During your travels to Sri Lanka, you will want to know what to see in Colombo. This city is the capital of Sri Lanka and is the financial and judicial center of the country. As such, it is a popular destination for tourists.

Gangaramaya Temple

Located in Colombo, the Gangaramaya Temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the city. It was established in the 19th century by the renowned scholar monk Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera.

This religious site is open for visitors to visit throughout the year. It is also a popular tourist attraction in Colombo. A visit to this temple is not just a worship experience; it is also a great place to learn about Buddhism.

There are a number of imposing buildings within the complex. These buildings include a temple and a monastery. The exterior of the temple is adorned with a variety of elaborate designs. The interiors feature several courtyards and shrines. The main sanctuary of the temple features pastel murals of Buddhist tales.

Another highlight of the temple is the Relic Chamber. It is home to a vast collection of Buddhist artifacts. It contains many wood carvings, ivory sculptures, classic cars, and other items related to Buddhism.

Sigiriya Rock

Located in the Matale District of the Central Province of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist attraction. The ancient rock fortress was the former palace of Kashyapa I. The king moved his residence here in 477 AD and began the construction of a grand palace on top of the rock.

In addition to the main palace, Sigiriya is home to several other notable features. These include an impressive octagonal pond and boulder gardens. The most elaborate constructions on the summit date back to Kashyapa's reign.

The best way to get to Sigiriya is by public transport. Travel time is four hours. The city is about 120 miles from Colombo. There are several hotels near the site.

One of the most popular attractions at Sigiriya is the Mirror Wall. A large brick wall covered in white plaster, the mirror wall was polished so perfectly that it reflected light. The wall also contained graffiti dating back to the eighth century.

Bundala National Park

Located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Bundala National Park is a protected area. It is a Ramsar Wetland Site, one of the four UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserves in Sri Lanka. The park is known for its rich flora and fauna. In fact, it is one of the best national parks in the country for birdwatching. It is also home to several endemic species.

The ecosystem of Bundala is dominated by herbaceous plants such as acacia, juniper and Palu. There are seven terrestrial habitat types, namely marshes, lagoons, dry thorny scrub, sand dunes, saltpans, forest patches and freshwater wetlands. It is a unique wetland system, which attracts both wintering and migratory water birds.

In the Bundala forest, there are many trees, among them are Drypetes sepiaria, Bauhinia racemosa and Salvadora persica. Some of the common bushes in the forest are Hydrilla and Water lilies.

Galle Face Green

Known as the largest open space in the capital city of Colombo, Galle Face Green is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The open space is half a kilometer wide, extending along the southern seafront. The area is a public urban park, and is home to many events throughout the year.

Galle Face is an ideal place for visitors to relax and spend time with their family. It is also an attractive place for couples and teenagers to hang out. There are lots of vendors selling food, drinks, and other items. The green is also popular for kite flying and picnics.

The open space is located between the Indian Ocean and Galle Road. The Galle Face is also home to a large artificial Christmas tree.

Elephant orphanage

Located in the Sabaragamuwa province of Sri Lanka, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an elephant sanctuary and breeding ground. It's also a tourist attraction.

Founded in 1975, the Pinnawala elephant orphanage started with five orphaned elephants. It's now home to nearly 100 elephants of all ages.

The main goal of the Elephant Orphanage program is to give the elephants a more natural environment. For example, the elephants are allowed to go to the river to bathe twice a day. They're given plenty of food and water, too. They also get to see and interact with other elephants, and watch them in their daily routines.

The elephants at the Pinnawala elephant orphanage are not totally free, but they're well taken care of. They're fed three times a day, and are led to the nearby river to bathe twice a day.

Whether you are a first-time visitor to Sri Lanka or a return visitor, there are plenty of day trips from Colombo that will entice you to explore more of the island. Most day tours combine multiple excursions into one tour, but you can also opt for a private driver to create your own itinerary.

The best day trips from Colombo include a trip to the historic town of Sigiriya. You can take a small group tour that includes an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver-guide. The tour will include a visit to Sigiriya Rock, the ancient ruins of the palace, as well as Dambulla Cave Temple.

A visit to Sigiriya can be a fun and exciting experience. During the day, you can enjoy the ruins of the fortress, or you can visit the Buddhist temples and other cultural sites. The area is full of historical monuments and colonial buildings.

Wilpattu National Park is the oldest and largest park in Sri Lanka. It is located on the western coast of the country. The park is home to the densest population of elephants in the country. There is also a large population of leopards.

Another great day trip from Colombo is to the Madu River. It is an ecological wonder, and its waters are home to many species of fish. You can also take a boating tour of the area.

Other day trips from Colombo include a visit to the Negombo lagoon. This huge saline wetland is home to several species of mangroves and wildlife. You can also visit a turtle hatchery.