Travel Guideline to Colombo Fort with the Best Recommendations and Tips
Dec 11, 2023 By Sean William

The enchanting world of Colombo Fort, Colombo: how to reach, best time, and tips helps you unlock the secrets to this historic destination. The ideal time and essential tips to visit this cultural gem ensure a seamless and cherished exploration.

Embark on a remarkable adventure through the pathways of the Colombo Fort with this insightful article.

Highlights of Colombo Fort

I'll start my article by exploring the Colombo Fort with a detailed history and information to enhance your interest.

  • The Colombo Fort is the county's biggest building, the city's central business, financial district, and World Trade Centre.
  • In the 16th century, the area of the Fort was controlled by the Portuguese. They also established their businesses there and built various trade centers.
  • However, in the mid-16th century, Sri Lanka was captured by the Dutch East India Company, and they controlled the Fort and its nearby area for almost 200 years.
  • After the 16th century, when the Dutch war happened, the Britishers captured the Fort, and they flourished in the major areas of the Colombo Fort.
  • This dynamic building has various trade and business centers with the finest food stalls, tourist places, casinos, and bars.

Places to Visit around Colombo Fort

The Colombo Fort is a major cultural and modern hub with many places that are must-visit around the Fort, such as:

National Museum

  • The National Museum is the biggest in Sri Lanka, built in 1876 by the British Governor of Sri Lanka.
  • This Museum has the finest ancient statues that will take you back to a historic era of Sri Lanka.
  • One of the major highlights of the Museum is that it has the luxurious items of the Royal Family, including the throne of the King, the royal crown of the Queen, and various ancient outfits of the Kings.

Timing

The Museum is open from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Gangaramaya Temple

  • The Buddhist temple of Gangaramaya is one of the most visited places in Colombo and around the Colombo Fort.
  • The temple has statues of Buddha of stone, gold, and white plastic.
  • Besides statues, the temple has many must-visit places, such as a library, souvenir shop, and Museum.

Timing

The temple opens from 6 AM to 10 PM.

Things to Do at Colombo Fort

Here are some of the most interesting things that you can do at Colombo Fort:

Visit Beira Lake

  • This lake is the most popular tourist attraction, just a few kilometers from the Colombo Fort.
  • The bridge between the Colombo Fort and Beira Lake is the best for bird-watching and relaxing your body and mind.

Shopping at the Pettah Streets

  • One of the oldest marketplaces in the Colombo Fort area is Pettah Street, the major shopping street between Olcott Mawatha and Main Street.
  • You can shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, magnificent handicrafts, and many luxurious clocks.
  • Various streets in this marketplace look like a maze where you can buy traditional sarees and Sri Lankan clothes.

How to Reach the Colombo Fort

By Bus

The Colombo Fort is 43 km from the Bandaranaike International Airport and can be reached by bus number 224/3, which will take you directly to the Fort area and cost LKR 12730.

By Train

The train is the cheapest way for the Colombo Fort transportation as it takes only 13 to 15 minutes to reach and costs LKR 5220.

By Taxi

A taxi ride from the airport to the Fort might be expensive for some travelers, as it costs 2500 TKR and takes about 30 to 35 minutes to reach.

Where to Dine-In in Colombo Fort

The Colombo Fort is a house of many of the city's finest restaurants and food stalls, allowing you to enjoy the most delightful and mouth-watering dishes.

Side Walk Cafe

The top place on my list is the Sidewalk, the finest place to eat in the Colombo Fort, near the Colombo City Hotel opposite the World Trade Centre on Canal Road.

Timing

The cafe is open from 7 AM to 10:30 PM.

Mahiri Foods

One of the highly visited restaurants around the Fort is Mahiri Foods, famous for its rice, curry, and various fish paintings on the walls.

Timings

It opens from 6 AM to 5 PM.

Tips for Visiting Colombo Fort

Here are some of the sightseeing tips for Colombo Fort:

  • Always check the various rules and regulations of the places you visit in the Fort.
  • Check the timings of all the most-visited places around the Colombo Fort.
  • Do not throw litter in and around the area of the Fort.
  • It is necessary to make silence near public places as the locals do not like unnecessary chaos.
  • Ensure you keep all the necessary documents with you to avoid mishaps.

Peak Time to Visit

The best time to visit the Colombo Fort is from January to March as the weather is pleasant, you can stroll through the fort area without getting tired, and there are no chances of rainfall interrupting your visit.

Final Words

From unraveling the intricacies to the ideal time for an immersive visit, this article on the Colombo Fort, Colombo: how to reach, best, and tips has each detail. To visit this site, full of cultural tapestry and historical significance, this guidebook will benefit you with all the valuable tips for a seamless voyage.

I hope you're intrigued to visit this monument in the bustling city of Sri Lanka, which invites you to create memories that linger for a lifetime. I wish you a fun journey and await your valuable feedback; happy travels!