One of the joys of traveling is visiting local markets. There is nothing better than shopping for the ingredients necessary for a family meal with a local. Markets hold the secrets of the culture, all the little bits and pieces that hold communities together. These are the best ones to visit in Sri Lanka.
Pettah Market
The largest and most famous market in Colombo, and Sri Lanka is Pettah Market. Not only a fresh produce market, Pettah Market is a collection of street blocks with maddening traffic, noise and haggling. Not surprising for a street market right? The biggest tip for when visiting Pettah Market is to take a tuk-tuk or taxi to the edge of the market and then walk in to discover all the little shops and goodies. It’s best to go to Pettah in a group and preferably not as a lone woman – Sri Lankan’s love to stare and most of the Pettah workers are men. Better go with a planned tour such as Mark Forbes’ Colombo Walking Tours.
Busy Pettah © Dan Lundberg / Flickr
Kala Pola Art Market
The Kala Pola Art Market is a roadside collection of talented artists selling decorative paintings and occasionally photography. The themes in the paintings are mostly Sri Lankan ideography, landscapes and lots of elephants. This little art market is on the sidewalk across the Viharamadehi Park and next to the back entrance of the Colombo National Museum. Definitely worth a look if you’re in the area.
Kala Pola Art Market in Colombo © Munir Squires / Flickr
Good Market
The Good Market is the place to go for organic produce, natural products and more eco/health choices. The flagship store opens every day and the large scale market with lots of vendors is on Saturday mornings in the racecourse parking lot. Already an institution in Colombo, and occasionally in Galle and Kandy, the Good Market is a nice way to spend Saturday morning.
Fun Saturdays at the Good Market / Courtesy of The Good Market
Negombo Fish Market
Less than an hour from Colombo heading north, is the fishing area of Negombo. The Negombo Fish Market is especially memorable since it’s right on the beach. Fishermen sell fresh fish as well as dried fish that they lay on huge nets to dry in the sun. Weekday mornings can get pretty chaotic and weekends are almost empty.
Fisherman at the Negombo Fish Market © Dario Morandotti / Flickr
Comments