Tours/Colombo/Shore Excursion Colombo City tour
Viator · group up to 15 pax

Shore Excursion Colombo City tour

4.2(16)Colombo1 hour
VIATOR3.7(6)TRIPADVISOR4.5(10)

Description

Discover Colombo City with New Eyes. Colombo serves as the country's city, executive, and judicial capital. On the west coast of the island, just south of the Kelani River, is Colombo, a significant port on the Indian Ocean. There, which has one of the largest artificial ports in the world, is where the majority of Sri Lanka's international trade is carried out. On this tour, you'll see the most well-known attractions in Sri Lanka's capital to learn more about it and the locals' way of life. The family-friendly tour is highly advised for first-time guests. • As you wander the city's streets and experience its distinct atmosphere. • Visit the crowded, busy cities around Colombo to see the locals' daily routines, historical sites, and markets. • The pleasant and trustworthy drivers will make your trip even more memorable.

Tour Options

Shore Excursion Colombo City tour
  • Pickup included

Itinerary

15 min

Old Colombo Lighthouse or Colombo Fort Clock Tower is a clock tower and was a lighthouse in Colombo. The lighthouse is no longer operational, but the tower remains and functions as a clock tower. It is located at the junction of Chatham Street and Janadhipathi Mawatha in Colombo fort

Admission not included45 min

Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most important temples in Colombo, Sri Lanka, being a mix of modern architecture and cultural essence

45 min

Independence Memorial Hall is a national monument in Sri Lanka built for commemoration of the independence of Sri Lanka from the British rule with the restoration of full governing responsibility to a Ceylonese-elected legislature on February 4, 1948

Pass by

The Old Parliament Building, is the building that houses the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka. Situated in the Colombo fort area facing the sea, it is in close proximity to the President's House, Colombo and adjacent to the General Treasury Building

Admission not included10 min

In the hustle and bustle of Pettah, Colombo’s core commercial district is situated a most striking building, a spiritual haven called Jamiul Alfar Masjid. This mosque is remarkable because the architecture is Indo-Saracenic, incorporating pomegranate-shaped domes. But the most extraordinary feature is that each brick is painted red or white and used in contrasting designs, which gave rise to its common name, the Red Mosque. However, there seems to be a ban on Muslim women to visit the mosque due to religious restrictions. As there have been many who requested a section for the women; there appears to plan for such a section, where women can do their prayers, to be built in the future. Though the red mosque is an Islamic religious facility, visitors from other religions are eagerly welcomed.

Pass by

This long open space traditionally faces a narrow beach and the sea. This is the most popular beachfront park in Colombo city, to have a relaxing evening and see the sunset. Not only that, there are many activities to do such as walking, jogging, tasting sr Lankan street foods, fly kites and enjoy the fresh air. In the morning many people used to come to Galle face for exercising and in the fall of night street food vendors open their stalls where you can taste Sri Lanka's most famous 'Kottu Rotti' and 'Isso Wade'

15 min

The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, is a convention center located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Built between 1970 and 1973, the convention centre was a gift from the People's Republic of China in memory of Solomon Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike, Prime Minister

Admission not included45 min

Sambodhi Chaithya is a huge bell-shaped Buddhist stupa in Colombo Harbour, Sri Lanka. Unlike most stupas, it has the distinction of standing on two massive diagonally interlocking arches, allowing the shrine to be seen from out at sea. 30You'll have to take your shoes off when climbing the steps to the stupa and inside the stupa itself. The concrete steps of the access tower can get very hot during the heat of the day, so to avoid scorching your feet it's best to go in the early morning or late afternoon. Once you've finished visiting the stupa, it's worth spending some time exploring the grounds below it.

Pass by

The temple of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami DevasthanamKovil is one of the most beautiful and lovely attractions places of Sri Lanka. There are many beautiful and elegant paintings of God and Goddess. Also, there are beautiful carvings of an astrology chart. The inner roof of this temple is decorated with magnificent paintings. It is said that the temple of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami DevasthanamKovil is the most ancient Hindu temple in Colombo.

240 min

Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, has a long history as a port on old east-west exchange courses, administered progressively by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. That legacy is reflected in its engineering, blending pilgrim structures in with elevated structures and shopping centers. The monumental Colombo National Museum, committed to Sri Lankan history, outskirts rambling Viharamahadevi Park and its mammoth Buddha.

Pass by

Viharamahadevi Park or formally known as the Victoria park is the largest, oldest and most colorful park situated in the heart of Colombo. It is a perfect place to relax, for shady walks, picnics and most of all a great place to spend your time with your family.

Pass by

The railway line was started over 150 years ago by the British. The old Fort region of Colombo is one of the busiest areas of the city. In 1877 the Coastal Railway Line was created and that is when the first station was opened. At the time, the Central Terminus was in a place near Maradana, The location can still be seen as it is now serving as the Sri Lanka Railway Museum.

Pass by

Pettah is one of the oldest districts in Colombo. It is the most ethnically mixed place in the country. Large religious buildings represent a plethora of faiths, while more earthly pursuits can be found in market stalls and shops. The crowds in Pettah can become overwhelming during the morning and afternoon rush hours.

Pass by

St Anthony's Church is a monument of love and devotion to St. Anthony raised by all, rich and poor, in Colombo, as well as in the whole of Ceylon. May Anthony protect this City and this Island and all his devout is and lovers therein.

Pass by

Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar Devasthanam Kovil Temple is one of Sri Lanka's finest examples of Dravidian architecture. This temple in Kotahena, northeast of Pettah, is built of South Indian granite. It is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva; while not being too old, it is still a peerless example of ancient Dravidan architecture.

Highlights

Bottled water
Gangaramaya Temple- Entrance tickets
Wifi access upon request
Pickup & Drop Service by Air conditioned vehicle
Professional & expert English Speaking Driver

What's included

Included
Bottled water
Gangaramaya Temple- Entrance tickets
Wifi access upon request
Pickup & Drop Service by Air conditioned vehicle
Professional & expert English Speaking Driver
Not included
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Optional Activities
Entrance to the sights

Pickup Locations & Times

* Operator Will Reconfirm Your Pick-up Time in Advance * Pickup Only at Port and Participants Must Arrive by Cruise

Traveller Ratings

4.2
16 reviews
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10
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Important Information

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
  • Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
  • Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date

Reviews(16)

I
Ingrid_R
May 12, 2026
Go for the private tour option

There was some discrepancy in the descriptions on Viator. One part indicated the admission to the temple was included and in another section it stated that it was not. It was not a lot of money, but it should be corrected. The guide/driver communicated well and described many of the attractions we were seeing. We asked for a recommendation for a shop that sold Ceylon tea and he took us to a good store that also had tastings. But he then suggested a gem store. Unfortunately we had to go to that store since the other couple on the tour were interested. This is always a problem with a group tour. Next time we'll choose a private tour.

R
Rospaulhatdenrospaul
March 18, 2026
Let Down

Ship was 2 hrs late docking so no one to meet us. Went back on board and ship allowed us courtesy call t office who said they would organise an afternoon tour but only gave us 30 mins to get off ship get on coach to drop us at Port gate 1A. Asked driver to stop there - he drove straight through and stopped way down the road. My husband walked back to Gate 1A no one there. I walk with a stick we are in our late 70s. Had to resort to tuk tuk. Told non-refundable. Never use you again

A
Ann_L
March 6, 2026
Great insight to Colombo

VJ our guide was very knowledgeable and had a great personality. Not only did he guide us through interesting places but was able to answer all our questions about SriLankian history and living there.

Z
Z4586DKallanr
February 9, 2026
Highly recommend this tour, with this guide.

Great experience. The guide was knowledheable, caring and friendly..We learnt so much about Colombo in such a short period of time.

D
David_D
April 29, 2025
A good introduction to Colombo

A good tour with our excellent driver who took us in 4 hours around all the main sights in Colombo in his air conditioned car.

Operator response

Thank you for sharing your experience on our Colombo City around. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that your driver made the day comfortable and enjoyable in his air-conditioned car. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on another adventure in Sri Lanka soon!

E
Ebby1953
February 14, 2025
Just the right trip for the city

Good 4 hour trip seeing all the sights in the city centre. Driver was good on extremely busy city. Looked after the guests with care and comfortable van

Operator response

Dear Ebby1953, Thank you for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Colombo City Shore Excursion and found it to be the perfect way to explore the city. Navigating Colombo’s busy streets can be a challenge, so we’re glad that our driver ensured a smooth and comfortable experience while taking great care of you. Providing a safe and enjoyable journey is always our priority! We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on another memorable trip in Sri Lanka. Best regards, Apple Vacations Sri Lanka Team

C
Connector12813953103
December 18, 2023
Great Colombo Tour

Overall, we had a great time in Colombo. We arrived by cruise and this particular bus was not allowed to pick us up at disembarkation, so we had to ride a shuttle to the entrance of the terminal. There was a little bit of miscommunication concerning this. Also, this is not a car/private tour, it's a small group riding on a small bus. The tour itself was great. Our guide Dhan did an amazing job taking us to the must-see spots in Colombo. He was very courteous, knowledgeable and accommodating and even helped our group stop at a bank to get cash out for shopping. Our driver was a safe driver and maneuvered through the city with ease.

Operator response

Dear Customer , Thank you for sharing your experience from the Shore Excursion Colombo City tour. We're thrilled to hear that overall, you had a great time exploring Colombo with us. We apologize for any confusion regarding the pick-up point, and we appreciate your understanding. Your feedback is vital, and we'll work to ensure clearer communication for future guests arriving via cruise, aiming to streamline the process. We're delighted that despite the initial inconvenience, the tour itself met your expectations. It's fantastic to hear that our guide, Dhan, made the experience memorable with his courteous and knowledgeable guidance. We're glad he could assist your group with the stop at the bank, accommodating your needs. Safety and comfort are paramount to us, and we're pleased that our driver ensured a smooth and secure journey through the city. Thank you for choosing our tour, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again for another enjoyable exploration in the future. Warm regards, Jeev

S
Scotlandonholiday
December 17, 2023
Great city tour

The city tour was good even though the traffic was manic, the guide very informative and the lunch was exceptional.

Operator response

Dear Scotlandonholiday, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience of the Shore Excursion Colombo City tour! We're thrilled to learn that despite the bustling traffic, you found the tour to be a great experience. It's fantastic to hear that our guide managed to provide informative insights, enhancing your understanding and enjoyment of the city tour. We're glad to know that you found the lunch exceptional – we aim to offer a delightful culinary experience that complements the journey. Your feedback is incredibly valuable, and we appreciate your kind words. Should you plan to visit again or explore other destinations, we'd be honored to welcome you for another memorable excursion. Warm regards, Jeev

5
5family2010
November 22, 2023
Beautiful!

We were picked up from our ship, and had a fabulous day in Colombo, with so much to see and do, it was a small bus of around 12 people and our driver and guide were happy for to request photos stops as needed. Brilliant day, with many happy memories to take home to NZ ( we have suggested that the correspondence via whatsapp should you know to make your way out to the main terminal gates, as we wasted a bit of time to work this out, ended up phoning the whatspp number when couldn't find the group)

Operator response

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with our Shore Excursion Colombo City tour on Tripadvisor. We're delighted to hear that you had a fabulous day exploring Colombo and that there was so much to see and do. It's great to know that you found the small bus size of around 12 people to be comfortable, and our driver and guide were accommodating in allowing photo stops along the way. We aim to provide a memorable and enjoyable experience for our guests, and it sounds like we succeeded in creating many happy memories for you to take back to New Zealand. We appreciate your feedback regarding the correspondence via WhatsApp, and we will certainly take that into consideration to improve the communication process for future guests. Your input is valuable to us as we strive to enhance the overall experience for all our guests. Once again, thank you for choosing our tour, and we hope to welcome you back for another fantastic adventure in the future. If you have any more suggestions or questions, please feel free to reach out. Safe travels! 🌟

M
mark_b
November 14, 2023
Great things to see

We had a good time and saw some lovely sights 😀. The communication could have been better as we did not know we had to meet the tour guide outside the cruise port. The tour guide was friendly and stopped whenever we wanted to get a photo! He only gave us very basic knowledge about the places we visited. Overall a good experience 😀

Operator response

Dear Mark_B, Thank you for sharing your positive feedback about the Shore Excursion Colombo City tour. We are delighted to hear that you had a good time and enjoyed the beautiful sights of Colombo. Your compliment regarding the friendliness and accommodating nature of our tour guide is greatly appreciated. We always aim to provide a flexible and enjoyable experience, so it's wonderful to know that you were able to capture some memorable photos during your tour. We also take note of your comments regarding the communication about the meeting point and the depth of information provided about the places visited. We understand the importance of clear communication and detailed knowledge to enhance our guests' experiences. We are committed to improving in these areas and will ensure better clarity in our communication regarding meeting points in the future. Additionally, we will provide feedback to our tour guides to encourage more comprehensive insights about the various sights. Thank you again for your review. Your insights are invaluable in helping us improve our services. We hope to welcome you on another tour soon, where we can deliver an even more enriching experience. Warm regards, Niru

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