Colombo Trip Overview
Known for long shady beaches and a centuries old fishing industry, Negombo is often the first city that fresh travelers come to stay for a day or two. Located just less than an hour away from Colombo, the traditional fishing town in Sri Lanka is famous for its historical and economic significance, sun kissed beaches and relatively mellow vibes, giving that all important first impression of the country. The best reason to visit the fishing hamlet, however, is because of its intriguing beaches and lagoon that showcase an interesting landscape, both socially and physically. This tour will cover the best places to visit in the coastal town of Negombo. There are many things to see in Negombo which include the Negombo Lagoon, the fish market and more. Despite it being a popular beach destination, there is significant history behind the town.
Additional Info
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Known for long shady beaches and a centuries old fishing industry, Negombo is often the first city that fresh travelers come to stay for a day or two. Located just less than an hour away from Colombo, the traditional fishing town in Sri Lanka is famous for its historical and economic significance, sun kissed beaches and relatively mellow vibes, giving that all important first impression of the country. The best reason to visit the fishing hamlet, however, is because of its intriguing beaches and lagoon that showcase an interesting landscape, both socially and physically. This tour will cover the best places to visit in the coastal town of Negombo. There are many things to see in Negombo which include the Negombo Lagoon, the fish market and more. Despite it being a popular beach destination, there is significant history behind the town.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Negombo Fish Market, Negombo Sri Lanka
Locally popular as Lellama (Lel-La-Ma), it is the second largest fish market in the country. It is situated at the north end of the Negombo Lagoon and can be seen across the lagoon bridge, which is also known as Munnakare Bridge. Approximately 4,000 boats depart to sea from here every day. Starting from 3:30am, the market is busy and thriving throughout the day, with individuals vending and bargaining over fish. This vibrant market gives tourists the opportunity to purchase fish and meet the local fisherman. It also provides the chance for them to organize fishing trips and boating excursions into the lagoon and ocean as well as learn about the fishing industry.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Dutch Fort, Esplanade Road, Negombo 22100 Sri Lanka
Negombo Dutch Fort, as the name suggests, is located in Negombo. Initially a Portuguese creation, it was rebuilt by the Dutch after they seized it. Although the fort now lies in ruins, it has played quite a role in the colonial history of the country.
The Dutch Fort is near a lagoon and the Esplanade, a field that witnesses many cricket matches. The famous Negombo fish market lies in its vicinity. After its capture by the British, the fort was almost entirely demolished to build a prison, which continues to be in use today. The remains, namely the clock tower, the rampart and the bastions, exhibit influences of both Dutch and British architecture.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: St. Mary’s Church, Main Street, Negombo 22100 Sri Lanka
St. Mary’s Church is one of the largest cathedrals in Sri Lanka, located in the heart of Negombo. Even though Negombo is a multi-religious city, the majority of the people are Roman Catholics. St. Mary’s Church, also known as the ‘Maha Veediya Palliya’ seems to rise above other buildings in Negombo which is also known as ‘Little Rome’ due to its numerous churches and Portuguese – Dutch influence. The Church stands as a mesmerizing building with cream yellow walls and black and white marble detail. This 140-year-old Church is famously known for one painting of Christ that was painted by N.S. Godamanne, who was a Buddhist painter.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Angurukaramulla Temple, Temple road, Negombo 22100 Sri Lanka
The Angurukaramulla Temple is one of the most famous Temples in Negombo. It is popular for the statue of Buddha and a magnificent dragon entrance. To get into the temple, one has to go into the dragon’s mouth, which is believed to get rid of any evil spirits.The temple also has a 300-year-old ruin of an ancient library that is now covered in moss. The temple has many trees and also has a pond with turtles in it. The temple also has many murals, paintings on the ceiling, and intricate sculptures that portray the journey of Buddha towards enlightenment.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Negombo Lagoon, Negombo Sri Lanka
Negombo Lagoon is a large lagoon in south-west Sri Lanka with several small rivers and canals, with the Indian Ocean towards the north. The water body is full of numerous varieties of fish, crabs and lobsters that make it an excellent location for fishers. Tourists enjoy the relaxing boating ride on the lagoon and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is known for its rich and flourishing biodiversity which spans over an area of about 35 square kilometers although it is only a few meters in depth. It has a wide variety of flora, fauna and mangrove forest that accounts for its ecotourism and conservation efforts.
Duration: 1 hour
