Written by Muhammad Thahir · Sources checked 4 November 2026
A Geoffrey Bawa architecture tour usually starts at Number 11, his Colombo home, and continues to Lunuganga, his garden estate near Bentota. Both are open through guided tours. Add one of his hotels, such as Heritance Kandalama near Dambulla or Jetwing Lighthouse near Galle, to see how Bawa built around landscape and climate.
Number 11 and Lunuganga
The Geoffrey Bawa Trust’s tours page lists the visiting arrangements for both houses.
| Place | Tour times | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Number 11, 33rd Lane, Colombo 3 | Weekdays 10:00, 14:00 and 15:30; Saturday 11:00 and 16:00; Sunday 11:00 | About 45 minutes; LKR 5,000 for foreign visitors; reservations recommended |
| Lunuganga, Bentota | Daily at 11:00, 14:00 and 15:00 | About 90 minutes; USD 20 for foreign visitors; no reservation needed for public tours |
Checked 4 November 2026The Lunuganga page says Bawa bought the former rubber and cinnamon estate in 1948 and turned it into a garden. It has steps, steep slopes and uneven paths, so contact the team in advance if you have access needs.
Bawa buildings you can stay in or see
Heritance Kandalama
A long hotel built along a rock face and covered in forest, facing Sigiriya across a reservoir. It suits a Cultural Triangle stay.
Jetwing Lighthouse
A hotel on a rocky headland north of Galle, with a dramatic staircase sculpture at its entrance.
Seema Malaka
A temple pavilion floating on Beira Lake in Colombo, run by Gangaramaya. Easy to add to a city walk.
The Parliament
Sri Lanka’s Parliament at Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, on an island in a lake. It is best seen from the lakeside.
Bawa’s brother, Bevis, created the Brief Garden near Aluthgama, which pairs well with Lunuganga on the same day. Our Colombo heritage walk can include Seema Malaka.
Local planning noteA two-day Bawa route works well: Number 11 and Seema Malaka in Colombo, then a drive down the coast for Lunuganga and a night in Bentota or Galle.
See the coast route in our south coast itinerary, and more heritage ideas in ways to explore Sri Lanka’s culture.
Plan a Bawa architecture route
Tell us your dates and which buildings interest you. Our tailor-made team can book the house tours and a stay in a Bawa hotel.
Geoffrey Bawa tour questions
Can you visit Geoffrey Bawa’s house in Colombo?
Yes. Number 11, on 33rd Lane in Colombo 3, can only be visited on the Bawa Trust’s guided tours. Tours run several times a day, last about 45 minutes, and reservations are recommended because group sizes are limited.
How do I visit Lunuganga?
Join one of the daily garden tours at 11:00, 14:00 or 15:00. Public tours need no reservation and last about 90 minutes. Private and curatorial tours can be arranged in advance.
Which hotels did Geoffrey Bawa design?
Well-known examples include Heritance Kandalama near Dambulla and Jetwing Lighthouse near Galle. Staying a night is the best way to experience them, as Bawa designed the buildings around views, light and the passage of the day.
Featured photo: Laura Meinhardt / Pexels. Bentota River; illustrative destination photograph.
