quickly and completely. Her hotel recommendation for the additional night we stayed was pefect.
Goway hires a local tour group, Jenman Safaris, to lead the safari in the 2 countries. The tour itself was amazing...the lodges that we stayed at were very nice and the food was great (except for one lodge's food). The Goway itinerary was slightly different than the actual Jenman Safari itinerary but most of the sites that we went to were the same as listed on the Goway itinerary. I would use Goway again because their choice of a local tour group was very good...nice lodges/camps and good food and knowledgeable tour guides.Ma FaOur GoWay tour representative, Michael Keon, was on top of all of our concerns and questions in a professional manner and we look forward to working with him in the future. Michael was very easy to work with and treated us like family.ThomasMatthew handled my honeymoon couple's very specific African itinerary like a pro! My clients went to four different travel agents who only wanted to send them on safaris. My clients had already done safaris and were specific on what they wanted to do and see. Matthew hit the nail on the head! Highly recommend!Amanda SchottSeamless prompt excellent communication from our first query about a possible destination to follow-up after the trip ended. Shalini’s knowledge, advice and enthusiasm were invaluable. JaneJacqueline Fagioli from Goaway Travel is excellent and very helpful and supportive. VenessaOur travel agent, Melissa Moses, created the perfect itinerary for our recent holiday to Portugal. Melissa had also planned our previous trip to England/Scotland. We have a great deal of confidence in her ability as she really listens to what we are looking for and she caters the plans according to our comfort levels and interests. customerJacqueline F. made our trip exceptional. Everything she planned or reserved worked out as it was supposed to. Croatia was amazing and I feel we were able to explore a lot of it because of Jacqueline.AllenThis was the first time we had utilized Goway. We wanted a custom itinerary for a 3 week Italy, Athens and Greek Island adventure. Edwina Brislane was receptive to our goals for the trip, had helpful suggestions and reacted well to our requested revisions. Lisa Dachuk helped "tie a ribbon" on the trip and ensured we had considered all aspects of the experience. Lisa dealt quickly with a couple of requests while on the trip and celebrated a successful trip with us.
We enjoyed working with both Edwina and Lisa. Their knowledge and enthusiasm contributed to our very memorable trip.Dan & Gail
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