Let’s start off at the National Museum located on Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 7. This large white building is a sight to behold and a feat of architecture worth exploring for itself. Inside, you’ll see rare remnants from ancient kingdoms all the way through to Colonial occupation and even some recent history. For those interested in fauna and flora from the bygone days, you’ll find that the Museum of Natural History is conveniently housed on the same leafy green premises.

Our second stop would be the National Postal Museum on W A D Ramanayake Mawatha, Colombo 10. It’s a special treat for Philately enthusiasts as this museum showcases many rare stamps and postal industry artefacts.While you are in Colombo 10 neighbourhood, you could stop at Hotel Buhari for their legendary biryani and Masala Chicken.

A short drive from here will bring you to the Dutch Period Museum located on Prince Street in Pettah, right at the heart of Colombo. Don’t let the bustle daunt you and instead focus on the colorful surroundings, sights and sounds of this busy part of the city. At this Governor’s residence converted into a museum you’ll find a comprehensive history of the Dutch occupation of Sri Lanka and a peek into the culture that has stayed alive among local communities. While you are here in Pettah, don’t forget to take a trek along the bazaar on Main Street and grab some piping hot samosas at any of the little eateries along the way.

Also, on the Second Cross Street in Pettah, you’ll see a unique and strikingly beautiful Mosque known to the locals as the Red Mosque, but in fact is red and white stripes like a candy cane. Jami Ul-Afar, was built in the early 1900s and remains one of the oldest and most revered mosques in the country.

From here we head to the Old Parliament Building in the Colombo Fort area, now housing the Presidential Secretariat. This beautiful old building is a sight to behold with its Baroque-style architecture and well-manicured lawns.

Finally, let’s circle back to Colombo 7, where the monument of National Independence stands in all its glory with it’s majestic stone lion guards. Independence Square, as it’s known to the locals, signifies Sri Lankas’ freedom from British Colonial rule in 1948 and is a peaceful space surrounded by green lawns, shady trees and walking/cycling tracks. A museum in the basement of the main structure provides information on the efforts of freedom fighters to gain independence.

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The journey to Galle can be made via the Southern Highway or you could opt for the more scenic route via Galle Road, a coastal road stretching from Colombo to Galle, flanked by the Indian ocean on one side. You could take public transport in the form of a bus or train or choose to rent a vehicle, which is recommended if you are on limited time. Shared here are some activities that you could cover in a day in Galle.

Explore the Galle Fort

Naturally, this should be the first thing on your list, walking or cycling around are both good options. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Galle Fort was built by the Portugese in the 16th century and later strengthened during the Dutch invasion of Sri Lanka. The Fort has since been linked to many historic events including the Siege of Galle in 1640. Currently, it preserves the historical beauty, but has also evolved into being the epi-center of culture in Galle. Inside this maze of quaint cobblestone paths are a countless number of cafes, restaurants, galleries and jewellery shops. You could easily spend an entire day here hopping from gallery to museum to cafe and also witness a stunning sunset from the edge of the ramparts.

Visit Rumassala Hill / Jungle Beach

Roughly 8 kilometers south of the center of Galle is the bay of Unawatuna with the Rumassala hill rising above the beach, covered in lush foliage. At the bottom of this hill you will find Jungle Beach, named after the thick groves of greenery nearby and at the peak of this hill is a beautiful white Peace Pagoda built by a travelling Japanese monk. Dip into the cool waters of the Indian Ocean for a refreshing swim or enjoy the view of multi-colored fishing boats from the golden beach. All types of restaurants and bars dot the entire length of the beach around here. Try some incomparably fresh seafood and sip a cold one as you enjoy the balmy unawatuna breeze.

Sea Turtle Hatchery, Mahamodara

The vibrant blue-green waters surrounding the island of Sri Lanka is home to all kinds of marine life including all five species of sea turtles. These turtles visit the sandy shores to lay their eggs, of which unfortunately most don’t survive unless actively protected. Hatcheries such as the one found in Mahamodara function with the objective of conserving the eggs laid by collecting and incubating and finally releasing the hatchlings to the ocean. For locals and tourists who wish to experience the process, the hatchery provides an opportunity to get closer to these rare species. However, as you will be briefed by the officials, extreme care should be taken when engaging with baby turtles while you are there.

Any combination of the above activities and many many more await you in the city of beautiful Galle. With a little bit of planning, you will no doubt make some of your best memories here.

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Forming part of the monumental cultural triangle and entitled a UNESCO world heritage site, this historic city is a must-see if you are interested in history. Anuradhapura presently houses some of the greatest ancient ruins of the glorious island nation including remains from temples, palaces, and the tallest dagoba in the country.

The weather in Anuradhapura is usually warm and dry with the exception of the relatively cool months of December and January.

Things To Do

The glorious Anuradhapura heritage is not limited to the monumental ancient ruins alone. There are in fact many things to do. Anuradhapura is home to many simple restaurants serving delectable cuisine, including Anzu’s Restaurant with authentic Chinese food served in a relaxed atmosphere. Casserole too is a bustling restaurant, serving a wide range of Sri Lankan, Chinese and Western food, cooked to perfection. If you are looking for a lovely, traditional restaurant to enjoy a typically Sri Lankan breakfast or short-eats, Salgado Hotel and Bakery is the ideal place.

Renting a bicycle and cycling leisurely around the city is also a recommended thing to do. Anuradhapura, being a vast city offers much to be explored.

Attractions

Steeped in a heritage of rich history, every inch of the ancient city of Anuradhapura boasts attractions you would not want to miss. Places to visit in Anuradhapura range from great temples, monasteries, and museums laden with treasures to intricately designed ponds and statues speaking in unison as a testament to the wisdom of the architects of yesteryear.

One of the key places to visit in Anuradhapura is the Sri Maha Bodhi or the sacred bodhi tree, which is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world and was brought to the island by Princess Sangamitta, the sister of Monk Mahinda who first introduced Buddhist teachings to Sri Lanka.

This ancient city of Anuradhapura also boasts some of the finest stupas in the world, including the Ruwanweli Seya, raised in the 2nd century B.C. by the great King Dutugemunu and popularly considered the greatest among stupas. Another one of the key Anuradhapura attractions is the Thuparama temple, which is known to be the oldest temple in Sri Lanka and is said to enshrine the collar-bone relic of Lord Buddha.

The third highest monument in the world at the time of the fall of the Roman empire, the Jethawana Monastery also in Anuradhapura is about 120 meters in height and was founded by King Mahasen, one of the greatest kings in the history of Sri Lanka. The largest monastery complex in Anuradhapura, the Abhayagiri stupa and monastery, was raised in the 2nd century B.C. by King Walagamba and it was an international institution by the 1st century A.D.

Some of the other main places to visit in Anuradhapura include the Archaeological Museum, the Abhayagiri Museum, the Isurumuniya lovers and the Kuttam Pokuna among many others.

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The National Museum

The Sri Lanka National Museum situated in a fine Colonial building in Colombo is the largest and oldest of museums in Sri Lanka . Displayed in this museum established in 1877 are a splendid collection of ancient royal regalia, ola manuscripts, antique furniture, temple frescoes, sculptures and lithic inscriptions among many others. The Sri Lanka National Museum is usually open to the public from 09.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs except on Fridays. Within the precincts of the Sri Lanka National Museum is also the National Museum of Natural History, portraying the phenomenal natural heritage of the land including birds, insects, mammals, reptiles, flora and fauna and even some of the gems and geological treasures.

Galle Maritime Museum

Situated in one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Galle Maritime Museum is indeed one of the finest amongst museums in Sri Lanka . Housed in a regal old Dutch building within the fort, the Galle Maritime Museum displays phenomena connected with marine biology and botany with an emphasis also on traditional secrets of local fishing, coral beds and deep sea fishes among many others. The Galle Maritime Museum too is usually open every day from 09.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs.

Kandy National Museum

Located in the palace once dwelt in by queens, the Kandy National Museum displays ancient regalia from the Kandy kingdom in the last few centuries prior to British rule, including arms and weapons, jewellery, ivory carvings and ritual objects of the era. The Ratnapura National Museum housed in the Ehelepola Walawwa boasts a collection of pre-historic fossils of elephants, rhinoceros and hippopotamus collected from the gem pits in the ‘city of gems’. Portraying the history and life of the people of Galle, the Galle National Museum too is one of the finest of museums in Sri Lanka and displays handicrafts, embroidery, horn and shell objects among others.

Other Museums

For those looking beyond the traditional museums, Sri Lanka offers some diverse and offbeat options like the Central Bank Currency Museum showcasing currency from the 3rd century to ancient kingdoms, colonial-era and modern-day as well. Another interesting museum in Colombo is the National Postal Museum, offering insight into the history of postal services in Sri Lanka with a carefully curated collection of material, tools, and machinery used over time. The recently opened Cricket Museum and Sri Lanka’s first underwater museum are also worth checking during your travels.

A rare and exquisite collection of folk implements from all parts of the island are housed at the Koggala Folk Museum and range from handicrafts, cottage industries, medicine, costumes, religion etc demonstrating life as it were.

Among some of the finest of themed museums in Sri Lanka are the Sri Dalada Museum in Kandy, the Sigiriya Museum and the Tea Museum at Hantane, each offering visitors an unparalleled experience.

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With the invasion of Colonial empires from the 16th century, the design and architecture of the forts in Sri Lanka have evolved over the years, with each dynasty carrying with it a rich cultural heritage. Spread throughout the coastal belt of the island, each of the forts in Sri Lanka is strategically placed and stands strong as a symbol of victory. Most of the great fortresses were first built by the Portuguese and were subsequently expanded by the Dutch during the 17th century. The British too occupied these forts, particularly the military during the two world wars, but were later abandoned and thereafter used by civil administrative offices.

The Jaffna fort, Batticaloa fort, Mannar fort, Kalpitiya fort, Negombo fort, and Martello tower of Hambantota are among the few that are yet to be seen in Sri Lanka. Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and possibly one of the best-preserved from that period to be found in the world, is the largest fort created by the Dutch in Asia. Though started by the Portuguese, construction was completed by the Dutch and is credited to the latter. Despite having stood for a few centuries, the fort is still a hive of activity and is in fact like a walled city with museums, galleries, boutiques, restaurants and luxury villas, making it the best preserved fort in Sri Lanka.

Another famous fort in Sri Lanka is Fort Fredrick in Trincomalee. It is a unique and peculiar transformation of a holy site into a military construction, as the Portuguese constructed it to defend their territory from the English and French armies.

In the heart of Colombo, the capital city, between the harbour and the Beira Lake was the Colombo Fort , one of the most prominent forts in Sri Lanka . Initially built by the Portuguese marking the first Colonial fort in Sri Lanka, the Colombo Fort was then taken over by the Dutch and eventually demolished by the British. What was once a walled city with administrative and military buildings, residential buildings, mills and cinnamon store-houses is today the financial and commercial pulse of the country. Colombo Fort once boasted typical Dutch houses which had been adapted to the tropical climate with an extended roof covering the verandahs and with high-ceilinged halls. Today there is hardly a trace of the old fort but that area is yet referred to as Colombo Fort given its prominence as one of the most important forts in Sri Lanka for many years.

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