• Lotus Tower - Colombo Lotus Tower

Lotus Tower (Sinhala: නෙළුම් කුළුණ; Tamil: தாமரைக் கோபுரம்), also known as Colombo Lotus Tower, stands at 350 meters (1,150 feet) tall in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is recognized as a symbolic landmark of the country. As of 2019, it is the tallest self-supported structure in South Asia, the second tallest structure in South Asia after the guy-wire-supported INS Kattabomman in India, the 11th tallest tower in Asia, and the 19th tallest tower globally. Initially proposed for construction in Peliyagoda, the Sri Lankan government later decided to relocate it. The lotus-shaped tower serves purposes of communication, observation, and leisure. The construction cost is estimated at USD 113 million.

• Colombo Fort - President’s House

President’s House is the official residence and workplace of the President of Sri Lanka, situated at Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo. Since 1804, it has served as the residence for British governors, governors-general, and Sri Lankan presidents, previously known as the “King’s House” or “Queen’s House” until Sri Lanka became a republic in 1972. A total of 29 governors and six presidents have resided or used it officially. Currently, it is used by Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka, for state functions. The Presidential Secretariat operates as the president’s office, with much of the presidential staff based there.

• Colombo Fort Clock Tower - Colombo Fort Old Lighthouse & Clock Tower (Pass By)

Constructed as a clock tower in 1856-57 and completed on February 25, 1857, the tower was designed by Emily Elizabeth Ward, wife of Governor Sir Henry George Ward (1797-1860). The Public Works Department, under Mr. John Flemming Churchill (Director General of Public Works), oversaw the construction. At 29 meters (95 feet) high, it was the tallest structure in Colombo at the time. The original clock, commissioned for £1,200 in 1814 by Governor Sir Robert Brownrigg (1759-1833), was stored due to economic reasons until its installation in 1857. The lighthouse was deactivated on July 12, 1952, after its light was obscured by nearby buildings. The modern Galle Buck Lighthouse on Marine Drive replaced it.

• Colombo Lighthouse - Colombo Galbokka Lighthouse

The current 29-meter-high (95 ft) lighthouse was constructed in 1952 after the Old Colombo Lighthouse was deactivated due to its light being obscured by nearby buildings as part of the Colombo Harbor Expansion project. It was inaugurated by Rt Hon D.S. Senanayake, the first prime minister of Ceylon. Built on a 12-meter (39 ft) high concrete base, it features four lion statues at its base. Offering a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean, it became a city landmark. However, public access was restricted during the Sri Lankan Civil War due to its location in a high-security zone, across from the Naval Headquarters and near the Port of Colombo.

• Galle Face Green - Galle Face Green

Galle Face Green has always been significant to Colombo residents, with the British credited for making it a social hub, as it remains today. During colonial times, the British used Galle Face Green for leisure, especially in the evenings when elite ladies promenaded its length. Activities like cricket, football, polo, and horse racing were popular here. Horse racing gained popularity in the 1840s, and the Ceylon Turf Club was established between 1840 and 1860, though official records began in 1866. The formal seaside walk was constructed during Governor Ward’s period in 1859, with a plaque commemorating his contribution to providing a social gathering place for Colombo residents.

• Cargills Department Store - Cargills Department Store

In 1844, British businessman William Milne founded ‘Milne & Company’, general warehousemen and importers of oilman stores, with branches in Kandy and Galle. In 1850, Milne partnered with his friend, David Sime Cargill, and the firm became ‘Milne, Cargill & Co’. In 1860, Milne retired from business in Ceylon and returned to England to establish a company in Glasgow to manage Cargill & Co.’s UK operations. Cargill became the sole partner until David MacKenzie joined, and the name changed to ‘Cargill & Co’. The company had offices in Colombo at the intersection of Price and York Streets, in Kandy at Upper Lake Road, and in Galle Fort at 22 Pedlar Street. The Galle office closed in 1863.

• Old Town Hall - Old Town Hall

The building is located amidst the bustling shops and street stalls of Pettah. Featuring arches, needlepoint columns, crumbling yellow walls, and creaky staircases, it resembles a haunted mansion, making it a fun visit with friends later in the day. There is no entrance fee; visitors can simply walk in and ask someone near the main staircase for permission to explore. A small museum of interesting old items is located next to the building. Sugath, the current caretaker, will guide visitors up creaky wooden steps to a musty upstairs floor. Adjacent to the museum are well-maintained rooms with many chairs and wooden tables, still used for official meetings, according to Sugath.

• Pettah - Pettah market streets are the hub for locals to shop for everything they need, available in various qualities and prices. The area appears chaotic, with narrow market streets filled with locals searching for necessities, shouting street vendors, and tuk-tuks bustling around. The tour will take visitors through these market streets in a Tuk Tuk, allowing them to experience the vibrant atmosphere firsthand.
• Temple of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil - Sri Kailasanathar Swami Devasthanam (temple) is located behind the Colombo Fort railway station. Also known as Captain’s Garden Hindu Temple and Kapikaawatha Shivan Temple, it is believed to be the oldest Hindu temple in Colombo, with a history dating back to the 17th century. Although the buildings are not ancient, the classic architecture and sculpture are impressive. A chauffeur will guide visitors on a tour inside the temple, providing interesting information.
• Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque - The mosque is an iconic structure located in the Pettah district of Colombo. Its striking red and white swirl pattern makes it a popular tourist attraction. Designed in 1908 by Habibu Lebbe Saibu Lebbe, an Indian Muslim trader who settled in Sri Lanka in the early 1900s, the mosque is a must-see. The tour will pass by this iconic building, allowing for a brief stop to take photos.
• Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple - Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple

This vibrant Buddhist temple, with a history of 120 years, is the most visited temple in Colombo. It houses a small museum with a collection of various artifacts and antiques from Sri Lanka and different Buddhist cultures, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai. “Seema Malaka,” an assembly hall for monks designed by renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, is located on a lake near the temple premises and is a popular venue in Colombo. Visitors will be accompanied by a chauffeur who will provide information.

• Viharamahadevi Park - Viharamahadevi Park (Pass By)

Viharamahadevi Park, formerly known as Victoria Park, is a public park located in Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo, in front of the colonial-era Town Hall. Built by British colonial rulers, it is the oldest and largest park in Colombo. Originally named “Victoria Park” after Queen Victoria, it was renamed after Queen Viharamahadevi, a Sri Lankan queen. The park features stunning tropical trees, fountains, and a beautiful statue of Lord Buddha, making it ideal for a leisurely walk. The tour will stop here for visitors to take memorable photos.

• Private transportation
• Bottled water
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Tea and coffee
• All fees and/or taxes

Feel Colombo’s pulse and discover its sights in a way difficult to do independently or by conventional car on this private half-day tuk-tuk tour. Choose a morning or late-afternoon trip and settle into your nimble 3-wheeler with your personal driver-guide. Then, soak in the city’s bustle as you zip to Pettah and Galle Face Green; and stop at temples, markets, and colonial-era landmarks.

• Connect with the real Colombo on a private half-day tuk-tuk tour

Absorb the city’s buzz and culture in way hard to do alone or by enclosed car

• See the landmarks, from ornate temples to old churches and busy markets

Choose a morning or afternoon departure, with hotel pickup and drop-off Friendly Guides - Tuk Tuk Ride
Local food/snacks/drinks
Covers most visited sights in Colombo within 3 - 4 hours.
No hidden charges
Fulfilled, children friendly true local experience,
Can be recommended for all age groups
Easy to book/cancel

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.