Koḻumpuvikku varuga

Destination Airport: Bandaranaike International Airport CMB

Flight time: 10 h 30 min

Airline distance: 8,050 km

Culinary specialities

Rice and curry
Rice and curry is the heart of Sri Lankan cuisine: an aromatically spiced rice, accompanied by various curries of lentils, vegetables and meat. Traditionally eaten with the hands, the flavours are artfully blended – a feast
for the senses.

Current live information

Did you know?

The Bandaranaike International Airport is located around 35 km north of Colombo and is Sri Lanka’s main international airport. It was named after former Prime Minister Solomon Bandaranaike. The airport features an open-air terminal design with a tropical feel and is a popular stopover for flights to Southeast Asia and Australia. Particularly interesting is the airport’s own tea lounge, where passengers can sample original Ceylon tea.

Places of interest

Gangaramaya Temple is considered one of Colombo's most significant temples, impressively blending traditional and modern Buddhist architecture. A spiritual oasis amidst the bustling city.

A particularly vibrant district is the Pettah Old Town, a colourful bazaar with narrow streets, historic buildings and a bustling atmosphere, ideal for exploring, browsing and marvelling.

Viharamahadevi Park, directly opposite the Town Hall, is the city's green lung and invites relaxation with its vast lawns, shady trees, and fountains.

Not far from there is the well-known Colombo Lighthouse, a popular landmark of the city with a glorious view of the coastline and the Indian Ocean, especially beautiful at sunset.

The National Museum of Sri Lanka offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, showcasing an impressive collection of ancient artefacts, royal insignia, and art historical objects, thereby impressively reflecting the country's cultural diversity.

Useless knowledge

• Colombo is named after a Portuguese word meaning „harbour rich in mangoes“.
• In Colombo, you'll find traffic lights fitted with a countdown timer – so pedestrians and drivers know exactly how much time they have left.
• Sri Lanka is the world's largest exporter of cinnamon – and many of the finest varieties originate from the region around Colombo.
• In Colombo, there are tuk-tuks with Wi-Fi – so you can even surf the web while you're travelling.
• During the monsoon season, it can happen that people have to wear wellington boots to go shopping at the supermarket.