Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is much smaller than its Indian neighbours but it has the same disadvantages: poverty, overpopulation and the constant racket of cars and buses. All the same, you can find many interesting things there.
Colombo is the most populated city in Sri Lanka, and the economic capital. It's a city with varied architecture from its long colonial past.
My suggestion
Go by foot whenever possible! The city is quite large, but the main points of interest are in the centre and walking is the best way to explore Colombo and its cosmopolitan architecture.
David Debrincat
Travel writer
1
The capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, is a city that no longer relies solely on its reputation as a place to trade spices.
My suggestion
I advise that you avoid Colombo, it is a city full of traffic which no longer has the charm that it had in the past. Get on a bus or taxi and go to a city on the coast.
Anonymous
Travel writer
2
Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is much smaller than its Indian neighbours but it has the same disadvantages: poverty, overpopulation and the constant racket of cars and buses. All the same, you can find many interesting things there.
My suggestion
Colombo is not really a pleasant capital city. For me, it is nothing more than a transit city: one or two days are more than enough to see the main points of interest.
Fans of the outdoors and of walking will be enchanted by Sri Lanka which has one of the biggest diversities in the world in terms of preserved natural spaces. From the top of a mountain peak reaching over 2000 metres high to the wild plains covered in jungle, go off to explore in the heart of the country's national parks.
Ella is one of the most charming mountain stopovers in Sri Lanka. Not so much the village itself as its surroundings. Ella has one main road where you find most of the village's activities. In less than 10 minutes you are in the heart of Sri Lanka's mountains, surrounded by nature and in the middle of the tea plantations.
Whether you are passionate about history or nature you can't help but be charmed by Sigiriya and its surroundings. You'll climb back into time and history as you climb the steps of the Lion Rock. At the end of the day, enjoy the sunset over the magnificent countryside of the plains.
A lots less busy than the beaches in the south, the east coast of Sri Lanka guarantees you a stay off the beaten path. Long beaches that are almost empty most of the year, and an island where you can swim with sharks.
