In addition to the beaches for which Negombo is known, the town itself presents a style influenced by its colonial past and the Catholic Church. Attractions include holdovers from the Dutch period, including the Dutch Canal and the old Dutch fort gate. There’s a selection of centuries-old churches, small fishing villages in the immediate area and some interesting temples a bit farther inland.

Dambulla
If you head northeast from Negombo, you’ll reach the cultural triangle – an area featuring three of the country’s most important historical sites. Dambulla is the nearest site to Negombo, and boasts a number of linked cave shrines with vividly-coloured Buddhist murals on the interior walls. This is also a centre for handicrafts, and makes for a worthwhile shopping excursion.

Dutch Canal
The canal was at one time an important link in the transportation route which supplied the Dutch colonial administration. It runs for more than 60 miles, with part of the route running through Negombo. Today it’s an attraction for tourists and one of the more interesting ways to see the town and the surrounding area.

Dutch Fort Gate
Originally built in 1672, not far from the coastline, the fort was part of a colonial prison complex. Today the fort itself is largely in ruin, but the gate with its date of construction inscribed on it is still visible. In addition to the fort ruins, there’s a lovely Dutch church nearby and other buildings around Negombo dating from this period. A bicycle ride on the path along the canal is a good way to see many of these colonial constructions.

Fish Market
Held every day of the week except Sunday, this colourful and authentic fish market is a great place to observe the local fishing trade and see the amazing variety of fish and seafood that is offloaded from the boats. The catch includes lobster, crab, prawns from the lagoon and even sharks.

Kelaniya Buddhist Temple
It is believed that the Buddha visited this temple, which is located just over 10 miles to the south of Negombo. Today it’s a major pilgrimage site for Buddhist devotees and a site of interest for many visitors. You’ll see a series of wall paintings in the interior that date from the mid-20^th century.

Muthurajawela Marsh
Near the Negombo lagoon you’ll come across an unusual wetland environment that contains the country’s largest marsh. It’s popular with eco-tourists as its habitat provides a comprehensive view of the wildlife and plant life indigenous to Sri Lanka’s coastal wetlands. Half-day and full-day excursions can be arranged and are often combined with visits to the tile factories located a bit farther north.

Experience an Ayurvedic massage. A wonderful way to relax and rejuvenate is through the traditional healing practice of Ayurvedic massage. Practitioners use potent herbs in combination with centuries-old massage techniques to help relieve your body and mind of stress. The Ayurveda Pavilions in Negombo are a popular venue.

Go bird watching. It’s a good idea to buy a pocket guide book to local birds before heading out. If you’re travelling with kids, you can keep count of how many different birds each of you can spot. A good place to start is along the edge of the marsh that lies just to the south of Negombo.

Go on a daytrip to Marawila. This is an appealing, traditional fishing village where luxury resorts have begun to appear. Travelling just beyond Marawila, you’ll come to Mahawewa, home to a number of batik factories. This is a good place to see the variety of designs available, and to buy at prices typically lower than in city shops.

Have lunch at the fishing town of Chilaw. There’s a busy fish market here which supplies restaurants and rest houses that are known for their seafood dishes, making this the perfect place to stop for lunch. The name Chilaw is a corrupted form of the Tamil word referring to diving, and an ancient pearl-diving operation is located nearby in the Gulf of Mannar.

Ride on an elephant. One of the ‘must-do’ activities when in Negombo is to visit the elephant camp and have a mahout take you for a ride on the back of his elephant. You can also help to wash the animal in the river, a highlight for many visitors.

Take a delta boat trip. It’s easy to find a boat and captain along the beach. The boats are mostly owned by fishermen who are looking to supplement their income by taking tourists around the river delta. In around three hours, you’ll be able to enjoy a comprehensive tour of this wild, natural area; see the rain forest, the mangrove swamp and possibly visit a local farm.