Colombo Trip Overview
This city tour in Colombo will expose you to the brimming culture and history that is existing in Colombo. Throughout your tour learn more about the attractions you visit from your private guide’s narrations. The tour schedule is flexible making it an even more convenient way to explore Sri Lanka’s commercial capital. From the bustling streets to the vibrant markets with posh boutique restaurants to pristine parks, witness it all. An ancient favorite of port-trading merchants, the city is a harmonious blend of religions and cultures. You will drive through the commercial areas and drive past Pettah, a colorful Oriental bazaar with a mix of people, ancient vehicles, bargains, mosques and temples.
Additional Info
Duration: 5 to 7 hours
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Tours & Sightseeing >> Bus & Minivan Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
This city tour in Colombo will expose you to the brimming culture and history that is existing in Colombo. Throughout your tour learn more about the attractions you visit from your private guide’s narrations. The tour schedule is flexible making it an even more convenient way to explore Sri Lanka’s commercial capital. From the bustling streets to the vibrant markets with posh boutique restaurants to pristine parks, witness it all. An ancient favorite of port-trading merchants, the city is a harmonious blend of religions and cultures. You will drive through the commercial areas and drive past Pettah, a colorful Oriental bazaar with a mix of people, ancient vehicles, bargains, mosques and temples.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, Colombo Sri Lanka
Kelaniya Temple is undeniably a spiritual place of worship. In sixth century BC, the Buddha arrived in Sri Lanka on his third and final visit and at the invitation of Maniakkika, a Naga King, he visited Kelaniya, where he preached the Dhamma while seated on a gem-studded throne. The throne is said to be enshrined within the stupa at the temple premises, designed in the shape of a heap of paddy. Since then, Buddhists have regarded Kelaniya as a hallowed ground. Within the temple premises, visitors find tranquility and serenity, regardless of differences in culture, nationalities, race or faith. However, the importance of the Raja Maha Viharaya is manifold. Not only is it a place of deep reverence, it is also a centre where Sri Lankan art and architecture prosper. On a visit to the Kelaniya Temple, we immersed ourselves in the temple paintings, murals and the architecture.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple, 61 Sri Jinaratana Road, Colombo Sri Lanka
Situated near Beira Lake, in the heart of Colombo, the temple was established in 1885 by Venerable Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera. It gradually grew into the complex it is today, which includes the Vihara (monastery), Cetiya (pagoda), Vihara Mandiraya (Image House, which is full of colorful Buddha statues), Seema Malaka, the Bodhi Tree, the Relic Chamber, as well as a library and a museum. At the far end of the courtyard are rows of elevating steps on which Buddha statues of the Thai style have been sequentially placed to greet the skyline. The surrounding walls of the Image House display jatakas, or painted scenes depicting the significant events in Buddha’s life and in his teachings. Be sure to look up at the ceiling in the center of the hall, the important Buddhist centers in Sri Lanka have been painted and labeled.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, Hospital Street Galle Fort, Colombo 00001 Sri Lanka
The Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct is one of the most attractive shopping centres in the country. The building was originally a hospital during the Dutch occupation of Sri Lanka, and is considered to be the oldest building in the historic Colombo Fort area. It was also used as a police station and an apothocary, before it was finally converted into its current role in 2011. The building is centred around two courtyards, which sometimes host live music. It has a few cafes, restaurants, shops and bars. It’s a nice place to stop and enjoy the shade, and with low slung tiled roofs and attractive colonades.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Independence Square, Independence Avenue, Colombo 00700 Sri Lanka
Independence Memorial Hall is located in the Independence Square at Colombo 7. This place is known as Torrington Square in early days. This hall was built for the commemoration of the independence from British in 1948. But the construction of was started after the Independence. The structure is made of concrete, and bear columns similar to what is found in ancient Sri Lankan architecture and it was designed to resemble a Kandyan audience hall. The rows of stone lions that guard this great monument are a unique feature of this Commemoration Hall. This is also an impressive piece of art that clearly signifies the ancient architecture and the elaborated stone carvings and painting found at the memorial hall are simply breathtaking.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo Sri Lanka
The Viharamahadevi Park (formerly Victoria Park) is a public park located in Colombo, next to the National Museum in Sri Lanka. It is the oldest and largest park of the Port of Colombo. Situated in front of the colonial-era Town Hall building, the park is named after Queen Viharamahadevi, the mother of King Dutugamunu. The park was built on land donated to the Colombo city by Charles Henry de Soysa during the British rule of Sri Lanka, and used to be named “Victoria Park” after Queen Victoria. During World War II it was occupied by the British Army with Australian 17th Brigade based at Victoria Park. After the war the park was restored and open to the public in 1951.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Galle Face Green, Galle Road, Colombo Sri Lanka
Extending over a distance of half a kilometre along the coast of the Indian Ocean, The Galle Face Green is a beloved promenade located in the heart of Colombo. It was first laid out by Sir Henry Ward in 1859 & used for horse racing & as a golf course. Today, the promenade is alive with the happy activity of kite-flyers, street food vendors, & families enjoying the delights of open spaces & refreshing ocean breeze.
Duration: 1 hour
