Negombo is a vibrant coastal city just a short drive north of the Bandaranaike International Airport, making it the natural starting and finishing point for many Sri Lanka itineraries. The town has a strong Dutch colonial heritage, visible in its old fort, canal network and the St. Mary’s Church that dominates the seafront. Its broad beach is animated by fishing boats and the smell of fresh seafood, and the Negombo fish market is one of the most photogenic in the country.