Colombo
Colombo
My Sri Lanka journey began with my arrival in Colombo. I ordered a taxi from the airport and went directly to my hotel to rest, as it was already late. For my stay in Colombo, I chose the NH Collection hotel — close to the center. The hotel was clean and well-kept, with a rooftop bar and pool, and beautiful city views right from the room windows. For breakfast, you can find both European dishes and local Sri Lankan flavors. Many people who travel to Colombo for business meetings also prefer this hotel.
The next morning, after breakfast, I got ready and went out to explore the city. For transportation I used tuk-tuks. Almost everyone here uses them, and you can easily call one through a taxi app — it’s simple and very affordable.
My first stop was Gangaramaya Temple.
Gangaramaya is one of the most important temples in Colombo — known for its mix of modern architecture and traditional Sri Lankan Buddhist elements. It holds a large collection of statues and relics, and you can see influences from Thailand, China, and India. It’s not only a religious site but also a cultural learning space.
With the same entrance ticket, I also visited Seema Malaka — located just 3 minutes away, on the lake. It’s a very tranquil spot floating above the water — perfect for short peaceful moments and photos.
Afterwards, I noticed the shopping mall right across the street — Colombo City Centre — and went inside out of curiosity. There were international brands, local Sri Lankan brands, cafés, and restaurants.
Later, I had lunch and then took another tuk-tuk ride to the high-end area of the city where many top hotels and restaurants are located. This area is very close to One Galle Face Mall. Around here you can find cafés, street musicians, and artisans selling handmade crafts. You can also see the Lotus Tower from this area — if you have time, going up is a great experience.
I finished the day by heading to Park Street Mews — a famous bar-pub street near my hotel — and had dinner at Monsoon Restaurant & Bar.
