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.
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.
Languages
Sinhala, TamilCurrency
Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)What do the experts say?
The Festes Majors are summer festivals held in the villages of Andorra. Each festival is unique to the village, with its own distinct style.
The Pyrenean Mountain scenery and tax-free shopping are two of my favourite things about travelling to Andorra.
I love learning about Nicaragua's culture and experiencing its Spanish influence in some cities. I was only there for five days, but I'll never forget how delicious the food was and how welcoming and extremely polite the people were.
Nicaragua is well known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, lakes, rainforests, and colonial cities. I love how friendly the people are and how delicious the food is! There is always something fun to do in Nicaragua!
Festival de Los Farolitos is an annual nighttime festival held every September in the town of Ataco, where the streets, houses, and plazas are illuminated with thousands of handmade lanterns (farolitos). Families craft them using colored paper, wood, calabash gourds, or jars, each with a candle inside. Although it's tied to the eve of the Virgin Mary’s birthday, it has evolved into a cultural celebration of community, light, creativity, and town pride.
Travel Stories
Get Inspired About Your Trip to Sri Lanka
Unlock more by subscribing to our newsletter
With our newsletter, you’ll get access to regular communications that inspire you and help you explore the world your way