Tour operator
Sri Lanka In Style Hidden History City Walk
A 2.5-hour morning heritage walk through Colombo Fort and the Pettah markets, led by a Dutch-Burgher local historian, starting and ending at the Old Dutch Hospital.
Colombo City Tours
Open-deck double-decker bus tours of Colombo run by Ebert Silva Holidays with Sri Lanka Tourism, including heritage and night routes through Fort and beyond.
At a glance
- Type
- Open-deck bus tour
- Area
- Dehiwala, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Official site
- colombocitytours.com
Good to know
- Open-deck double-decker bus
- Night tour
Why we recommend it
Colombo City Tours runs the city's open-deck double-decker bus tours, a joint venture between Sri Lanka Tourism and the travel company Ebert Silva Holidays. The big red buses give a panoramic view of the city from the top deck, which is a relaxed way to see a lot of Colombo in a few hours.
Three packages are offered: Glimpse of Colombo, Heritage of Colombo and Colombo at Night. Coverage of the tours' relaunch described the heritage and night tours as lasting about four hours, running within the city limits and out to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the administrative capital. Sights highlighted on the heritage route include the prison cell in Fort where Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the last King of Kandy, was held before the British sent him to Vellore in India in 1815; the old clock tower and lighthouse on Chatham Street, built in 1857 and designed by Lady Ward, wife of Governor Sir Henry Ward; the President's House; and the British-era buildings along York Street. The same coverage noted that Colombo's native name, Kolon thota, refers to a port, which is a fitting theme for a tour that starts among the harbour-side buildings of Fort.
The night tour is a good option for families and for travellers who want to see the city after dark. The heritage tour works well as an introduction on your first full day, after which you can return on foot to the places that interest you most, such as the Old Dutch Hospital, Pettah or the National Museum.
Schedules, departure points and current days of operation are not listed in detail on the website, so contact the company by phone or email before you plan around a particular tour; it also lists the mobile lines +94 77 777 2595 and +94 77 759 9963. Weekend departures were the pattern when the tours relaunched.
Colombo City Tours lists its office at 40 Nikape Road in Dehiwala, south of the city centre. If you enjoy the heritage tour and want more detail, combine it with a guided walk of Fort and Pettah, or with the Kandyan regalia in the National Museum, which brings the story of Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe to life.
Colombo City Tours FAQs
Who runs Colombo City Tours?
Ebert Silva Holidays, in a venture with Sri Lanka Tourism.
What kind of bus is used?
An open-deck double-decker bus.
Which tours are available?
Glimpse of Colombo, Heritage of Colombo and Colombo at Night.
How long are the tours?
The heritage and night tours were described at their relaunch as lasting about four hours.
What does the heritage tour see?
Sights such as the Fort prison cell of the last King of Kandy, the 1857 clock tower on Chatham Street, the President's House and York Street.
When do the tours run?
Contact the company for current schedules; weekend departures were the pattern at relaunch.
How do I book?
Call +94 11 281 4700 or email [email protected].
Is there a night tour?
Yes, Colombo at Night.