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Negombo City Tour: Explore Major Commercial Hubs and Amazing Beaches in Sri Lanka
4.9
10 Ratings
Negombo
Discover the vibrant city of Negombo in Sri Lanka, with its bustling commercial hubs and stunning beaches. Explore the rich fishing industry and immerse yourself in the multicultural atmosphere of this charming village.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Negombo Fish Market - The Negombo Fish Market is fascinating as it takes place right on the beach, with fresh catches straight from the fishing boats. You’ll see fishermen untangling their nets, playing with their children, and laying out miles of fish to dry in the sun along Negombo’s shore. It’s a must-visit spot when you’re in Negombo.
- St. Mary’s Church - This grand old Catholic church, built in the 18th century, is a landmark in Negombo. St. Mary’s Church is a Roman Catholic church located in the heart of the city, with its exterior painted pink. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Sri Lanka. Negombo has been heavily influenced by Christianity since the Portuguese occupation, earning it the nickname “Little Rome” due to the numerous churches in the area. Construction of the church began in 1874 and was completed in 1922. The church’s art and architecture reflect a blend of European and Sri Lankan styles from the early 20th century. Built in a neoclassical style with columns and plain walls, its ceilings feature alabaster images of many saints, and the upper walls are adorned with sculptures of religious figures. Unique paintings depicting the life of Christ on the ceiling were created by N.S. Godamanne, a local Buddhist artist. The nave’s paintings are described as “thunderous.” One of the altars, imported from Europe, was funded by a benefactor.
- Angurukaramulla Temple - Angurukaramulla Temple is a great place to visit in Negombo, known for its impressive Buddha statue and dragon entrance. Inside, you’ll find detailed murals that date back centuries. The site also includes the moss-covered ruins of a historic library over 300 years old. Please note: There is an entrance fee of Rs.1000.
- Sri Singama Kali Amman Kovil - This major Hindu religious site is renowned for its stunning murals and sculptures, making it well worth a visit.
- Dutch Canal - The Hamilton Canal, also known as the Dutch Canal, is a 14.5 km (9.0 mi) waterway connecting Puttalam to Colombo, passing through Negombo. Constructed by the British between 1802 and 1804, it was designed to drain saltwater from the Muthurajawela wetlands. The canal is named after Gavin Hamilton, the Government Agent of Revenue and Commerce.
- Dutch Fort - Negombo Fort, located about 30 km (19 mi) north of Colombo, was a small but significant fort built by the Portuguese to defend Colombo. It was strategically important, second only to Colombo, Jaffna, and Galle. The original fort was weak and was captured by Dutch forces in February 1640. The Portuguese recaptured and fortified it in December 1640, but it was taken again by the Dutch in January 1644. The Dutch rebuilt the fort in 1672 in a pentagonal shape with four bulwarks. The fort was surrounded by a dry moat and accessed via a drawbridge. In February 1796, the British occupied it without opposition and later demolished it to build a prison using the fort’s stones. Today, only a section of the eastern rampart, mounds where the bastions stood, and a recessed arched gateway remain. The site is still used as a prison.
- Mankuliya - Visit the Mankuliya bridge area to see the colorful trawlers docked and the point where the Negombo lagoon meets the Indian Ocean.
What's Included
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- On-board restrooms
- On-board WiFi
- Entrance fees of Rs. 1000 to Angurukaramulla Temple
Additional Information
Negombo is a key city in Sri Lanka, located on the western coastline at the entrance of the Negombo Lagoon, within the Western Province.
It serves as one of the principal commercial centers in the nation and the administrative headquarters of the Negombo Division. Negombo’s divisional secretariat division boasts a population of approximately 142,136 residents.
Negombo is renowned for its expansive sandy shores and its historic fishing trade. The city is home to a sizable bilingual Roman Catholic population, referred to as the Negombo Tamils, who speak a unique Tamil dialect but predominantly identify with the Sinhala culture.
The most effective means of discovering the charming fishing town is through private vehicles, since numerous attractions are scattered along the coastline and within the urban area.
Guests are greeted at their hotels following breakfast and escorted on a city excursion by our skilled chauffeur-guides.
The tour’s distinct characteristic is the opportunity to interact with the local people who coexist peacefully in this small yet culturally diverse town.
Location
Negombo Fish Market
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(10 Ratings)
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Moravectoni
Jan 26, 2024
Must do - Very authentic, with fruit shopping, lunch, many, many insider tips, and great insights and photos at the fish market!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Balazs_k
Jun 27, 2023
Best option in negombo - Morning pick up me from my hotel. Very kind and nice person. We go the buddhist temple first. Need pay 1000 local money approx 3 usd to entrace. It's see in here buddha lifetime story. Other building gave a covered stupa, other entrace you see how imagine the hell. In here have a old tree and big buddha statue, and close the school. After we go the st mary cathedral it's catholic beautiful church. After we want visit the Hindu temples but only one open. Go to short visit rhe Deutch fort and after the dry fish market. Very interesting how prepare the dry fish with this super old school technic. River delta visit the next is extra place.
Review provided by Viator
Jasdom
Jan 3, 2022
Nice Introduction to Sri Lanka - I booked this trip late the night before and was fortunate Nishantha saw the booking. He was quick to respond via e-mail and WhatsApp and set up timing and location to meet me that next morning. He had proper COVID safety protocols in place and made me feel at ease during the entire experience with him and conversing with locals, especially at the fish market. Nishantha was professional, attentive, and open to discussion during the entire experience. It was my first full day in the country, and with his knowledge and communication about not only Negombo, but other parts of the country, I had a wonderful start to my trip. I would recommend this experience and with Nishantha if you have the time as you get acclimated to Sri Lanka
Review provided by Viator
Gillianpm
Jan 20, 2020
Leisurely and informative tour - Our guide Nishantha was very helpful and friendly. He provided us with snacks and water for the tour also. We visited churches, temples, the Dutch canal, the lagoon, the fort and the very lively fish market too. We learned about the people, religions, culture and even the Sinhalese alphabet. We chatted about lots of other things on a lovely, informative morning tour with our guide. A great price for a lot of knowledge!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bobbyfleur
Jan 4, 2020
A nice tour in Negombo with everything you want to see - I stayed two days at the place of Nishanta and was offered to do a guided tour around the city with its highlights. We started in the morning and had a nice day with stops at churches, temples and lagoons and fishermarkets. After the tour I had a nice full Body massage on a place which he recommended. He is very kind and if you have any ideas or wishes he will help you out. If you want to have any idea what is around and see the city just ask him and tell what you wanna do.
Thanks for the hospitality and the nice tour :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
783taraa
Nov 5, 2019
Knowledgeable and accommodating - There is a default itinerary for the tour but the guide was happy to adjust it. I was planning a boat ride the next day so we skipped that and went to lovely local park instead. I learned a lot about Negombo.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paul
Jul 16, 2023
Easy tour round Negambo - Great tour to start our time in Sri Lanka. We saw 3 different temples, fish markets, harbour and other areas in Negambo. Guide was interesting and knowledgeable let us move at our pace. Had a good start to our trip around Sri Lanka
Review provided by Tripadvisor
