Experience Buddhist culture at Gangaramaya Temple
Colombo, Sri Lanka • 
Must Do
Must DoColombo, Sri Lanka
Must Do
Best months to visit
Jan, Feb, Dec
25°C – 32°C, warm and dry with minimal rainfall, high crowds, peak season
25°C – 32°C, warm and dry with minimal rainfall, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Not wheelchair accessible; uneven terrain and stairs present.
Not wheelchair accessible; uneven terrain and stairs present.
Value for money
Medium
Entry fee is reasonable for a unique cultural experience.
Entry fee is reasonable for a unique cultural experience.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
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Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Peaceful Ambiance
Couples found the temple a serene escape, perfect for a quiet, shared experience.
Beautiful Design
Visitors were impressed by the architecture, perfect for couples to admire together.
Rich Culture
Couples enjoyed the museum, immersing themselves in the local history and artifacts.
Hot Surfaces
Travelers should be aware of the hot surfaces, which can be uncomfortable to walk on.
Overcrowded Times
During peak season, couples may find the crowds disrupt the peaceful atmosphere.
Elephant Concerns
Some couples expressed concerns about the temple elephant's welfare.
Hours of operation
Monday
06:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
06:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
06:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
06:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
06:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
06:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
06:00 AM - 10:00 PM
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
A traveler embarks on a visit to Gangaramaya Temple.
Discover the captivating highlights of Gangaramaya Temple.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
February
HIGH
24-28°C
Warm and dry with minimal rainfall.
Warm and dry with minimal rainfall.
Open
Higher prices and limited availability due to peak season.
Higher prices and limited availability due to peak season.
Recommended
February continues the warm and dry conditions, ideal for visiting Gangaramaya Temple. The Navam Perahera festival occurs this month, attracting even larger crowds and potentially higher prices.
February continues the warm and dry conditions, ideal for visiting Gangaramaya Temple. The Navam Perahera festival occurs this month, attracting even larger crowds and potentially higher prices.
March
MEDIUM
24-33°C
Warm with slightly increased chance of rain.
Warm with slightly increased chance of rain.
Open
Better availability and prices as crowds decrease.
Better availability and prices as crowds decrease.
Recommended
March offers warm weather with a slight increase in rainfall. Crowds begin to decrease, leading to better availability and more reasonable prices.
March offers warm weather with a slight increase in rainfall. Crowds begin to decrease, leading to better availability and more reasonable prices.
April
MEDIUM
25-31°C
Warm with occasional rain showers.
Warm with occasional rain showers.
Open
Some restrictions during local New Year celebrations.
Some restrictions during local New Year celebrations.
Recommended
April brings warm weather with occasional rain. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year in mid-April leads to local festivities and moderate crowds. Prices and availability are generally favorable.
April brings warm weather with occasional rain. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year in mid-April leads to local festivities and moderate crowds. Prices and availability are generally favorable.
May
LOW
25-30°C
May marks the beginning of the southwest monsoon in Colombo, bringing heavy rainfall averaging around 294 mm over approximately 14 rainy days. Temperatures remain high, with daytime highs around 31°C and nighttime lows near 26°C. Humidity levels are elevated, making the climate feel hotter.
May marks the beginning of the southwest monsoon in Colombo, bringing heavy rainfall averaging around 294 mm over approximately 14 rainy days. Temperatures remain high, with daytime highs around 31°C and nighttime lows near 26°C. Humidity levels are elevated, making the climate feel hotter.
Open
No specific restrictions, but outdoor activities may be affected by heavy rains.
No specific restrictions, but outdoor activities may be affected by heavy rains.
Not recommended
May is characterized by the start of the southwest monsoon, leading to heavy rainfall and high humidity. While the temple remains open, the wet conditions may deter visitors, resulting in lower crowd levels. It's advisable to carry rain gear and plan indoor activities.
May is characterized by the start of the southwest monsoon, leading to heavy rainfall and high humidity. While the temple remains open, the wet conditions may deter visitors, resulting in lower crowd levels. It's advisable to carry rain gear and plan indoor activities.
How to get there
Bus
Recommended
Public buses are an economical option. Look for buses passing through the Slave Island area or along Sir James Pieris Mawatha. The temple is approximately a 1-kilometer walk from the nearest bus stops.
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber and PickMe offer direct routes to the temple, dropping passengers at the entrance.
Train
Recommended
The closest station is Slave Island Railway Station, about 1.5 kilometers away. Colombo Fort Railway Station is also nearby. From either station, take a short tuk-tuk ride or walk to the temple.
Car
Travelers using a private vehicle can navigate via key city roads such as Sir James Pieris Mawatha and Nawam Mawatha, which lead to the temple's location on Sri Jinarathana Road. Parking can be limited.
Walking
Walking is a pleasant option for those lodging in downtown Colombo. The temple is within a 2-3 kilometer radius of major landmarks like Galle Face Green, Colombo City Centre, and Viharamahadevi Park.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required
