Wild Sri Lanka
Suggested itinerary
From £4,234pp
Sat 9 May · 7 nightsLondon Heathrow2 adults, 1 child · 1 room
Galle
Fort Bazaar
Our rating
TripadvisorBased on 6,874 reviews
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A former merchant’s house turned charming boutique hotel, arranged around a lovely open-air central courtyard.
There are hotels with a rich history. And then there is Fort Bazaar, which is part of history. This enchanting bolthole sits on a narrow cobbled street, among the imposing ramparts and colonial-era buildings of the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort. It took 2 years to restore the former merchant’s mansion – and it paid off. A huddle of whitewashed buildings is arranged around an open-air central courtyard, scented by a riot of frangipani flowers and illuminated by glowing Moorish lamps after dark – a scattering of cushion-topped chairs are heavenly chill-out spots. While the architecture and interiors nod to its colonial past, a contemporary twist updates its 17th-century heritage – think hand-woven Sri Lankan fabrics and lots of pale wood.
Best for:
Sustainability
Avg flight time7 hrs
Avg transfer timeApprox. 1¾ hours' transfer from the airport
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Why our experts like it
We've done the exploring, asked the locals, made the mistakes, and found the gems... so you don't have to start from scratch! These are the bits we think you'll love the most. Think of it as travel advice from a friend who just got back and can't wait to tell you everything.
If you love French cuisine, look no further than La Belle Vie
An incredible way to kick off your Maldives holiday
“There's something pretty special about travelling by seaplane. The view from the sky is extraordinary - tiny specs of island and shades of blue that barely look real.”
Jeremy FisherKuoni Travel Expert
The iconic, mile-long sandbank
Perfect for isolated sunbathing, dramatic photoshoots, and watching breathtaking Maldivian sunsets.
Snorkelling and diving isn't the only way to catch sight of the underwater world
“If snorkelling and diving isn't for you, it's possible to catch a glimpse of the reef from a glass-bottomed boat instead.”
Sarah ShepherdKuoni Marketing Team
Kids club at Niva Kuramathi Maldives
Supervised activities through the day, so younger guests get their own adventure while you get a quiet hour by the water.
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We book this hotel the way you want it
This Maldives hotel is perfect on its own, but add Sri Lanka, Dubai or the Seychelles and it becomes something even better. Discover our multi-centre holidays and make paradise last longer.
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Rooms and suites
Just 18 rooms create an intimate vibe; the 15 Bazaar Rooms are calming cocoons with pared-back, Scandi-style interiors; the latter with the added perk of a private balcony or terrace. For a slice of luxury, plump for one of the three Upper Suites – sleek dens with oodles of space and fort views, along with original features; all wood beams and pitched ceilings. For families, there are the split-level Upper Family Suites which have a mezzanine level with a couple of single beds - perfect for kids.
Banyan Bedroom
Set around a courtyard, close to the back of the hotel, that is home to a stunning banyan tree. • air-conditioning • balcony or terrace • four-poster, king-size bed (twin bedrooms are available) • tea and coffee making facilities • minbar • television • Wi-Fi • bathroom with rainshower • 35m²
Bazaar Bedroom
Opening out onto the hotel's charming courtyard. • air-conditioning • balcony or terrace • four-poster, king-size bed (twin bedrooms are available) • tea and coffee making facilities • minbar • television • Wi-Fi • bathroom with rainshower • 35m²
Upper Suite
Spacious and beautifully designed suites with a roof terrace and views of the Galle's Church Street. • air-conditioning • balcony or terrace • four-poster, king-size bed • tea and coffee making facilities • minibar* • television • Wi-Fi • bathroom with rain shower • 75m²
Upper Family Suite
Split-level suites with a master bedroom area with four-poster bed and a mezzanine level with twin single beds. • air-conditioning • balcony or terrace • four-poster, king-size bed (twin bedrooms are available) • tea and coffee making facilities • minibar* • television • Wi-Fi • bathroom with rain shower • 100m²
Food & drink
The inviting all-day café-bar-brasserie sees locals and guests mingling over morning coffee or plates of fish tagine, against the comforting hum of the streets beyond the wide-open doors.
You know a hotel has a good restaurant when it’s a local hangout. Church Street Social is a buzzy spot with a gourmet menu of traditional Moroccan, Turkish and Middle Eastern Cuisine. Linger over rustic sharing platters and feast on sizzling plates of tapas for a sociable, fun meal, followed by tasty dishes or fresh seafood. Sri Lankan classics black pork curry and lagoon crab salad are standouts.
The stars of the menu are Sri Lankan classics such as black pork curry and the standout lagoon crab salad.
Church Street Social — Church Street Social is a buzzy spot with a gourmet menu of traditional Moroccan, Turkish and Middle Eastern Cuisine. Linger over rustic sharing platters and feast on sizzling plates of tapas for a sociable, fun meal, followed by tasty dishes or fresh seafood.
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Things to do nearby
Curated experiences to help you do more, see more, or simply switch off while you're here.
Sri Lanka
Surf’s Up at Weligama Bay
For those who know the basics, there are unbroken waves to tackle, and expert surfers can finetune their paddle, stance, and style — or learn some new manoeuvres. • Duration: 2 hours • Time: 11am to 1pm or 3pm to 5pm • Daily departures from Galle, Weligama, Tangalle or Koggala • Operates year-round • Private experience
Sri Lanka
Learn the Art of Lace Making
Half day
Sri Lanka
Kanneliya Rainforest Trek
• Duration: 3 hours • Daily departures from Galle or Koggala • Operates year-round • Private experience
Sri Lanka
Canoe Unawatuna Lagoon
• Daily departures from Galle • Operates year-round • Private experience
Galle
Heritage Galle
• Duration: 3 to 4 hours • Begins at 9am • Operates year-round • Private experience Good to know — Museums in Galle do not open on Sundays, Mondays and public holidays.
Sri Lanka
Galle Fort Photography Experience
Join a private photography walk of Galle Fort with a local travel and lifestyle photographer with the chance to refine your camera skills and take some inspiring photographs. There is a lively art scene here, and visitors and keen shutterbugs are inspired by Galle Fort’s coastal location, creativity, and heritage architecture. Tour the cobbled streets through a lens and discover its majestic defences, once walked by merchants and traders, now fringed with characterful boutiques, galleries, and eateries. Over a memorable couple of hours, you’ll hone your photography skills with a guide who knows the fort and its stories. • Duration: 2 hours • Time: 6am to 4pm or 8am to 6pm • Daily departures from Galle • Operates year-round • Private experience
Sri Lanka
The Cinnamon Experience
Not far from the golden shores of Weligama is the hillside Top House, a working cinnamon plantation that’s been lovingly restored by its British owner. A combination of self-sustaining age-old techniques and modern technology is used to extract cinnamon leaf oil at the newly built distillery. During your private tour, you’ll explore the cinnamon nursery, the plantation itself, the peeling hut and the distillery, travelling on foot and by a tractor-hitched trailer, and learn about the processes involved in creating their artisan produce. • Duration: half day • Start time: 9am • Departs Monday to Saturday from Galle, Weligama, Tangalle, Koggala • Operates year-round • Private experience Good to know — The plantation is closed on poya days.
Yala & Udawalawe
Udawalawe Jeep Safari & Elephant Transit Home
After a delicious lunch in a local restaurant, hop into your private jeep and get ready to explore the Udawalawe National Park, a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of nearby Udawalawe Reservoir. Have your camera at the ready as you spot herds of majestic elephants feeding, playing and bathing in waterholes as well as an abundance of other mammals, reptiles and birds. • Duration: half day • Time: midday to 6pm • Daily departures • Operates year round • Private experience • Available for guests travelling with a private chauffeur and staying in Udawalawe, Hambantota, Tangalle and Yala hotels • Available for guests staying at hotels in Tangalle, Hambantota, Galle, Koggala and Weligama Good to know — This unforgettable trip is suitable for all ages.
Yala & Udawalawe
Udawalawe 3-hour Jeep Safari
If you’ve already had the pleasure of exploring the Udawalawe National Park and would like some additional time observing the abundant wildlife in their natural habitat, this is the excursion for you. As you head back into the vast park it won’t be long before you stumble across a herd of elephants strolling alongside the track or water buffalo and deer congregating by a watering hole. Your knowledgeable driver will be on hand to point out the local flora and fauna from soaring eagles to prehistoric looking monitor lizards and will ensure you discover the best secluded spots. • Duration: half day • Times 6am to 9am or 3pm to 6pm • Daily departures • Operates year round • Private experience • Available for guests travelling with a private chauffeur and staying in Udawalawe, Galle, Hambantota, Tangalle and Yala hotels Good to know — Suitable for all, if not staying in the vicinity of the national park we’d recommend an afternoon safari due to the early start of the morning excursion.
Sri Lanka
Whale Watching Cruise
• Duration: half day • Time: 6.30am to 11.30am • Daily departure • Operates between October and March • Group experience • Available for guests staying in Galle, Hambantota, Koggala, Mirissa & Tangalle Good to know — A great experience for those looking to explore Sri Lanka’s marine life however as these are wild animals, sightings can’t be guaranteed.
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There is more than one way to do this trip
A match made in paradise
This hotel is perfect on its own, but add a second destination and it becomes something even better. Discover our multi-centre holidays and make paradise last longer.
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In the area
In Galle Fort, on the south-west coast of Sri Lanka
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Trip ideas
You've come this far - and the world has more to offer. Why not pair Niva Kuramathi with another island, add a stopover in Dubai on the way for city lights and desert skies, or extend to Sri Lanka for tea, temples and safari? Below you'll find our recommendations for maximising your time away...
Splendours of Sri Lanka
Multi-centre
From £4,234pp
Sat 9 May · 7 nightsLondon Heathrow2 adults, 1 child · 1 room
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When to visit
Whether you're chasing guaranteed sunshine or don't mind a little rain with your relaxation, here's how the weather stacks up throughout the year. Use the chart below to find your perfect window, or just pick whenever suits you best, paradise doesn't really have a bad season.
| Measurement | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average temp | 26°C | 26°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C |
| Average rainfall | 110mm | 60mm | 75mm | 125mm | 220mm | 175mm | 150mm | 175mm | 200mm | 195mm | 210mm | 215mm |
| Average price | £4,746pp | £4,992pp | £4,149pp | £4,222pp | £4,827pp | £4,835pp | £5,104pp | £5,176pp | £5,176pp | £5,129pp | £3,958pp | £3,958pp |
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Current offers
Savings worth having on the departures we think are worth taking. Every offer below applies to this hotel — check each one for the dates and conditions that come with it.
Save up to £300pp
Based on selected departures in September 2026
Save up to 25% when you book by 6th July
Based on selected departures in September 2026
Save up to 35% + complimentary meal upgrade
Based on 20th July 2026 departure
Free half-board upgrade
Based on selected departures in October 2026
Stay 7 nights, pay for 6
Based on selected departures in November 2026
Save up to £200pp on honeymoons
Based on selected departures in January 2027
Complimentary spa treatment for two
Based on stays of 7 nights or more
Free kids' places
Based on selected departures in August 2026
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Build your trip
Pick your airport, then choose a departure date to see how the price moves across the year. Everything you change here updates the summary alongside.
Select holiday details
Departure details
Can't see your airport of choice?Enquire now
Prices shown are per person, and based on the cheapest flight available that day.
May 2026
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June 2026
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You can upgrade your transfers and flight class when booking (subject to availability).
Local taxes & fees apply upon arrival.
Who's going?
2 adults, 1 child
Duration
7 nights + travel
Departure airport & date
Sat 9 May 2026London Gatwick
Board basis
Speak to an expert | Available until 8pm0800 298 5034
Great offers on Niva Kuramathi Maldives
Escape to Niva Kuramathi and enjoy exclusive savings on your Maldives getaway.
View offersHave you considered a multi-centre?
Maldives pairs really well with other destinations, from Dubai to Sri Lanka.
View multi-centresGood to know
- Includes flights, baggage, and private transfers to and from your hotel
- Total flight time ~ 7 hrs
- Total transfer time ~ 2 hrs
- Overnight in Malé may apply (subject to flights & transfers)
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Questions? Sorted.
Do I need a visa to visit the Maldives?
British passport holders are issued a free 30-day visitor visa on arrival. You'll need a passport valid for the duration of your stay, a confirmed onward ticket and proof of your accommodation booking.
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
November to April is the dry season, with the most reliable sunshine and calmest seas. May to October brings shorter rain showers, lower prices and better surf.
What currency is used in the Maldives, and do I need cash?
The local currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa, but resorts price and bill in US dollars and take major cards. Most guests never need cash — a small amount is handy for tipping.
Is the Maldives good for honeymoons outside peak season?
Yes. Off-peak brings noticeably lower rates and quieter islands, and rain tends to come in short bursts rather than all day. Many resorts add honeymoon extras during these months.
What activities are there for older kids and teens in the Maldives?
Most resorts run watersports centres with windsurfing, kayaking and paddleboarding, plus PADI dive courses from around age ten. Snorkelling safaris, sandbank trips and night fishing all suit older children.
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Guest reviews
Tripadvisor reviews will appear here once the feed is connected.
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