The Best Day Trips From Colombo Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a land of many mysteries. The more you explore the more you feel there is more to discover. However, the wonderful thing about Sri Lanka is that you can travel the whole width and breadth of the island within one single day. There are many day trips that you can take from Colombo. Take a look at some examples here and make your own way around this magnificent country.

Cruise through the city

Hail a local tuk tuk and get onboard. The best way to explore Colombo is by tuk. Head on to the Dutch Hospital, an ancient Dutch colonial building converted into a shopping complex after which you can gaze at the old lighthouse just a kilometer away. See the ornate exterior of the old Parliament as you head towards the Gangarama, a scenic temple famous for its multitude of bronze Buddha statues overlooking a wondrous lake. Head towards the Colombo Museum housing some of the nation’s most treasured artifacts and afterwards, look forward to a flavorsome Sri Lankan meal from Upali’s. Finish your day with a leisurely stroll along the Galle Face Green mingling with the locals and enjoying the myriad street food choices available along the beach.

Explore the south

Next head on to Galle. Witness the turtle hatcheries and have a lovely seafood lunch by the beach. While in Galle you can also watch the stilt fishermen waiting for their daily catch or be lucky enough to see groups of fishermen hauling in the fishing nets cast during the previous night. Also explore the Galle Dutch Fort – a magnificent 17th century fortification that has been named as a UNESCO heritage site.

Head over to the last ancient Kingdom

Kandy, the last kingdom of Sri Lanka lies but 4 hours’ drive from Colombo. En route visit an aromatic Spice Garden in Mawanella where you will get to explore the depths of Sri Lankan spices and a Tea Factory in Giragama where you will be taken through the complex process of tea manufacturing.

Once in Kandy, explore Temple of the Tooth Relic, the very heart of Sri Lanka’s Buddhism. Return to Colombo after a leisurely stroll around the scenic Kandy Lake.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.