Women-Friendly Travel in Colombo
The Colombo women-friendly travel guide places explicit women-friendly and family confidence signals first, while keeping uncertain details visible for review.
Colombo
Beverly Street
This is quite possibly the only clothing store in Colombo that’s open 24-hours. Handbags, footwear and accessories are also sold here at great prices.
Colombo
Cotton Collection (Pvt) Ltd
This place offers the soft, breezy clothes one would need, to withstand the hot Colombo weather. From kaftans to skirts to cropped trousers, they all come in varying colours, that’s soft to the touch and easy on your pockets! A hundred percent cotton, as they say.
Colombo
Liberty Plaza
This mall in the city centre houses a range of shops that sell clothing, handbags, CDs, souvenirs, electrical goods and toys, footwear, saris, perfumes, accessories, jewellery and more. Ample car-parking space available for shoppers. R. A. de Mel Mawatha, Kollupitiya, Colombo 3,
Colombo
Majestic City
Another one of Colombo’s malls, this place too includes shops that sell clothing, handbags, footwear, CDs, souvenirs, electrical goods, toys, presents and sportswear, all at moderate prices. A food court is located on the ground floor, with a cinema and a pool parlour on the top floor. On weekends this place is packed.
Colombo
Stone 'n' String (Pvt) Ltd
This lovely jewellery store offers a range of bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings, some encrusted in gems whilst others made from coral, all at reasonable prices nevertheless. 275, R.A.De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka. Phone: 0094 11 301555, 75-376161. Fax: 94-1-576950, 575649 Email: [email protected] Website: www.stone-n-string.com
Colombo
Villa Saffron
Contemporary designs, exquisite colonial furniture & architectural delights are found at this shop, which is situated 30 minutes from Colombo in the green suburbs near the Parliament. No 15,Bogahahena Road, Battaramulla
Colombo
House of Fashion
Clothing and homeware all under one roof. House of Fashion is very popular with the locals and is always buzzing with people even on weekdays. Drawbacks: factory rejects may end up being mixed with the rest of the clothes and there are no changing rooms.
Colombo
Lakmadura Ltd.
Wood carvings, silver, brass, batik and leather items can be found here. 113, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka Phone: 0094 11328900, Fax: 0094 11335380
Colombo
Lakpahana
Sri Lankan handicrafts and gemstone jewellery can be found at this place. The items can be a bit pricy though. No 14 Reid Avenue, Cinnamon Gardens Colombo 07
Colombo
Laksala
Laksala offers handicrafts, brass items, furniture, wood carvings, silver ware, spices, tea, leather and batik – all at very affordable prices. You will definitely find something at this place to take back home with you.
Colombo
Dankotuwa TableWare
Sri Lankan porcelain products including tea sets and dinner sets can be found at this store.* No 283, Galle Road, Colombo 03 Phone: 0094 112 2575742
Colombo
What to do with Children in Tow
Travelling with kids is no easy task. You need to keep them occupied yet safe. Here are the best places to visit with kids in tow, in Colombo.
Colombo
The oldest Hindu temple in Colombo
Sri Kailasanathar Swami Devasthanam with shrines dedicated to Shiva and Ganesh, is the oldest Hindu temple in Colombo. Located behind the Fort Railway Station, this Kovil (Hindu Temple) is devoted to the war god Skanda. It is the starting point for the annual Hindu Vel Festival. Vel is a procession where Vel (trident) chariot is dragged by devotees to the kovils on Galle Rd in Bambalapitiya.
Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple
Built in the 19th century, with decorations of stone carvings, brass work and paintings, the Gangaramaya Temple also houses a library and a museum. It is run by monks and is located next to Beira Lake.
Colombo
Galle Face Green Promenade
Located by the Indian Ocean and along Galle Road, this green grassy area set on 13 acres is where people come to rest and enjoy the beautiful sunset. During the war it was heavily guarded, but now the public are able to walk freely. National and Independence Day events are held here with great gusto and during the kite season, the sky is dotted with colourful kites flying in the sea breeze.
Colombo
The Sapumal Foundation
The Sapumal Foundation houses the studio and art materials of the late Harry Pieris who was one of Sri Lanka’s renowned artists. Paintings of other local artists are also on display here.
Colombo
The Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is famous for displaying Sri Lanka's flora and fauna in dioramas.
Colombo
The National Museum of Colombo
Housed in a 19th century building, this museum displays an interesting collection of manuscripts, antique furniture, sculptures, carvings, china, demon masks and ancient royal regalia. The museum is closed on Fridays and on all public holidays.
Colombo
The Lionel Wendt Memorial Art Center
Stage dramas, painting and photography exhibitions, pottery or some type of workshop or musical can be found going on at the art center. It’s a favourite amongst Colomboites. Open: Monday-Friday 9AM-1PM and 2-4PM. No 18 Guilford Crescent, Colombo 07, Phone: 0094112 695794.
Colombo
The Dutch Period Museum
This museum, housed in a colonial building dating back to the 18th century, showcases material and artefacts from the Dutch colonial rule, such as wood and ivory furniture, documents from the era, maps and photographs of the Dutch in Sri Lanka, and even crockery.
Colombo
The Mount Lavinia Beach
Just 20 minutes away from the city center, Mount Lavinia has perhaps the most beautiful stretch of beach in Colombo. The sunset can be quite a sight!
Colombo
Colombo Zoological Gardens
Visitors get to see a variety of animals, including a large collection of birds, reptile and fish. The highlight of most people’s trip to the zoo is quite possibly the elephant show, which is held daily at 5:15PM. Elephant and pony rides are available too!