Guided tour

Guided Colombo Half-Day City Tour

4.3  / 560 reviews
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Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Guided tour
Guided Colombo Half-Day City Tour
4.3  / 560 reviews

Colombo like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. The journey of your tour will be Highlights of Colombo. Explore Colombo City.

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.
Duration 3 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Pickup included
Your hotel in Colombo Colombo CRUISE Terminal
Wheelchair accessible

Experience

Itinerary

  • Timeline stop icon

    Pickup location:

    Colombo

    Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall

    Visit, Guided tour, Sightseeing, Walk, Self-guided tour, Pass by (10 minutes)

    Optional

    Independence Square, Colombo

    Photo stop, Visit, Guided tour, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Self-guided tour, Pass by (20 minutes)

    Optional

    Viharamahadvi Park

    Photo stop, Visit, Walk, Self-guided tour (5 minutes)

    Optional

  • Timeline stop icon

    Gangaramaya Temple

    Visit, Sightseeing, Walk, Pass by (45 minutes)

    Extra fee

    Lak Medura

    Shopping (30 minutes)

    Optional

    ஸ்ரீ கைலேஸ்வரம் கோவில் - Sri Kaileswaram Temple - ශ්‍රී කෛලේශ්වරම් කෝවිල

    Photo stop, Walk, Self-guided tour, Pass by (10 minutes)

    Optional

    Colombo Lotus Tower

    Photo stop, Visit, Walk, Self-guided tour, Pass by, Scenic views on the way (5 minutes)

    Optional, Extra fee

    Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque

    Pass by

    Optional

  • Colombo Fort Station

    Pass by

    Extra fee

    Colombo Lighthouse

    Photo stop, Walk, Self-guided tour, Pass by (5 minutes)

    Optional

  • Arrive back at:

    Colombo

Main stop
Other stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Discover the best of Colombo's architecture
  • Admire panoramic views of the city
  • Immerse yourself in the Sri Lankan way of life

Full description

Discover both the modern and traditional areas of Colombo and learn more about the city's colonial past on this tour, from a 100-year-old clock tower to British colonial-era buildings. During this tour, visit the Old Parliament, explore the affluent residential areas and admire the Bandaranaike memorial international conference hall, a gift to Sri Lanka from the people’s republic of China. Immerse yourself in a fascinating blend of cultures, religions, and socioeconomic classes and experience daily life for Sri Lankan residents. You will see attractions such as the Sambodhi Chaithya Buddhist Temple, the lighthouse, Red Mosque, the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, the Town Hall, and Independence Square. You may also choose to visit a handicrafts emporium for a spot of shopping if you wish. Get dropped off back at your hotel at the end of the tour.

Includes

  • Bottled water
  • English-speaking driver
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Air-conditioned transportation
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Entrance fees

Not suitable for

  • People with mobility impairments
  • People with heart problems

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Important information

What to bring

  • Passport or ID card
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun hat

Not allowed

  • Pets
  • Smoking
  • Luggage or large bags
  • Alcohol and drugs

Know before you go

  • You must remove footwear and hats and cover shoulders and knees when in religious temples
  • A valid passport will be required on the day of travel
  • This tour is subject to favorable weather conditions — if canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date
  • If you are arriving by cruise ship, please use the shuttle bus and meet your guide near gate number 1A, where they will be waiting with name board
  • Entrance fees, gratuities, food and drinks are not included
  • When you entering to Hindu temple or Buddha temple, shoes and slippers must removed

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 60 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4/5
  • Transportation
    4.7/5
  • Value for money
    4.1/5

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H
Heather December 29, 2019  – Verified booking
The guide and driver were very kind to drive us in heavy traffic to St Anthony's Church even though it was not on the itinerary but it should be as this is the most important site in Colombo for Christian westerners so that we could pay our respects after the atrocities by Islamic suicide bombers at Easter. The Christian worshippers are still very noticeably traumatised and our hearts went out to these tragic people. God bless them and may they be allowed to live in peace by these evil Islamic fanatics. Just totally heartbreaking but we were so glad that we got to visit this sacred church now protected by armed soldiers to show our support for them and Christianity. May these innocent souls rest in peace x
Helpful?
G
GetYourGuide traveler March 18, 2022  – Verified booking
Guide was 30 min late but understandable with traffic. We were expecting a group tour but it turned out to be private. Driving around town in a small car with A/C was worth the cost. We drove past many attractions and stopped at a few. It only took 2 hrs to complete the tour but it’s because we chose not to spend a lot of time at each stop. The heat was too much for us. Definitely worth the cost. We had planned to take a tuktuk around town on our own to places we chose but glad we took the tour instead.
Helpful?
M
Marla – United StatesJanuary 31, 2024  – Verified booking
Guide was exceptionally polite and calm, but he didn’t have enough knowledge or history about the sites to be informative. I really enjoyed his company nonetheless. He was not told by the tour company that I had changed pick up locations and that was unfortunate as we wasted an hour because I had to get to where he was waiting at my own expense. The tour company neglected to read my messages, even though they were clear and sent ahead of time. I did get the full tour nonetheless. Unfortunately, it was Sunday and a lot of the places I would’ve like to go were closed. Good news is that the Driver was more than willing to customize some of the locations and shopping stops. The driver was excellent, but has some history to learn. The tour company was not cooperative about picking me up at my designated pick up location.
Helpful?

Product ID: 252337

Activity provider:Apple Vacations

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