Negombo

The beach and coastal town of Negombo is located 35 km north of Colombo on the west coast and is a good place to acclimatize after a long flight. The distance between the international airport and the port town is quite short at 13 km and the place is therefore popular with package tourists, as many hotels offer all-inclusive with wellness, Ayurveda and massages.

The beach town with 144,000 inhabitants offers a mixture of swimming and culture - not the ultimate dream beach experience, but many beautiful things to see. The city is colorful, loud and bustling. Along the mangrove-covered lagoon near the fish market, many fishermen live in traditional huts and spread all their own charm, which can be experienced on tours in small boats. Beach or city – what can you expect in Negombo?

Beach in Negombo

Negombo's sandy beach is eight kilometres long and lined with palm trees, with the main street with bars and souvenirs running directly behind it, and is conveniently located in terms of infrastructure. The Negombo coastline is suitable for children as well as for water sports enthusiasts, as the surf slopes gently and many providers specialise in water sports and ping. In addition, there is a coral reef off the coast as well as a 50-year-old, 75-meter-long shipwreck.

Sights in Negombo : architecture and canals

The cultural highlights in Negombo can be found for the most part in the numerous buildings of Dutch and Portuguese colonial architecture. Many old residential and commercial buildings date from this period, but also interesting transport infrastructures such as the Dutch water canal network.

• Churches : Since the Portuguese colonial period in the 16th and 17th centuries, Negombo has been very Christian/Catholic, which is reflected in numerous churches spread over the port town. These include St. Anne's Church, St. Sebastian's Church and St. Mary's Church with its impressive architecture, alabaster statues of saints and ornate stained glass windows.
• Water canals : Another relic from the colonial era are the canals that define the west coast of Sri Lanka – especially the "Dutch Canal", which stretches across the old town of Negombo for 120 km to the north. The canals were built by the Portuguese and Dutch to transport the valuable cinnamon and other spices to the ports, especially to Negombo.
• Bike tour : If you want to explore the area, a rental bike is a good idea. The Portuguese Fort, the fish market, the Buddhist Angurukaramulla Temple and the lagoon are worthwhile destinations. Along the Dutch Canal you can not only observe the everyday hustle and bustle of the Sri Lankans, but also watch the historical buildings pass by.
• Fish market : At the fish market on the Negombo lagoon, you can get to know the original fishermen's life. The people live from crabs and fishing along the mangrove-covered bay, which is somewhat reminiscent of Kerala Bay in southern India.

Places to stay in Negombo

The golden yellow Negombo beach is located north of the small town. There are numerous accommodation options of all price ranges, especially in the northern section along Poruthota Road you will find many larger hotel chains - close to the beach, comfortable and sometimes opulent at the same time. The south a little less.