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  • Sri Lanka
  • Western Province, Sri Lanka
  • Things to do in Colombo
Guided tour

The True Essence of Colombo:Private Highlights & Hidden Gems

4.5  / 5
45 reviews
Activity provider:Withlocals
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Guided tour

The True Essence of Colombo:Private Highlights & Hidden Gems

Activity provider:Withlocals
4.5  / 5
45 reviews

From US$ 29.59 per person

Make the most out of your time in the bustling city of Colombo by visiting the coolest spots with the help of a local! Ride a Tuk Tuk to hidden gems that only locals know and get ready for an amazing authentic experience!

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 3 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide
English
Small group
Limited to 8 participants

Experience

Highlights
  • Tuk tuk your way around the city
  • See the best hotspots in one day
  • Stroll through Colombo’s biggest park
  • Enjoy delicious local snacks
  • Discover authentic local day-to-day life
Full description
Ayubowan! Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the heart of Sri Lanka’s capital: Colombo! Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of this vibrant city together with your private host. The very best must-sees, hidden gems, and local snacks await! So, hop on a colorful Tuk Tuk and let your private guide take you from one highlight to another. The Independence Square is a must visit and a great place to kick off your tour. Stroll through the spacious green lawns and marvel at one of the islands' longest standing colonial buildings. Your host can tell you all about Sri Lanka’s historic past and how the city has changed to the modern city of today. Do as the Sri Lankans do and grab some delicious hoppers and vegetable roti. Locals simply love to start the day with this tasty morning snack, especially when heading to Colombo’s biggest park! Filled with lush vegetation, 100-year-old trees and a replica of the White House, this park is a tranquil gem away from the city buzz. Tuk Tuk your way to the oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo with a beautiful lake. Check out an amazing collection of Buddha statues, take a look at a holy tree and admire a relic of Buddha’s hair. Feel free to ask your host any burning questions! Get immersed in real local life and visit one of the liveliest markets. See where locals buy and sell everything from vegetables to electronics. Wander through the labyrinth streets and follow your nose to a nearby cassava chip vendor. See how this yummy snack is made and make your taste buds dance! Head to the banana market and try as many different bananas as you fancy! Curious what else awaits? How about a visit to a mosque in the shape of a pomegranate, followed by a beautifully minimalist Hindu temple? A visit to Sri Lanka’s last King’s jail cell is also a unique gem! While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the stunning view from the lighthouse. What better way to top off your tour than at the relaxing ocean side of Galle Face? Unwind and relax with a cold drink, a delicious prawn cake and a marvelous sunset over the western coast of Sri Lanka!
Includes
  • Private tour
  • Local guide
  • Entrance tickets
  • Exotic bananas tasting
  • Prawn cake tasting
  • Hoppers tasting
  • Pickup or drop-off at your accommodation
  • Additional food or drink
Not suitable for
  • People with mobility impairments
  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Your host will meet you at Independence Monument, near the information plaquette

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Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes

From US$ 29.59 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
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Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 45 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.4/5
  • Value for money
    4.5/5
  • Service
    4.8/5
  • Organization
    5/5

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It was one of the greatest Tours we ever made. Our Guide priyantha was a funny guy with a huge knowledge about Colombo, Sri Lanka, he knew a lot about nature and the religions here. The Tour was said to take 3 hours, but Priyantha made a 6 hours Tour with us. It was perfect 🫵🏼

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August 14, 2023

C
Christoph – GermanyVerified booking

Helpful?

We had our tour on August 2, 2023 with the guide Deegoda, he is the best guide imaginable, it was the best tour you can ever do. He showed us everything in detail and also covered all the costs for the tour, food, etc. He also picked us up from the hotel and took us there at his own expense. We got along with him like we were best friends, we saw a lot of the city, he showed us corners of the city that tourists would never see in real life. This tour was more than worth it and really cheap for what you see and taste!

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August 4, 2023

T
T – GermanyVerified booking

Helpful?

I had an amazing tour with Priyandha and got to learn so much about Colombo! He showed me a good mix of touristy and non-touristy locations and I got to try awesome local snacks 😋 Him and his Nouraj (driver) were super friendly and hospitable plus they made sure I was always having a good time! Good vibes the entire day, I HIGHLY recommend taking this tour

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April 30, 2023

B
Bianca – ChinaVerified booking

Helpful?

Product ID: 156210

  • Sri Lanka
  • Western Province, Sri Lanka
  • Things to do in Colombo

Top Attractions in Colombo

  • 1Bandaranaike International Airport
  • 2Gangaramaya Temple
  • 3Independence Square, Sri Lanka
  • 4Galle Face Green
  • 5National Museum of Colombo
  • 6Viharamahadvi Park
  • 7Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana
  • 8Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre
  • 9Kelaniya Temple
  • 10Jami Ul Alfar Mosque, Sri Lanka
  • 11Sambodhi Chaithya, Sri Lanka
  • 12Colombo Dutch Museum
  • 13Independence Memorial Museum, Colombo
  • 14National Museum of Natural History, Colombo
  • 15Lionel Wendt Art Centre
  • 16St. Lucia's Cathedral
  • 17Mount Lavinia Hotel, Colombo
  • 18Colombo Port Maritime Museum

Things to Do in Colombo

  • 1Colombo Activities
  • 2Colombo Tours
  • 3Colombo Architecture
  • 4Colombo Day trips
  • 5Colombo Religious & spiritual activities
  • 6Colombo Deals & discounts
  • 7Colombo Outdoor activities
  • 8Colombo Night tours
  • 9Colombo Summer activities
  • 10Colombo UNESCO sites
  • 11Colombo Culture & history
  • 12Colombo Nature & adventure
  • 13Colombo Safaris & wildlife activities
  • 14Colombo Autumn activities
  • 15Colombo Private tours
  • 16Colombo Archaeology
  • 17Colombo Small group activities
  • 18Colombo Rainy-day activities
  • 19Colombo Day trips
  • 20Colombo Photography tours

Cities in Sri Lanka

  • 1Kandy
  • 2Galle
  • 3Mirissa
  • 4Negombo
  • 5Bentota
  • 6Dambulla
  • 7Trincomalee
  • 8Dambana, Sri Lanka

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