Sri Lanka is relatively a small Island, but a geological wonder where every inch of the country is a place to visit. The nature, the people, the wildlife and everything are worth watching. Tourists worldwide travel to every corner of the country and they have not forgotten to go shopping to remark their tour by collecting souvenirs of Sri Lanka. The country has different cultures belong to different ethnicities in different regions.
The best invention of mankind is building cities, the places where people gather and visit. Sri Lanka has vivid cities varies to each other. If you refer to a brochure or an itinerary about Sri Lankan tours, you will surely come across different cities and their value in accordance with the culture and tradition. Every city is fantastic in its own way. So you are not going to miss the shopping in Sri Lanka to collect souvenirs, fashions and memories to your loved ones.
The following are some city tours you must go and do shopping around Sri Lanka.
Colombo city tour
Colombo is the trade capital of Sri Lanka where you first and last encounter during your tour. Colombo is a busy city rich in shopping centers and malls. Its worthy to note that Colombo is an enthusiastic city where you can enjoy the night life. You can experience the true colors, sights, sounds and smells of Colombo and discover a variety of attractions as well as interact with its vibrant people. You Have the opportunity to explore the commercial trading center of Colombo, Colombo fort and the outer fort area collectively reffered to as “Pettah”. Pettah has quite different areas to buy things and it’s the cheapest and affordable way of shopping in Colombo.
Admire the beauty of the colonial architecture as well as the activity of the congested bazzars. Street foods in Colombo is something else that you should not miss. The foods and beverages, garments and jewelries and there are plenty of things you can buy around. Other than these bazaar shopping, you have a big variety of shopping malls to have the experience in branded shopping. Cinemas, parks, cycling paths, cultural centers are all around Colombo.
Turning in to accommodation in Colombo, there you have chance to choose your accommodation among guest houses to star level hotels. Experience most scenic and picturesque view of Colombo during your stay in Colombo.
Speaking of religion, there are monuments and places you must visit in Colombo. Gangaramaya temple is prestigiously standing in Colombo city center and Buddhists in the country worship this temple whenever they visit Colombo. Red mosque is a great work of architecture belong to Islamic people in the area and this has now become a must visit tourist place. Islamic tourists do not ever forget to visit this beautiful creation in Colombo. You have catholic monuments and cathedrals in Colombo. St. Thomas church and all saint’s church are few of them and they have built to a great type of architecture.
Another cite you should not miss is Galle face green and the area surround. Galle face beach is a great memory for tourists worldwide and the vibe here is quite amazing. The sunset is splendid and imagine an evening amidst the fading light of setting sun; sipping a coffee with a spicy snack! Sounds delightful. Colombo city will make you alive every time you visit there and do not forget to collect souvenirs to represent Sri Lanka for your loved ones in home country.
Kandy city tour
Kandy is a prestigious city belong to the ancient line of kingdoms in Sri Lanka. Kandy city still has the monuments and architecture belong to the Ancient Kandyan kingdom. This city is a place to visit beyond the temple of sacred tooth relic. But the whole city witnesses the historical background of Sri Lanka by its own traditional way.
The temple of sacred tooth relic and the Bogambara lake is the heart of this city. This scenery is the icon to represent Kandy. You’ve acknowledged by previous articles about the places to visit in Kandy. There are variety of places to visit.
Speaking of shopping, Kandy city center is such a big place for shopping. The city center has every kind of shopping centers, malls and cinemas. Restaurant are spread all over the city giving you the best authentic food experience in Sri Lanka. You can taste the Sri Lanka street foods, beverages and different kinds of food pickles in the bazaar. Try not to miss the vibe here.
Peradeniya royal botanical garden is another fabulous place in Kandy and other than the flora and fauna, you have some amazing places to buy things as souvenirs and memories. Kandy still has ancient features and it has been deviated to its art works. So the arts and crafts in Kandy takes an ancient and historical mode. But the artistic value is incomparable. Peradeniya and in the areas surround has some places where you can go shopping the different artistic monuments and sculptures. There are some folk art centers in Kandy. Go shopping and collect some souvenirs as a memory for your loved ones. See up close the making of fine – crafted goods at6 the handicraft center at Dodanwela.
A visit to local home – based brass workshop follows, where you can see how brassware is manufactured as it has been for several centuries.
Visit a tea factory, where you will be able to learn about the history of how Sri Lanka came to be famous for producing the best tea in the world. Do not forget to taste the worlds’ best cup of tea in Sri Lanka and you have the chance to buy newly manufactured tea for your home country.
Galle city tour
The city of Galle in down south is one of the greatest cities in the country as it belongs to the era of Dutch reign in Sri Lanka. Galle is a paradise for tourists worldwide and this is a world heritage city. Exploring the city, the Galle fort is the heart of Galle and the architecture in Galle fort belongs to the Dutch. Admire the beauty of colonial architecture and get a taste of the colonial history of the fort. Just enjoy the panoramic views on the top of the walls, including an amazing sundowner on the fort. Galle fort is a source for souvenir shopping, garments and street foods. You have a variety of restaurants having different delights to taste. Same as the Kandy handicrafts, Galle has its own features in its arts.
Galle city tour is not in only Galle, the city center but Galle is a huge tourist destination as a whole province. Galle city alone with Galle fort, Bentota, Ahungalla, Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, Ambalangoda, Balapitiya and Matara including Mirissa, Weligama are enormous in tourist attractions and the whole area totally depend on beach tourism. In Balapitiya you can have some different experience in river safari. Ambalangoda is famous for its cultural value for masks making. There are a plenty of souvenirs to collect in Ambalangoda.
The fortified old town is enjoying an artistic renaissance and the beautiful beaches around it are surrounded by luxurious villas and classy boutique hotels. The revival of Galle, in fact, has quietly influenced its coastline and which has become a favored retreat for intelligence, independent traveler.
Galle fort is one of the best places to watch sun setting.
Jaffna city tour
Jaffna is the capital city of northern province of Sri Lanka where there is a specific geological location as a peninsula. Jaffna is home to many historical sites such as the popular Jaffna library that was burnt down and rebuilt and the Jaffna fort rebuilt during the Dutch colonial period in the 17th century. Exploring this Jaffna peninsula is something fascinating as it has completely a different culture and tradition than the other parts of the country. When in Jaffna, there is a feeling like you are in India. Jaffna has a population of Tamil ethnicity and Hindu in religion. So the Jaffna culture takes the Tamil Hindu tradition.
Every aspect of their society is filled with beautiful colors and tastes. Everywhere you go and explore has something beautiful to visit or taste. Their festivals, the clothes, religious places, specially the cuisine, the day today practices are really amazing to visit. Discover some of Jaffna’s most interesting religious and cultural attractions, including Nallur Kovil, Kadurugoda viharaya, and the ancient wonders of Jaffna museum. Jaffna is a bicycle country and there is a dry weather throughout the year. So do not ever forget to experience a bicycle ride in Jaffna around the busy streets and its suburbs. Taste the foods in bazzar. Shopping is also a marvelous experience as you can try out their absolutely colorful garments and jewelries. While in your tour, stop for refreshments and snacks at different places such as Rio Ice cream or 11 to eleven pizza. You are free to get adventurous with the street food as well.
Trincomalee city tour
Trincomalee is the main city in North eastern coast of Sri Lanka where there is a huge cultural value as there live all the main ethnicities in Sri Lanka. Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims all live in unity in Trincomalee. This feature is reflected in the diversity of the culture of Trincomalee. There are Buddhists shrines, Hindu temples and mosques to visit and it has a same culture as in Jaffna. The beaches in Trincomalee is really picturesque and for beach tourism, this place is worth to watch. The hot water springs in Kinniya, Munneshwaran hindu kovil with the fort are main attractions here. The culture based attractions are widely spread in Trincomalee and city tour and shopping is really a fun here.
Same as the Jaffna, trincomalee has big Tamil tradition so that you can collect beautiful souvenirs. There is plenty shopping places and street bazzars for shopping. Foods, garments, hand crafts, herbs and other goods are really affordable here. Bicycle rides are quite famous here so you can travel by bicycle and explore the city and clear beaches in Trincomalee.
Ella City Tour
Ella is considered the heart of Badulla. Almost all the travelers both local and foreign Are attracted to the beauty in Ella. Nine arch bridge is the icon of Ella city and it has now become a famous photo back drop for travelers. Ella town is a bustling city with a large crowd of tourists. You have a variety of restaurants and hotels to choose according to your budget line. We’ve given the places to visit in Ella in a previous article and this is about some good news for train ride lovers in Ella.
