Colombo City Tour: Seema Malaka, Dutch Hospital, Independence Square

See Colombo's landmarks without navigating cabs or crowded buses

A private half-day tour of Colombo, Sri Lanka, with an English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle, visiting Seema Malaka temple on Beira Lake, the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct in the historic Fort area, and Independence Square. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You can tailor the route and duration to your preferences.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Colombo National Museum1h
2. Gangaramaya Temple15m
3. Independence Square30m

Colombo city sightseeing tour

• Visit National Museum of Colombo
• Explore Seema Malaka temple
• Shop at Dutch Hospital Precinct
• See Independence Memorial Hall
• Pass by Old Parliament Building
• Pass by St. Anthony's Shrine
• Walk in Viharamahadevi Park
• Visit Colombo Fort Railway Station
• View Bandaranaike Memorial Conference Hall

The experience

The Colombo National Museum, the largest in Sri Lanka, anchors the first part of the day, followed by Seema Malaka, a Buddhist meditation temple built in the late 19th century and set on Beira Lake. From there, the route moves to the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, a restored colonial building in the Fort area that once served as a hospital, police station, and apothecary before becoming a shopping and dining hub in 2011. The building sits around two courtyards with low-slung tiled roofs and colonnades. Live music sometimes plays in the courtyards.

Independence Square holds the Independence Memorial Hall, built to mark Sri Lanka's independence from British rule in 1948, and sits near the Old Parliament Building and the Presidential Secretariat. The route can also include St. Anthony's Shrine, a national Roman Catholic church, and Viharamahadevi Park, the oldest and largest park in Colombo, which faces the colonial Town Hall. You travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water and onboard WiFi. The guide speaks English and fills in the history and context of each stop. Because the itinerary is flexible, you can adjust which sites to visit and how long to spend at each one.

Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Colombo are included, so there's no need to arrange separate transport to the starting point. The tour runs between one and four hours depending on which stops you choose and how much time you want at each site.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from central Colombo hotels.
• private air-conditioned vehicle.
• English-speaking guide.
• bottled water and onboard WiFi.
• parking fees and fuel surcharge.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 15:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (3 to 15 years): free · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by iWay Tours

Is this one for you?The English-speaking guide and flexible itinerary work well if you want context for what you're seeing without being locked into a fixed schedule or a large group.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 15 years): free; Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Seema Malaka and why is it worth visiting?

Seema Malaka is a Buddhist meditation temple on Beira Lake, originally built in the late 19th century. It's used primarily for meditation and rest rather than worship, and its lakeside setting makes it a quiet contrast to the busier city streets.

Can I pick which attractions to see on this tour?

Yes. The itinerary is flexible, so you can tailor which sites to visit and how long to spend at each one based on your interests and how much time you have available.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes the private air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide, bottled water, onboard WiFi, parking fees, and fuel surcharge. Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Colombo are also included.

How long does this tour take?

The tour runs between one and four hours, depending on which attractions you choose to visit and how much time you spend at each stop.