colombo
A hub for cultural exchange and international trade, Colombo is Sri Lanka?s buzzing modern capital and the epicentre of everything east meets west.
This historical seaport has hosted a range of global visitors over time, from the Greeks, Persians and Romans to the Portuguese and British in more recent years. Home to the international airport, Colombo remains the gateway to the island and is an ideal destination for bookending your trip.
Colombo hotels are the epitome of modern luxury and cater to travellers of all kinds. Many overlook the sprawling Indian Ocean, though others boast an enviable position at the banks of Lake Biera.
There is much that makes Colombo worthy of exploring - the terracotta-tiled Dutch Hospital dates to the 1660s, and has been transformed into a gorgeous space for restaurants, cafes and shops. A range of museums tell the story of Sri Lanka?s colourful history, while lively markets offer a glimpse at local life. Galle Face Green is a must-see, a popular promenade that hosts an array of aromatic street foods too delicious to miss.
Colombo is Sri Lanka’s largest city, with a population of more than 750,000. The city features the incredible Beira Lake, spanning 160 acres and often hosting regattas and theatrical events on its shores. Despite being the financial and business capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo offers a host of natural beauty as well, and its network of canals leading from the Kelani River mean the city really is a mix of land and water. Colombo's monsoon climate is just shy of being classified as a tropical rainforest, with drier winter months and an average annual temperature of 31°C.
