Geoffrey Bawa; An Architectural Tour of Sri Lanka

13 days from £3,400 for 2025 per person

• Bentota
• Galle
• Tangalle
• Colombo
• Kandalama

Geoffrey Bawa... An Architectural Tour of Sri Lanka is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Trips.

This tailor-made tour is an homage to the legendary Geoffrey Bawa, the master architect who shaped the modern design narrative of Sri Lanka. While the island may be synonymous with sun-soaked beaches and lush, tropical allure, it is also a canvas of striking architectural heritage - an aspect that deserves to be celebrated. Geoffrey Bawa helped give Sri Lanka an individual and sophisticated sense of style, and produced sustainable architecture long before it became a global trend. On this exciting and curated itinerary, you’ll explore the places that inspired him, the spaces he crafted, and the legacy he left behind.

Your journey begins at the heart of Bawa’s creative world, at his country house estate Lunuganga close to Bentota. This masterpiece was a true labour of love, a 50-year project which documented his ability to tame wild tropics and turn them into a cultivated vision. Stroll through the enchanting gardens and discover the interplay of architecture and landscape in Bawa’s design philosophy. From Bentota travel to The Lighthouse, just three miles from Galle’s 17th-century fort, and one of Bawa’s last major projects, before continuing on to Tangalle to experience The Last House, which, as the name suggests, was Bawa’s final architectural creation.

Next, head to Sri Lanka’s capital city of Colombo, and visit No. 11, Geoffrey Bawa’s home and architectural studio, which has been transformed into Colombo’s most loved restaurant, The Gallery Café. The former office has been transformed into an inviting bar with an open courtyard and a reflecting pool, offering a sense of Bawa’s personal world to every visitor.

Venture north to the Cultural Triangle where you will visit ancient wonders such as Sigiriya and Dambulla, as well as the ruined city of Anuradhapura. Whilst you discover Sri Lanka’s ancient past, stay at perhaps Bawa’s most dramatic architectural creation. Built into a cliff face and overlooking the Kandalama reservoir, Heritance Kandalama showcases the perfect harmony of sustainable design and natural beauty. With multiple layers and about a kilometre in length, over the years the hotel has been enveloped by the jungle as if it has always been part of the landscape.

This is purely a suggested itinerary, so it can be booked as it is or used as a starting point for creating your own luxury tailor-made holiday to Sri Lanka. If you'd like to see similar trips, take a look at our collection of Epic Journeys; as well as our favourite Active, Beach, Wildlife and Family Holiday itineraries.

The traveller sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.
G. K. Chesterton