5 Best Sights in Sri Lanka

Also known as the Sri Lanka National Museum, this is the largest museum in the country. Established in the 1870s during the time of British rule, the palatial white building reflects the colonial architectural tastes of the day. Today it contains collections of royal regalia, including the throne and crown jewels of the kings of Kandy. Other exhibits tell the colorful history of ancient Sri Lanka. It's fascinating, if quaintly old fashioned—few new exhibits seem to have been added since it opened more than 130 years ago. Note that ticket sales stop one hour before closing.

Some are put off by the feeling that this is more a commercial than spiritual enterprise, but this Buddhist temple beside Beira Lake in the heart of Colombo is undeniably the city's most colorful shrine. Founded in the late 19th century as an institute for training monks, it is full of Buddha statues—some of them massive—in various styles from Thai through Sri Lankan to Burmese. An adjoining museum houses an eclectic collection ranging from jade and ivory Buddhas, to an old Rolls-Royce, and the very first Mercedes to arrive in Sri Lanka. Be forewarned, however, that some visitors are distressed by the sight of the resident temple elephant—which spends most of its days chained up with little chance to move.

While not as idyllic as the beaches along Sri Lanka's south coast, the sandy shores of Mount Lavinia—itself a southern suburb of Colombo—offer one major advantage: they lie just 8 km (5 miles) from the downtown area and are easily reachable on a day trip if your time is limited. You may want to avoid weekends, however, as that's when everyone comes to stroll and generally unwind. There are beaches closer to the center than this, but Mount Lavinia is wider and cleaner. It also has the most extensive facilities, including plenty of eating and drinking options.

Talamgama offers an escape from Colombo just a short drive east from downtown—though to get here you'll need your own car or a taxi ride. This area of wetland around the small Talangama Lake is a haven for nature lovers and a great place for a walk. Around 100 bird species have been sighted here, reptiles abound, and monkeys are often seen, too. It's also home to countless species of butterflies and dragonflies. But most of all, this is a welcome oasis of green calm away from the urban sprawl—a place to forget city life, if only for a few hours. The best times to see wildlife are early morning and late afternoon, when the midday sun is less strong.

Serving as a reminder that Sri Lanka was once a colony of the Netherlands, this beautiful Dutch Reform Church—the oldest in Colombo—dates from around 1740. The name, meaning "Dale of Wolves," refers to a time before the city expanded this far, when the area was still a swampy marshland roamed by wild beasts. The wolves in question were actually jackals, but apparently the early Dutch colonists couldn't tell the difference. Services (in Tamil and English) are still held here on Sunday mornings, and if you're lucky enough to encounter one of the enthusiastic curators, you may get treated to a personal tour of this historically fascinating building.