Sri Lanka’s most convenient first or last stop sits just minutes from the airport, but it’s more than a transit town – Negombo has a genuine identity of its own, shaped by centuries of Dutch colonial history, a thriving traditional fishing community, and a string of Catholic churches that have earned it the nickname ‘Little Rome.’ The lagoon is excellent for birdwatching, the seafood is some of the freshest on the island, and the Dutch canal network that runs through the city is one of those quietly interesting historical details that rewards a half-day exploration.