Sri Lanka, the paradise island of the Indian ocean attracts tourists from all over the world. Of course, there are many things in this wonderful country that amuse whoever arrives here. However, since there is a well-established tourism industry in the country, shopping will also be a delightful experience for you, here in Sri Lanka. From your day-to-day necessities to high-end products, Sri Lanka has it all. Then on the other hand, from luxurious shopping malls to small streetside shops, your shopping experience will be enriched with countless choices. So, After having the time of your life in many of Sri Lanka’s most wonderful destinations, don’t forget to spoil yourself with the numerous things that the Sri Lankan shopping experience has to offer you.
To help you with the perfect shopping experience, here we are, sharing with you some of the most popular places that you should try in your shopping spree in Sri Lanka!
Shopping Malls in Sri Lanka
There are several upscale shopping malls situated mainly in the major cities of Sri Lanka. You will be able to buy all the things you want under the same roof from these places. Here are some such awesome shopping malls in the country so that you can organize your tour accordingly.
- Majestic City
- Colombo City Center
- Arcade Independence Square
- Liberty Plaza
- One GalleFace Mall
- Kandy City Center
- Crescat Boulevard
- Marino Mall
Need to know more about these famous shopping malls in Sri Lanka? Continue reading!
1. Majestic City
The Majestic City is a trendy shopping complex of a seven-story commercial building located in Bambalapitiya, in the suburbs of Colombo. It is a well-known hangout spot, and this location is very convenient when you are traveling around this bustling town. There are so many retail outlets within this shopping complex which include clothing, footwear, food courts, electronic items, jewelry, stationery, gift items, a supermarket, a movie theatre, and a kids amusement center. Furthermore, if you are looking for a place to buy luxury branded products around Colombo, this is the place to go.
After all, affordability is one of the main factors which invite many local and foreign shoppers to the Majestic City shopping complex. So, visit the Majestic City to enjoy a luxurious shopping experience. You can easily book a taxi or a tuk-tuk from Colombo to arrive at this place.
2. Colombo City Centre
Colombo City Center is basically your dream shopping mall, which is situated in the heart of Colombo. It is also famous as CCC. The 47-storeyed building is under mixed-use development with a shopping mall that comprises high-end shops, an international food court, a multiplex cinema, a 104-room hotel, and 192 residential apartments. Hence, there is nothing wrong with mentioning that it is a well-organized modern shopping mall that is filled with trendy outlets. Moreover, it has the capabilities of providing wonderful and exciting experiences for kids, teenagers, adults, and basically, all your family.
This shopping mall is located at the Sir James Pieris Mawatha in Colombo-2. To be specific, it is located in front of the Beira Lake, close to the Gangaramaya temple, which is one of the most significant cultural attractions in Sri Lanka. Therefore, you won’t face much difficulty in finding its location in Colombo.
3. Arcade Independence Square
Arcade Independence Square is a modern shopping complex, and it is also located in Colombo. However, it is an iconic landmark with a group of renovated buildings which includes the former Jawatta lunatic asylum and the former western provincial council building.
The original architectural features of the building with a modern touch now make it one of the most sought-after locations in Colombo. These colonial-era buildings display their grandeur now as a major shopping mall. There are many spacious shops inside the main building. The wide, open paved courtyard is like a green park that invites the shoppers to hang out in. From shopping to entertainment, Arcade Independence Square is ready to cater to all your shopping needs. So, it is simply one of the ideal places for you to visit while traveling around Colombo.
4. Liberty Plaza
Liberty Plaza shopping complex is one of the places for you to go to in Sri Lanka if you are looking for both local and international brands. Further, it is also one of the oldest shopping malls. While there are many stores to buy various products such as clothes, toys, food, accessories, and jewelry, this shopping mall is mostly in demand for its mobile phone and tech gadget business. There are several high-quality tech gadget shops in the mall for all your technological requirements.
Most of the shops here are open from 10.00 a.m to 10.00 p.m except on Sundays. You can find the Liberty plaza at R. A. De Mel Mawatha in Colombo. You will be able to reach the shopping mall within 8 minutes via Srimath Anagarika Dhammapala Mawatha and Darley Rd./ T.B Jayah Mawatha.
5. One Galle Face
One Galle Face Mall is a shopping paradise located in a seven-storeyed building in Colombo. The huge shopping mall can provide a prestigious shopping experience to both local and foreign shoppers.
Recently, it became highly popular, especially among the Colombo community. It is a perfect place to have awesome dining, entertainment, and shopping experience within the city limits. From high-quality international brands to local brands, this shopping mall has provided space for many of the country’s best retail outlets. There’s a panoramic view of the Indian ocean along with the view of the Galle Face Green from the rooftop of the One Galle Face which has made it popular as one of the most Instagram-worthy locations in the city of Colombo.
One Galle Face is open for shoppers from 10.00 a.m to 10.00 p.m every day. You can find it on the Central road at Colombo-2 close to the Galle Face Green. This is inarguably a must-visit shopping mall in Sri Lanka.
6. Kandy City Centre
Kandy, the majestic pride of Sri Lanka, is a must-visit ancient city. While you are exploring this wonderful mountain town, if you are planning to go shopping, then Kandy City Centre is the best option for you.
This commercial and shopping complex is also famous as KCC. The ten-story complex consists of supermarkets, a cinema, leading bank branches, an entertainment zone, book stores, clothing stores, and many more. The innovative design of the building makes it easier to access from many roads around Kandy city. The largest car park in the city is also located in the Kandy City Centre. This is also a chill hangout spot for the youngsters of Kandy. Furthermore, the iconic building of the Kandy City Centre perfectly coordinates with the ancient grandeur of this ancient town.
You can visit the Kandy City Centre from 10.00 am to 9.30 pm every day. It is located in the Dalada Veediya close to the famous Buddhist cultural attraction, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. So, don’t forget to pay a visit to the Kandy City Centre to enjoy the best experience in the beautiful town of Kandy.
7. Crescat Boulevard
Crescat Boulevard is yet another fine shopping mall situated in the city of Colombo. The luxurious business hotel of the Cinnamon Grand owns this shopping center.
This two-story luxury shopping center is home to several designer shops, a supermarket, food courts, book stores, and even a bistro. Further, this exclusive shopping complex is popular for designer wear and sportswear. So, if you are a fan of designer brands, this will be your favorite shopping mall so far.
It is well known as the Crescat in Colombo. Many love to visit Crescat Boulevard since there is convenient parking and ease of access. This shopping mall is located right next to the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo. So if you are staying in this hotel, Crescat will be the ideal shopping mall for you.
Crescat Boulevard is open from 10.00 a.m to 8.00 p.m every day. Find this perfectly cozy shopping mall on the Colombo-Galle main road at Colombo-3.
8. Marino Mall
Marino Mall is the latest addition to the shopping malls in Colombo. This is an ideal location for a fun shopping experience. There are many trendy retail outlets in this spacious shopping mall. However, the biggest attraction goes to its VR gaming and 9D cinema space which is on its ground floor. Hence, this is probably the most sought-after shopping mall by the young crowd. The modernized gaming area is such a delightful experience. Furthermore, you’ll be able to taste different types of food from the sea-facing Marino Mall food court. So, delicious meals with eye-catching views await you at this wonderful place.
You can visit the Marino mall from 9.00 a.m to 10.00 p.m every day. It is on the Colombo-Galle main road in Colombo-3. It is accessible from both Galle Road and Marine Drive. So, pay a visit to the Marino mall when you are in Colombo to get a rewarding shopping experience.
Shopping for Traditional Arts, Crafts, and Souvenirs in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a country with an incomparable culture and a great history which runs back thousands of years ago. Therefore, you will surely visit many destinations that display Sri Lanka’s traditional grandeur. With these cultural roots, Sri Lanka’s talented artists also have created many unique arts, crafts, and souvenirs that are second to none. So, if you want to keep a piece of Sri Lanka for you and your loved ones to memorialize your Sri Lankan tour forever, you should hit one of the below stores to buy such authentic Sri Lankan products.
- Laksala
- Lakpahana
- Paradise Road
Scroll down to get to know more about these places!
1. Laksala
Laksala is a popular Sri Lankan handicraft store that operates under the Sri Lanka Handicraft Board. Therefore, these souvenir boutiques are state-owned businesses. Their showrooms are scattered islandwide in many of the major cities of the country such as Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Matara, and Nuwara Eliya. Hence, Laksala outlets have created a great space for the Sri Lankan handicraft industry.
There are over 3500 craftsmen from all over the country who offer their products to the Laksala. So, you will be able to buy traditional arts and crafts manufactured by the most authentic artists. Apart from the 23 Laksala sales outlets, there are also 140 training centers and 14 provincial purchasing points under the governance of the Laksala organization.
After all, Laksala is the best place to buy unique Sri Lankan products for a reasonable price. You can check online or ask your tour guide to know the Laksala outlets on your route. They are open from 9.00 a.m to 6.00 p.m every day. Online shopping is also available in Laksala outlets, especially for international buyers.
2. Lakpahana
Lakpahana handicraft shop is one of Sri Lanka’s foremost traditional souvenir shops. This privately-owned business of Lakpahana handicraft is the biggest handicraft manufacturer and the marketing member of the Sri Lankan Craftsmen and Artisans Association.
This store itself is a magnificent display of Sri Lankan traditional art and culture. In the Lakpahana store, you can buy an unforgettable souvenir from a collection of more than 15,000 products that consists of metal crafts, wood crafts, jewels, and leather products. So, you can visit the Lakpahana store to buy elusive and unique traditional Sri Lankan products.
Lakpahana handicraft private limited is located in the Philip Gunewardena Mawatha of Colombo-7. You can shop in the store from 10.00 a.m to 6.00 p.m every day. After all, this amazing local handicraft center is a must-visit craft shop for you to have an extraordinary shopping experience.
3. Paradise Road
Paradise Road is another store to buy unique and vibrant Sri Lankan products. The specialty of this place is that there is a wide variety of authentic products available in this store. You will certainly be surprised by the wonderful atmosphere of this store in Colombo. You will fall in love instantly with this place and the artistic products that it has to offer. So, you can visit this shop to buy a souvenir from an elegant and minimalistic item range. They are sure to make you remember your trip to this charming paradise island forever.
Paradise Road is open from 10.00 a.m to 7.00 p.m every day. It is located in the Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha in Colombo-7.
Shopping for Trendy Fashion Wear in Sri Lanka
Are there even people who don’t love shopping for fashion wear? Well, at least most of us do. So, there are so many shops in Sri Lanka for you to buy the latest fashion items. Here’s a list of 10 such trendy places for your ease.
- ODEL
- Barefoot
- GFlock
- Kelly Felder
- House of Fashion
- Lady J
- Glitz
- Fashion Bug
- Spring & Summer
- Cool Planet
We are sure that you are wondering how to choose the best among them. The below descriptions will help you make a perfect choice!
1. ODEL
ODEL is probably the most famous name among Sri Lanka’s fashion lovers. This public retail company is the first department store in the country. It was founded by Otara Gunewardene and is now owned by Softlogic retail. As Sri Lanka’s one of the premier fashion stores, it rose up to fame influencing many other fashion retail stores.
Otara started ODEL to sell the surplus from her family’s selling factory. She first started selling the garments to her friends and family. At present, there are 23 ODEL stores in Sri Lanka, specifically, in the Colombo suburbs, in the famous Colombo shopping malls like One Galle Face, and Colombo City Center, in Negombo, and in Kandy. So, If you are looking for a place to buy the latest Sri Lankan and international fashion items, ODEL is definitely the place to go!
2. Barefoot
Barefoot is a unique Sri Lankan fashion brand. It is widely popular as a high-quality craft and linen store. An artist, Barbara Sansoni founded Barefoot in 1964. Their metier is the vibrant handloom designs.
Barefoot’s unique collection consists of clothing, sarongs, toys, linen, and fabrics. Their contemporary clothing items have a modern touch which makes their fashion stand out. So, if you are a fashion lover, you will be mesmerized by the unique items that Barefoot offers you. This is the perfect place to buy simplistic yet colorful Sri Lankan fashion wear. Every place is well designed with vibrant works of art. Hence, they have a great reputation within the Sri Lankan fashion industry.
Barefoot owns two retail stores in Colombo and Galle. These two stores are open from 10.00 a.m to 7.00 p.m for in-store shopping.
3. GFlock
GFlock is another stylish and simple clothing brand in Sri Lanka. This modern fashion brand is much loved especially among the Sri Lankan ladies. Anyhow, the unisex clothing brand creates unique fashion pieces with high-quality materials and the latest designs. To promote environmentally friendly clothing they have also introduced a ‘responsible collection’ which are fabrics made out of waste plastic bottles. However, you will be able to buy unique streetwear, office wear, and formal wear from the GFlock brand.
GFlock clothing stores are located in Colombo, Negombo, Battaramulla, and Piliyandala. They are usually open from 10.00 a.m to 8.30 p.m for in-store shopping.
4. Kelly Felder
This urban and sophisticated clothing brand is a smash among the Sri Lankan Instagram community. It was established globally in 2007. Within the last few years, the brand grew up to become a premium fashion brand in Sri Lanka as well. Their bold fashion pieces are designed for millennial women to wear with glam and confidence.
Kelly Felder’s mission is also to empower women globally and create confidence in their own sense of fashion and style. Kelly Felder stores are located in Colombo and Nugegoda in Sri Lanka. The Colombo store is located at 345, Galle Road, Colombo-3. The Nugegoda store is located in S. De S Jayasinghe Mawatha, Nugegoda. You can shop in these stores from 10.00 a.m to 8.00 p.m every day.
5. House of Fashion
The House of Fashion is the place to visit for the fashion requirements of your whole family. There is an excellent range of clothing here for men, women, and children. It is also a popular clothing store for its glamorous clothing collection and also the reasonable prices. House of fashion owns a mega mall in D.S Senanayake Mawatha in Colombo-7. The spacious and clean building helps to provide a delightful shopping experience. They also have other stores in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte. You can shop in the House of a Fashion shopping mega mall from 8.00 a.m to 8.00 p.m.
6. Lady J
Lady J is one of the best clothing stores in Sri Lanka. It is also the largest homeware store in the country. You can buy all your fashion choices and also other high-quality goods for an affordable price from here.
Lady J occupies a shopping space of 40,000 square feet. So, you will certainly be able to get all your fashion needs under one roof and also have a good time shopping. Lady J has introduced a new face to the Sri Lankan fashion trends. In fact, they have several product names within Lady J such as Baby J for kids, Jay Casual for women, and Andre for gentlemen.
For in-store shopping, visit the Lady J shops in Colombo and Maharagama. The Colombo outlet is located in Maradana Road, Colombo. Maharagama outlet is located on the high-level road of Maharagama. These stores are open from 9.30 a.m to 9.00 p.m every day.
7. Glitz
Glitz is a well-known name among the Sri Lankan fashion community. It creates high-quality products in a wide range of clothes, accessories, and lifestyle products for both men and women.
Glitz has an amazing collection of clothes with unique designs and colors made up of high-quality fabrics. So, if you are looking for different designs and fashionable quality garments for a reasonable price, you should definitely give a try to Glitz. It is very popular as an online fashion store as well.
Glitz showrooms are there island-wide, and even in popular shopping malls like Kandy City Center. Their showrooms are usually open from 9.30 a.m to 9.00 p.m from Saturday to Thursday and from 10.00 a.m to 12.00 p.m and from 1.30 p.m to 9.00 p.m on Fridays.
8. Fashion Bug
Fashion Bug is a leading company in Sri Lanka’s fashion industry. The first Fashion Bug store was established in Bandarawela in 1994. Now, Fashion Bug is a proud owner of 16 shopping outlets islandwide.
Within two decades, Fashion Bug rose up to fame now as a household name in the country. Sri Lankans love the brand as they provide high-quality and fashionable products for a very reasonable price. They also own the largest online shopping platform in the country. If you are looking forward to shopping at a Fashion Bug, you can visit their outlets from 9.00 a.m to 9.00 p.m in many of their outlets.
9. Spring and Summer
Spring and Summer is a famous clothing brand in Sri Lanka that specializes in trendy clothing. Moreover, it is reputed as a brand that designs fashionable yet comfortable fashion choices for everyday women. They have created a range of clothing for women in various stages of life. However, their collection of working women’s attire catches the most attention most of the time. Furthermore, their white collection is also very popular. So, if you are a lady looking for comfy and trendy clothes or looking for such clothes for your lady, then Spring and Summer is the best option for you. The versatility of the clothing brand is highly appreciated.
Their shopping outlets are located in areas like Nugegoda, Maharagama, Wattala, Panadura, Bambalapitiya, and Colpetty. These shopping outlets are open from 9.30 a.m to 7.45 p.m for shoppers. Make sure you visit it during your shopping tour since Spring & Summer is one of the best choices for ladies’ fashion.
10. Cool Planet
Cool Planet is another famous shopping destination well known for its unique clothing collection. It was founded as a department store in Sri Lanka in 2006. Now, it has become a leading department store in this country.
Apart from their impressive clothing collection, their outlets also carry various other lifestyle items and homeware as well. The quality of their products and their commendable service have established them as a reputed brand in the country. Therefore, Cool Planet is an easy and also affordable option for all your fashion needs and other shopping needs.
They also have several outlets located in Pelawatta, Wattala, Malabe, Nugegoda, Maharagama, Colombo, and Kandy. Cool Planet headquarters is located in Colombo. You can visit the Cool Planet outlets from 9.30 p.m to 8.00 p.m for all your shopping needs.
Street Shopping in Sri Lanka
Up to now, you read about many of the high-end shopping malls and clothing stores located around Sri Lanka. Yet, your choices don’t end here. If you are looking for cheaper and different options, you can always try street shopping. Street shopping is different from one country to another. However, from clothes to unique food items, street shopping is the best way to buy basically anything that you want, here in Sri Lanka.
And of course, you don’t always have to make any purchases, yet it will be a great experience to go through street shopping while enjoying some of the best street food from Sri Lanka. Especially, if you are an avid traveler, you must spare some time to go street shopping as the street reveals many behind-the-scenes stories of a country and its culture. So, needless to say, Sri Lanka is also an ideal country to go on street shopping.
Pettah is certainly the best place for street shopping in Sri Lanka, and here’s all you need to know about this country’s most famous street shopping spot!
Street Shopping at Pettah
Pettah is one of the biggest market spaces in the country and it is basically functional all day every day. This small town is situated within the Colombo boundary behind the Colombo port.
However, the Pettah market is not your usual marketplace. There are so many shops in this market to buy anything that you can imagine! And of course, the best part is many of the prices are surprisingly low. You can bargain into buying your favorite stuff for alarmingly low prices. There is a high chance that you will end up leaving the market with two heavy hands.
The vendors are also very interesting and they have different and unique lifestyles out there. You will be able to make some good friends during your shopping as they are also really friendly and their customer service is top-notch.
You can visit the Pettah market at any time of the day. Yet, it will be convenient if you avoid noon because it can be difficult to shop in the scorching heat. Pettah gets heavily crowded during the daytime so visit before 10.00 a.m to avoid the crowd and have a more peaceful shopping experience. Usually, there’s high traffic around the market area and it can be really difficult to find parking space if you are coming from a private vehicle. Still, you can easily reach the market from a taxi or a tuk-tuk from anywhere in Colombo.
There are several streets inside the Pettah market that are famous for certain items. So, if you are shopping in Pettah, it is better to get an idea about those streets and make a shopping list. After all, Pettah street shopping is an unforgettable experience that you can get in Sri Lanka!
The Bottom Line
Shopping is an inseparable part of any type of vacation. Especially, when you are visiting tropical and exotic countries like Sri Lanka, you must do some shopping. And yes, shopping is the best method to get to know the country and the people. Besides, it creates opportunities to buy some cool stuff to take home with you.
Now, you know the best shopping locations scattered throughout Sri Lanka. So, during your Sri Lankan tour, you can spoil yourself with your favorite items from the above locations. Therefore, if you are planning a vacation in Sri Lanka, don’t forget to spare some time for a delightful shopping spree as well. Shopping in Sri Lanka will be an unforgettable memory of your tour for sure. Happy Shopping!
