Colombo City Tour with Hangover Hostels
Colombo, now has become a pit spot for many travelers. Yet, the bustling Sri Lankan capital still has plenty to offer. From sunset watching in quiet corners to gobbling up delicious Isso Vadai at Galle Face Green and hunting down Sri Lanka’s popular street eats, the city is loaded with fun-filled activities. (Also read: Travel tips and places to see in Colombo)
Recently Zin joined in with Martina and Agatha from Hangover Hostels on their Colombo City Tour. And as a local, I learnt a lot about my own country and my own city. Here’s what we did! (Also read: How to be a tourist in your own city)
We started our tour at 9 in the morning at Hangover Hostels Colombo. We boarded the bus (no: 100) and got off the bus at Galle Face Green, the city’s most popular park and the hub for street eats. We slowly walked our way to The Kingsbury‘s rooftop where you can have an amazing view of Colombo. Martina briefed us about the history of each standout building (The Old Parliament building and Galadari Hotel) and even about the on-going Colombo Port City project. We then walked to Old Dutch Hospital Complex where we got to see King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe’s statute, the last king of Sri Lanka who ruled the country from Senkadagala Kingdom (now Kandy). After a short visit to St. Peter’s Church where Martina told us about its history, we passed by President’s House and visited the Former General Post Office. If you love old, vintage-ish, aesthetic corners, you’ll love the General Post Office building. It’s where the Cinnamon Colomboscope took place last year as well.
And no Colombo City Tour happens without a visit to the majestic Cargills Building. Next to Cargills Building, there are head offices of banks and businesses in one building. While one part of the building is renovated, the other part basks in its old glory. Perfect for the historian inside you!
We then walked to the historic Grand Oriental Hotel. Fun fact: The Grand Oriental Hotel is the first hotel to have hot water in Sri Lanka. Harbour Room, the Colonial hotel’s restaurant situated on fourth floor offers amazing views of Colombo Harbour. A perfect place to enjoy a drink.
Fort is where Colombo’s historic, colonial charm lies in. We proceeded our way through Pettah from Fort. Streets and tiny allies of Pettah host Colombo’s busiest market. It’s bustling. it’s chaotic. Yet, there’s beauty in it. And then there’s Jami-Ul-Alfar, popularly known as The Red Mosque, also boasts to be one of the most beautiful mosques in the world. It consists of impeccable architecture, a sophisticated design with pop-up red and white details. The next street houses a Hindu Temple as if it was to symbolize Colombo’s multiculturalism. (Also read: Life in Pettah)
We then walked through Pettah’s vegetable and fruit market. The tiny alleys are lined with piles and piles of Rambutan and mangosteen. For Sri Lankans, there’s only one season. And it’s the Rambutan season a.k.a the tropical fruit season. As the season soon comes to an end, locals hunt down for their favorite Rambutan, “also named as Lychee,” says Agatha.
The last leg of our tour is Colombo Floating Market. We finished the tour with a refreshing pineapple drink from the main restaurant at Floating Market. You can also opt for Thambili (King Coconut). King Coconut is native to Sri Lanka, super-refreshing to beat island’s heat, sweeter than regular coconuts and has plenty of health benefits.
Once the tour was over, I took the bus back home while both Martina and Agatha headed to Barefoot. Since Floating Market is super close to the Central Bus Stand (it’s almost the same place) and Colombo Fort Railway Station, you can head to anywhere in the island. Be it your nine hour train journey to Ella or to Hangover’s Airport Hostel before you take the flight back home.
Learn what you can do in Colombo in 48 hours? Check here.
Looks Fun. Surely will suggest to someone.
It is indeed! Thank you. And our tip: have king coconut ๐
The buildings look absolutely stunning! Red and white… these colors! So pretty and instagrammable! I have never been to Sri Lanka let alone Colombo but you really make me want to go there!
Yes, it’s the Red Mosque. It’s a beautiful place. Detailed and mind-blowing architecture. You’ll love Sri Lanka for sure. X
wow! I love this post.This brings me back all memories from Colombo.I really love this red Cargills building.It is one of the major landmark in Colombo.
Aww, so glad you liked it! Yes, it is. One of our favorite buildings in the city.
Wow! Thanks for the shared info. Gonna visit this place next month. Will you buy me coffee?
Oh amazing! Sure, would love to catch up with you for coffee.
I’m very depressed. I live in Houston and have no desire to leave Houston. It does look very beautiful
Aww, you should take a few days off and come to Sri Lanka. You will love it.
After many years of civil war,its very pleasant to see how Sri Lanka is enjoying its peace,it looks Colombo would be a adventure indeed.
Slowly rebuilding although the physical development is not satisfyingly sustainable and ethical enough.
The red and white on the buildings is so picture perfect! Never knew Sri Lanka was so beautiful!
We know! Highly appreciate the patience people who painted this had. Impeccable.
look at all those colors! haven’t been to sri lanka but it is on my list! and yes i love rambutan! we have lots in thailand! have u tried by any chance their crabs? i heard it is massive and good! http://www.crayonized.com
Oh yasss! Thailand is such a pretty tropical paradise. Lankan crabs? Yes ๐ We’ve had plenty straight from Negombo lagoon. So good!
This is beautiful. I’m glad you guys were able to take advantage of things you hadn’t seen in your own backyard. That’s pretty cool!
Right? Think there are so many undiscovered corners and things even in your own backyard.
I’ve always wanted to visit Colombo it looks like an amazing city. I love all the colors!
Let us know when you visit! Would love to help with any tips and recommendations.
Colombo seems to be a very ineteresting place to visit. Thanks for such an interesting article.
It indeed is. Many people now don’t suggest the capital but there’s still a lot to see.
I would love to tour the city of Colombo. The architecture is absolutely stunning!
Highly recommend the tour organized by Hangover Hostels. It’s only 2.5 hours so you don’t feel tired and it covers interesting areas of Colombo.
wow! I’m always looking for new places to add to my travel list – thanks ๐
You are welcome! Do visit Colombo.
The red and white building look so interesting. This looks like a fun city to explore.
Yes, it’s a mosque. It’s truly beautiful.
What an amazing place to visit and an amazing experience for you! I know very little about this part of the world, to be honest.
You should visit Sri Lanka. You will love it. Thank you :3
OH MY GOSH! This city looks amazing. The buildings are a feast for the eyes! My heart is filled with wanderlust for Colombo City. ๐
The architecture here is certainly so aesthetic. Aww, you will love your time here in Colombo.
This looks really fun and Colombo is an amazing city. I would definitely want to visit asap. Thanks for sharing.
We are so glad you liked it! Highly recommend this tour if you visit Colombo in near future.
Place looks clean and well kept. What are other places to go there in Colombo?
Hey, you can find a complete guide to Colombo here: https://natnzin.com/2017/02/21/colombo-travel-guide/
I’ve never thought of visiting Sri Lanka before but it looks like a very nice place to visit. I’m adding this to my travel list. Hope to visit one day.
Oh, glad you liked it! Do visit the island one day!
I just didn’t realize the city was so colorful, I guess! Wow! It really is a beautiful spot! Thank you for capturing it so well!
There’s so much beauty in Colombo although many people now don’t suggest Colombo as a sightseeing spot in Sri Lanka. We recommend to stay at least three days in the capital.
Colombo looks so beautiful! Keep up with the lovely photography.
Thanks so much! Nathan’s so clever with his photos. Zin xx
This looks like an amazing time! I love vibrant splashes of color like this.
Same ๐ They are so aesthetic <3
The buildings are so unusual and vibrant. I love the colours, especially how they are used on the mosque.
Hi NatZin,
is the city tour available for locals as well?
thx.
Yes, of course. Hangover Hostels will
Yes of course. Hangover Hostels will happily conduct it for locals. You can contact them on Facebook or Instagram ๐
thanks for the prompt reply ๐
This place looks beautiful!! I hope I get to travel there someday! ๐