Flight Destinations
Flights to Colombo
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Colombo is the largest city in Sri Lanka and the commercial capital of the country. There are numerous sights to see in this bustling city from modern to historical, including museums, beautiful architecture, and some great shopping.
Situated within a beautiful neoclassical style building the National Museum of Colombo is the largest museum in Sri Lanka and was established back in 1877. The museum houses an impressive collection and library from Sri Lanka’s past.
Natural History Museum
Located right next door to the National Museum is the Natural History Museum. As the name suggests this museum concentrates on the natural side of Sri Lanka, including its flora and fauna.
Colombo Dutch Museum
The third of Colombo’s major museums is the Colombo Dutch Museum. This museum concentrates on the history of the Dutch colonial rule in Sri Lanka and is housed within a 17th century Dutch House that was once the home of one of the Dutch elite, Count August Carl Van Ranzow. The restored house is part of the attraction of this museum which also includes furniture, ceramics and other Dutch period artefacts.
British Colonial Buildings
It was not just the Dutch who colonised Sri Lanka and Colombo, the British had their time here too. The British legacy is apparent across the city in numerous examples of colonial architecture, the most notable include the Prime Minister’s Office, the General Post Office, the General Treasury Building, and the Galle Face Hotel, which is the oldest hotel east of the Suez!
Colombo’s Religious Buildings
Some of Colombo’s religious buildings are amongst the most visited attractions in the city, and the most prominent landmarks. The Jami Ul-Afar Mosque is one of the most popular sights in Colombo and one of the most striking with its contrasting colours and domes.
St Paul’s Church Milagiriya is one of the oldest churches in Sri Lanka, built by the Portuguese initially then re-built by the British in 1848. In the Slave Island area is another striking piece of architecture – the Murugan Hindu temple.
Colombo Zoological Gardens
For a change from all the architecture visit the Colombo Zoological Gardens. This zoo is home to numerous animals from countries around the world and offers a daily elephant show which is said to be very popular. Elephant and pony rides are also available here.
Flights to Colombo
Bandaranaike International (airport code: CMB), located about an hour drive from the city, is where international flights to Colombo will arrive. This is Sri Lanka’s only international airport so the only option for flights to Colombo. From the UK there are direct flights with SriLankan Airlines. Numerous other airlines offer flights to Colombo from the UK as well, though these all have one connection. Airlines include Emirates, Qatar Airways, Jet Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Etihad Airways, Irtysh Avia, Kuwait Airways, and British Airways provide flights to Colombo via one stop-over.Colombo Tourist Attractions
The National Museum of ColomboSituated within a beautiful neoclassical style building the National Museum of Colombo is the largest museum in Sri Lanka and was established back in 1877. The museum houses an impressive collection and library from Sri Lanka’s past.
Natural History Museum
Located right next door to the National Museum is the Natural History Museum. As the name suggests this museum concentrates on the natural side of Sri Lanka, including its flora and fauna.
Colombo Dutch Museum
The third of Colombo’s major museums is the Colombo Dutch Museum. This museum concentrates on the history of the Dutch colonial rule in Sri Lanka and is housed within a 17th century Dutch House that was once the home of one of the Dutch elite, Count August Carl Van Ranzow. The restored house is part of the attraction of this museum which also includes furniture, ceramics and other Dutch period artefacts.
British Colonial Buildings
It was not just the Dutch who colonised Sri Lanka and Colombo, the British had their time here too. The British legacy is apparent across the city in numerous examples of colonial architecture, the most notable include the Prime Minister’s Office, the General Post Office, the General Treasury Building, and the Galle Face Hotel, which is the oldest hotel east of the Suez!
Colombo’s Religious Buildings
Some of Colombo’s religious buildings are amongst the most visited attractions in the city, and the most prominent landmarks. The Jami Ul-Afar Mosque is one of the most popular sights in Colombo and one of the most striking with its contrasting colours and domes.
St Paul’s Church Milagiriya is one of the oldest churches in Sri Lanka, built by the Portuguese initially then re-built by the British in 1848. In the Slave Island area is another striking piece of architecture – the Murugan Hindu temple.
Colombo Zoological Gardens
For a change from all the architecture visit the Colombo Zoological Gardens. This zoo is home to numerous animals from countries around the world and offers a daily elephant show which is said to be very popular. Elephant and pony rides are also available here.