Colombo’s Culture

Take a peek into a handful of Colombo’s sacred spaces, as you stroll with your guide through the city’s Kochchikade district into the sights and sounds of Pettah’s lively streets.

Meet at the floating Gangarama Buddhist temple, Seema Malaka, on Beira Lake then travel by tuk tuk to Sri Ponnambalam Vanesar Kovil, an intricately carved granite Hindu temple. From there, it’s a short walk to interesting sites such as St. Anthony’s Shrine, a national Catholic monument where you can hear the story of Anthony of Padua, and a chain of flower garland kades (shops) leading into the cacophony of Pettah life. Pass by the old town hall, an eye-catching neo-gothic building, and Kayman’s Gate, a Dutch bell tower, before finishing your walk outside Jami Ul-Afar Mosque.