Shopping: nothing beats Pettah when it comes to a shopper’s paradise. Adjacent to the Fort, Pettah is Colombo’s bazaar district that offers a wide range of products from bright printed fabrics, undergarments, children’s clothes, footwear and handbags to electronic goods and jewellery. Every single little lane has its very own character and appeal.

Keyzer street is home to many household goods, while Prince street is renowned for its glass, mirrors and electrical items. English, Sinhala and Tamil old-school music cassettes can be found on Malwatte avenue and if you are looking for medical herbs, Gobo’s lane is where you want to head to. Pettah also has fresh vegetable and fish markets that are open all day.

Dehiwala Zoo: is situated 11kms south of the fort and is divided into many sections. The aquarium has over 500 varieties of fascinating aquatic creatures and the reptile house is home to cobras, tortoises and crocodiles. There are also an aviary, a nocturnal house and a butterfly park that will delight all nature lovers.

Mount Lavinia: can be found just 13kms from the heart of the city. The area is home to one of the most stunning beaches in any metropolis in the world. It is the ideal place to escape the frenetic city while soaking up the sun.