Market, Cooking and Galle Fort

Begin your day at a lively local fish market, where the catch of the day arrives fresh and flapping.

With the help of your host, you’ll choose fish, vegetables and spices before heading to a nearby home kitchen for a hands-on cooking class.

Here, you’ll prepare your lunch the traditional way—using a fire stove and clay pots—and learn the techniques that define southern Sri Lankan cuisine. Once ready, tuck into your own delicious creation.

After lunch, take time to unwind on one of the nearby beaches before meeting your guide for a late afternoon stroll through the historic Galle Fort. As the sun begins to drop, explore the ramparts, alleyways and colonial architecture of this UNESCO-listed site, hearing tales of Portuguese, Dutch and British influence along the way.

What You’ll Do

• Shop for ingredients at a bustling local fish market

• Cook a traditional Sri Lankan lunch using clay pots and firewood

• Relax on the nearby beach in the early afternoon

• Take a guided walk through the cobbled streets and ramparts of Galle Fort

• Learn about the region’s layered colonial and culinary history