Colombo: Tour of Places Visited by Royals and Celebrities

Explore the colonial history of Colombo on a guided tour. Visit the places where British governors, royal families, world leaders, and famous personalities stayed during the colonial era.
Begin your journey with a pickup from your hotel or the port in Colombo or the Negombo area. Head to Colombo Fort, the colonial trading and official district. See British trading streets, colonial government buildings, and the historic harbor district. Learn about the British Empire in Ceylon, the tea and cinnamon trade, and colonial business families.

Next, visit the Grand Oriental Hotel, a historic colonial harbor hotel used by British officers, governors, and international travelers arriving by ship. Enjoy the colonial architecture, harbor views, and historic interiors. Take an optional tea break.

Continue to the Old Parliament Building, an important colonial government building. Learn about British administration, royal ceremonies, state visits, and colonial governance. Stop to take photos facing the ocean.

Visit the Wolvendaal Church, a historic colonial church connected to early European Colombo communities. Then, enjoy a colonial lunch experience at the Dutch Burgher Union. Taste famous colonial-influenced dishes, including lamprais, Dutch Burgher cuisine, and traditional Ceylon recipes in a historic elite social atmosphere.

Next, explore the Colombo National Museum. Learn about British governor history, see colonial artifacts, royal collections, and Kandyan Kingdom treasures. Then, visit the Colombo Town Hall, a building with colonial-inspired architecture and gardens.

Continue to the Mount Lavinia Hotel, a former governor’s mansion linked with Sir Thomas Maitland, colonial romance legend, and royal and celebrity visitors. See the colonial ballroom, historic terrace, and ocean views.

Finally, visit the Galle Face Hotel for a royals and celebrity sunset experience. This is the most famous colonial hotel in Sri Lanka, with famous visitors including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Richard Nixon, Indira Gandhi, Mark Twain, and Yuri Gagarin. Enjoy the sunset by the Indian Ocean, a colonial luxury atmosphere, and high tea or refreshments.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.