Colombo Day Tour

Certainly! Colombo, the commercial capital city of Sri Lanka, is a vibrant and diverse destination with a rich history and modern urban appeal. Here's a suggested itinerary for a Colombo city tour:

Start your tour at Independence Square, a historical landmark with a beautifully landscaped park.

Independence Memorial Hall is a national monument in Sri Lanka built for commemoration of the independence of Sri Lanka from the British rule with the restoration of full governing responsibility to a Ceylonese-elected legislature on 4 February 1948. It was completed in 1961 and served as an inspiration for other countries on the African continent seeking independence from European colonial rule.

The square is surrounded by important buildings, including the Independence Memorial Hall.

Head towards to Galle Face Green, a seaside urban park along the Indian Ocean.

Galle Face is a 5 hectares ocean-side urban park, which stretches for 500 m along the coast, in the heart of Colombo, the financial and business capital of Sri Lanka and this was initially laid out in 1859 by Sir Henry Ward, Governor of British Ceylon. Galle Face Green was once a part of the ramparts of the Colombo Fort, which was transformed into a promenade by the British during the 19th century. In the past, the area was used as a venue for horse races and as rugby/Golf grounds and was known as the Colpetty Race Course until it was declared open to the public for recreational purposes.

Enjoy a leisurely walk, fly a kite, or indulge in local street food available in the area.

Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most prominent and revered Buddhist temples located in the heart of Colombo, near Beira lake Sri Lanka and it is not only a significant religious site but also an architectural marvel that provides insight into the rich cultural and religious heritage of Sri Lanka.

Gangaramaya Temple is especially vibrant during the Vesak Festival, a Buddhist festival that celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. The temple is adorned with lights, lanterns, and colorful decorations during this time.

Dress Modestly: As with many religious sites, it's advisable to dress modestly when visiting Gangaramaya Temple. Cover your shoulders and knees as a sign of respect.

Remove Footwear: Before entering the temple premises, visitors are required to remove their footwear.

Photography: While photography is often allowed in the outer areas, be mindful of the rules and avoid taking photos in restricted or sacred areas.

Also known as the Sri Lanka National Museum, it was established in 1877 by Sir William Henry Gregory, the then British Governor of Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was known during British colonial rule) as modeled on the Italian architecture. Here more than 1000s of artifacts, paintings, statues, and royal objects, like throne and crown, are on show in its two-storied building. It has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years.

Relax in Viharamahadevi Park, a central green space named after Queen Viharamahadevi.

Viharamahadevi Park is a public park located in Cinnamon Gardens, in Colombo, situated in front of the colonial-era Town Hall in Sri Lanka. It was built by the British colonial administration and is the oldest and largest park of Colombo. 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.

Pass by the Old Parliament Building, an impressive colonial-era structure with architectural significance.

The building was opened on January 29, 1930 by Governor Sir Herbert Stanley. When the State Council of Ceylon was established a year later, the old building was used as the office space for the council. The building was designated as the Parliament of Sri Lanka in 1977. Now this is the building that houses the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka.

Colombo's three-mile long rampart, which separates the area covered by the Fort and Pettah, was originally built in the sixteenth century by the Portuguese and was then further developed by the Dutch and the British, the colonial powers which later occupied Sri Lanka. It features a mix of colonial-era buildings and modern structures.

Pettah is a neighborhood in Colombo, Sri Lanka located east of the city centre Fort, and behind the Colombo Port. The Pettah neighborhood is famous for the Pettah Market, a series of open air bazaars and markets. Pettah Market is the beating heart of Colombo's shopping scene, and no visit to the city would be complete without a trip to this lively and colorful marketplace. Here, you will find everything from fresh produce to electronics, textiles to jewelry, all at bargain prices.

The Dutch established the Colombo hospital to look after the health of the officers and other staff serving under the Dutch East India Company. The hospital's close proximity to the harbor allowed it to serve Dutch seafarers. Most patients were provided with a mat, while the most ill were given a mattress. The Old Colombo Dutch Hospital is considered to be the oldest building in the Colombo Fort area. It is now a heritage building and a shopping and dining precinct.

A colonial masterpiece and landmark of Colombo, the Beira Lake is an artificial lake built by the Portuguese in the early 16th century. Located in the heart of the city, this lake was constructed for the purpose in serving as a moat to protect the city from invaders and for transport of weapons and goods. Nowadays, The Lake is surrounded by many large businesses in the city. It initially occupied approximately 1.65 km² of land many years ago and this has since been reduced to 0.65 km² today due to various reasons.

Colombo City Centre is a 47-storey mixed-use development. Colombo City Centre comprises a five story retail space which consists of 3,675 m², including a 164-room hotel and 192 residential apartments. The building is situated opposite Beira Lake, on Sir James Pieris Mawatha.

Check out the Colombo City Centre, a modern shopping and entertainment complex with a variety of shops and restaurants.

If time permits and you're interested, you can visit the Dehiwala Zoo, located a bit outside the city center.

Remember to adapt the itinerary based on your interests, available time, and any specific attractions or activities you would like to prioritize. Additionally, traffic conditions in Colombo can vary, so it's a good idea to plan accordingly.

Visit the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, known for its striking red-and-white striped exterior. It's an architectural gem in the heart of Pettah. Its works commenced in 1908, the construction of the Colombo Red Mosque (Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque) was finished in just a year. Habibu Labbe Saibu Labbe was the chief designer of the building who relied on Indo-Saracenic and Neo-classical architectural styles. In 1975, the Mosque's capacity was extended as much as 10,000.

If you're interested in shopping, head to Odel or other shopping centers in Colombo for a mix of local and international brands.

Wrap up your day with a delicious Sri Lankan dinner at a local restaurant. Try traditional dishes such as rice and curry or kottu roti.

The starting point of the Colombo city tour varies depending on the hotel you are staying at and the number of destinations depends on the time of day. Remember to consider local customs and dress modestly when visiting religious sites. Additionally, traffic in Colombo can be challenging, so plan your itinerary accordingly. Enjoy your city tour in Colombo!