City breaks in Colombo

There is so much to do once you land in Colombo that you might forget to explore the rest of Sri Lanka. It is a good idea to take your time in the capital and partake in some of the city trips Colombo offers you, and then strike out to the rest of the island.

Since the devastating tsunami in 2004, the country has struggled to attract tourists. This is a shame because Sri Lanka and Colombo has so much to offer. In fact much of Colombo and the port were not affected at all and neither was the tea industry.

Amazingly there was minimal damage to coral reefs and mangrove swamps, and millions of dollars have been pumped into the country to revive the hotel and hospitality industries, making this a great time to support and visit this beautiful country.

The types of city breaks Colombo has

Being a relatively small island means that you do not have to go far to enjoy either the outskirts of the capital or the many attractions further afield. Colombo offers you a wide variety of things to do, from active trips to Buddhist retreats.

For art and architecture based city breaks, Colombo has plenty of museums to enlighten and enthral you. There is also the Raja Maha Vihara at Kelaniya, just seven miles from the capital. This is probably the most visited temple in Sri Lanka, after Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth, and it is said Buddha himself visited here twice. Maybe he enjoyed a city break Colombo style on the way!

How about some activities? Why not join in an impromptu game of cricket on the beach or hire a bike? Just north of the airport that serves the capital is another place ideal for a city break. This is Negombo, situated on a lagoon, and nicknamed ‘Little Rome’ because of a plethora of Catholic churches. It is ideal as a trip from Colombo being just 23 miles away to the south.

What to buy on your trip in Colombo

Your break in Colombo might take in ancient ruins and a bustling cosmopolitan atmosphere yet who can resist the colourful masks and local handicrafts displayed so beautifully in the shops?

Other bargains include designer clothes at rock-bottom prices, tea, spices, and gems such as sapphires, rubies and topaz. Be wary of fakes though. It is worth getting a list of reputable dealers from the tourist board if you are serious about purchasing jewels.

For an interesting city break Colombo is hard to beat, as just the culture alone makes the place fascinating. To make the most of your trip in Colombo and to get the best deal, book your flights through BudgetAir. While you are at it you can get cheap bargains with hotels as well with BudgetAir, then you can go off and enjoy your city break Colombo style without any worries.