Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka, doesn’t seem to fit in with the rest of the country.  Streets are congested, the layout of the city is confusing, and it is full of rundown shops and cafes, but its incredible mixture of Asian chaos, colonial charm and modernism will win any skeptic over. Colombo is deserving of at least one day, even in the tightest of schedules. There are old temples and churches, bazaars, fair-priced dining and an eclectic mix of the traditional with the new. The more time you spend in Colombo, the more you will discover and the more you will fall in love with this place.

Where To Stay
District 1 is the best place to stay to remain walking distance from a lot of sights, with easy access to transportation around the rest of the city. There are many options available to choose for housing, from budget to luxury.
District 3 is the area with the easiest access to the capital’s beach on the western side of the island.

What To Do

• National Museum
  Sri Lanka has a rich past dating back thousands of years, and the National Museum is a grand display of its ancient carvings, weapons, artwork and many other items. The building itself dates back to 1877.
• Colombo Dutch Hospital
  The Dutch Hospital is a gorgeous 17th century building with a red-tile roof that was converted after the war into a shopping center with trendy cafes set around well-groomed courtyards.
• The Ministry of Crab
  An elegant restaurant located inside the famous Dutch Hospital complex serves fresh crab and other traditional Sri Lankan dishes.
• Visit the Main Market
  Colombo’s main market is a place where temples compete with mosques for space, jewelers are selling the island’s famous sapphires, electronics are on every corner, fresh foods are prepared in front of you, and local medicine people practice and sell their goods.