Half-Day City Tour of Colombo

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Colombo National Museum, Albert Crescent, Colombo Sri Lanka

Established as the Colombo Museum in 1877, the Colombo National Museum is the main museum in the country. The architecture and design of the premises are dominated by features of Italian architecture and the museum spans across two floors with multiple viewing galleries on each floor. It is home to many valuable and historically important objects such as the throne and the crown of the Kandyan Monarchs. The atmosphere is usually quiet and calming, and you can explore and wander around the premises at your own pace. If you are in the city, even for a short visit, we recommend that you pay a visit, because there is so much to learn and discover.


Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple, 61 Sri Jinaratana Road, Colombo Sri Lanka

The Gangaramaya temple, Colombo is the richest and famous in Sri Lanka. It was built just over 120 years ago and is dedicated to Buddhism. Among tourists, it is quite a popular place. It is a small religious complex with several buildings among which the Church, library, Museum, classrooms. The temple is mostly celebrated for its lavish architecture and statues showcasing Sri Lankan, Chinese, Thai, Burmese, and many other artistic styles. In the evenings, the pavilions are lit up with lights.


Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, Hospital Street Galle Fort, Colombo 00001 Sri Lanka

The Old Colombo Dutch Hospital (known as The Dutch Hospital) is considered to be the oldest building in the Colombo Fort area dating back to the Dutch colonial era in Sri Lanka. It is now a heritage building and a shopping and dining precinct. The old structure; with its boxy pillars, red clay roof tiles, and large central courtyards; was built in the late 17th century by the Dutch. Lavishly restored, it is home to shops, cafes, and restaurants run by some of Colombo’s best operators. Enjoy a pause for a cold drink amid the incredibly thick columns of its arcades.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Old Parliament Building, Fort, Colombo Sri Lanka

This Neo-Baroque-style building was built during the British colonial era to house the Legislative Council of Ceylon. It was built on an idea of Sir Henry McCallum, which led to a proposal made by a committee to construct the new building for the Secretariat, Council Chamber and Government offices on reclaimed land at the northern end of Galle Face’ were accepted by the Government in 1920.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo Sri Lanka

Viharamahadevi Park or formally known as the Victoria park is the largest, oldest and most colorful park situated in the heart of Colombo (Cinnamon Gardens), just opposite the colonial style Town Hall building. This is the largest & most attractive greenery in Colombo. The park features include a huge Buddha statue and a series of water fountains. It also includes a mini zoo, a children's play area. The Vihara Maha Devi park open-air stadium is a venue for concerts and public events. The park is a perfect place to relax, for shady walks, picnics and most of all a great place to spend your time with your family.

Duration: 15 minutes

Pass By: Colombo Fort Railway Station, Olcott Mawatha Road, Colombo Sri Lanka

The railway line was started over a 150 years ago by the British. At the time, the Central Terminus was in a place near Maradana, The location can still be seen as it is now serving as the Sri Lanka Railway Museum. In 1877 the Coastal Railway Line was created, and that is when the first Fort Station came into use. The old Fort region of Colombo is one of the busiest sections of the city. It’s the trade quarter where all the goods that come in from the various countries are stocked and sold by wholesale tradesmen. It’s also where some important government departments such as the Sri Lanka Customs Headquarters, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and the Merchant Shipping Department.


Stop At: Independence Memorial Hall, Independence Square, Colombo 00700 Sri Lanka

Really a large memorial building to Sri Lanka’s 1948 independence from Britain, this huge stone edifice is loosely based on Kandy’s Audience Hall. The Independence Memorial Hall is located in independence square in the cinnamon gardens, Colombo was built to commemorate this turning point in Sri Lankan history. Along with the Independence Memorial Museum, the monument is also home to a statue of the nation’s first Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Don Stephen Senanayake. Today, the revered hall stands as the venue for the most annual Independence Day celebrations & many religious events.


Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Bauddhaloka Mawatha Near China Embassy, Colombo 00700 Sri Lanka

The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall is one of the foremost convention centers found on the island. Located in the Cinnamon Gardens region of Colombo, BMICH has over 16,000 square feet of floor space. Open to the public in the year 1998, this convention center is a gift from the people’s republic of China in memory of Sri Lanka’s late prime minister Solomon Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike. The construction of this convention center was carried out as a joint project between Sri Lankan and Chinese workforce. BMICH is managed by the Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation (BNMF).


Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, Nelum Pokuna Mawatha, Colombo 00700 Sri Lanka

Colombo’s newest theatre is designed in the shape of a Lotus flower, and with a range of varied auditorium and performance facilities. This glossy venue is located in a high-profile spot south of Viharamahadevi Park. Its stunning design is based on the Nelum Pokuna, the 12th-century lotus pond in Polonnaruwa. Look for important productions here.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Arcade Independence Square, 7 Colombo, Colombo 00700 Sri Lanka

The Arcade Independence Square is a high-end shopping complex housed in a group of renovated colonial-era buildings in Colombo. It portrays a truly exemplary story of emergence from the depths of despair into a new life of hope and joy. It was built as a part of the Independence Square Redevelopment program initiated by the Sri Lankan Government. The setting and the design of the building including the interior, promoted maximum daylight, secured the greatest amount of circulation of air about the buildings and enabled every part to profit by the prevailing winds.


Duration: 15 minutes