Although it's unlikely it will reclaim its 19th-century moniker 'the garden city of the East', Colombo has nevertheless emerged as a must-see stop in Sri Lanka. No longer just the sprawling city you have to endure on your way to the beaches, it has become a worthy destination in its own right and makes an excellent start – or finish – to your Sri Lankan adventures.
The legacies of colonial Colombo's garden roots are still very much intact along its often-shady boulevards. Colombo’s cosmopolitan side supports ever-more stylish eateries, galleries and shops. Surprises abound: with a little exploration you'll find great local food, characterful shops and tiny, convivial cafes. Meanwhile, a building boom like no other is transforming the city's skyline.
By Air: There are only a few international airports in Sri lanka. Ratmalana Airport is situated in Dehiwala- Mount Lavinia in Colombo. Another International Airport is Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake. It takes approximately an hour to reach Colombo from here. Flights to Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia, Middle East and Australia depart and arrive here. Flights like Emirates, Air India, Sri lankan Airlines, Vistara, Royal Nepal operate to and from Colombo. Domestic flights run from the above mentioned airports as well.
By Train: Fort railway station is served by Sri Lanka Railways. It is a major hub for many intercity and commuter trains. It serves as the terminus of many intercity trains Sri Lanka. Train schedules and fares can be checked online at the official website of Sri Lanka Railways.
By Road: Reaching Colombo from any Sri Lankan country is easy via bus or taxi. Taxi though takes less time but is expensive. A huge network of buses operates in and around the Colombo. The Central Bus Stand is an important stand from where all the buses depart and at which all of them arrive. The intra city buses help you to travel within the city. There are express buses as well. One can take Bus number 112 or 132 to reach Galle Face Green. Bus number 187 and 187-E3 will take you to Colombo Fort through the expressway giving you beautiful scenes of the city. One can easily locate the bus and the fare is relatively cheap. If you are coming from the Airport then you have to just walk few metres to reach to a bus. There are buses to almost every tourist attraction. Taxi is also easy to locate within the city.
The best time to visit Colombo is the dry season between January and March. The best season to visit Colombo if one is planning to explore the west and south coasts and the mountain country is northeast monsoon which is from November to February.
Colombo: The Heart of Sri Lanka
Colombo is Sri Lanka's prime city. The official capital, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, is also within the urban area of Colombo, so Colombo is often called the capital of Sri Lanka as well. The city has a rich colonial heritage, and also some very scenic and popular attractions.
Colombo is arguably Sri Lanka's most popular tourist destination. The coastal city is a beautiful place to spend a couple of days just relaxing, indulging in the local food, and leisure activities. It has a good collection of attractions to serve just this purpose, like the Galle Face Green, the Beira lake, and the Viharamahadevi Park, which are popular places for picnics and also for you to spend some quality time with your loved one. The city still has many structures from the colonial period and early history. Most of the museums you see today were once used by the colonial masters. Take for example the Dutch Museum, which was actually the residence of the Dutch Governor of Ceylon when it was first built. Even the Maritime Museum was once a Dutch prison. In Colombo you'll also find plenty of Buddhist temples, the most famous of these being the Gangaramaya, and the Kelaniya Raj Maha Vihara. Not just that, Colombo is a great place for you to shop for local handlooms, and when you're done with that, indulge in a variety of sea foods and local cuisine. Colombo makes for a beautiful escape to a picturesque coastal city.