Sri Lanka · MARKETS
Good market tours run on gate times and reserved seats, and the best go early. Below: 10 of them, what each includes and how they differ.
Shop a Colombo market, cook a five-course Sri Lankan meal, and learn local food customs in a welcoming private home.
“I had a great experience with going to the local market and cooking local dishes. Nim is a wonderful person. I learned so much about vegetables, fruits and all the spices and even about real and fake cinnamon :) and we talked about so much Read more”
Cook Sri Lankan curries with Madhu, shop a local Galle market, and share a home-style feast for $40 in three memorable hours.
“I really enjoyed this activity. Madhu and her family are such lovely people. You can feel that she really loves teaching how to prepare the traditional dishes of Sri Lanka and her family. This is an authentic gem, you can’t miss her cooking class!”
Cook Sri Lankan dishes, shop a Colombo market, and share a home meal with Lion beer, juice, dessert, recipes, and spices.
“Had a fantastic time with Pradeep & Bobby. They welcomed us into their home, we prepared many dishes together, had a few Lions, solved the world's problems, and left as friends. Recommend!”
Explore Negombo’s fish market, churches, temples, and Dutch Canal on a flexible private tour with an English-speaking local guide.
“Thank you so much for the kind review. We are glad you enjoyed.”
Learn Sri Lankan vegan cooking in Colombo with a market visit, clay-pot techniques, private instruction, and a flexible local menu.
“Indeed, everything made inside the kitchen is from scratch, from the sauces, paste, fillings, and appetizers. The chef keeps the class small enough to have your hands in every process. He has a good knowledge about what he is doing. TRead more”
Cook 12 Sri Lankan dishes, shop for fresh vegetables, and share a family meal in a village home near Kandy for $48.
“To say we had a wonderful time wouldn’t do the experience justice. We were treated with respect and care throughout the whole afternoon. The food was beyond amazing. She is a great teacher, very patient and we learnt so much. The setting itself was incredible, in the jungle, in an outside kitchen near Kandy. I can’t recommend this more!! I did it as a surprise for my husband on our honeymoon, which was perfect. Thank you so much!!”
Shop Pettah Market with a local chef, cook Sri Lankan curry, and enjoy a private four-hour food experience in Colombo.
“Piumi was amazing, we had a private cooking class in her home. Piumi was informative, engaging , fun. The food was exquisite, thoroughly enjoyed it and wield recommend. Thanks Piumi 😊😊😊”
Shop Negombo’s local market, cook Sri Lankan curries in a Sinhalese home, and enjoy a private three-hour food experience for $70.
“A great way to dip into local Negambo life - from gathering produce in the local markets, to the laborious preparation of flavoursome tuna/ devilled prawn curry. Communication was excellent throughout & Shashi’s an excellent and knowledgeable host. Highly recommended.”
Shop for Sri Lankan ingredients, cook with a local family, and enjoy lunch on this four-hour Colombo food experience.
“I first thank you, Roman and Delrin Vanhoff, mother and daughter who demonstrated excellent Sri Lankan cuisines and taught me how to cook them. Opposed to my stereotypical idea about Sri Lankan food that may use lots of oil, it is very healthy and tasty. I had afternoon programme and could not stay long enough to eat and chat with them. But I truly thank them for their Sri Lankan hospitality. One advices for GetYourGuide, it would be nice if the host family and a tourist could communicate beforehand about the selection of the ingredients. It would be sad if the tourist is not able to some of the cuisines…”
Review of Kandy’s private market visit and cooking class, with local host Buddhima, hotel transfers, Sri Lankan dishes, and practical booking tips.
“An intensive and enjoying time with Buddhima on the market and especially in her kitchen and on her table with her lovely family. We have picked up and shared a lot … incrediences, spices, preparation, cooking, eating and much much more … a wunderful day !”
Pick a park, a coast or a kitchen.
