Negombo

Just 20 minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport, Negombo is the perfect coastal gateway to start or end your Sri Lankan adventure. With its golden beaches, historic churches, Dutch canals, and bustling fish markets, this laid-back beach town offers a unique blend of colonial heritage, vibrant local life, and seaside relaxation.

Wander through its lively streets, take a catamaran ride on the lagoon, or watch the fishermen bring in the day’s catch at dawn. Negombo also offers a variety of beachfront restaurants, boutique hotels, and cultural experiences—ideal for both relaxation and exploration.

Whether you’re staying for a day or more, Rediscover Journeys ensures your time in Negombo is personalized, comfortable, and full of local insight.

Located just 7 kilometres from the Bandaranaike International Airport, Negombo is a city that sits on the mouth of a beautiful lagoon. Lovingly known as ‘Little Rome’ owing to elaborate churches and cathedrals built in the Portuguese era, the city is an old-fashioned fishing town.

Aligned with a number of canals mainly built during the Dutch occupation Negombo hides one of Sri Lanka’s prominent wetland sanctuaries. ‘Muthurajawela’ is a tropical coastal wetland that spreads over 7580 hectares housing a large number of endemic and common flora and fauna. A popular spot for avifauna, the wetland is a must visit for every birdwatcher.

Nurtured by many canals and rivers Negombo lagoon is amongst one of the largest estuarine lagoons. The unique environment status has created a haven of rich biodiversity. The location and the positioning of the lagoon has made it a prominent fishing port while the captivating beach and the close proximity to the commercial hub has made it a popular tourist attraction.

Negombo is home to a large number of Catholics in Sri Lanka. Shaped from the colonial era, the city contains a number of ancient churches and cathedrals of graceful architecture. From stained glass motifs, old paintings, gothic columns to beautiful statues these cathedrals are a mesmerising amalgamation of Sri Lankan and neoclassical architecture.

Famous for bustling markets Negombo furnishes every commodity from fish to hill country vegetables. Alive at all hours of the day, these markets are a place you must visit for a taste of true Sri Lankan life.

Visit the market and join us a on a culinary journey to prepare your own island lunch and while away the day on a lovely beach. You can also ride your bike through the coastal neighbourhoods for a glimpse of island life and perhaps acquaint with the feathered friends.

Negombo is a mix of ocean, conventional and progressive lifestyles, a blend of history and culture. In other words a place worthy of stopping over.