Car Hire Colombo - Mini guide to Colombo

Sri Lanka’s capital is the main gateway to this fascinating country and has some interesting sites. It is also brimming with character and serves as a good base for exploring this island whose 25-year civil war has finally come to an end. It has a pleasant seafront expanse of green, the Cinammon Gardens, elegant mansions, and an old Fort.

Frequented by locals and visitors alike is the expansive Pettah bazaar. Here you can try you hand at haggling for numerous local wares, including gems, fruit, vegetables, brass, silver, and gold trinkets.

A stroll in and around Colombo’s fort district, the city’s main business district, will reveal some interesting sites. The district itself contains a clock tower which was once a lighthouse, the president’s residence and some colonial buildings as evidence of the city’s colonial past. Also nearby are the National Museum and the Art Gallery. The museum is dedicated to the history of the nation and the gallery features local artists.

The fort district is where you will find most of the city’s decent restaurants and hotels. Colombo isn’t particularly well known for its nightlife. For a pleasant walk and a view of some of some of the island’s animals, try the Dehiwala Zoo.

Accessible by car and safe, the island’s southwest coast has good opportunities for scuba diving, surfing, sailing, water skiing and trekking.

The real history is found inland and Kandy is spectacularly located in the hilly interior around a pretty lake and has a strong Buddhist culture. Anuradhapura is a potent symbol of Sinhalese power. This historic city, full of religious sites, dates back to the time of the famous Bodhi tree, under which the Prince Siddhartu gained enlightenment to become the Buddha.

Sunseekers should head to Hikkaduwa, the island's most developed beach resort area, while nearby Galle has an interesting legacy of Dutch colonialism.

Sri Lanka can only be reached by air. Colombo has flights to and from cities in Asia, Australia and Europe.