West Coast

Colombo energy, Negombo lagoons, Bentota beaches.

What defines the West Coast.

The west coast is where most journeys begin and end: Colombo's energy, Negombo's lagoon and fishing fleets, and the resort beaches of Bentota an easy hop south. A convenient, comfortable bookend to any trip.

November – April (south-west dry season)
Best time: 6
Main regions: 37
Landmarks

Every corner of the West Coast.

Explore the West Coast.

Browse the regions that make up this theme. Pick a place to see it come alive, then wander into the one that calls you.

Colombo

The island's fast-changing commercial capital.

Colombo is the country's commercial heart and most cosmopolitan city — a layered mix of colonial arcades, Buddhist and Hindu temples, sea-facing promenades and a fast-rising skyline of rooftop bars and design hotels. The restored Dutch Hospital precinct, the frenetic Pettah bazaar and the Galle Face Green seafront capture its range in a single day. Most trips begin or end here, and the city rewards a night rather than a rushed airport transfer, with world-class Sri Lankan cooking, contemporary galleries and the architectural legacy of Geoffrey Bawa all part of the draw. The new Port City reclamation and the lotus-shaped tower mark a skyline changing faster than almost anywhere in South Asia.

Explore Colombo