Trincomalee

Description

Situated on the east coast of Sri Lanka, overlooking the beautiful Trincomalee Harbour, is the resort port city of Trincomalee. The city is located about 257 kilometres from the island’s capital – Colombo, and is the administrative headquarters of the Trincomalee District. This stunning city is located on a peninsula which separates the inner harbor from the outer harbor. The city is considered extremely sacred to the Tamils and Sinhalese in Sri Lanka, and is home to numerous sites of historical and religious importance. It was also occupied by the Portuguese, the French, the English and the Dutch and therefore has hints of all of them around town. Its harbor is said to be the fifth largest natural harbor in the world. Trincomalee is home to several pristine beaches and attractions which are sure to keep tourists occupied for days. Muslim visitors will be able to locate Muslim-friendly facilities in Trincomalee, but it may not be quite easy.

Being the gateway to some of the finest and picturesque beaches in Sri Lanka, Trincomalee is fast becoming an extremely popular destination among international tourists as well as locals. Uppuveli and Nilaveli are two well-known ones and are located 6 kilometers and 16 kilometers out of the town, respectively. These beaches are great for Muslim visitors as they are quite secluded and peaceful. The shallow waters found here is ideal for those with kids, and also offers tourists opportunities for surfing and scuba diving, fishing and whale watching.

When in Trincomalee, Pigeon Island is a must-visit. This island, located just off Nilaveli, is a tropical paradise. Named after the blue Rock pigeons which breed here, Pigeon Island is reached by boats which can be hired on the beach. The clear water surrounding the island, as well as the varieties of colourful fish, draw in scuba divers from all over the world.

Another popular attraction in Trincomalle is the hot springs. Located just 8 kilometres away, the seven hot springs at Kanniya are renowned for their therapeutic properties. The temperature of the water found at each of the springs varies from each other.

Trincomalee is also known for being home to the largest Dutch Fort in Sri Lanka, also known as Fort Fredrick. Built by the Portuguese in 1623, this fort was the captured by the Dutch in 1639. A while after, in 1672, the fort was then captured by the French.

Nearby Airports

The closest domestic airport to Trincomalee is Batticaloa Airport, which is located about 138 kilometres from the center of Trincomalee. The nearest major international airport is however the Bandaranaike International Airport, which is located in Katunayake, and is approximately 237 kilometres away.

Halal Restaurants

Muslim tourists will be pleased to know that there are quite a few Halal restaurants in Trincolmalee. Ajmeer Hotel is one restaurant which serves Halal food in Trincomalee. Muslim visitors are also advised to make inquiries about the locations of other Halal restaurants at the local mosque. They will also be able to find numerous vegetarian restaurants here.

Mosques

There are a couple of mosques in Trincomalee. These mosques can be found in town as well as in the surrounding areas. The Mohideen Mosque and the Jummah Masjid are just a few of the several masjids in Trincomalee that Muslim tourists can offer their prayer at.

Things to Do and See in Trincomalee

• Trincomalee Beach
• Trincomalee Harbor
• Hot springs at Kanniyai
• Pigeon Island
• Uppuveli  
• Manayaweli Cove
• Nilaveli
• The Dutch Fort
• Historical Sites
• Dutch Bay
• The Trincomalee Fish Market
• Lover’s Leap
• Marble Beach