Experience Travel Group
1-888-577-8452 020 7924 7133
Call

Colombo City Walk

Sri Lanka, Colombo, Negombo & Around

Experience Travel Group
  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
      • Bhutan
    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Malaysia
      • Borneo
      • Indochina
    • Middle East
      • Oman
  • About us
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Our Reviews
    • Our Press
    • Our brochure
    • Our Blog
  • How it works
    • Why choose us?
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Trip planning process
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
    • Contact Us
  • Holiday Types
    • The Revitalise Collection
    • Immersive Escapes
    • Honeymoons
    • Family Travel
  • Inspiration
    • Inspire me
    • Travel Soon
    • Plan Ahead
    • Month by month weather guide
    • Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
    • Travel Better
    • Our Counter-Carbon Pledge
    • One bottle at a time
    • Building a Sustainable Future
    • Giving Back
  • Search
  • Holidays in Sri Lanka
    • Classic Sri Lanka Holidays
    • Family Holidays
    • Sri Lanka & Maldives Holidays
    • Ultimate Holidays
    • Nature & Wildlife Holidays
    • Off the Beaten Track
    • Slow Holidays
  • Guide to Sri Lanka
    • Why choose Sri Lanka
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Free Country Guide Download
  • Info on Sri Lanka
    • Nature and Wildlife
        Overview
      • Bundala National Park
      • Flood Plains National Park
      • Gal Oya National Park
      • Horton Plains National Park
      • Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
      • Kumana National Park (Yala East)
      • Lahugala National Park
      • Lunugamvehera National Park
      • Maduru Oya National Park
      • Minneriya National Park
      • Somawathiya National Park
      • The Knuckles Range
      • The Sinharaja Rainforest
      • Udawalawe National Park
      • Wasgamuwa National Park
      • Wilpattu National Park
      • Yala National Park
    • Getting Around in Sri Lanka
        Overview
      • Chauffeur Guides & Transportation
      • Vehicles in Sri Lanka
      • Internal Flights
      • Helicopter in Sri Lanka
    • Honeymoons in Sri Lanka
    • Sri Lanka Weddings
  • Regions of Sri Lanka
    • Overview
    • The Cultural Triangle
    • Colombo, Negombo & Around
    • Kandy and Around
    • The Hill Country
    • West Coast Beaches
    • Galle and Around
    • The South Coast
    • Puttalam & the North West
    • The East Coast
    • Jaffna & The North
  • Info
  • Comments
  • Holidays
  • Map

Spend an afternoon exploring the capital city searching out historic colonial gems.

To start the tour you will be picked up at your hotel by your local guide, Mark and head off to the busy city of Pettah. Here you will search out colonial architectural gems such as the Dutch Museum. This 17th Century building was originally the residence of a Dutch Governor and it is very easy to imagine him sitting upon the veranda looking down to the port below whilst having a cup of tea or gin and tonic.

You will then continue along the country's largest wholesale bazaar which transports you to St. Peter's Church, an Anglican church established in 1821.

After a short break for iced lemonade in a local cafe, you will head up to York Street from the Grand Oriental Hotel, an institution that in its heyday would rival the Ritz.

You also mustn't miss a stop at the preeminent colonial emporium, Cargills.  This glorious red Victorian building is sadly no longer in use and falling into disrepair inside, but the exterior is still an impressive sight.

As you wind your way through the streets you will eventually come to the lighthouse, sharing its designer with that of Big Ben, and the Galle Face Green, which on a weekend is bustling and heaving with local people enjoying the seaside and street food served here.

It is great to end with a sundowner at the Galle Face Hotel, the perfect place to sit back, relax and reminisce on your experience.

One of the highlights was the tour of Colombo with Mark Forbes. He was brilliant and we only wished we had more time.’

Leo Hickish, August 2012

I don't like guided tours as a rule, so was Luke warm about Mark Forbes trip in Colombo. How wrong we were, as his tour was interesting, informative and a lot of fun. He was the biggest and nicest surprise of the whole trip. Even scooting about in the back of his Land Rover was fun.

Alistair, April 2013

The Mark Forbes tour in Colombo was extremely interesting and enjoyable.

Helene, March 2013

City walk with Mark Foster a highlight of the trip!

Turner, March 2013

Mark and Ruby Forbes in Colombo were excellent.

John, February 2013

The Colombo city walk with Mark Forbes was excellent and a highlight of our trip.

Andrew, January 2013

You can include this experience as part of an Experience Travel Group holiday designed exclusively with you.

Birdlife and Natural Wealth of Sri Lanka

Birdlife and Natural Wealth of Sri Lanka

This holiday is ideal for those who love nature, especially birdlife. Visit the beautiful rainforests, coast, and wetlands of Sri Lanka.

Boutique Maldives & Sri Lanka Holiday

Boutique Maldives & Sri Lanka Holiday

A classic Sri Lanka and Maldives holiday with unique cultural experiences and beautiful boutique hotels throughout.

Boutique Sri Lanka

Boutique Sri Lanka

Our flagship itinerary for curious first-timers. An alternative perspective on Sri Lanka with characterful boutique hotels.

Luxury Family Sri Lanka with Seaplane

Luxury Family Sri Lanka with Seaplane

A luxurious family adventure, this tour has been designed so that you can experience the best of the island in comfort.

Luxury Sri Lanka & Maldives Holiday

Luxury Sri Lanka & Maldives Holiday

Luxurious holiday with the best hotels in Sri Lanka and The Maldives and with our exclusive ETG experiences.

Natural & Wild Sri Lanka

Natural & Wild Sri Lanka

Enjoy the incredible wildlife of animals without missing the astonishing scenery, glorious beaches and local life.

South Coast Discovery

South Coast Discovery

Head to Sri Lanka's southern coastline. Explore the exotic landscape, discover historical Galle, and relax on the beach.

Sri Lanka and the work of Geoffrey Bawa

Sri Lanka and the work of Geoffrey Bawa

This holiday takes in Sri Lanka's varied highlights with a focus on the work of its most famous architect Geoffrey Bawa.

The History & Culture of Sri Lanka

The History & Culture of Sri Lanka

An in-depth journey through Sri Lanka's fascinating history, culture and scenic landscapes.

The Undiscovered North & East

The Undiscovered North & East

A comprehensive tour of Sri Lanka's North taking in The Jaffna Peninsula, Wilpattu National Park and beach time in Trincomalee.

Map centered on Colombo City Walk. Zoom out to view other hotels (H) and experiences (E) in the area.

Start your journey

Each journey with ETG is different. Let us know your needs, hopes and fears, and our friendly travel team will help you discover your ideal holiday.

Get in Touch

Call us 020 7924 7133

The ETG Newsletter

Your fantastic fortnightly round-up of everything new and newsworthy in travel. Expect the latest experiences, hotels and advice from our travel experts - not to mention exclusive special offers

Sign up Here

Sri Lanka Travel Blog

Get in Touch
How it works
  • Why choose us?
  • Booking with confidence
  • How much does it cost?
  • Trip planning process
  • Financial protection
  • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
  • Working with in-country partners
  • My Booking
  • Contact Us
About Us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Reviews
  • Our Promise
  • Our Press
  • Contact
  • Jobs
Useful
  • Your Protection
  • Travel Insurance
  • Our Rating System
  • Exclusive Signature Experiences
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Website T&C's of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Package Travel Regulations
  • Belgrade Office
  • Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) Travel Advice
  • Site Search
  • Covid-19
Get Social

facebook.com/experiencetravel twitter.com/ExpTrav instagram.com/experiencetravelgroup

  • Visit us on Facebook
  • View @ExpTrav Twitter Feed
  • Visit our Travel Blog
  • Follow our Instagram page
  • Newsletter
  • Book Club

© Experience Travel
Registered in England, Company No. 5071391 | ABTA Member | 9324 ATOL Protected
Site by Livingstone Creative

Experience Travel Group

020 7924 7133 Get in touch

Call
  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
      • Bhutan
    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Malaysia
      • Borneo
      • Indochina
    • Middle East
      • Oman
  • Holidays in Sri Lanka
    • Classic Sri Lanka Holidays
    • Family Holidays
    • Sri Lanka & Maldives Holidays
    • Ultimate Holidays
    • Nature & Wildlife Holidays
    • Off the Beaten Track
    • Slow Holidays
  • Guide to Sri Lanka
    • Why choose Sri Lanka
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Free Country Guide Download
  • Info on Sri Lanka
    • Nature and Wildlife
      • Overview
      • Bundala National Park
      • Flood Plains National Park
      • Gal Oya National Park
      • Horton Plains National Park
      • Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
      • Kumana National Park (Yala East)
      • Lahugala National Park
      • Lunugamvehera National Park
      • Maduru Oya National Park
      • Minneriya National Park
      • Somawathiya National Park
      • The Knuckles Range
      • The Sinharaja Rainforest
      • Udawalawe National Park
      • Wasgamuwa National Park
      • Wilpattu National Park
      • Yala National Park
    • Getting Around in Sri Lanka
      • Overview
      • Chauffeur Guides & Transportation
      • Vehicles in Sri Lanka
      • Internal Flights
      • Helicopter in Sri Lanka
    • Honeymoons in Sri Lanka
    • Sri Lanka Weddings
  • Regions of Sri Lanka
    • Overview
    • The Cultural Triangle
    • Colombo, Negombo & Around
    • Kandy and Around
    • The Hill Country
    • West Coast Beaches
    • Galle and Around
    • The South Coast
    • Puttalam & the North West
    • The East Coast
    • Jaffna & The North
  • About us
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Our Reviews
    • Our Press
    • Our brochure
    • Our Blog
  • How it works
    • Why choose us?
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Trip planning process
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
    • Contact Us
  • Holiday Types
    • The Revitalise Collection
    • Immersive Escapes
    • Honeymoons
    • Family Travel
  • Inspiration
    • Inspire me
    • Travel Soon
    • Plan Ahead
    • Month by month weather guide
    • Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
    • Travel Better
    • Our Counter-Carbon Pledge
    • One bottle at a time
    • Building a Sustainable Future
    • Giving Back
  • Search
  • Contact Us
  • My Booking
  • Brochure
  • Blog