Kandy

Why visit Kandy?

Kandy brings together living religion, Kandyan dance and drumming, colonial-era streets and one of the finest botanical gardens in Asia.

It sits between the Cultural Triangle and the tea country, so almost every island route passes through.

Top attractions and things to do

• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

  Sri Dalada Maligawa enshrines Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist relic; daily rituals draw pilgrims.

• Kandy Lake

  A shaded walk around the lake in the centre of town.

• Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya

  Avenues of palms, an orchid house and giant trees just outside the city.

• Kandyan dance performances

  Evening shows of traditional drumming and dance.

• Esala Perahera

  A spectacular procession usually held around July or August; dates follow the lunar calendar.

Kandy's history

Kandy was the capital of the last independent Sinhalese kingdom, which held out in the central hills against the Portuguese and the Dutch for more than two centuries. It finally came under British rule in 1815.

The kingdom's legacy is everywhere: in the Temple of the Tooth, the royal palace buildings beside it, and the lake built by the last king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, in the early nineteenth century. The Sacred City of Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A suggested day in Kandy

Start with a walk around Kandy Lake while it is still cool. Visit the Temple of the Tooth mid-morning, or plan around one of the daily ceremonies when drums and offerings fill the shrine. Allow time for the museums within the temple complex.

In the afternoon, visit the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya on the edge of the city, with its avenues of palms, orchid house and giant fig tree. End the day at a Kandyan dance performance or at a viewpoint over the city, such as the hilltop Bahirawakanda Buddha.

Kandy as a base

Kandy sits in the centre of the island, which makes it a practical base. Sigiriya and Dambulla, the Knuckles range, Sembuwatta Lake, Pinnawala, the tea country around Nuwara Eliya and rafting at Kitulgala are all within reach on a day trip by car.

See our day tours from Kandy for routes and timings.

Where to stay and eat

Hotels around the lake are walkable to the temple. Hillside hotels above the city have views and cooler air, and estate bungalows in the surrounding hills are quieter still. Traffic in the centre can be slow, so choose a location that suits your plans.

The city has bakeries, rice and curry restaurants and cafés, plus the central market for fruit and spices. Ask your driver about local places serving Kandyan-style rice and curry.

Planning your visit

Suggested time

One or two nights. Add a night to explore the three medieval temples outside the city, the Knuckles range or nearby tea estates. (Guidance only.)

Best time to visit

Kandy is pleasant for much of the year thanks to its altitude. Showers are possible in most months. If you want to see the Esala Perahera, check the confirmed dates well in advance as accommodation fills quickly.

Getting there

Kandy is linked by road to Colombo, Sigiriya and the Cultural Triangle. Its railway connections were damaged by Cyclone Ditwah: trains from Colombo currently terminate at Peradeniya, just outside the city, and the line from Kandy towards Nuwara Eliya and Ella is closed for repairs.

Check current details before travelling: prices, opening hours, access and seasonal conditions change.

How to get to Kandy

Compare private car, bus and train options in our route guides:

Places to see in Kandy

Visitor tips

• At the Temple of the Tooth, cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes and hats, and avoid posing with your back to Buddha images.
• White or light-coloured clothing is a respectful choice for temple visits.
• Traffic in the centre can be heavy; plan extra time around rush hours.

Experiences around Kandy

Plan with our guides

Kandy: frequently asked questions