Colombo

Colombo is a microcosm of contemporary Sri Lanka. An important commercial entrepot for the merchants of Arabia, China and Europe, the city was once one of Asia’s finest and was known as the ‘Garden City of the East’. With its Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial heritage, bustling markets, sophisticated boutiques and diverse culinary scene, the city has much to offer; yet until the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war, Colombo was virtually off limits.

A walking tour of Colombo is the best way to discover the colonial influences and the architectural sights of this cosmopolitan city with its wide tree-lined avenues and chic restaurants that provide a fascinating contrast to the bustling, traditional Colombo with its small family-run shops, teeming markets and street-food stalls. Visit Colombo Fort, the commercial hub of the city; the spectacular Cargills building; the fully restored Old Dutch Hospital, now a fashionable shopping precinct with cafes and restaurants; and the colourful, chaotic Pettah bazaar, where locals shop for a myriad of goods. Colombo is an intriguing destination currently undergoing a cultural renaissance.