Shore Excursion to Colombo City Tour

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Colombo lotus tower is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Colombo, Sri Lanka. At 356 meters, this tower is the highest in South Asia, the 11th tallest in Asia, and the 19th tallest in the globe. It has become one of the most famous tourist destinations in Sri Lanka.

The Colombo Lighthouse was initially constructed as a clock tower in 1856 and completed on the 25th of February 1857 and the tower was designed by the wife of Governor Sir Henry George Ward. The construction work was undertaken by the Public Works Department. It was supervised by the Director of Public Works himself; Mr John Flemming Churchill. The Colombo Lighthouse and Clock Tower in Sri Lanka is one such noteworthy architectural site.

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.

Even though Sri Lanka was declared an independent state in 1948 many of the remnants of colonialism was left behind. The last state to occupy the country were the British and their architectural structures have forever influenced our country and our history. The Colombo Lighthouse and Clock Tower in Sri Lanka is one such noteworthy architectural site. The Lighthouse is considered a historical and cultural landmark giving the fact that it is one of the few lighthouses of the colonial era still operational to this date. It is claimed that the clock in the lighthouse was commissioned so that worker in that area of Colombo can be more punctual since personal watches could not be afforded by everyone back in the day.

The Word Trade Center of Colombo, located in the heart of the city, is a center-point of trade and business. As one of the most exclusive business addresses in Sri Lanka, this 152m tall commercial landmark has two 39 story towers connected by the 4 story retail block that they stand over, bringing the total floor count to 43. With over 750,000 square feet of prime office and retail space, state-of-the-art facilities, superb dining, convenient shopping, and spectacular vistas in a "One Stop Shop" concept; the twin structure holds over 120 local, international and multinational brand names that makes it one of the most important buildings in Colombo.