• King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe Prison Cell - The final monarch of Sri Lanka, King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha, was apprehended on February 18, 1815, in Madamahanuwara and transported to Colombo without passing through Kandy. On March 6, 1815, the King and his entourage arrived at Colombo Fort, where they were welcomed by Colonel Kerr, the garrison’s commandant. King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha stayed there for almost a year until January 24, 1816, when he and his family were sent to Vellore, India, aboard the HMS Cornwallis.
• Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct - The Old Colombo Dutch Hospital, often referred to as The Dutch Hospital, is regarded as the oldest structure in the Colombo Fort area, dating back to the Dutch colonial period in Sri Lanka. It is now a heritage site and a shopping and dining destination.

It is believed to have been established in 1681 when the Dutch set up the Colombo hospital to care for the health of officers and staff serving under the Dutch East India Company. Its proximity to the harbor enabled it to serve Dutch sailors.

• Colombo Fort Clock Tower - Visitors will be guided through the central business district, rich with colonial architecture. The clock tower in the fort is a distinctive structure in the city for many reasons.
• Central Bank Currency Museum - Construction of the building began in 1911 with the laying of its foundation stone, and at its opening, it was the tallest building in Colombo. Designed in a Greco-Roman architectural style, it features a colonnade of Corinthian columns at the entrance. It has a circular glass dome with a tapering central atrium that allows light into the circular inner halls across all seven floors and boasts the tallest chandelier in Asia.
• Cargills Department Store - The historic Cargills & Millers Buildings in Colombo are considered the oldest department stores in Sri Lanka.

Originally, a Dutch building occupied the land where the current Cargills & Millers buildings stand, and it was once home to Sir Frederick North (1766-1827), the first British Governor of Ceylon from 1798 to 1805. In 1844, British businessman William Miller established his company on this site, replacing the old Dutch building, and in 1896, it was acquired by David Sime Cargill, a Scottish businessman who led the renowned Cargills & Company.

• Grand Oriental Hotel - Officially opened on November 5, 1875, the Grand Oriental Hotel featured 154 luxury and semi-luxury rooms and was the first of the modern grand hotels built in the East.

The original building on the site was a simple, single-story structure with an open verandah facing the street, inhabited by a Dutch Governor. In 1837, it was converted into barracks for the British Army.

The transformation of the building into a hotel was overseen by then-Governor Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton, who engaged James George Smither, the architect of the Public Works Department, also responsible for the National Museum of Colombo, Colombo General Hospital, and the old Colombo Town Hall. The estimated cost to build the hotel was 2,007 pounds, but it is noteworthy that the hotel was constructed within one year under the estimated 1,868 pounds.

• Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque - Commonly known as the Red Mosque, this place of worship is a unique masterpiece.
• Titus Stores - A family-run business for over 90 years, TITUS STORES was founded in 1924, initially starting as TITUS LAMP STORES, selling petrol lamps known as TITUS Lamps. With the introduction of electricity in Sri Lanka, the business transitioned to homeware, gifts, and HORECA (Hotel Restaurant Catering) items and rebranded as TITUS STORES.
• Old Town Hall - Among the lesser-known historic monuments of Colombo is a large, gothic, church-like mansion in the old business district of Pettah. Both locals and tourists often pass by without realizing the treasure trove of artifacts it contains. It blends into the landscape, surrounded by equally historic buildings, colorful modern shops, and other intriguing architectural pieces. Despite being in one of the city’s busiest areas, it remains somewhat hidden. This building is the Old Town Hall, once the seat of the Colombo Municipality and the main venue for council meetings in Colombo.
• Pettah - Experience firsthand the bustling markets of the Pettah Bazaar.
• Colombo Fort Railway Station - Constructed by the British, the Fort Railway Station serves as the primary hub in Colombo city.
• Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple - The Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is the main temple in Colombo city, featuring unique architecture influenced by various cultures.
• Galle Face Hotel - The iconic Galle Face Hotel, a landmark in Sri Lanka, is located in the heart of Colombo, along the seafront, facing the renowned Galle Face Green. The Galle Face Hotel embraces its rich history and legendary traditions, creating engaging, immersive experiences that resonate with both old and new generations of travelers.

Recognized as South Asia’s leading Grande Dame, the Galle Face Hotel is a testament to Sri Lanka’s colonial past and its independent present. International guests are immersed in the hotel’s rich traditions and compelling stories, and even a brief visit offers an experience of timeless grandeur and exceptional hospitality.

The hotel began as a Dutch villa called Galle Face House, a meeting place for gentlemen of the colonial era. Four British entrepreneurs later transformed it into a business, unaware that by the late 19th century, it would be renowned as the finest hotel east of Suez.

• Galle Face Green - Depending on the time of day, visitors can observe activities on the Green while catching a glimpse of its past, with iconic buildings like the Old Parliament and the famous Galle Face Hotel.
• Old Parliament Building - This Neo-Baroque-style building was constructed during the British colonial era to house the Legislative Council of Ceylon. It was conceived by Sir Henry McCallum, leading to a proposal by a committee to build the new structure for the Secretariat, Council Chamber, and Government offices on reclaimed land at the northern end of Galle Face, which was accepted by the Government in 1920.

The chief architect of the Public Works Department, A. Woodson, was responsible for the building’s design, with an initial estimate of Rs 400,000 for the project, later revised to Rs 450,000 to account for additional expenses.

The British Coat of Arms adorned the building’s facade until 1948, when it was replaced by the arms of the Dominion of Ceylon, and once again replaced in 1972 with the arms of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

• Private transportation
• Bottled water
• Government fees

• Admission fees

The start time of this tour can be changed based on your preference

Join me as take you through a walk of the City of Colombo - the Central business district which has transformed itself originally from a Fort built by the Portuguese to a thriving trading center over a period 500 years. See and learn of the influences created and the legacies left to us by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British immersing yourself in our History, Architecture and Culture that is now uniquely Sri Lankan

This walking tour is also combined with a few Tuk Tuk rides which you gives you an authentic experience of daily Sri Lankan life. Part proceeds of the tour are channeled towards the education of orphaned children that I sponsor towards providing them with a better future

Experience Colombo - Experience Diversity - Experience Sri Lanka

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