Colombo city tour itinerary

The Colombo city tour itinerary is a short program specially designed for travelers who can allocate only 5 hours for the Colombo city tour itinerary. The Colombo city tour starts at 8:00 a.m. from the hotel in Colombo (however, the pickup location and time are flexible). The Colombo city tour itinerary is planned in such a way that it covers all major historical, religious and natural attractions as well as shopping areas within 5 hours. 

History of Colombo

In the novel Gamperaliya, veteran novelist Martin Wikramsinghe’s Colombo is a place of glamour and destitution—a small city where spectacular wealth and poverty live side by side. This lethal combination develops a thriving underbelly, which Martin Wickramasinghe brings to life in the small portion of his novel that he dedicates to talking about Colombo. However, Martin Wikramsinghe did not highlight the fascinating blend of history and modernity in the city, which makes a fascinating blend visible to any traveler on the first glimpse of this metropolis.

History and modernity, wealth and poverty are all converging in this populated city, which is also home to many interesting tourist attractions, luxurious hotels, shopping malls, and places for recreational activities. Foreign governments around the world advised their citizens to avoid Colombo during the thirty years of civil war, which ended in 2009. Colombo was a dangerous place to hang around due to the unexpected bomb blasts. Business folk, tourists, gangsters, drug dealers, and civilians rub their shoulders in this populated neighborhood.

Colombo had been a well-known city in the region among the Arabian, Chinese, Indian, Persian, and Roman traders as early as the pre-Christian era. Sri Lanka is located on the East-West Sea route and is visited by traders in order to exchange their goods with local traders. Even though Colombo was a well-known city among the ancient traders 2,000 years ago, the capital city of the country was Anuradhapura. There was an Arabian settlement in the city of Colombo at the mouth of the Kelani River.

Arab traders were exporting goods from the port of Colombo. Goods such as cinnamon, ivory, gems, and elephants were exported by the king of Kotte with the help of Arabs. With the beginning of the British colonial period, Colombo received a prominent place as the capital of Ceylon. Colombo was the capital of the island from 1815 to 1978, when the administrative capital was moved to Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte.

Visiting the Cinnamon Garden on the Colombo city tour itinerary

The Colombo city tour takes the visitors through bustling Pettah to Colombo 7, better known as Cinnamon Garden, the neighborhood of the rich Colombo residents, where stupendous mansions and beautiful gardens take center stage. The fame of the cinnamon garden began with the arrival of British colonial rulers, who built their living quarters in the cinnamon garden. The majority of tourist attractions are concentrated in and around the Cinnamon Garden.

Now, you might be imagining a cinnamon garden within Colombo that spreads over a huge area. No, it is a cinnamon island sans cinnamon. (If you like to visit a cinnamon garden, please book a Bentota tour to the Madu River Safari.) You don't see cinnamon plants because the island existed during the British colonial era, and later it was converted into the living quarter of rich people in Sri Lanka. However, the area is still called Cinnamon Island. 

Is the Colombo city tour itinerary right for you?

• The entire trip is private (transfers and sightseeing); only you and your associates take part in the journey.
• This one-day trip packs a lot. It’s one of the most popular Sri Lanka tours that we run in our original style, perfect for those who look for a one-week trip and have a desire to do the most with it. If you are after a more leisurely trip in Sri Lanka or a shorter trip, please check out our other tour itineraries.
• Sri Lanka can get extremely hot in the summer. While we aim to do our walking tours early in the morning or afternoon, when it’s cooler, there may be instances that we have to do the walking tour during the midday due to time constraints. Remember to keep water on you and to bring a hat, sunscreen, a long-sleeved shirt, and anything else that will protect you from the sun.
• Part of traveling with Intrepid means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. That way, you get the most out of your interactions with local people and environments. We visit a number of temples on this trip, and to enter them, you must have clothes that cover your wrists and below the knee. Sometimes you have to remove the head covers and shoes upon entering the temple. Please click here to know more about the rules and regulations pertaining to Sri Lanka temple visits.

Places included in the Colombo city tour itinerary

• Colombo National Museum
• Simammalaka
• Gangarama temple
• Hindu temple
• Old Parliament
• Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo 7
• Galle face green
• Independence Memorial Hall
• Hindu temple
• Beira Lake
• Majestic City, Odel, and Lakmedura handicrafts
• Pettah and Dutch hospital shopping precinct

Inclusions in the Colombo city tour itinerary

• All entrance fees and activity costs, as per the tour itinerary
• Pickup and drop-off port of the hotel in Colombo
• All sightseeing tours as per the tour itinerary
• Entire ground transportation by an air-conditioned private vehicle
• Service of an English-speaking chauffeur-guide for the entire tour
• Mineral water during sightseeing tours and overland trips

Exclusions from the Colombo city tour itinerary

• Gratuities
• Meals and drinks

Cancellation policy

Cancel five days prior to arrival for a full refund.

Choose your payment method.

We offer you mainly three payment options: credit card payments, bank transfers, or payment on arrival. You can choose whatever is the most convenient payment option for you. If you opt for payment on arrival, we will collect a 10% advance payment from you as a guarantee once the booking is confirmed. 

Colombo City Tour