Half Day City Tour of Colombo
Description
Explore Colombo City in different Eyes. Sri Lanka's city, administrative, and judicial capital is Colombo. Colombo is a major port of the Indian Ocean and is located on the west coast of the island, just south of the Kelani River. The majority of Sri Lanka's international trade is conducted there, which has one of the biggest artificial ports in the world. Visit the most well-known sights in the capital of Sri Lanka during this tour to discover more about it. For first-time visitors, the family-friendly tour is strongly recommended. • Visit Colombo's bustling, populated cities to see marketplaces, historical landmarks, and the way of life of the locals. • Your journey will be made even more memorable by the drivers, who are courteous and trustworthy.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Colombo is the most famous in Sri Lanka. It was built just over 120 years ago and is dedicated to Buddhism. The temple is celebrated for its lavish architecture and statues showcasing Sri Lankan, Chinese, Thai, Burmese and other artistic styles.
Its 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.(Photo Stop)
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.
Independence Square is in the prestigious Cinnamon Gardens district of Colombo, Sri Lanka. It takes its name from the Independence Memorial Hall built there to commemorate the independence of Sri Lanka from British rule in 1948. Close to the Square is the Arcade, a modern shopping mall housed in former colonial government buildings.
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.
The railway line was started over a 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.
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.
Sri Ponnambala-waneswaram 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.
The new building for the Secretariat, Council Chamber, and Government offices will be completed in Colombo later this year. It will replace the current building, which was built during the British colonial era.
The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall is one of the foremost convention centres found on the island. BMICH has over 16,000 square feet of floor space. The construction of this convention center was a joint project between Sri Lankan and Chinese workers.
Sri Lankans purchase art to adorn their homes, hotels, offices, and as gifts. Nelum Pokuna street artisans have contributed their might to this endeavour. For tourists to take home, a painting depicting a local theme is the best memento.
The Lighthouse is one of the few lighthouses of the colonial era still operational to this date. The d in the lighthouse was commissioned so that worker in that area of Colombo can be more punctual since personal watches could not be afforded by everyone back in the day.
The tower was built in the early 20th century by a Parsi (hailed from Bombay) family of the name Khan. The four-story tall tower remains there to this day on a landscaped roundabout. Water fountain that's attached to it has long stopped working, but clock tower continues to function.
The temple of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil is one of the most beautiful and lovely attraction places of Sri Lanka. There are many beautiful and elegant paintings of God and Goddess. Also there are an 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 Devasthanam Kovil is the most ancient Hindu temples in Colombo.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
• Operator will reconfirm your pick-up time in advance • Arrive at the hotel lobby 10 minutes before your selected pick up time
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Comfortable walking shoes recommended for this tour.
- Littering & smoking is prohibited inside the vehicle.
- Please observe proper dress code when visiting the temples as a form of respect. The basic rule is to wear clothing that covers the shoulders, and knees (Participants are advised dress appropriately for this activity (long pants, long-sleeved shirt or scarf to cover shoulders, and closed shoes)
- Re-entry is not allowed after you leave the venue
- The exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date.
- We request all customers carry the Vaccination card while traveling (Digitally or Physically)
- Pickup will be commenced prior to start the tour time; you must contact us to verify your exact pickup time.
- Deposit trash in designated receptacles
- What to Bring - Sunscreen, Caps or hats, , Camera, Sunglasses
- When you entering to Hindu temple or Buddha temple, shoes and slippers must removed
Reviews(19)
It was booked last minute and was a good insight of Colombo. Managed to see quite a bit by driving around and also stopping off at places. Some of the places of worship have set visiting times so be mindful of that. Easy to contact via WhatsApp.
Driver was not very engaged and didn’t give us much commentary. We did see as much as we wanted to see but didn’t enjoy our driver
The tour was efficient in terms of time used. My guide was courteous, helpful and knowledgeable about the city and its history. It was time well spent, about two hours with little time wasted
Dear Guest, Thank you for your kind words about the Half Day City Tour of Colombo. We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour well-organized and that your guide’s courtesy and knowledge enhanced your experience. We truly appreciate you choosing Apple Vacations Sri Lanka and hope to welcome you again for another enjoyable journey across our beautiful island.
We saw a lot of Colombo in a few hours in a late model mini bus with air con. Driver was very good and with good English. However at end it was a bit difficult to get to any markets for shopping so we just visited one Brand shop as a friend wanted Ceylon Tea. All in all great value. They met us at the ship. Dropped us off at Port gate on return and we took shuttle buses from there to the ship The hlghlight was the Buddhist temple and also Colombo was very very tidy and all be it a lot of old infrastructure littering was not evident. Most surprising and impressive. Sri Lanka is definitely worth a visit. Our trip was too short. Plenty more to see for sure. Read less ^ Explore Search Plan Review Account
Dear Balivilla4u1, Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Half-Day City Tour of Colombo and found it to be great value. It’s wonderful that you had a smooth journey in our air-conditioned mini-bus and that your driver’s service met your expectations. We appreciate your feedback about shopping options at the end of the tour. While we aim to cover key highlights within the limited time available, we understand that more market stops would have been ideal. We'll certainly take this into account for future improvements. It’s fantastic to hear that you were impressed by Colombo’s cleanliness and enjoyed the visit to the Buddhist temple. Sri Lanka truly has so much to offer, and we hope you’ll return for a longer stay to explore even more! Thank you once again for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back in the future. Best regards, Jeev
Friendly humble well mannered driver/guide. Knowledgeable about history of places to be visited.Delivered whatever promised.
Thank you, Lalit, for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear that you had a wonderful experience on your Colombo city tour. It’s great to know that your driver/guide made a positive impression with their friendly and humble nature, as well as their knowledge of the city’s history. We always strive to deliver exactly what we promise, and we’re delighted that we met your expectations. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again for more memorable experiences in the future. Safe travels!
We did it our own. It was a 6 nights and 7 days family tour of Sri Lanka. We were 5 (4 adults and 1 baby<2). Airport to airport taxi for the whole journey was amazing! The spacious taxi was full of comfort and convenience. It was dedicated to us 24x7 with an English speaking guide cum driver! We covered Colombo, Trincomalee, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Elia, Ella, Yala, Bentota with comfortable stay at different places managed by our own. The guide facilitated us with best of Indian food at various places of stay. The beaches, the mountains, the places of religious importance and the visit of Yala National Park were superb.
Dear blswarnkar, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience on Tripadvisor regarding your recent family trip to Sri Lanka in October 2024. We are delighted to hear that you had a comfortable and enjoyable 6-night, 7-day journey, and that the airport-to-airport taxi service met your expectations. It's fantastic that our guide/driver was able to provide the convenience and support you needed, including assistance with finding the best Indian food along the way. We are glad that you had the opportunity to explore such beautiful and diverse destinations in Sri Lanka, from Colombo to Trincomalee, Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Yala, and Bentota. Your feedback inspires us to continue delivering exceptional service to families like yours. Thank you again for choosing us, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back on your next visit to Sri Lanka! Warm regards, Customer Relations Manager Apple Vacations Pvt Ltd
Navi and Bala - our guide and driver - were very friendly and helpful. They took us to see many of the wonderful sights in central Colombo and responded to all our questions.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience of the Half Day City Tour of Colombo on Viator, Jimmy! We're thrilled to hear that Navi and Bala, our guide and driver, provided you with a memorable and enjoyable tour of central Colombo. Their friendliness and helpfulness in showing you around and answering your questions truly reflect our commitment to providing exceptional service to our guests. Exploring the wonderful sights of Colombo with knowledgeable and accommodating guides like Navi and Bala can indeed make for a delightful experience. We're glad they were able to enhance your visit and showcase the beauty and culture of our city. We appreciate your feedback and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for more exploration and discovery in Colombo in the future!
I guess I was expecting a tour with a guide who explained the history of Colombo. I had a driver who pointed out buildings, many which had the use on a sign. I visited an interesting temple but the driver didn’t compute to explain the significance so I am still unaware of its significance. Visiting a park was of little value when the explanation was this is where families come on the weekends. The three hour “tour” was completed in under two hours including the late arrival of the driver. I noted that other tourists had their guide explaining the places where we stopped. It was poor value for what I received.
Dear Customer, Thank you for providing additional details about your experience with the Half Day City Tour of Colombo booked through Apple Vacations. We appreciate your feedback and would like to address the specific points you raised: Non-Entry to Gangaramaya Temple and Hindu Temple: We understand that the inability to enter and explore these temples was a significant disappointment. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this. It's essential that the itinerary accurately reflects the inaccessibility of certain sites to ensure realistic expectations for participants. Moving forward, we will make sure to clearly communicate such limitations to travelers in advance. We recognize the importance of experiencing these cultural sites fully. Tour Duration and Time Allocation: It's regrettable that the tour was completed in under two hours despite your booking indicating a longer duration. We apologize for this discrepancy and any inconvenience it may have caused. We understand the importance of accurate time allocation, and we will work with our local partners to ensure that tours are conducted as per the advertised duration in the future. Sightseeing Explanations: We appreciate your note that some road-side buildings were meant for sightseeing only and not for detailed explanations. We will strive to clarify this in the itinerary to avoid any misunderstandings in the future. It's essential that our customers have a clear understanding of which stops are meant for in-depth exploration and which are for passing sightseeing. Your feedback helps us improve our services and prevent similar experiences for future travelers. We value your patronage, and we want to ensure that you have the best possible experience with Apple Vacations. We are committed to making the necessary adjustments to our tours and communications to provide you with a more satisfying and educational tour experience. Please feel free to reach out to our customer service team if you have any more concerns or if you'd like to discuss alternative tour options. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to serving you better in the future. Thank you for choosing Apple Vacations, and we aim to make your future travel experiences with us more enjoyable. Regards Suren
Hi Viator, now we are back from our vacation in Sri Lanka, I can write about our Half Day City Tour experience in Colombo on 8/12/2023 in the afternoon. The “tour guide” is not a professional tour guide at all. He did come to pick us up at the hotel at 2:30pm, he basically ended up driving us around to a few tourist spots and that’s it. We each paid $30 (total of $60), which is a lot of money in Sri Lanka, but we got no tour in terms of explanation of the sites or culture or history at all. His English was terrible, when he dropped us off at a site, he left us alone and then he talked on his cell phone. At one point he drove us to a big souvenir shop as a tour site and I had to told him that we did not want to shop, we wanted city site-seeing and a tour. He did not deliver the tour at all, he just drove us to sites and that’s it. At one point, he even drove to a car repair shop and had a mechanic to look at one of his tires. He also talked on his cell phone while he was driving. The whole half day city tour was ridiculous. We have done many Viator programs in various cities and countries, this one does not live up to the Viator standards at all. We suggest that you stop using that tour company period!!!
Apple Vacations went the extra mile to ensure I saw everything I wanted to of Colombo. My guide was very friendly and knowledgeable of all the sights. Overall, a great tour worth the money - especially for those travelling solo (I felt comfortable the entire time). Would recommend to anyone, travelling solo or in a group!
Hello Emma_L, Thank you for taking the time to share your fantastic experience with Apple Vacations' Half Day City Tour of Colombo on Viator! We're thrilled to learn that you had such a great time exploring Colombo with us. Our team at Apple Vacations is committed to providing our guests with the best possible experience, and we're delighted to hear that we went the extra mile to ensure you saw everything you wanted to in Colombo. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we're glad that you found the tour to be worth the money. We take immense pride in our knowledgeable and friendly guides, and we're pleased to know that your guide was able to enhance your tour by providing insightful information about all the sights in Colombo. It's important to us that our guests feel comfortable and well taken care of throughout the entire journey, especially for solo travelers like yourself. We greatly appreciate your recommendation to both solo travelers and groups. Your kind words motivate us to continue delivering exceptional experiences to all our guests. Once again, thank you for choosing Apple Vacations for your tour in Colombo. If you decide to explore more destinations in the future, we would be honored to be a part of your journey again. Best regards, Jeev
