If you are willing to visit a scenic place, Sri Lanka is a beautiful option. Various cities in this country have a lot for their visitors. One such city is Negombo. Today, let us learn about 8 places to visit in Negombo.
Negombo has a deep-rooted history of Dutch and Portuguese culture and diversities. If you are visiting Sri Lanka for the first time, start exploring Negombo. It is nearest to the international airport, so it is a good starting point.
1. Negombo
Negombo is also referred to as Little Rome. It is a witness to Dutch, Portuguese, and British Colonial times. Negombo has many churches. Most of these churches date back to Portuguese times and are Roman Catholic in origin.
Little Rome, Negombo, has canals that add a view to the scenic place. People who often visit here appreciate the sandy shores of Negombo. You will find beaches here, like in other cities in Sri Lanka. We will discuss those later in this blog.
During the colonial era, Negombo was popular for its cinnamon cultivation. It was a trading port, too. Once you reach Negombo, you can take tuktuk rides to roam around the city. Local street shops have so much to offer, from shopping to food.
You will find many pubs, bars, and restaurants in Negombo. If you want to explore Sri Lankan food, Negombo is a good place. You will enjoy street food here.
2. Negombo Lagoon
Natural wonders are a delight to watch. Sri Lanka is one such nation where you will come across these natural wonders. A popular location here is Negombo Lagoon. First of all, it is the mesmerizing view that attracts most visitors.
Negombo Lagoon gets water from various rivers and canals nearby. You will see different varieties of flora and fauna around it. Rice paddies and coconut plantations are common here. You can enjoy a boat ride in the lagoon and spot different species of birds. You will see herons, seagulls, and egrets. Rusty-spotted cats and painted bats are rare sights that you will find here.
It will take around 1-2 hours to explore the Negombo lagoon. The boat ride begins at 6 a.m. You can witness the golden hour at the lagoon if you visit in the evening between 4-5:30 PM.
Make sure to reach 15 minutes before the time. You can book the boat ride in advance. These services are available online. As this is a popular spot, boat rides are always booked. So, it is better to make bookings beforehand.
3. St. Mary’s Church
St. Mary’s Church in Negombo dates back to 1922. It follows Gothic architecture, and its artwork is breath-taking. Tourists who adore architectural marvels often visit the church. The interior design of this church includes glass windows. There are so many cathedrals in Sri Lanka, and this is one of the largest.
St. Mary’s Church gives a view of European architecture. It also defines bits and pieces of Sri Lankan design. The ceiling has paintings that depict Jesus’s life. These paintings are worth watching.
This church is at the center of Negombo City. That is why it is easy to visit any other attractions in Negombo from here. Here is some interesting information for you. The Christian paintings were actually made by a Buddhist local painter. This shows the cultural diversity and oneness among the citizens of Sri Lanka.
You can visit the church between 5:30 AM and 8:00 PM. To reach the church, you can take a tuktuk from anywhere in Negombo.
4. Angurukaramulla Temple
Angurukaramulla Temple is a Buddhist temple. Locals know it as Bodhirajamaya Temple. This temple has a 6.1-meter-long Buddha’s statue, which is one of the largest in the country. The temple is more than 300 years old.
Visitors enter the temple through the dragon head, which is known to keep negativity away from the temple. There are many old yet beautiful paintings and murals. You will also find ancient sculptures here.
The ancient library with its ruined pieces still lies on the temple premises. If you want to spend some calming time, then there is a pond with turtles in it. There is an open space surrounded by plants and trees. You can walk here or even sit peacefully.
Ancient humans used to carve on walls. Such carvings are visible in this temple, too. The visiting hours of Angurukaramulla Temple are 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Make sure you wear fully covered clothes. Even your hands and legs should be covered.
5. Browns Beach
Your Sri Lankan trip is incomplete without visiting its beaches. There are so many beaches to visit in Negombo, but Brown Beach is a special one. The golden sand and crystal-clear water enhance the beauty of this beach. Palm trees add a serene beauty to the location.
Remember those scenic beach wallpapers? This place is exactly the same. Blue water, golden sand, and green palm trees are a treat to the eyes. You can take part in activities like water sports here at the beach.
A private resort offers luxurious rooms and a dining experience to visitors. You can play indoor games like carrom and outdoor games like volleyball here. Being close to a fishing village, Browns Beach gets some authentic sea food. There are vendors on the street selling local seafood cuisine and fast foods.
If you are here to explore food options, Negombo is a perfect place. You can explore nature, water sports, and Sri Lankan food all together at Browns Beach Negombo.
6. Guruge Park
Guruge Park is an amusement park in Negombo. If you are traveling to Sri Lanka with children, this is a good place to go. The park opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 6:00 PM. You will have to buy the entry ticket, which is around 550–3400 LKR for children. For adults, the tickets cost between 650 and 3500 LKR.
If you visit Guruge Park, you will be visiting Sri Lanka’s first-ever theme park. Sri Lanka is a country of ancient origin. This theme park shows history that dates back to 547 B.C. It is an amalgamation of ancient stories and modern, fun-filled rides.
The amusement park is divided into sections. One section has the theme of Jurassic Park. It offers epic, adventurous activities. The dinosaur-themed section has lights and sounds to make you feel the reality of the Jurassic age.
Another section is the Mayan Water Park. This section has water activities but is mainly about water architecture. You will find musical fountain shows here. The Mayan Water Park showcases different species of flora.
Mayan Water Park takes you back to an ancient village in Sri Lanka. It is home to antique tools used for hunting. You can experience the village of the country through this little reconstruction. If you are a museum enthusiast, get ready.
Guruge Park has a museum that showcases antique coins that belonged to kings. There are some rare gems as well. You will notice some artifacts and even statues.
7. Morawala Beach
Morawala Beach is a quiet place away from the city center. If you want to relax after a lot of roaming in Negombo, go to this beach. The calmness that comes from nature hits differently. Morawala Beach allows you to witness the most beautiful sunsets.
This side of the Indian Ocean is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. The water here is clear, and the shores are sandy. If you want, you can swim on this beach. In earlier times, this was a place for shark breeding. That is why it is called Morawala, meaning shark pit. You will observe rock formations at the beach that differ from the usual rocks.
Morawala Beach is located in Pitipana Village in Negombo. This beach has a big coral reef that makes the beach more beautiful. You can visit the beach at any time of the year. Morawala Beach will give you tranquility throughout the year.
8. Dutch Fort
Being a part of the colonial era, Sri Lanka has many forts. One such fort is the Dutch fort in Negombo. This one is small but holds great historic value. Some people refer to it as Negombo Fort. You can visit the fort between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The entry is free for all.
Originally, the fort belonged to the Portuguese. But the Dutch started rebuilding the fort after acquiring it. The fort is visible only in its ruins now. The fort dates back to 1588. It was in 1672 that it was finally rebuilt.
A part of the fort is now used as a prison by the government of Sri Lanka. The bastions and clock tower of the fort are still visible and can give you a glimpse of its architecture.
There are many cities in Sri Lanka that should be on your go-to list. One of those is Negombo. The Little Rome shows you a combination of European and Asian styles of buildings.
Editorial Staff at Ceylon Empire Travels are Specialist in Sri Lanka Travel.
