Negombo: Best things to Do
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By Purna
- Published On
Intro
Negombo is the closest town (About 20 minutes) to the main international airport of Sri Lanka, ‘Bandaranayake Airport’ of Katunayake.
This blog post mainly aims at some of the coolest 10 things to do in and around Negombo town exploring the city’s main attractions.
This beach city is famous among tourists who want to spend their first day upon arrival and the last day of departure due to its geo location and the convenient distance from the main airport. Negombo is not only known for its long sandy beach but also as a bustling fishing town as well.
Bit of History
This city has a history of Portuguese, Dutch and English arrivals consequently. In 1640, the Dutch captured the town from the Portuguese and then the British captured it from the Dutch in 1796.
Statistics
Area: 30km2
Population: 142, 136 (Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims)
Population: 142, 136 (Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims)
Top 10 things to Do in Negombo
Even though it is not the best beach to swim, tourists and locals often see swimming especially during the off season. Kitesurfing is one of the activities that one can try in Negombo beach. Bird watching tours are also available.
Here are some of the best things to do when you are in Negombo.
1. Negombo Beach: Walking, Swimming or Kitesurfing
Negombo beach is one of the main beaches among stunning Sri Lankan beaches. This long sandy beach attracts tourists across the globe with the unique charm it has to offer.
If you just landed in Sri Lanka from a country that has a cold winter, I would recommend that you head to this sandy and windy beach to get the first impression of warm Sri Lankan beaches.
Beaches are spreaded across the city of Negombo. Negombo Browns beach and the Beach park are the best beach venues if you’d like to chill under a palm tree or try out some of the activities such as windsurfing, surfing, sailing or simply go for a dip in the shallow sea wave.
Beach park is a popular landmark among both local and foreign visitors so be aware that this park can be fully packed with visitors especially during the weekends or public holidays.
Swimming here can be recommended but not during the monsoon season. There were numerous stories often heard that specially drunk local visitors got caught into the ocean waves around the main beach area. Waves can be strong and unpredictable especially during the monsoon season, there are concerns of safety here so think twice before getting into the water.
Most of the top tourist hotels, bars and guesthouses are located in the Negombo beach road or so called “Lewi’s place”. This area is perfect If you’d like to explore a bit of nightlife and party all night long blend in with a bit of sea breeze, favorite music and the local vibes that this part of the city has to offer.
Tip: If you’d like to spend peaceful time by the beach, avoid weekends and public holidays to avoid the crowd.
Negombo is a good place to do any kind of shopping.
Negombo town consists of shopping malls, textile stores and supermarkets that let you accomplish your shopping requirements varied from Clothes, electronics to groceries. “No Limit” and “Fashion Bug” are some well known clothing supermarkets which you can find in almost all main cities in Sri Lanka.
Also, visiting colombo for a day shopping tour can be a better option if anything and everything if you are struggling to find it in Negombo city.
If you are looking for gifts for your love once back home, there are plenty of arts and crafts shops in Negombo city where you can get homemade souvenirs. One famous one is “Laksala”. Sri Lanka is a hotspot to buy special fabrics and materials you cannot find in Europe, handloom fabric, Sarees and Batik are some of them.
These are perfect to wear in hot weather, so possibly make your Sri Lankan experience even more warmer.
Get in touch with me as I may assist you to explore Negombo City in a Day
Tip: Most of these shops and supermarkets have no difference between the local and tourist price tags.
3. Visit the Negombo Dutch Port
Along with the canals, that is another Dutch made landmark that can be found in the city, Dutch Port was Made by the Dutch around 1678, is one of the historical landmarks of Negombo city. This historical building is located just off the Negombo city prison.
As a result of expanding the territory powers, the Dutch stopped by Negombo in the 17th century to make this monument to show their presence in the country, considered as a historical monument in Negombo Town today.
Tip: Entrance is free and open at 8am-8pm everyday.
4. Shop at Fish Market
This famous fish market is popular among locals as well as tourists who want to buy fresh fish and sea foods such as lobsters, crabs and prawn. Fish and seafood can be available all day but the best time to get them is in the early morning starting around 6am.
Tip: Not recommended for those who are allergic to dirt and the smell of fish.
5. Visit Angurukaramulla Buddhist Temple
Angurukaramulla Temple is the main Buddhist temple located at the heart of Negombo city about 2km from the town center.
This temple contains all major features that a Buddhist temple should have such as Giant statue of Buddha, silent area of meditation, lightning candles, chanting refuges, Bodhi tree and meditating and listening to sermons.
There is a separate hall here to show off the interesting stories of birth, enlightenment and the death of Buddha’s era that consists of evil statues, murals and wall paintings.
6. St. Mary's Church, Negombo
Situated in the heat of Negombo Town in the main street, St. Mary’s church is one of the few Roman Catholic churches in Sri Lanka.
This church is said to have been established in 1874 during the Dutch era in Sri Lanka. Built in accordance with the colorful European architectural styles. It is a common sight that both locals and foreigners use the church specially for the Sunday morning mass shedule starts at 7.30 am.
Tip: Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday (5am-12pm and 3pm-8pm)
7. Dutch (Hamilton) Canal:
Negombo Dutch canal (also known as Hamilton Canal) which goes towards puttalam to Colombo. 14.5km long canal was made by the Dutch and fortified afterwards by the British in 1802-1804.
This canal is about 120 km long and starts from Negombo all the way to puttalam passing by Colombo. The canal was named after the ruler, Gavin Hamilton.
8. Water Safari at Negombo Lagoon
The lagoon is situated only a few minutes walk from the main town center, next to the Hamilton Canals.
One of the popular activities that visitors can try out here is Lagoon Boat Trips, this water safari allows visitors to explore the nearby small islands and its ecosystems, different types of birds and other varieties of marine species.
Tip: There’s a fee for an almost an hour long boat ride.
9. Visit Negombo Hindu kovils
Sri Muthumari Hindu Temple is located in the sea street Negombo, about half way through in between the Negombo town center and the Negombo Beach Park.
Consisting of statues of colorful gods, this hindu temple adds a greater impact for the local hindu religious population in the area.
10. Day trip to Colombo
If you’re reaching your last few days in your Sri Lankan holidays and if you are still missing some items or gifts to buy for your loved ones, friends or family, now you have a better chance to reach the country’s shopping capital, Colombo for that.
It takes less than an hour to reach from Negombo to Colombo either using private transportation, Buses or Trains. If you intend to take a bus, it is recommended that you take a Bus with A/C which is more comfortable and relatively faster than non A/C buses.
Colombo has many shopping malls, large open-air markets, accessory and electronic shops where you can do both luxury and cheap shopping that suits the needs of the budget of any traveler.
Tip: In case if you use Uber taxi or Tuk Tuk from Negombo to Colombo (Vise Versa), make sure to negotiate the price of the trip prior to the journey, unless the Tuk Tuk is a metered one.
Reaching there
Transportation
If you are looking for sightseeing and wildlife, adventure, honeymoon, cultural tour or pilgrimages, I can help you customize your tour according to individual wishes and requirements. Feel free to Contact Me mentioning your specific requirements.
Finding Accommodation
All major online booking portals still works in Sri Lanka as well to find short or long term accommodation. If you travel for short term, use your favorite booking platforms mentioned below. Choose the favourite platform according to your interest.
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