Pettah: The Stories Between The Shops
Pettah is loud, crowded and gloriously chaotic. Listen at each stop. Washrooms and vegetarian meals are available at Sri Suryas on Sea Street (10-minute walk or short tuk tuk ride from the final stop).
Places you will visit
11
It will take you
56-86 mins
You will walk
2630 steps
Total distance
2 km
A note from Ahila Thillainathan
“Colombo's stories found me on walks with my mother in her last years. They were hidden in plain sight - in our own neighbourhood. I've been exploring and uncovering them across different neighbourhoods of this fascinating city ever since. Welcome to Colombo Untold.”
What you'll actually do
Download the Questo app and unlock the quest. Walk to Khan Clock Tower whenever you like · no guide, no group, no time slot.
Solve 11 puzzles hidden in the streets around you. Each one you crack unlocks the next location.
Finish at The Beans Coffee Factory and see where you land on the Colombo leaderboard.
Highlights
Discover stories at a candy-striped mosque, dodge Nattami carts, explore a 200-year-old temple and a council chamber frozen in 1906. End at a coffee factory on an ancient street. Listen to the audio stories at every stop.Washrooms and vegetarian meals are available at Sri Suryas on Sea Street (10-min walk or short tuk tuk ride away).
ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE
What to expect from Pettah: The Stories Between The Shops
Colombo's most chaotic neighbourhood has been hiding its stories for 12 centuries beneath the shouts of merchants and rumble of hand-pulled carts. Find a bell that outlived three empires, a forgotten British milestone and a Civil War veteran who changed Ceylon forever. Pettah is loud, crowded and gloriously chaotic. Listen at each stop. Washrooms and vegetarian meals are available at Sri Suryas on Sea Street (10-minute walk or short tuk tuk ride from the final stop).
Discover stories at a candy-striped mosque, dodge Nattami carts, explore a 200-year-old temple and a council chamber frozen in 1906. End at a coffee factory on an ancient street. Listen to the audio stories at every stop. Washrooms and vegetarian meals are available at Sri Suryas on Sea Street (10-min walk or short tuk tuk ride away).
Start: Khan Clock Tower. Finish: The Beans Coffee Factory. 11 challenges included.
Good to know before you play
- Hidden History
- Difficulty level: Easy 🟢😊
- Audio Stories
- The last part of the game might not be available after 4PM.
- Best in the morning to avoid the heat and see lively market, local shrines and temples.
- Ensure your phone is fully charged or bring along your trusty power bank
- Not suitable for young children or elderly people, due to the heat
- Wear a hat and sunscreen, have enough water
- Best in the morning to avoid the heat
Tips & Recommendations
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You will be walking throughout the city, so comfortable footwear is essential for enjoying the experience.
Charge Your Phone
Make sure your smartphone is at least 60% charged. The quest runs through the Questo app, and you will be using it throughout.
Check the Weather
This is an outdoor activity. Bring an umbrella or sunscreen depending on the forecast.
Bring a Camera
You will discover photogenic locations and hidden gems perfect for capturing memories.
Stay Hydrated
Bring water, especially during warmer months or longer quests.
Play with Friends
Quests are more fun with friends or family. Each player who wants to play on their own phone needs their own access.
Ratings and Reviews
44 ratings
Amaya Jayasuriya
Gihani Amarasuriya
Chrruti
Sachithra
chadini fernando
Beat the best: Top Colombo explorers
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