Private Half Day City Tour Colombo by Car

Private Half Day City Tour Colombo by Car

Learn about Sri Lanka's commercial capital city, visiting its most popular attractions on this half day private tour of Colombo, with a private chauffeur in a luxury car. The name “Colombo”, first introduced by the Portuguese in 1505, is believed to be derived from the classical Sinhalese name Kolon thota, meaning “port on the river Kelani”. It has also been suggested that the name may be derived from the Sinhalese name Kola-amba-thota which means “Harbour with leafy mango trees”. Due to its large harbour and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2,000 years ago. Modern day Colombo is emerging rapidly and a Colombo city tour is a worthy item on your agenda either on the start or finish to your Sri Lankan tour.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

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

The temple’s architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture. This Buddhist temple includes several imposing buildings and is situated not far from the placid waters of Beira Lake on a plot of land that was originally a small hermitage on a piece of marshy land.

Duration: 30 minutes

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

The Colombo Museum as it was called at the beginning was established on 1st January 1877. It founder was Sir William Henry Gregory, the British Governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) at the time. It is the largest museum in Sri Lanka. The museum holds contains a collections of much importance to Sri Lanka such as the regalia of the country, including the throne and crown of the Kandyan monarchs as well as many other exhibits telling the story of ancient Sri Lanka.

Duration: 1 hour

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

Independence Memorial Hall (also Independence Commemoration 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 February 4, 1948. It is located in Independence Square (formerly Torrington Square) in the Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo. It also houses the Independence Memorial Museum.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, Second Cross Street, Colombo 01100 Sri Lanka

Known as the Red Masjid or the Red Mosque is a historic mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is located on Second Cross Street in Pettah. The mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Colombo and a popular tourist site in the city.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Sri Ponnambalam Vanesar Kovil, Kotahena, Colombo Sri Lanka

Sri Ponnamabalam Vanesar Kovil is a major Shiva temple in Colombo situated adjacent to parts of Kochchikade in the city of Colombo. This shrine was beautifully constructed with intricate carvings and black stones. Staunch believers of Lord Shiva often pay a visit to this temple to attend the daily rituals performed by the priests. Mass influxes of devotees throng the shrine on Fridays where special pooja/rites are conducted.

Duration: 20 minutes

Pass By: Old Parliament Building, Fort, Colombo Sri Lanka

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.

Stop At: Galle Face Green, Galle Road, Colombo Sri Lanka

Galle Face is a 5 ha 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.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Barefoot, 704 Galle Road, Colombo Sri Lanka

When arriving in Sri Lanka, or on your way out, take a day or two and do some shopping in Colombo. Get some jewellery for your mom, natural skin products for your sister, a sarong for your uncle and much more! The breezy Barefoot Garden Cafe on Galle Road in Bambalapitiya is a favourite in Colombo. Barefoot’s main production consists of handwoven silk and cotton clothing made in classic Sri Lankan styles with some interesting twists. The shop also has a great book section with plenty of literature about Sri Lanka, for both kids and adults. There is also a lovely assortment of jewellery, toys, and home supplies.

Duration: 30 minutes