Colombo City Tour And Private Guided
Traveler rating
1.5/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Colombo City Tour And Private Guided worth booking?
Colombo City Tour And Private Guided is a 9-hour experience in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from $55 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 1.5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- 1.5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $55 per person
This City Tour of Colombo, focuses on exploring the commercial capital of Sri Lanka-Colombo. Bustling with energy all day long, this is a city of vibrant colours and rich culture, offering fascinating insights into the national psyche of Sri Lanka. During your brief stay, you will be able to visit the old Wolfendhal Dutch Church (built in 1749), a Hindu Temple, the famous Gangarama Temple situated facing the Beira Lake. On your way around the city, you will also witness a plethora of shopping malls housing designer brands, beautifully landscaped gardens and colonial precincts such as the Dutch Hospital and more.
What you get
About this experience
This City Tour of Colombo, focuses on exploring the commercial capital of Sri Lanka-Colombo. Bustling with energy all day long, this is a city of vibrant colours and rich culture, offering fascinating insights into the national psyche of Sri Lanka. During your brief stay, you will be able to visit the old Wolfendhal Dutch Church (built in 1749), a Hindu Temple, the famous Gangarama Temple situated facing the Beira Lake. On your way around the city, you will also witness a plethora of shopping malls housing designer brands, beautifully landscaped gardens and colonial precincts such as the Dutch Hospital and more.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Parking fees
Not included
- Personal expenses
- Lunch
- Entrance ticket
What you'll see and do
Gangaramaya Temple
Gangaramaya is a Buddhist temple with a fusion of modern architecture and a touch of culture. Being a popular landmark of the city, this complex is built on a lake and consists of a temple, a conference hall for Buddhist monks and a vocational training institute.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Independence Square
Independence Memorial Hall in Sri Lanka is mostly popular as a recreational venue for joggers, strolling couples, students from the nearby university and families looking for a refreshing reprieve from the urban environment of Colombo. Independence Memorial Hall is located in the Independence Square at Colombo 7. This place is known as Torrington Square in early days. This Hall was built for the commemoration of the independence from British in 1948. The hall was built at the location where the formal ceremony marking the start of self-rule, with the opening of the first parliament by the HRH Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester occurring at a special podium February 4, 1948. This Hall is based on the architecture of the Audience Hall( Magul Maduwa) located in Kandy. The column and pillers are decorated with traditional Sri Lankan designs and statues of lions are placed around the building.
30 minutes here
Colombo National Museum
The Colombo Museum as it was called at the beginning was established on 1st January 1877. It founder was Sir William Henry Gregory, the British Governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) at the time. The Royal Asiatic Society (CB) was instrumental in bringing to the notice of Gregory on his appointment as Governor in 1872 the need for a public museum with much difficulty the approval of the legislative council was obtained within a year. The Architect of the Public Works Department, J.G. Smither was able to prepare the plans for new structure on Italian architectural style. The construction was completed in 1876 and the Museum commenced it functions in the following year.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
New Kathiresan Kovil
The Kathiresan kovil or Puthiya (new) Kathiresan kovil is a beautiful one easily recognizable from Galle Road in Bambalapitiya -the temple is dedicated to the war God Skanda or Murugan.Kovils are typically vertical structures heavily adorned with images from Hindu mythology. On the corners of the roof of the Kathiresan kovil you'll find Bhairava the Frightful, a fierce manifestation of Shiva.The men selling garlands at the front gate told us that the temple is likely more than a hundred years old.The kovil has both old and new sections, some parts in bright colours and some in gold paint - it's all very grand and superfluous, but the craftsmanship of the artist behind the sculpted figures is amazing. At the back of the premises to the left are the Kathiresan Hall and further in Manikka Pillaiyar Kalai Rangam, halls where weddings are often carried out.If you go round the back of the temple, you'll also find some cages of love birds and cockatoos and even a pretty peahen.
30 minutes here
One Galle Face
One Galle Face is a mixed-use complex of buildings currently being built near the Galle Face Green in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is also Sri Lanka's first internationally and developed and managed mixed use project and was officially opened on 8 November 2019
60 minutes here
Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct
Hospital Street where we are located becomes a cozy street every night with lots of activities from Cultural Shows, Jazz Nights, Jam Session Nights, Karaoke Nights, Ladies Nights, Street Food Festival Nights and we have bands playing outside
120 minutes here
Old Parliament Building
Travelling past Colombo’s Galle Face Green towards the area known as Fort, a cityscape looms. In the background, silvery skyscrapers and cream-colored buildings dominate. You will notice a building close to the sea whose dimensions are in complete contrast, being several hundred meters long and only three storey’s high. This Neo-Baroque-style building was built during the British colonial era to house the Legislative Council of Ceylon. It was built on an idea of Sir Henry McCallum, which led to a proposal made by a committee to construct the new building for the Secretariat, Council Chamber and Government offices on reclaimed land at the northern end of Galle Face’ were accepted by the Government in 1920. The chief architect of the Public Works Department, A. Woodson was responsible for the design of the building with his initial estimate of Rs 400,000 for the scheme being later revised Rs 450,000, taking into account the extra expenses involved.
Pass by without stopping
Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque
Colombo Red Mosque, also known as Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid, is literally an architectural wonder for the world that would stun you with its unusual color patterns and unconventional yet amazing design. Located in Pettah district, this oldest mosque towers over the buildings and streets in the neighborhood with its tall minarets and had been once a reliable landmark for the sailors coming towards Colombo port. Here both men and women are granted access, but you have to be clad in decent clothes and cover your head and respect the customs. The unconventional red tone has won the name,' red mosque', for this beauty
10 minutes here · Admission included
The Lotus Tower also referred to as Colombo Lotus Tower, is a tower of 350 m (1,150 ft), located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sinhala Name is ' Nelum Kuluna " You can go to the top here and use the elevator. This is the tallest tower in South Asia. When you go to the top, you can see the very impressive city of Colombo.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Private Guided Colombo City Tour from Colombo
Pickup included
from colombo or negombo
Privet tour Duration: 10 hours southern highway to colombo Car / Van Pickup included
from galle/hikkaduwa/mirissa
Duration: 9 hours southern highway to colombo Car / Van Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Lanka tours & transfers (Pvt) Ltd.
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for Colombo City Tour And Private Guided. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Guide was personable but...
Guide was personable but was basically a driver, not tour guide, offering little commentary. He was late for pickup with no apology. Itinerary didn’t match what was advertised, leaving out the national museum and adding some shopping sites. The mosque was already closed for the day when we arrived. I was able to see much of Colombo with all the driving around, but with little commentary to explain what I was seeing.
via Viator
Disaster Colombo City Tour
Driver was 2 hours late. Viator blaming Tour Company and Tour Company blaming Viator. They charged me £172.00 for a half baked tour. I booked it early as we had a wedding event in the evening. F I had not contacted Viator we could have been sitting all day in the lobby. Then we get a car come but then half way they decide to change drivers so that was another half hour wasted. No water was provided on the trip and there were tiny flies in the car. Overall experience was very bad will never use this company again. We used Bentota Travel Mart and they were amazing we had one driver for 3 days and he was excellent car was very clean aircon was in very good working order. Please do not book this tour.
Response from the operator: We accept that there was a 30-minute delay, but not a 2-hour delay as mentioned. We informed the client in advance about the 30-minute delay, and the client accepted it. To ensure their comfort, we arranged a larger vehicle at no additional cost. The driver change did not take any extra 30 minutes, as claimed. Regarding the expressway entrance, due to standard access procedures, we had to use the normal road, which usually takes around 30 minutes. We also provided an experienced tour driver to ensure a smooth and safe journey. The main issue arose when the client requested to do only a half-day tour because they needed to attend a wedding function in the evening. They then asked for a 50% refund for the unused half day. However, we had already allocated a vehicle and driver for the full day, so a refund is not applicable. We always aim to provide our services without time limitations and with full professionalism. Therefore, we cannot agree with the client’s claims in their review, as the situation was not caused by our service
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $55 to $120
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Lanka tours & transfers (Pvt) Ltd., who run 13 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 46.4.
See everything Lanka tours & transfers (Pvt) Ltd. runsWhy this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Colombo City Tour And Private Guided: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Colombo.
How much does Colombo City Tour And Private Guided cost?
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Prices start at $55 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Colombo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Colombo City Tour And Private Guided take?
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Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Colombo is not rushed.
Is Colombo City Tour And Private Guided worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (1.5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Colombo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Colombo City Tour And Private Guided?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Colombo City Tour And Private Guided suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Colombo City Tour And Private Guided?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Colombo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Colombo and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Colombo City Tour And Private Guided start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Colombo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Colombo?
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On Outty we rank every Colombo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Flexi dates on all 5 to 7 days packages for car and English speaking driver, Sri Lanka Personal Tour Driver in private vehicle, Private Multi Day Sri Lanka Tour with Chauffeur. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Colombo?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Colombo?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Colombo City Tour And Private Guided?
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Included: Private transportation; Bottled water; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Parking fees. Not included: Personal expenses; Lunch; and Entrance ticket. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Colombo City Tour And Private Guided include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 960 listed pickup locations in and around Colombo. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Colombo City Tour And Private Guided offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Colombo City Tour And Private Guided?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Colombo City Tour And Private Guided wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Colombo City Tour And Private Guided if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What booking options are available for Colombo City Tour And Private Guided?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including Private Guided Colombo City Tour from Colombo, from colombo or negombo, from galle/hikkaduwa/mirissa. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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