Negombo is a charming coastal town located next to Colombo International Airport, which means it’s often the start and end of the trip for many tourists arriving from Europe. The town is known as “Little Rome” due to its colonial influence reflected in the facades of its buildings and its traditions. There, you can also relax on its golden sand beaches and enjoy the scenery while taking a boat trip along the canal. But that’s not all; there’s much more to see in Negombo, and we don’t want you to miss a thing.
In this post, we tell you everything you need to know before planning your trip to Negombo; The must-see sights like St. Peter’s Church or the fish market, and many other travel tips to help you make the most of your vacation. Discover the best way to get there and around the city, enjoy the local cuisine, and learn about its culture and traditions. If you’re ready to embark on your journey, don’t hesitate any longer and let’s begin.
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What are the best places to see in Negombo?
1. The Dutch Fort and its Colonial History
While the Dutch Fort isn’t the most attractive place to see in Negombo, it can be very interesting for history buffs. It was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and later fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century. Much of the original structure has been destroyed, but some ruins can still be seen, such as an entrance arch and sections of the walls. The area around the fort is also a very pleasant place to walk and enjoy the sea views.
2. Church of San Sebastian
The Catholic Church of San Sebastian is a revered place of worship in the city. It was built in the 19th century and is known for its impressive architecture, its elegantly designed white facade, and its historical significance.
Inside you will find beautiful stained-glass windows, religious statues, and an atmosphere that conveys peace. St. Sebastian’s Church is an important religious and cultural center in Negombo where a festival is held annually in honor of St. Sebastian.
3. Angurukaramulla Temple
This prominent Buddhist temple dates back to the 19th century and is known for its iconic reclining Buddha statue, which spans over 50 meters and is one of the largest in Sri Lanka. The temple features beautiful murals and paintings depicting the life of Buddha, as well as a stunning golden pagoda. In addition to its religious significance, Angurukaramulla Temple offers incredible panoramic views from its hilltop location, making it a sacred and popular tourist destination in Negombo.
4. The Fish Market, a must-see in Negombo
The fish market in Negombo is a must-see to experience the local culture and understand the importance of seafood in the region. Here you’ll find a wide variety of fish and shellfish caught in the Indian Ocean, auctioned off by local vendors. It’s a lively and interesting place, but we recommend going early, before 8:00 am, to experience it at its most vibrant.
5. Negombo Beach
Although Negombo Beach isn’t your typical picture-postcard beach due to the brown water and abundant trash, it is still a pleasant place for a stroll. Locals take every opportunity to go to the coast, but if you’re traveling around the country, we recommend spending your time at another beach.
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What to see around Negombo?
If you have any questions about Sri Lanka, you can consult our posts:
1. Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka
Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is characterized by its multicultural nature, reflected in the facades of its buildings, as well as its traditions and cuisine. The first thing that catches the eye in the bustling streets of Sri Lanka is the contrast between the historic and modern buildings, which coexist, making the city a unique place.
Among the must-see sights in Colombo, we highlight the National Museum, the city’s temples, and Viharamahadevi Park, although there are many other points of interest.
Colombo is less than an hour’s drive from Negombo. If you prefer public transport, you can take the train, although it takes a little over two hours.
2. Pinnawala and its Elephant Orphanage
Pinnawala is a small town less than 2 hours by car from Negombo known mainly for its famous elephant orphanage, where orphaned or injured elephants are given protection.
Here you can have a unique experience and observe the elephants up close while they eat or bathe. At the resort you can also learn about the conservation of elephant populations and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the area.
What to see in 1 day in Negombo?
Negombo, along with Colombo, is often the starting point for most trips to Sri Lanka due to its proximity to the international airport. However, the city isn’t one of the country’s most attractive destinations, so one day is more than enough to soak up the local culture and continue your itinerary to more interesting places.
In one day you’ll have plenty of time to stroll through the city streets and visit the fish market, the main colonial buildings, and the temples. You can also sample the local cuisine and enjoy fresh seafood dishes.
Is Negombo just a transit city?
Many travellers use Negombo as an arrival or departure point because of its proximity to the airport, but the city has more to offer than just a layover. Its fishing tradition, markets, and coastal atmosphere make it a gentle introduction to Sri Lanka.
It’s recommended for those arriving late or leaving early, but also for those who want to start their trip calmly before venturing onto more intense routes inland.
Where and what to eat in Negombo?
Due to its coastal location, Negombo’s cuisine is characterized by the presence of fresh seafood in its dishes, among which shrimp curry stands out. and baked fish. You can also try the “negombo crab curry,” a typical crab curry from the area.
In addition to seafood, you’ll also find dishes with influences from Portuguese and Dutch cuisine. In this post you’ll discover many more typical Sri Lankan dishes: Typical Sri Lanka food: What and where to eat? Here are some of the best restaurants in Negombo.
- Sunny Restaurant: For less than €20 you can try some of the best seafood dishes in the region at this restaurant. The staff is very friendly and we recommend trying the curries.
- Ammehula: is a tiny family-run Sri Lankan restaurant on the second row from the beach. You’ll eat like royalty for under €15.
- Mr. Crab: is the best place to try typical Negombo crab dishes. The place is very pleasant and the prices are very cheap. You’ll feel right at home.
Where to stay in Negombo?
Negombo has gained popularity in recent years as a tourist destination, which means that in addition to a wide range of accommodation options, prices can be higher than expected if you don’t book in advance. You can choose from resorts, hotels, hostels, and apartments. The closer you stay to the beach and the city center, the more expensive the hotel will be. These are some of our favorite accommodations in the city:
- Sun Rise Hostel: This is a cozy hostel located right on the beach, offering a shared lounge, a terrace with sea views, a kitchen, and Wi-Fi. A night in a shared room costs €4, and breakfast is €2.
- Belmont Boutique Hotel: This 5-star hotel is the perfect choice for a luxurious holiday. It features an outdoor pool, free private parking, a garden, a shared lounge, a restaurant, a free shuttle service, room service, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. The price per night starts at €70 and breakfast costs €7.
- Negombo The Nature Villa and Cabanas: This lovely complex offers both rooms and cabanas set around a beautiful garden with a swimming pool. The property also organizes activities in the city and surrounding area and has its own restaurant. The price per night is around €35 ??and breakfast is included.
How to get to Negombo?
Getting to Negombo is easy, whether you arrive by plane or from neighboring cities. If you’re flying to Colombo International Airport, the country’s main airport, you can get to Negombo in the following ways:
- Bus: is a convenient way to get to Negombo. The bus station is located in the airport’s arrivals terminal, and the bus that goes to Negombo is number 240. The ticket price is 24 LKR, and the journey takes 45 minutes. Once in Negombo, you’ll need to find the bus line that best connects to your accommodation.
- Tuk: is a more comfortable option as it will take you directly to your destination for 500/1000 LKR. The problem is that you’ll have to negotiate the price before leaving.
- Taxi: This option is the most expensive and can cost up to 3000 LKR. You can book a taxi from your hotel to be waiting for you at the airport exit upon arrival.
Once in the city you can get around by bicycle, the rental price for a day ranges between 500LKR and 1000LKR per day, by bus or by tuk-tuk, but remember that this last option, although it can be very comfortable, also requires prior bargaining.
What should I keep in mind before traveling to Negombo?
- From Spain, a visa is required to travel to Sri Lanka.
- Scams targeting foreigners are common in tuk-tuks and taxis. With the PickMe app, you can fix the price before getting in. It’s best to carry small bills.
- Do not drink tap water; the water in Sri Lanka is not safe to drink.
- Remember that temples are places of worship where you must enter barefoot and with your head uncovered.
- You will need an adapter for Sri Lankan electrical outlets.
- The official languages ??of the country are Cighale and Tamil. However, English is widely spoken, so you shouldn’t have any problem communicating.
- The local currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee. Try to carry cash and small bills.
- Supermarkets do not sell alcohol; you will have to go to specialty stores.
- The best time to travel to Sri Lanka is between January and April, but the weather is mild year-round.
- Protect yourself against potential medical emergencies: travel insured.
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How to plan your trip to Negombo?
- Register or download the Passporter app and discover all its features.
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- Organize your trip by the categories that best suit you: dates, number of days, or type of trip (beach, mountains, restaurants, etc.).
- Add your friends so they can see and modify all your plans and travel information.
- Create your own itinerary for your destination with everything you’d like to visit each day.
- Add the stops that interest you most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums, and more.
- Book your trip: flights, accommodations, transfers, and activities all through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app to have everything at your fingertips: reservations, boarding passes, important paperwork, and more.
- Make any necessary changes, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. You can also share your own travel tips for Negombo.
- Enjoy your trip to Negombo!
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Negombo
The best time to visit Negombo is between January and December.
The local currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee. Try to bring cash and small bills.
One day is more than enough to soak up the local culture.
Sri Lanka has a tropical climate, which means it is hot year-round. The monsoon season runs from December to March on the west coast and from May to September on the east coast.
Due to its coastal location, Negombo’s cuisine is characterized by the presence of seafood and fresh fish in its dishes.
Negombo is next to Colombo International Airport, from where you can reach the city center in less than an hour by bus, tuk-tuk, or taxi.
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