Pettah, Colombo: Address, Phone Number, Pettah Reviews: 3.5/5
Pettah
3.5
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Shoppers will find plenty of bargains in this area of street merchants.
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We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
581 within 5 kms
Graze Kitchen
868
0.9 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Chinese • Indian
Curry Leaf
796
1 km$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Sri Lankan • Vegetarian Friendly
L.A.B
131
0.9 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Cafe • Wine Bar
Sea Fish Restaurant
527
0.9 km$$ - $$$ • Seafood • International • Asian
Royal Thai - Cinnamon Lakeside
569
0.9 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Long Feng – Cinnamon Lakeside
360
0.9 km$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Asian • Cantonese
The Dining room at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo
369
1 km$$ - $$$ • International • Asian • Fusion
Bombay Sweet Meat Mart
5
32 m
Mayura Hotel
7
0.5 km$ • Seafood
Golden Cafe
2
0.2 km
Attractions
141 within 10 kms
Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque
429
32 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Dutch Museum
117
0.1 kmSpeciality Museums
Kayman’s Gate Belltower
18
91 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Observation Decks & Towers
Old Town Hall
59
0.3 kmHistoric Sites
Colombo Gold Center
2
0.3 kmShopping Malls
Pettah Floating Market
117
0.3 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Ballys Casino
249
0.6 kmCasinos
St Anthony's Shrine
272
1.2 kmChurches & Cathedrals
R. Premadasa Stadium
184
0.8 kmArenas & Stadiums
New Kathiresan Kovil
3
0.5 kmReligious Sites
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Popular mentions
3.5
300 reviews
Excellent
61
Very good
102
Average
95
Poor
23
Terrible
19
Jepro
Vantaa, Finland178 contributions
Feb. 2022
English below
Halusimme päästä perinteisen basaarin tunnelmaan ja ostamaan tuliaisia. Sen sijaan jouduimme keskelle kaaosta, jossa väkisin yritetään myydä ja sanaa ei ei ymmärretä. Turistit ovat kadonneet ja asiakkaista pulaa, joten tavara on pölyistä ja likaista ja hinnat taivaissa. Samoja tuotteita saa esim. pikkukylistä edullisemmin ja mukavammalla tavalla ostettuna.
Very crowded dirty place, where sellers are trying their best and don't listening word no at all. Products are dirty and old because turists are away. Go small villages and buy same products from there in same price but much nicer people.
Halusimme päästä perinteisen basaarin tunnelmaan ja ostamaan tuliaisia. Sen sijaan jouduimme keskelle kaaosta, jossa väkisin yritetään myydä ja sanaa ei ei ymmärretä. Turistit ovat kadonneet ja asiakkaista pulaa, joten tavara on pölyistä ja likaista ja hinnat taivaissa. Samoja tuotteita saa esim. pikkukylistä edullisemmin ja mukavammalla tavalla ostettuna.
Very crowded dirty place, where sellers are trying their best and don't listening word no at all. Products are dirty and old because turists are away. Go small villages and buy same products from there in same price but much nicer people.
Written 25 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sweekruth BP
Bengaluru, India145 contributions
Jan. 2022 • Family
Offcourse it's heaven for Cheap stuff. You should go there especially if you love street shopping be it clothes, electronics, sweets, eateries etc. You don't have to buy, just walk around and your eyes will glitter automatically seeing all the stuff.
Btw click pics at the very famous Red Mosque. It's beautiful. Have a sweet or two at Mumbai Sweets ( no idea why they named stores after Mumbai)
Btw click pics at the very famous Red Mosque. It's beautiful. Have a sweet or two at Mumbai Sweets ( no idea why they named stores after Mumbai)
Written 12 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LizzyLeeton
Leeton, Australia624 contributions
Feb. 2020
A really good experience but not sure if it could also be described as enjoyable. There is a mass of humanity fighting for their own spot as they try to buy bargains off stall holders. Tryto avoid the middle of the day.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Silversaint
Melbourne, Australia35 contributions
Feb. 2020 • Couples
We had heard so much about the floating market that we tried to go on 2 different days only to fins it not there. Very disappointing.....
The street market is worth a look and has many different stalls and is very colourful
The street market is worth a look and has many different stalls and is very colourful
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kate R
Windsor, UK756 contributions
Jan. 2020
An amazing place, everything you could possibly need to buy is available in this market, a brilliant few hours spent exploring on foot.
The range of fruits and vegetables available was awesome. We saw piles of Wood apples which smell like blue cheese, but taste like sour tamarind pulp. if you are brave enough sample them - Made into a wood apple fruit shake, they can be excellent.
The range of fruits and vegetables available was awesome. We saw piles of Wood apples which smell like blue cheese, but taste like sour tamarind pulp. if you are brave enough sample them - Made into a wood apple fruit shake, they can be excellent.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dani C
Boston, MA157 contributions
Feb. 2020 • Couples
We got up early and took a tuktuk to the Pettah Market, as we are always intrigued by these local shopping experiences. Pettah is spread out over several blocks and is very busy with anything you could possibly ever want for sale. There is an open air vegetable and fruit section, which was cool, but we struggled to find food vendors and ended up eating in one of the small deceptively named “hotel” restaurants, which was fine, but nothing special. A fine morning spent, nosing around, but wouldn’t have missed it.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Catherine L
Adelaide, Australia220 contributions
Jan. 2020
We came through Pettah as part of a walking tour. We were there on a Sunday, so not all the stalls were open but it was still reasonably busy. Each street within the 'market' sells different items such as fabrics, clothing, cleaning products, plastic flowers and fresh produce. The fresh produce market was amazing, offering pineapples, bananas, pumpkins etc, dried fish and fresh herbs such as curry leaves.
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
uzmelissa
Dubai, United Arab Emirates142 contributions
Dec. 2019 • Family
Be ready to enjoy Asian street style market,shopping and stores and fully crowded people on roads.and speak loud so you can not hear your friend. Nice a couple of times on there
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Saibal S
San Francisco, CA2,243 contributions
Dec. 2019
We came here to look at the mosque and loved the street vibes. I purchased the pickled fruits and palm jaggery. Lots of cafes here and stores selling everything that you may want.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dan L
Bunbury, Australia5,934 contributions
Oct. 2019
This was a walk-through experience of the bazaar; crowded, noisy, hawkers extolling the virtue of their wares, it's colourful, you can buy just about anything here, although unsure of the quality. The varieties of fruit and vegetables were mesmerizing, the dried fish had a very pungent smell, clothing, electronics, DVD's that work in your country Sir. I've forgotten most of the information imparted by our guide, too much overload. If you visit Colombo, Pettah Bazaar is a must, even if only to rub shoulders with the locals and just look at the array of produce on sale.
Written 23 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JustColz
Metro Manila, Philippines4 contributions
Hi, does anyone know where to buy souvenirs in Pettah Market? Looking for shot glass and bottle opener ref magnet souvenir. Thans in advance!
Barbara
Colombo, Sri Lanka193 contributions
Salve!!!!! Avrei bisogno di qualche consiglio su Colombo.... Mi fermerò soltanto un giorno sono in crociera e vorrei sapere se possibile visitarla da soli vedendo le cose principali con mezzi del posto o se la cosa è complicata e devo affidarmi all escursioni della nave.... Grazie in anticipo....
Mayurrs
India18 contributions
Can you suggest plan to visit Pettah
Ilmar T
Perth, Australia479 contributions
We stayed in Petttah, next to the old Dutch Hospital earlier this year. The area is best explored on foot. The Pettah markets are well worth visiting as they reflect the daily life of people in Colombo, and there are numerous colonial era buildings in the area. If you are interested in the colonial history, then I suggest you start at the Dutch Hospital if you can, walk past the old Cargills Department Store and past some quite nice old buildings down to the markets. To see the lot will only take half a day. Some nice local food close to the markets as well.
bindygc
Gold Coast, Australia2 contributions
Is Pettah open Sunday 15th April? New Years Celebrations continue?
djidomova
United Kingdom118 contributions
is it open every day?
saman_weeratunga527
Kandy, Sri Lanka160 contributions
Yes, Amila is correct. Its less activities on Sundays. If you are a photographer and a street photography lover, this is the best place in Sri Lanka. You may go to 3rd cross street where is the busiest and most actived street there. You will have amazing street photography of the peoples activities at the busiest street
emintheeast
Melbourne, Australia69 contributions
Can anyone tell me if Pettah markets are open Christmas Day? We will only have the one day in Colombo, and I'm keen to hit the fabric shops at Pettah.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pettah
- We recommend booking Pettah tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 60 Pettah tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Pettah:
- Private Half-Day Colombo City Tour (From AU$69.39)
- The 10 Tastings of Colombo With Locals: Private Street Food Tour (From AU$49.62)
- Colombo Rustic Food Tour (From AU$83.08)
- Private Colombo Walking Tour with Ajeet De Soyza (From AU$60.42)
- 3 Days Private Vehicle Tour With Driver in Sri lanka (From AU$175.59)
- Hotels near Pettah:
- (0.94 km) Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo
- (0.27 km) 55 Fort Train Hostel
- (1.21 km) The Kingsbury Hotel
- (1.30 km) Shangri-La Colombo
- (0.97 km) Hilton Colombo
- Restaurants near Pettah:
- (0.03 km) Bombay Sweet Meat Mart
- (0.09 km) Hotel De Pilawoos Battaramulla
- (0.18 km) Shri Annapoorna
- (0.24 km) Golden Cafe
- (0.27 km) Shanthy Villas
- Attractions near Pettah:
- (0.03 km) Perfume Lines
- (0.03 km) Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque
- (0.09 km) Ishaa Chauffeur & Guide Sri Lanka
- (0.15 km) Dutch Museum
- (0.09 km) Kayman’s Gate Belltower