Colombo Tour: Gangaramaya Temple, Galle Face & Lunch

Four landmarks and a buffet lunch, all in one private day through Colombo

An 8-hour private tour of Colombo with hotel or port pickup, English-speaking driver, and lunch at Rajabojun Grand Buffet. You visit Gangaramaya Temple on Beira Lake, Galle Face Green overlooking the Indian Ocean, Independence Square with its independence museum, and the colonial-era Fort & Pettah district, with time for shopping before the day ends. A minimum of two people per booking is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Gangaramaya Temple1h · entry included
2. Galle Face Green20m
3. Independence Square20m

Colombo city tour and shopping

• Hotel pickup by Sanota Walkers
• Visit Gangaramaya Temple
• Visit Seema Malaka temple
• Explore Fort and Pettah towns
• Relax at Galle Face Green
• Visit St. Anthony's Shrine
• Visit Kelaniya Temple
• Visit Independence Square
• Enjoy Sri Lankan lunch at Rajabojun Grand Buffet
• Shopping opportunity

The experience

Gangaramaya Temple anchors the morning. Built 120 years ago on the marshy shores of Beira Lake in the heart of Colombo, it has grown from a small hermitage into one of Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist temples, now housing a museum, library, and relic chamber alongside its meditation spaces. The driver picks you up from your hotel or the Colombo Port and takes you there first, so the temple's quieter early hours are yours before the day fills with other stops.

The route then moves through Fort & Pettah, the old colonial trading posts where Portuguese, Dutch, and British architecture still stands. The Dutch Hospital now holds boutiques and restaurants, and the Old General Post Office building dates to 1895. From there you reach Galle Face Green, the oceanfront promenade lined with palms that overlooks the Indian Ocean and the colonial Galle Face Hotel. This is where locals fly kites, walk in the evening, and eat street food. You'll have time to move at your own pace here. Independence Square comes next, the building raised in 1948 to mark Sri Lanka's independence from colonial rule, with a museum inside tracing the country's path to self-rule.

Lunch happens at Rajabojun Grand Buffet, a Sri Lankan spread included in the tour price. After eating, you have time to shop before the driver returns you to your hotel or port. The itinerary adjusts to fit the time available on the day you book, and the group stays under 15 people. Dress code applies at the temples and museums: knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women, and no shorts or sleeveless tops.

What’s included

• Private transportation with an English-speaking driver.
• hotel pickup or Colombo Port pickup and drop-off.
• Sri Lankan buffet lunch at Rajabojun Grand Buffet.
• entry to Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square museum, and the other landmarks on the route.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Lanka Tour Host (Pvt) Ltd

Is this one for you?Choose this if you're traveling as a couple or small group and prefer a private driver to navigate between Colombo's temples and colonial sites in one day, rather than joining a shared group tour.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What is Gangaramaya Temple like when we arrive?

Gangaramaya Temple sits on Beira Lake in central Colombo and was built about 120 years ago as a small hermitage before growing into one of Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist temples. It now holds a museum, library, relic chamber, and meditation spaces, and the early-morning timing of the tour means you arrive before crowds build.

Does the tour include lunch, and what kind of food is it?

Yes, lunch at Rajabojun Grand Buffet is included. It is a Sri Lankan buffet, so you get a range of local dishes as part of the tour price.

What is Galle Face Green, and how much time do we spend there?

Galle Face Green is a palm-lined oceanfront promenade in Colombo that overlooks the Indian Ocean and sits next to the colonial Galle Face Hotel. It is a gathering place where locals fly kites, walk, and eat street food. The tour includes time there, though the exact duration adjusts based on the day's schedule.

Do we need to dress a certain way to enter the temples and museums?

Yes, a dress code applies at places of worship and selected museums on this tour. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women, and shorts or sleeveless tops are not allowed. You risk refused entry if you do not comply.

Is hotel pickup included, and does it work from the cruise port?

Hotel pickup is included in the tour price. If you are arriving by ship, pickup from Colombo Port is also available. Let the operator know your location when you book.

How many people can book this tour together?

A minimum of two people per booking is required, and the maximum group size is 15 people. The tour is private, so you travel with your own group and driver.