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What Is Negombo Famous For? A Guide On Everything I Loved In This Sri Lankan City
BY Sibashree Mar 9, 2026
Almost a year ago, on 26th March 2025, Xinhua shared a photo of the fishing trawlers in Negombo. Those further gave us an idea about the lives of the fishermen in Negombo. On a personal level, that photo took me back to my days in Negombo. Now, many often miss the cultural insights Negombo offers. I mean, if you consider the Tamil culture in Jaffna, or the cultural things to do in Kandy, you also need to experience what Negombo has to offer. Otherwise, you will not understand how it has kept the soul of a fishermen’s port city alive beyond the glitz and glamor of the prominent international hotels and shops. Also, Negombo is very close to the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport. The distance is less than 9 km, and the travel time is around 20 minutes. So, as expected, it has all the amenities for tourists. However, as always, luxurious facilities have never been the draw for me while visiting a place. I am the happiest exploring the Ritigala Forest Monastery or climbing the Sigiriya Rock and finding the history at every corner. So, my reason for a visit to Negombo was not what people usually think of. And in today’s blog, I will introduce Negombo to you through my lens. How Did I Reach Negombo From Colombo? I took a tuk-tuk to reach the Colombo Fort railway station from my hostel. Then, I got a train ticket for 80 LKR. The train was not overly crowded, and traveling solo, and as a believer in the LowDownUnder travel philosophy, I quite enjoyed the train ride. However, if you want to avoid the hassle, you can also take a bus from Colombo to Negombo. Where Are The Things To Do In Negombo? First, I want to highlight that traveling to Negombo has now become easier if you are traveling from India. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has started a package called “SHRI RAMAYANA YATRA EX MUMBAI.” From 21st March 2026 to 27th March 2026, it will be a 6-Night and 7-day package. The package tour conducted in association with the Sri Lankan Airlines will cover destinations such as Colombo, Dambulla, Trincomalee, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya. This tourism package starts from Rs. 71,800/ for adults and Rs. 30,100/ for children. Now, with traveling becoming easier, you can plan the things to do in Negombo better. 1. Exploring The Negombo Fish Market I was up at 5 AM as I had to visit the local fish market. I got into a minivan with my guide, and as we entered the market, the sight of bright silver fish and their smell occupied my senses. My guide took me through the stalls of tuna, machete, and shark. Then, he drew my attention to the ships filled with fish reaching the market and the heavy bargaining game. A fish market may not be the most attractive place to visit when you are in Negombo. However, if you want a true cultural experience and understand the livelihood of the local people, it is the go-to place. From the fish market, my guide took me to a beach used primarily for drying fish. The intense smell is not for everyone, but many times, I had a similar experience back home. 2. Visiting The Dutch Fort At Negombo The Dutch Fort was close to the “fish drying beach.” Now, the Dutch Fort is used as a prison. The fort is constructed with coral stone and granite. And around the fort, I found many wildflowers blooming. This simple scene was a moment of learning for me. I once again understood how the universe functions. It does not matter whether it’s a prison or a temple. A flower can bloom anywhere, and it will always be beautiful. However, I wanted to have a better view of the Dutch Fort. I climbed up the old clock tower and got a better perspective and better shots of the fort. 3. Visiting The Angurukaramulla Temple After a trek to the Sigiriya Rock and the Pidurangala Rock, I visited the Angurukaramulla Temple. Like the Sigiriya Rock, for this Buddhist Temple, you also need to make an entry through the mouth of a lion. The lion rests below the 6-meter-tall Buddha statue. The temple has magnificent statues and beautiful murals. Also, it has a rich library with scriptures and murals. So, it is a great place to visit in Negombo if someone is studying the Buddhist religion and literature. However, walk carefully as you may come across snakes (rat snakes). 4. Birdwatching On The Dutch Canals I ended my morning at the Dutch Canal. It was relaxing and enriching at the same time to look over the lagoons. I decided to make more of the moment and got into a boat. It was surprising to say the least. Also, I did not expect to meet so much wildlife immediately after leaving the dry land. I saw a huge monitor lizard resting on the shoreline, and then kingfishers, cormorants, and herons in flocks kept accompanying me throughout the journey. However, it was not just the wildlife. I saw a reflection of my home and country during the boat ride. People were attending to livestock, children were bicycling, and some were even playing cricket. Again, there were some abandoned hotels and buildings, standing as a witness to the civil unrest and the stories of human resilience in Sri Lanka. 5. Exploring The City On Foot Negombo is very walkable, and it reminded me of my days in Jaffna. I used to randomly pick a direction along the main coastal road and just walk. You may call wandering aimlessly in a lesser-known place unsafe. However, I think that you have not seen a city until you have walked through it. Also, after visiting Jaffna and other places of historical and cultural significance, Sri Lanka felt like home to me. They spoke a different language. However, they were warm and welcoming, just like anyone I would randomly come across in India. Also, after years of experience, I can say that walking is the only way to find those hidden gems, the best bakery around the corner, or the eatery that has been around for around 100 years. This was more evident during my Jaffna food tour. Moreover, while walking across the streets of Negombo, I got to interact with the local fish sellers and food vendors. In addition, I found a big mosque near the backstreet.
