Overview
Book any journey with us and we'll add a complimentary open-deck double-decker sightseeing tour of Colombo, Sri Lanka's original hop-on city bus, at no extra cost. See the fort, the temples, the harbour and the colonial streets from the top deck before you head out to explore the rest of the island: Independence Square, Gangaramaya Temple, the Old Parliament Building, Galle Face Green, Port City, Pettah Market, the Lotus Tower and more.
What's included
- Private Air-Conditioned Vehicle
- Professional English-Speaking Chauffeur Guide
- Fuel, Parking & Highway Tolls
- Government Taxes
- Open-Top Double-Decker Bus Tour of Colombo
Highlights
- An open-top double-decker sightseeing bus, Colombo’s original
- Included free with every Majesty Tours journey
- Independence Square and the Memorial Hall
- Gangaramaya Temple and Beira Lake
- The Old Parliament Building and the colonial fort
- Pettah Market and the Red Mosque
- Galle Face Green at sunset
- Port City and the Lotus Tower
What to expect
Fort: The colonial quarter
The old commercial heart, where Dutch and British buildings stand in the shadow of the new towers. The 1877 railway station, the Old Parliament facing the sea, and the Dutch Hospital, the oldest building in the city and now a courtyard of restaurants and shops.
- Colombo Fort railway station
- The Old Parliament Building
- The Dutch Hospital precinct
- Old and new skyline together
Pettah: The market streets
Immediately east of the fort, Pettah is a grid of streets that each sell one thing: a street of hardware, a street of fabric, a street of fruit. The scarlet-and-white Jami-Ul-Alfar mosque rises out of the middle of it.
- Pettah Market
- Jami-Ul-Alfar, the Red Mosque
- The street of a hundred fabric shops
- A Hindu kovil in the old town
Beira Lake: Gangaramaya Temple
Colombo’s best-known temple is a magpie’s nest of a place, with Sri Lankan, Thai, Burmese and Chinese architecture in one compound, with a museum of donated objects and a shrine out on the lake reached by a footbridge.
- Gangaramaya Temple
- The Seema Malaka shrine on the water
- Beira Lake and the footbridge at dusk
Cinnamon Gardens: Independence Square
The green, quiet end of the city. The Memorial Hall was built for independence in 1948 in the style of a Kandyan audience hall, and the arcade beneath it is where Colombo comes to walk in the evening.
- Independence Memorial Hall
- The memorial fountains
- The colonnade and the evening walkers
The seafront: Galle Face and Port City
The last stretch runs along the ocean. Galle Face Green fills up at sunset with kite sellers and food carts; beyond it the reclaimed Port City and the Lotus Tower, the tallest structure in South Asia, light up as it gets dark.
- Galle Face Green at sunset
- Street food along the green
- Port City Colombo
- The Lotus Tower, lit up after dark
Gallery
Good to know
- Cost
- Free, included with every Majesty Tours journey at no extra cost
- How long
- Around half a day, usually on your first or last day on the island
- The bus
- An open-top double-decker; the top deck is the point, so sun protection helps
- Good for
- A first orientation on arrival, or filling the gap before a late departure flight
- Dress code
- Shoulders and knees covered for Gangaramaya; shoes off at the shrine
- Included
- Private vehicle, chauffeur guide, fuel, parking, tolls and the double-decker bus tour
Best time to go
Colombo works all year. The city is hottest and most humid in March and April, and the late-afternoon run along Galle Face Green is the best of it in any month, which is why the tour is usually timed to end at sunset. October to December brings the heaviest afternoon rain, and an open top deck is less appealing then.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Colombo City Tour really free?
Yes. Book any journey with us and the open-top double-decker sightseeing tour is added at no extra cost. It is not a deposit, an upsell or a timeshare presentation. It is a city tour we include because most travellers pass through Colombo anyway.
When does it happen?
Usually on your first day, as an orientation, or on your last, to fill the hours before a late flight. Both work. Tell us which suits your arrival and departure times.
Can I book it on its own without a tour?
The complimentary version comes with a journey. If you only want the city tour, message us on WhatsApp and we will quote it as a standalone half day with a private vehicle and guide.
How long does it take?
About half a day. That covers the fort, Pettah, Gangaramaya, Independence Square and the seafront at a pace that leaves time to get out and walk.
What should I wear?
Light clothing and sun protection for the open top deck, and something that covers shoulders and knees for Gangaramaya Temple. Shoes come off at the shrine.
Is it worth it if I have been to Colombo before?
If you have only ever passed through the airport, yes. Most people have not actually seen the city. If you know Colombo well, tell us and we will use the time on the coast or in Negombo instead.
Ready to plan The Colombo City Tour?
Tell us your travel dates and we'll confirm availability and a final quote.