SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka’s best days out.
The 15 most popular workshops in Sri Lanka. The ones worth building a day around, with prices, run times and who runs them.
Learn Sri Lankan hoppers, curry and honey roti in Ella. Cook in an open-air kitchen, eat banana-leaf lunch, get recipes on WhatsApp.
Most Popular“Amazing!! Such a lovely time doing this traditional cooking class. Very friendly and interesting. Would recommend to anyone!!”
Learn traditional silver jewelry making in Galle with hands-on ring steps, gemstone ID tips, and lunch or dinner plus tuk tuk pickup.
“What a wonderful experience! We were taught many interesting things about different gem stones and then we could pick our ring design and the gem stones we wanted. The pricing for the final product was always transparent, you can also tell them your budget and they will help you pick something in your price range.…”
Hands-on Sri Lankan cooking in Ella with Neranji at a homestay. Cook curries, sambol, and roti, then take recipes and spices home.
“Neranji is a very competent cook and explains simply and clearly how traditional Sri Lankan food is prepared. This was the best meal we've had in Sri Lanka, the fresh ingredients, balance of spices and the tricks of the trade to prepare a magnificent meal.”
Ella spice garden tour plus a hands-on Sri Lankan cooking class by fire, recipes PDF, and a banana-leaf dinner for $32.
“We had a great time at the cooking class!! We learned a lot about spices and fruits and how they are used and grown in the garden. Our hosts were really lovely and passionate about showing us Sri Lankan food culture and answered all our questions. The food was the best we had during our…”
Learn Sri Lankan home cooking in Colombo with a private 3-hour class, cooking 10 dishes (plus desserts) and eating together.
“Very interesting insight into Sri Lankan life and the important role food and cooking plays in daily life. Piumi is an excellent cook and teacher. I’m vegetarian and she showed me how to prepare and cook ten different vegetarian curries and the resulting lunch was delicious.”
Learn traditional Sri Lankan curries in Galle, with a small group, market stop, and lunch plus dinner included for about 3.5 hours.
“What an incredible experience. This was so much fun and the food was by far the best we had in Sri Lanka. Everything was so well organized. It's such a beautiful kitchen too. I can't recommend this enough. Thank you to Madha for being such a wonderful teacher.”
Shop Colombo’s market, cook a Sri Lankan 5-course meal in a villa with Chef Nim, and learn dining etiquette plus recipes.
“Nim, our guide and teacher, showed us round the market and explained how many vegetables are used in Sri Lankan cooking. We then went back to his lovely home and he showed us how to cook several dishes. Finally, we had a delicious meal together. We learned a lot about food and Sri Lankan life…”
A hands-on Sri Lankan rice-and-curry class near Sigiriya with Sajee and Suzy. Cook dhal, chicken/fish, veg curries, sambol, and rice.
“we had a truly memorable experience at Sajees Place Cooking School Sigiriya. Sajee explained about the different herbs and spices typically used in Sri Lankan cooking and the difference between what is used for dishes vs curries. We then got to prepare together a chicken curry, several vegetable curries and a vegetable dish as well…”
Small-group Sri Lankan cooking class in Ella with Irosha and Kamala. Cook curries, sambol and papadam outdoors, eat together.
“Extremely friendly and welcoming family. The most delicious food and insight into Sri Lankan cooking and flavours that we can’t wait to take home with us!”
Shop Colombo’s local market, cook Sri Lankan favorites at a home kitchen, and eat lunch plus dinner with pickup in a 4-hour private class.
“This is a wonderful cooking experience in a local Colombo home. It begins by visiting the outdoor market to select the produce and to sample some of the beautiful local fruits. We then went to Dhanuka’s family home. He and his wife were Read more”
Private Sri Lankan cooking class in Ella with a vegan, gluten-free menu, fresh ingredients, 10–12 dishes, and PDF recipes.
“Great experience and would definitely recommend. We learnt some lovely recipes and methods, using all fresh ingredients. You are also provided with the recipes in PDF afterwards for everything which is helpful!”
Cook Sri Lankan classics with Granny Nandy in a real village near Kandy. Hands-on, spice-focused, and plenty of food for $25.
“We were taken to the market first and bought vegetables at the local market, our guide explained what all the veggies were and then we had the chance to try 3 different types of bananas, mango and passionfruit! They then took us via TukTuk to the family house where we were given tea and had…”
Beachfront beginner surf lesson in Weligama with Surf & Stay: safety briefing, 1–2 hour coaching, gear included, optional photos, $20.
“Waited for my pickup at my accomodation as confirmed in the ticket from Viator, however it never showed up. I also had no communication from the operator, either at the time of booking, between booking and activity, or after the no-show. IRead more”
Ella Sri Lanka cooking class: quick curries and coconut sambal in an outdoor kitchen, with a Little Adam’s Peak start, $25.
“This is a must-do experience, Irosha and her mother was very accomodation and nice! We learned 4 different curries and coconut sambol and this was the best Sri Lanka food we have tried in our 4 weeks here! The whole set in beautiful surroundings. 10/10 ❤️”
A private 1.5-hour beginner surf lesson in Weligama with a calm instructor, foam board practice, safety drills, and fast wave time.
“Highly recommended, very good experience as a first time surfer, the trainer is experienced and very calm”
The cultural triangle, the hill country, the wildlife parks and the south coast, all on one island.
