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Pettah Floating Market

Colombo, Western

Wooden walkways and red-roofed stalls along the canal at Pettah Floating Market
Photo: Shaananu87 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Opened in August 2014, Pettah Floating Market transformed a polluted industrial canal in Colombo's busy Pettah district into a cleaned-up waterway lined with 92 stalls, some built directly over the water on the canal connecting to Beira Lake. The Sri Lanka Army and Navy handled the engineering work — clearing the canal and rebuilding the street — while a young local architect designed the market's simple, red-roofed stalls to reflect the calm of the water they sit beside. It sells much the same mix of textiles, snacks, and handicrafts as the surrounding Pettah street markets, but in a quieter, more organized setting a short walk from Colombo Fort railway station.

Photography spots

Best time to visit

Weekday mornings for a calmer shopping experience, or early evening when the boardwalks fill with locals out for a stroll.

Visitor tip

Visit during operating hours and be mindful of crowds around Pettah.

Local pick

The market connects directly to the wider Pettah bazaar streets just behind it — cross over for the louder, more chaotic version of the same shopping experience.

Quick answers

Where is Pettah Floating Market?

Pettah Floating Market is in Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka.

When is the best time to visit Pettah Floating Market?

Weekday mornings for a calmer shopping experience, or early evening when the boardwalks fill with locals out for a stroll.

How far is Pettah Floating Market from Colombo?

About 1 km in a straight line. Road journeys are longer, so check current travel times before you go.

What is near Pettah Floating Market?

Nearby places include Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque) (about 1 km away), Pettah Market (about 1 km away), Colombo Lotus Tower (about 1 km away), Beira Lake (about 1 km away).

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More places in Western Province

More to see around Colombo: things to do in Colombo. Planning a trip? See the top attractions in Sri Lanka, the best time to visit and how many days you need.