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Excursions From Mount Lavinia Hotel

Mount Lavinia hotel is the ideal location for you to enjoy the attractions of the city of Colombo. Enjoy shopping, sightseeing or the colourful Colombo nightlife. Let us take you to the zoo to see exotic Sri Lankan wildlife close up without even leaving the city, enjoy a trip to the Ayurveda hospital, or enjoy a moment of spirituality at the Bellanwila temple. You can also take a day trip to Kandy, Galle or other cities nearby and return to the luxury and comfort of Mount Lavinia Hotel in the evening.

Colombo

The cosmopolitan city of Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka can rival any capital city in the world. The largest city in the island, it offers you everything from business opportunities, banking facilities, entertainment and shopping to sports. The city's attractions include the Fort area (the country\'s business centre), Galle Face Green (a seafront lawn ideal for an evening stroll), Cinnamon Gardens (with its swanky mansions and tree-lined streets), the Colombo National Museum, the zoological gardens at Dehiwela, trendy shopping malls and ancient colonial architecture which still survives.

Kandy

The historic city of Kandy, considered the hill capital of Sri Lanka, is situated at an elevation of 500m above sea level. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhala kings of Sri Lanka. The Palace of the Tooth Relic of Buddha, the Kandy lake, many temples with beautiful paintings and wood carvings, as well as the Botanical Gardens, are some of the memorable sites of this city. The Dalada Perahera, the royal pageant of elephants, which takes place in August, is one of the world famous events that take place in Kandy. Kandy is just 3 ½ hours’ drive from the hotel.

Galle

The European, specially Dutch influence, is still very much visible in this coastal town in the southern tip of the island. An ancient port city, Galle was Sri Lanka's first international commerce and trading hub.  The greatest attraction in the city is the ancient Dutch Fort, which contains an entire town living inside the complex. The 17th Century Dutch Fort is the largest fort which still remains intact in the whole of Asia and is one of the best preserved examples of colonial fortifications found anywhere in the world. Although the construction of the fort was initiated in 1588 by the Portuguese who were the first colonial settlers of Sri Lanka, it was under the Dutch, who captured Galle from the Portuguese in 1640, that the magnificent fort gained its present structure, shape and signature architectural features. Located facing the Indian Ocean, it withstood the 2004 tsunami, which virtually destroyed the city of Galle. Apart from the many residences, hotels and commercial establishments, the 36 hectare complex contains a lighthouse, several museums including the  National Cultural Museum and National Maritime Museum, clock tower, churches, mosques and handicraft shops. The Galle Fort was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. Galle is also famous for the Unawatuna beach which is just a short drive away.