Colombo
Colombo is Sri Lanka's busy commercial capital, with colonial buildings in the Fort, the crowded bazaars of Pettah and the seafront Galle Face Green.
(opens the tour on Viator in a new tab)The city on foot
Colombo was a trading port for centuries under Portuguese, Dutch and British rule.
Fort and Pettah sit next to each other and are best explored with a guide.
What makes Colombo distinctive
- The Fort district
- Pettah bazaars
- Galle Face Green
- Street food
Walking tours in Colombo
Hand-picked guided walks in Colombo, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.
Advertising disclosure: tour links go to Viator. If you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not affect the price you pay or which tours we choose.
Colombo Walking Tour: Fort & Pettah with Ajeet De Soyza (opens Viator in a new tab)
A small-group walk through Colombo's Fort and Pettah. Tour details: Colombo Walking Tour: Fort & Pettah with Ajeet De Soyza
Guided in English
See dates & bookBooked securely on Viator
Rustic taste & Cultural tales Food Tour Colombo (opens Viator in a new tab)
A food walk through Colombo's diverse cuisine. Tour details: Rustic taste & Cultural tales Food Tour Colombo
Guided in English, French
See dates & bookBooked securely on Viator
The 10 Tastings of Colombo With Locals: Private Street Food Tour (opens Viator in a new tab)
A private food walk through Colombo with ten tastings. Tour details: The 10 Tastings of Colombo With Locals: Private Street Food Tour
Guided in English, ta
See dates & bookBooked securely on Viator
By theme: Food tours in Colombo
Compare with other cities: Food tours
More walking tours on GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide sells many of the same walks and some that Viator doesn't. Their list for Colombo is chosen and ranked by GetYourGuide, not by us.
Search Colombo on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
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Main sights
- Galle Face Green
A seafront promenade.
Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Galle Face Green (opens in a new tab) - Pettah Market
Crowded bazaar streets.
Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Pettah Market (opens in a new tab) - Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque
A red and white striped mosque.
Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (opens in a new tab) - Old Dutch Hospital
A colonial building with restaurants.
Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Old Dutch Hospital (opens in a new tab) - Gangaramaya Temple
A busy Buddhist temple.
Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Gangaramaya Temple (opens in a new tab)
Ticket links are affiliate links: if you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Neighbourhoods worth wandering
- Fort
Colonial buildings.
- Pettah
Bazaars.
- Cinnamon Gardens
Leafy suburbs.
Fort and Pettah
A free self-guided walk in Colombo, from the Old Dutch Hospital through the Fort to Pettah's markets and the Red Mosque.
See the walkBest areas to explore on foot
- Galle Face Green
Seafront.
- Pettah
Markets.
- Beira Lake
Around the lake.
Practical walking notes
- Terrain
Flat.
- Heat
Hot and humid.
- Traffic
Busy roads.
When to visit
- West coast dry season
December to April is best.
- Monsoon
May to September is wetter.
Getting there and getting around
Arriving
- By air
Bandaranaike Airport is about an hour away.
Local transport
- Tuk-tuks
Use ride-hailing apps for fair fares.
- Trains
Run along the coast.
Questions travellers ask about Colombo
How many days do I need?
One or two days.
Is Colombo walkable?
The Fort and Pettah are.
What should I eat?
Kottu, hoppers and rice and curry.
Other cities in Sri Lanka
Sources and review date
- Colombo, Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-28)
- Colombo, Wikivoyage (accessed 2026-10-28)