Tag: Cinnamon Grand Colombo

See the Best of Colombo in a Day

For starters, Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, Colombo, has so much to see, you should ideally spend more than a day here! But, if you only have one day, here’s what to add to your itinerary.

File:Colombo sunset skyline Jul 2016.jpg
dronepicr, Colombo sunset skyline Jul 2016, CC BY 2.0

Colombo Fort

A bustling area which offers some bargaining shopping too, Colombo Fort is easy to reach be you staying at a budget or luxury hotel Colombo has to offer. Within its maze of streets, you will find all manner of shops and pavement vendors selling everything from clothes and mobile phones to fresh fruits and sweets.

Gangaramaya Temple

To soak up some culture, head to the Gangaramaya Temple located near Beira Lake and around a five minute drive from Cinnamon Grand Colombo. This sacred Buddhist site features a mix of architectural styles and also has a fascinating museum with an eclectic array of statues and items given as gifts.

Independence Square

One of Colombo’s most popular spots for recreation and relaxation, Independence Square is also home to the Independence Memorial Hall which is worth a visit. You can spend time exploring the area, enjoying bike rides or indulging in some retail therapy at the adjoining Arcade Independence Square mall.

Galle Face Green

The ideal place to end the day, Galle Face Green is a public space beside the ocean where one can just unwind, fly kites or even have a family picnic. There’s a small stretch of shore if you want to get your feet wet in the waves, while you can also try some of Colombo’s famous street food here including “kottu roti”.

 

 

7 Awesome things to do in Colombo

Colombo, the illustrious and historically important commercial capital of Sri Lanka has a myriad of attractions for every tourist and resident. The Sri Lankan hospitality is much spoken of and respected, tour the streets and you will see how many people dine out; host guests for lunch, tea, and dinner even on weekdays and how upbeat the whole city is in spite of the sultry weather and the terrible traffic jams. Colombo hotels exemplify the level of luxury and warmth the Sri Lankans are accustomed to and offer a plethora of services that capture the interest of the locals who wish to unwind and the foreigners who want to bask in comfort.
Spas and ayurvedic treatment in Colombo are great revivers after extensive sunbathing and shopping. Spa Ceylon which is adjacent to Cinnamon Grand Colombo or Siddhalepa Ayurveda Spa is two hot picks with excellent massages and wellness routines. A visit to the monumental Independence Square, a jog around the area and a short stop at the resplendent Independence Arcade Shopping Precinct is a good combination of relaxing activities in a greener and more beautiful part of the city. Awaken the spiritual part of you by visiting the Gangaramaya Temple or the ancient Valukaramaya Temple, both of which are dedicated to Buddhist devotion. The brass carvings and memorabilia in the former and the murals in the latter bear testimony to the rich Buddhist heritage of the country.
Catch some action at SSC or Keththarama where cricket matches are hosted; the thought of watching the enthusiastic Sri Lankans cheer their home team to victory should be as compelling as the wonderful stroke play and bowling themselves. Does a quiet sunny afternoon on the beach interrupted only by the rumbling of a train or a loud and vibrant night on the same beach sound intriguing? Then Mount Lavinia is the place to be; mouth-watering seafood, BBQs, Chinese food, DJ music, dancing out on the sand and stepping out to wet your toes with ocean waves are all on the cards in this part of the world.
If you are in a hurry but still want to see as much of Colombo as possible, hop aboard a City Tour bus as it cruises through the streets to show you some of the finest buildings, parks, and venues of the city. The Vihara Maha Devi Park and the long stretch of art and paintings on the road bordering it are two others to be penned down in the To Do list. The gardens come alive with kids, parents, ice cream, and candy floss vendors in the evenings but is a quiet refuge in the mornings and afternoons for a stroll or to a read a book. The art and paintings on display along the street are colourful and reasonably priced; the artists themselves can be found there often and bespoke creations can be done, rolled up and taken wherever you wish.

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+