VAUX Park Street / Explore Colombo
Stay where the routes begin. VAUX Park Street is eight serviced lofts at 60/10 Park Street, Colombo 02, next door to Park Street Mews, with a rooftop pool and a 24/7 concierge. Every itinerary on this page starts at our door.
Shopping and souvenirs in Colombo
Colombo rewards shoppers who know where to look. Sri Lankan design has a confident, colourful style of its own, in handloom cottons, hand-thrown tableware, batik, lacquerware and, of course, tea, and a handful of shops near VAUX sell the best of it with real care.
Paradise Road and ODEL are a few minutes’ walk from our door, Barefoot, Laksala and the island’s favourite tea house are a short ride away, and the old bazaar of Pettah is there when you want noise, bargains and spices.
Everything is listed nearest first, with straight-line distances from VAUX.
A short walk
- 390 m
Paradise Road
Shanth Fernando’s design store, a Colombo institution: black-and-white tableware, cushions, candles, lamps, books and gifts, with a pretty café to rest in.
Open daily 10am to 7pm.
Directions from VAUX - 720 m
ODEL, Alexandra Place
Colombo’s best-known department store, recently expanded: fashion, Sri Lankan labels, homeware, children’s clothes and a food hall under one roof.
Open daily 10am to 9pm.
Directions from VAUX - 840 m
Spa Ceylon, Ward Place
Ayurveda-inspired oils, balms, teas and candles in beautiful packaging: light, easy gifts to fly home with.
Open daily 10am to 9pm, with treatment rooms if you would like a massage while you are there.
Directions from VAUX
A short ride
- 1.7 km
t-Lounge by Dilmah, Horton Place
The flagship tea lounge of Dilmah, Sri Lanka’s family-owned tea company. Taste before you buy, then take home single-estate teas and gift tins.
Open daily 9am to 10pm.
Directions from VAUX - 1.8 km
Arcade Independence Square
Restored colonial buildings beside Independence Memorial Hall, with shops, cafés and restaurants around a courtyard that is at its prettiest when the lights come on in the evening.
Open daily 8am to 11pm.
Directions from VAUX - 2 km
Laksala
The government-run handicrafts emporium: masks, wood carving, batik, brassware, lacquerware, spices and tea at fixed prices, all under one roof.
Open daily 9am to 9pm. Good for a quick look at everything the island makes.
Directions from VAUX - 2.2 km
Barefoot
The celebrated handloom shop founded by the artist Barbara Sansoni: vivid hand-woven cotton by the metre, clothes, toys, notebooks and homeware, a bookshop and a gallery, with a garden café at the back that is worth the trip on its own.
Open 10am to 7pm, Sundays to 6pm.
Directions from VAUX - 3.3 km
Selyn
A Fair Trade handloom company working with rural weavers, most of them women: scarves, sarongs, clothes, soft toys and homeware in bright colours.
Open 9:30am to 7pm, Sundays to 5pm.
Directions from VAUX
The markets of Pettah
Route from VAUX on Google Maps- 2.4 km
Pettah bazaar
Colombo’s old market district, a grid of streets each with its own trade: fabrics on one, spices on another, then hardware, electronics, bangles and wedding saris. Busy, loud and fascinating.
Go on a weekday morning, bargain politely, carry cash and keep an eye on your bag. Much of it is quieter on Sundays.
Directions from VAUX - 2.6 km
Bombay Sweetmeat Mart
When you need a break, have a falooda at this old sweet shop opposite the Red Mosque.
Directions from VAUX
Tea and spices travel well; ask for vacuum-packed. Antiques more than 50 years old need an export permit, so buy from reputable dealers who can advise. Most shops take cards, while markets prefer cash. Opening hours change on public holidays, so check before you go.
These routes start at VAUX Park Street, a short walk from Park Street Mews. Book direct and enjoy early check-in when available, or see what is on our doorstep.
More Colombo guides
- Guide 9A Geoffrey Bawa trailArchitecture and design lovers
- Guide 11Spa and wellness in ColomboAyurveda, massage, unwinding
- Itinerary 4The ultimate Colombo food guideHungry travellers
- Itinerary 2A rainy day in ColomboMonsoon months, sudden downpours, a slower day
- Itinerary 124 hours in ColomboFirst-time visitors, short stopovers
- Guide 6Colombo after darkNight owls, couples, groups of friends
Stay in the middle of it all
VAUX Park Street is a collection of eight serviced lofts in Colombo 02, next door to Park Street Mews, with a rooftop pool and a 24/7 concierge. Every route on this page starts at our door.
Book direct and enjoy early check-in when available.
