Serving as a trading port for over 1500 years, Colombo has been colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Sri Lanka’s sprawling capital holds many memories of its past, with colonial buildings keeping a stately watch over the busy rush-hour traffic. This is a city where the island’s many cultures come together to do business, shop, walk along the seafront and eat world-class street food. Joining them is an unforgettable experience.

• Kelaniya Temple – This Buddhist temple has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times over the years, with the current structure dating back to the 18th century. The beautiful building boasts some fine sculptures, including a magnificent reclining Buddha.
• Viharamahadevi Park – Enjoy the wide open spaces at Colombo’s biggest park, filled with beautiful flowering trees that bloom from March to May each year. Some of the city’s hard-working elephants often spend the night here.
• National Museum – Housed in a beautiful 19th-century building in Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo’s largest museum has a huge collection of antique furniture, manuscripts, religious masks, Sinhalese sculpture and royal artefacts.
• Wolfendhaal Church – This stone church is a fine example of Dutch colonial architecture, and is unique for the tombstones set into its floor.