Shore Excursion to Colombo City Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. The Colombo National Museum was founded in 1877 and was formerly known as the Colombo Museum. The building's architecture and design are heavily influenced by elements of Italian architecture, and the museum is spread across two levels with several viewing galleries on each.The throne and crown of the Kandyan Monarchs are among the several priceless and significant historical artifacts that are kept there. You may take your time exploring and wandering around the grounds because the environment is often tranquil and serene.

   45 min

2. Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is a well-known temple in Colombo. It was founded in the 19th century and is noted for its stunning architecture, religious significance, and cultural relevance. The temple complex consists of many buildings and structures, including a major shrine chamber, a museum, a library, an assembly hall, and monks' residence quarters. The main shrine area contains a big Buddha statue as well as beautiful sculptures and paintings. The temple is especially well-known for its annual Navam Perahera celebration, which draws thousands of people each year. Furthermore, Gangaramaya Temple is active in a variety of humanitarian and social welfare programs, such as education and healthcare for underserved populations.

   20 min

3. 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.

   Passes by

4. The Old Parliament Building, is the building that houses the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka. Situated in the Colombo fort area facing the sea, it is in close proximity to the President's House, Colombo and adjacent to the General Treasury Building

   Passes by

5. Viharamahadevi 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

   Passes by

6. This is the main railway station situated in the heart of Colombo. The building was built and put into operation in 1908. At present, the station consists of 10 platforms and caters 0.2 million passengers daily. It consists of passenger waiting rooms, changing rooms (utility rooms) and cafeterias. Station has special arrangements for disabled persons. The main seat reservation counter of the Sri Lanka Railways too is at the Colombo Fort Railway Station.

   Passes by

7. Independence Square is a popular stop on a city tour, where tourists may wander around the building or relax in the shade of the mango tree avenue. The Arcade, located near the Square, is a contemporary shopping center housed in historic colonial government buildings that have been brightened with a fountain, covered ponds, and more lion sculptures. Independence Square is located in Colombo's upscale Cinnamon Gardens neighborhood, where vast tree-lined boulevards remain from colonial days, and derives its name from the Independence Memorial Hall, which was established there to mark Sri Lanka's independence from British control in 1948.

   20 min

8. The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a conference venue. The conference center was built between 1970 and 1973 as a gift from the People's Republic of China in remembrance of Prime Minister Solomon Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike.

   10 min

9. In the hustle and bustle of Pettah, Colombo’s core commercial district, is situated a most striking building, a spiritual haven called Jamiul Alfar Masjid. This mosque is remarkable because the architecture is Indo-Saracenic, incorporating pomegranate-shaped domes. But the most extraordinary feature is that each brick is painted red or white and used in contrasting designs, which gave rise to its common name, the Red Mosque.However, there seem to be a ban on Muslim women to visit the mosque due to religious restrictions. As there have been many who requested for a section for the women; there appears to be plans for such a section, where women can do their prayers, to be built in the future. Thogh the red mosque is an islamic religious facility, visitors from other religions are eagerly welcomed.

   Passes by

10. The temple of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil is one of the most beautiful and lovely attraction places of Sri Lanka. There are many beautiful and elegant paintings of God and Goddess. Also there are an beautiful carvings of an astrology chart. The innor roof of this temple is decrorated with magnificent paintings. It is said that the temple of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami DevasthanamKovil is the most ancient hindu temples in Colombo.

    15 min

11. A bazaar with definite Middle Eastern flair, the Pettah is where Sri Lanka’s multi-culturalism is at its most pronounced. The bustling bazaar of pettah is one of the oldest districts in Colombo and one of the most interesting places to spend a few hours. It is the most ethnically mixed place in the country. The crowds in Pettah can become overwhelming during the morning and late-afternoon rush hours, but the streets are still thronged during most daylight hours.  Large religious buildings represent a plethora of faiths, while more earthly pursuits can be found in market stalls and shops selling seemingly everything.

    Passes by

12. Beira Lake is one of Colombo’s most famous landmarks. It lies right in the middle of the capital which is surrounded by many large businessess in the city, and is one of the few places of relaxation and beauty within the city limits.  As such the area on and around it has many attractions; not to mention the history of the lake itself. It still retains its Portuguese name. It is connected to many intricate canals which provided an easy way of transporting goods within the city and suburban cities.

    Passes by

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Know before you go

How it compares in Colombo

• Its from-price is 50% above the median of the 333 city tours we list in Colombo.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Colombo

Colombo is Sri Lanka's largest city and commercial capital, where colonial landmarks, Buddhist temples, busy markets and a seafront promenade meet.

Galle Face Green, a long seafront lawn, fills with families, kite flyers and street-food stalls as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean. Nearby, the Fort district keeps colonial buildings such as the Old Dutch Hospital, restored as shops and restaurants, and the red-and-white striped Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque rises over the crowded market streets of Pettah.

Top-ranked sights in Colombo: Gangaramaya Temple, Galle Face Green, Independence Square.

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