Sri Lanka is popular for its sandy beaches, clear blue water, and vast jungles. While you’re unlikely to miss any treasures that nature has endowed, there is a whole hidden list of to-dos lurking in the cities. The capital city of Colombo holds a wealth of cultural adventures that you’d struggle to fit into a week’s stay.
But what if we told you that there’s a way to cut it all down to a single trip out of your room in MaRadha Colombo? That’s right, we’re talking about the colombo city tour offered by MaRadha Colombo, that’s hardly more expensive than a day’s expenditure in Sri Lanka. Enhance your time spent in Colombo!
As opposed to the restrictive nature of riding an open-deck bus, a tuk tuk offers you complete control of where you’re going, and where you’d like to pause for a better view. To top it all off, you have your own privacy in the backseat of a miniature three-wheeled vehicle. Cruising through the city through the main road and across smaller lanes that may be inaccessible to a bus, you would know Colombo inside out by the time you get back into your hotel.
By a lot to do, we also mean a lot to see. Catching glimpses of what day-to-day life in the capital city is like just scratches the surface. MaRadha Colombo offers different options, including night tours and morning/evening tours, with greatly differing experiences. The sights awaiting you in Colombo change by the hour, so it is only fair that you don’t miss out on the other half of the experience that could only begin once the sun goes down.
If you’re wondering what sights you would come across, wonder no more; we’ll get you a list:
Perhaps Sri Lanka’s busiest neighborhood with several open-air markets and wholesale retailers. The streets here are tightly packed with busy crowds looking for the best prices. Surrounding the never-ending network of tiny lanes is an explosive air that is filled with busy chatter and the noise of trolleys being pushed around.
A historic Hindu place of worship that is constantly flooded in the evenings with lively worshippers. This isn’t just any old kovil; Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam was built in the 1700s on a little island in the middle of Beira Lake. Beira Lake no longer surrounds the kovil, but the sheer architecture and appearance of the building speak of a forgotten time.
A mosque at the heart of Colombo, built well over 100 years ago. This is one of those structures that is easy to miss on a regular bus ride in Pettah, due to how it blends in with the rest of the buildings in the area. However, the red and white striped appearance of the mosque gives it a certain allure that no other building in Colombo has.
Right on the waters of Beira Lake, the Gangaramaya Temple stands with its countless buddha statues and beautiful blue tiled roofs. The temple combines eastern architecture with western and southern, giving it a unique look. The temple was once a miniature version of its current self, only having been reconstructed in recent times under the leadership of Venerable Dewundara Sri Jinaratna Nayaka Thero.
No visitor to Colombo could ever miss the most defining landmark of the city: the Lotus Tower. Being constructed only recently, the tower is regarded as a symbol of culture and tradition, signifying the importance of the lotus flower to Sri Lanka and Buddhism. The Lotus tower is the tallest building in all of south Asia as of 2022, standing at a height of 1,155 feet. A late-night tour will reveal the tower in its full glory, accompanied by a myriad of decorative lights
The tour doesn’t end there! You will get a drive-by view of Galle Face Green, which is perhaps the most popular part of Colombo with its long green pedestrian path. Further down the road lays Viharamahadevi Park, which is a recreational space with a tall buddha statue and green gardens. Next, you will arrive at Wolvendaal church, Independence memorial square, the old town hall, and the Cargills building – all small bits to add to your memories in Colombo.
With an enviable location in the heart of the financial district MaRadha Colombo provides a comfortable stay for all business and leisure travellers, with easy access to your shopping, entertainment, and business needs. MaRadha Colombo overlooks the Indian Ocean and is truly one of a kind, featuring 35 premium hotel rooms, suites, and apartments. We will ensure your stay in Colombo is truly perfect.
Reservation +94 11 255 0136
31, St. Kilda’s Lane, Marine Drive, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka.
