Destination introduction
One of Sri Lanka's most popular beach destinations, Negombo offers swathes of sandy beach convenient for the airport, but appreciably removed from any disruption caused.
Take a stroll along the coast and feel the sand beneath your toes, wander into town and visit one of the local shops, bars or small restaurants and simply relax. Watch fishermen set out on outrigger canoes or ‘oruwa’, their large sails billowing in the sea breeze, before their freshly caught tuna, marlin, shark, barracuda, swordfish, prawns, crabs and lobster are sold at the town’s fantastic fish market.
Negombo has many pretty Roman Catholic churches, earning it the moniker ‘Little Rome’. This picturesque fishing town has a rich heritage – prized for its cinnamon, the Dutch transformed it into an important port in the 1600s and it still retains its colonial charm.
See our latest Negombo holiday offers.
Negombo Holiday Highlights
• Try thrilling watersports including wake-boarding, kite-surfing and waterskiing – or dive among coral reefs and an old shipwreck.
• Take an excursion to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage and see babies being bottle fed – our Personal Travel Experts can easily book this for you.
• Visit the Dutch Fort and cemetery, poignant reminders of the town’s colonial past.
• Stay at fabulous Jetwing SEA, one of our favourite hotels and exclusive to Kuoni in the UK.
Negombo Honeymoons
Our Negombo hotels make fantastic settings for your honeymoon. Look out for the ones we've specially labelled, as these are the hotels we think provide the most special settings for your romantic getaway.
Negombo Weddings
Getting married at in Negombo is a magical and memorable way to tie the knot. Look out for our ‘Wedding’ labelled Negombo hotels for our specially negotiated Sri Lanka wedding packages. All of our Negombo wedding hotels also offer Renewal of Vows ceremonies and many also offer special offers and discounts, please see the individual pages for details.
Negombo Tailor Made
Our experienced Personal Travel Experts can to help you tailor make your Negombo holiday, arranging every detail including flights, destinations, hotels and experiences. Simply:
• Browse our amazing Negombo resorts.
• Call our dedicated sales team on 01306 747002 and they’ll create a personalised quote for you perfect holiday.
Negombo Multi-Centre Holidays
If you want to see more than one Sri Lankan destination, we can combine your stay to Negombo with more of the island’s popular resorts. Tour the cultural triangle, visit tea plantations in the hill country or explore a vibrant city.
Or head to a different country altogether – discover the idyllic Maldives, buzzing Dubai and breathtaking India. Find out more.
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Sports
Diving
Many of our resorts have PADI centres. Sri Lanka’s waters are home to historic sunken shipwrecks and vibrant coral reef teeming with tropical fish.
Watersports
Hit the azure ocean and try scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, waterskiing, jetskiing, banana boating, catamaran sailing and kayaking.
Shopping
• In Bentota, browse the colourful bazaar and pick up souvenirs, batik and brassware.
• Negombo is home to jewellers and gift shops selling local handicrafts.
• In Colombo you can barter at Pettah Bazaar, buy an exquisite sari and famous Ceylon tea, and admire local artists’ work. You’ll also find gem-studded jewellery (only buy from shops licensed by the National Gem & Jewellery Authority).
• Galle is famous for its antique shops selling colonial furniture and ornaments, porcelain and pottery.
• A short drive up from Galle is Ambalangoda, selling antiques and intricately carved ‘devil masks’ traditionally worn to banish demons.
• Further south in Koggala, purchase delicious cinnamon from the local plantation.