Sri Lanka is a joyous pearl sparkling brightly in the Indian Ocean's heart and is an ideal place to go and explore because of the laid-back charm that clings to the hills and floats on the gushing waters. Some of the nicest places to visit in Kandy are characterised by calmness and serenity and are nestled amid the magnificent mountains and verdant peaks.
Kandy is known for its spirituality and laid-back appeal, and it exudes all things calm and mild. For Buddhists, the lovely Sri Lankan city is also a favourite destination. There are numerous temples, meditation centres, and fascinating hikes, all of which are surrounded by dense environments. As you prepare a long-awaited journey to Sri Lanka, look around and discover eternal comfort in the city of Kandy, the gateway to the central highlands. There are numerous things to do in Kandy one of them being, admiring the green around you!
24 April 2024 | 13 Min Read
Colombo – Kandy Highway – with traffic – 3 hours
Colombo – Kandy Express train – 2 hours
Walk in to Colombo fort railway station and you can get tickets for 3rd class and 2nd class. (3rd class railway tickets price is very cheap)
3rd class is very crowded sometimes not recommended for tourists.
To pre-book a rail journey contact a travel agency
For more information, log in to – http://www.railway.gov.lk/web
Colombo – Kandy – 20 mins
The following travel companies offer internal chatter flights and Helicopter tours
https://www.senoksl.com/travel-and-leisure/airport-and-aviation-services-sri-lanka.html
Sri Dalada Maligawa, or Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, is a Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is housed in the old Kingdom of Kandy's royal palace complex, which also houses the relic of the Buddha's tooth. This is one of the top places to visit in Kandy for locals.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
You need to buy tickets
5.30 am to 8.00 pm
This is a Buddhist temple, be cautious about your clothes. Need to remove hats and shoes before you enter the premises. There are audio guides you can use. Better to use a site guide for a greater experience. Avoid weekends and Full moon days
Ritual Performance times
5.30 am to 6.30 am
9.30 am to 10.30 am
6.15 pm to 8.00 pm
The Festival of the Tooth, also known as the Kandy Esala Perahera, is a festival held in Kandy, Sri Lanka, in July and August. This historic procession takes place every year to pay reverence to the Buddha's Sacred Tooth Relic, which is kept at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. Enjoying this procession is one of the favourite things to do in Kandy for locals and tourists.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
You need to buy tickets
in the Month of August – 14 days at night
Final Grand Procession is the most famous, and it will be held on the full moon day of August.
In the month of August, the charge rate in Kandy Hotels is a bit high.
The Royal Palace of Kandy was the royal seat of the Sri Lankan monarchy of the Kingdom of Kandy in Sri Lanka and was located to the north of the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha was the last king to live there.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
No need to buy tickets
8.00 am to 5.00 pm
You can visit this place while visiting the Temple of the tooth relic.
The Temple of the Tooth Museum is situated on the first and second floors of Sri Lanka's Temple of the Tooth, on the first and second wings of the second level. Historical records, lists of Chief Prelates, lists of Kandyan Kings, portrait busts, and other items can be found on the first floor.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
You need to buy tickets
7.00 am to 8.00 pm
7.00 am to 8.00 pm
The National Museum of Kandy is located near to Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth and is part of the ancient Royal Palace of Kandy. The Palle Vahala building, which used to hold the King's harem, now houses the main displays. In the main palace building, there is a secondary display. The Department of National Museums is in charge of the museum's upkeep.
During the Sri Vickrama Rajasingha era, the Palle Vahala (lower palace) or Meda Vahala (middle palace) was built as the queens of King of Kandy's quarters. This structure was constructed using Kandy era architectural elements. It served as a storage facility for historical objects created by the Kandy Art Association, which was founded in 1882, and Matale artists. The museum first opened its doors to the general public in 1942.
Weapons, jewellery, tools, and other relics from the Kandian era (17-19th century) and post-British Colonial era, including a copy of the 1815 agreement that handed over the Kandyan provinces to the British, are on display at the museum making it a topper in the list of places to visit in Kandy. A statue of Sir Henry Ward, a former Governor of Ceylon (1855–1860), stands in front of the museum and was formerly positioned in front of the Queen's Hotel.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
You need to buy tickets
9.00 am to 5.00 pm
The Best place to study about the Kandian Era and the British colonial period of Srilanka
The International Buddhist Museum, located near the Temple of the Tooth and within the royal palace complex, is a comprehensive knowledge base and a demonstration of Buddhism's growth throughout Asia. It is one of Sri Lanka's most well-known religious destinations. There are halls dedicated to several countries, each depicting Buddhism in that country. Photographs, models, and massive statues depict the growth of Buddhism and its impact on people around the world.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
No need to buy tickets
8.00 am to 7.00 pm
This is a History Museum located inside the temple of tooth relic. You can visit this place while visiting the temple.
Adjacent to the Kandy Lake, just beside the Sri Dalada maligawa, a historical site where kings and queens bathed.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
No need to buy tickets
8.00 am to 5.00 pm
This is only a historical landmark. Well preserved
Visitors walking towards the King's palace come face to face with the museum. The tusker who fervently carried the Sacred Tooth relic's coffin for nearly half a century is a first-class national asset. The tusker, who died on July 6, 1988, was resurrected for future generations to see after his cremation. All of the tusker's records can be found here, from their birth until their immense service to Dalada Maligawa.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
No need to buy tickets
8.00 am to 6.00 pm
Highly recommended if you are interested in tamed elephants of Srilanka
The Kandy Lake Club Cultural Dance Show is a thrilling Sri Lankan Arts, Dance, and Cultural Heritage Show that everybody visiting Kandy should watch. The Kandy Lake Club Dance began in 1982 with the goal of creating a cultural dance event that would bring all styles of Sri Lankan dance together on one stage. It is Sri Lanka's inaugural Cultural Dance Show, and it has since become a popular tourist destination for those interested in learning more about the country's rich cultural legacy. As a result, it has been continually performing for the past 35 years. Dance methods specific to different parts of the island are typically passed down through the generations. These dances are done with drums and costumes that are specific to each region at local ceremonies and rites. Dances representing the majestic gait of the elephant, the sleuth movements of the cobra and the vibrant performance of peacocks are among the dance moves depicted.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
You need to buy tickets
5.00 pm to 6.00 pm
This is a performing arts theatre only for tourists
Kandy Lake, also known as Kiri Muhuda or the Sea of Milk, is an artificial lake in the centre of Kandy, Sri Lanka, established by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe near the Temple of the Tooth in 1807. It has shrunk in size throughout the years. Fishing is prohibited in this protected lake.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
No need to buy tickets
24 hours open, Evening and Morning are recommended
The best place to have a walk in the morning, there are parking slots available around the lake. You can have a boat ride and you can buy some popcorns from street shops and feed fish in the lake
The British Garrison Cemetery in Kandy, Sri Lanka, is a British cemetery for British people who died in Ceylon. It was founded in 1817, shortly after the British captured Kandy, and closed in 1873 due to a ban on burials within the municipal limits. However, special permission was granted to allow relatives of those interred in the cemetery to be buried there, with Annie Fritz being the last person buried there in 1951. There are 195 graves in the cemetery, including those of men, women, and children. Tropical diseases like malaria and cholera were the leading causes of death.
196 km or 4 to 4 ½ hour’s drive
No need to buy tickets
8.00 am to 6.00 pm
Have a Friendly chat with the caretakers of the place. They will give you a lot of knowledge and information about the place and history. Give them a small tip as a token of appreciation
Udawattakele Forest Reserve, also known as Udawatta Kele, is a historic forest reserve in Kandy that is located on a hill ridge. It covers an area of 104 hectares. Udawattakele was once known as "Uda Wasala Watta" in Sinhalese, which meant "the garden above the royal palace" during the Kandyan monarchy.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
You need to buy tickets
8.00 am to 2.00 pm
This is a small sanctuary of Srilanka. No polythene and plastics are allowed. Be aware of Leeches
The Royal Palace Park, also known as Wales Park, Wace Park, or Rajawasala Park, is a small park in the centre of Kandy that overlooks Kandy Lake and much of the city. It is also known as Wales Park, Wace Park, or Rajawasala Park. The park was founded by Sri Lankan King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha and renamed Wales Park by the British in honour of the Prince of Wales.
In 1880, Herbert Wace, the Government Agent of the Central Province and acting Colonial Secretary, negotiated for the restoration of this abandoned land and the construction of a park there. Lord Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander handed a Japanese field cannon taken by the British 14th Army in Burma during World War II to the City of Kandy.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
You need to buy tickets
8.00 am to 5.00 pm
This is a Famous place among young lovers and loving couples
Kandy City Centre is a ten-story commercial and retail complex near the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The centre's construction began in 1993 and was completed in 2008.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
No need to buy tickets
10.00 am to 9.30 pm
Weekends are mostly crowded. you can find good quality restaurants here
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya are located around 5.5 kilometres west of Kandy in Sri Lanka's Central Province. In 2016, 1.2 million locals and 400,000 foreign visitors visited the garden. The Mahaweli River is nearby. It is well-known for its orchid collection and a stroll in this garden is one of the compulsory things to do in Kandy.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
You need to buy tickets
7.00 am to 5.00 pm
Use Google Maps inside the Park to cover every section without missing any place. You have to walk a lot as this is the largest botanical garden in the country. Must visit place if you are a person who loves flora.
The Department of Agriculture maintains Agro Technology Park Gannoruwa, which is one of the best of its kind in Sri Lanka. The park is enclosed on three sides by a loop of River Mahaweli at Gannoruwa, which is located in the tropical climate of Kandy. The majority of agricultural-related institutions are located in this area. It covers a total of 2 square kilometres. 1550 feet above sea level is the average elevation (473m).
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
You need to buy tickets
8.00 am to 5.00 pm
This is an Agriculture research institute. If you love agriculture and farming this place will be a library for you.
"Embillian Tea" is a genuine factory of fresh pure Ceylon tea that comes directly from the "Embilmeegama Tea Factory," which was founded in 1940 with great excitement and determination to manufacture the highest quality Fresh Ceylon Teas.
90 km and it takes about 2 to 2 ½ hours
No need to buy tickets
7.00 am to 5.00 pm
Don’t forget to go to the Tea Bar and taste a pure cup of Ceylon tea. You can buy Ceylon tea from here
The Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue stands next to the Sri Maha Bodhi Temple, which sits atop Bahirawa Kanda Hill. The entire city of Kandy sprawls out before this wonderfully crafted white statue, which depicts Buddha in the seated Nirvana stance. It is one of Sri Lanka's largest Buddha statues, standing at 88 feet tall.
Visitors can ascend to the summit of the hill for panoramic views of Kandy City, Bogambara Prison, and the surrounding mountain range. It makes for some incredible pictures and memories. The Bahirawa Kanda temple is open for worship.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
No need to buy tickets
Open 24 hours – the evening is recommended
This is a Buddhist Temple. Be cautious about your dress code. You need to remove your hats and shoes before entering the premises. Don’t forget to bring your camera and GoPro.
The Ceylon Tea Museum is housed in the historic Hanthana Tea Factory, which was built in 1925. It is 3 kilometres south of Kandy. Following the failure of coffee production on the island, Hanthana was one of the first regions to successfully plant tea.
105 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
You need to buy tickets
8.30 am to 3.30 pm
Site guides are available on request. Best place to learn about the History of Ceylon Tea and Tea Manufacturing process.
The Hanthana Mountain Range can be found in central Sri Lanka, just south of Kandy. The National Environment Act designated it as an environmental protection area in February 2010. The range reaches a maximum height of 3800 feet. There are seven summits in the mountain range of which the Uura Kanda is the highest one (peak).
110 km and it takes about 3 to 3 ½ hours
No need to buy tickets
24 hours open. Day time is recommended
Get ready with hiking shoes and other equipment. No hard sunlight. Be cautious of leeches
King Vikramabahu III of the Gampola Era in Sri Lanka constructed Embekka Devalaya. Kataragama deviyo is honored in this devalaya. Devatha Bandara, a local goddess, is also worshipped at this location.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
You need to buy tickets
open 24 hours – Day time is recommended
This is a religious place. Be cautious about your dress. The best place to see and study ancient Sri Lankan wood carvings. Recommended to hire an area guide for a better experience.
In Pilimathalawa, Kandy, Gadaladenyia Vihara (also known as Saddharmatilaka Vihara or Dharma Kirthi Viharaya) is a historic Buddhist shrine. It's on Gadaladenyia Road (B116), just up from the Gadaladeniya junction of the Colombo - Kandy Road (A1), some 12.5 kilometres (7.8 miles) west of Kandy and 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) from Lankatilaka Vihara, an old Buddhist temple. It is regarded as one of Sri Lanka's largest rock temples.
90 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
No need to buy tickets
7.00 am to 7.00 pm
This is a religious place. Be cautious about your dress. Recommended to hire an area guide for a better experience.
The Lankatilaka Raja Maha Vihara (also known as the Lankatilaka Temple or the Blue Temple) is in Hiyarapitiya, Kandy's hill city, in the Udunuwara neighbourhood. It was built as a four-story structure with an eighty-foot height that lies on an uneven rock bed with a view of the Hantane mountain range. The history of Lankatilaka Vihara may be traced back to the Gampola era when it was built in 1344 AD under the patronage of King Buwanekabahu IV.
95 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
No need to buy tickets
8.00 am to 6.00 pm
This is a religious place. Be cautious about your dress. Recommended to hire an area guide for a better experience.
There is a great view, don’t forget to bring your GoPro.
In the central highlands of Sri Lanka, Ambuluwawa is a wildlife complex and Sri Lanka's first multi-religious sanctuary. In Gampola, the Ambuluwawa Trigonometrical Station is made up of a massive spiralling tower that looks like a styled Buddhist stupa, a Hindu kovil, a Muslim mosque, and a Christian church.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
You need to buy tickets
9.00 am to 5.00 pm
There is a good vehicle park on the top of the mountain.
The road is more suitable for vehicles with high ground clearance.
If you feel not good to drive hire a tuk-tuk and come to the top. Bring water and some snacks.
Don’t forget to climb the tower and take a selfie
Today, Sri Lanka is a significant producer of Ceylon Cinnamon, Ceylon Pepper, Ceylon Cloves, Ceylon Nutmeg, and Ceylon Cardamom, all labelled as Ceylon Spices due to their distinct scent and flavour created by the country's terroir.
Contact your travel agent or guide for info
No need to buy tickets
8.00 am to 5.00 pm
There is a number of spice gardens available in Sri Lanka especially on the way to Kandy and Dambulla. You can have a visit and they will show you the spices garden and give you knowledge on Ceylon spices. It is up to you to decide whether you want to buy spices or not from there. Please check google reviews about the place before visiting.
Near Kandy, there is a beautiful Buddhist Viharaya that is only about a 30-minute drive away. There is parking and other amenities available. Climb to the summit of the mountain for a panoramic view of the surrounding area and to see a fascinating Buddha statue. Along with the climbing stairs, there are statues illustrating important Buddhist historical events. I would strongly suggest it to any tourist.
95 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
No need to buy tickets
open 24 hours – recommended Morning and Evening
This is a religious place. Be cautious about your dress.
The historic Bogambara Prison, located in Kandy's centre, is being restored as a museum and cultural park in order to increase the city's tourism. The project's first phase was just completed and opened to the public.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
No need to buy tickets
open 24 hours
Try to avoid Weekends because Kandy is very crowded in weekends.
Pinnawala is a popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka and a must-see for anybody visiting the country. This elephant orphanage is 90 kilometres from Colombo, in the direction of Kandy, and it opens at 8.30 a.m., allowing visitors to interact with the elephants until the evening. Pinnawala allows you to observe a herd of elephants in their natural habitat while also bringing you closer to one of the world's largest creatures. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a wild Asian elephant orphanage, nursery, and captive breeding habitat.
80 km and it takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours
No need to buy tickets
8.30 am to 5.30 pm
Elephants are taken to have a river bath at 10.00 am and 2.00 pm to a nearby river. If you come around these times purchase a ticket and go to the river first which is just a hop across to the opposite side. After the river, go to the park.
Bathing and strolling encounters are available at this rehabilitation centre for rescued worker elephants.
80 km and it takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours
No need to buy tickets
9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Elephants are not having chains, and these are not tamed elephants. Be very careful with yourself as well as your children.
The Nelligala International Buddhist Center is a Buddhist temple in the Kandy district's Muruthalawa settlement. Due to its pure beauty and wonderful perspective of the surrounding countryside, it is a favourite destination for sightseeing visitors and tourists. It is a contemporary temple, with a building beginning in 2015. The Nelligala International Buddhist Center is a popular destination for Buddhists as well as people of other faiths. It is a location that provides tourists with calm and tranquillity. In contrast to the blue sky above, the temple's gold-coloured Buddha statues provide a unique and lovely image. The Buddha's precious relics are housed in the temple.
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
You need to buy tickets
100 km and it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours
This is a Buddhist Temple, be cautious of your dress. Try to avoid the Full moon days and Sundays are usually crowded from Buddhist devotes. Don’t forget to bring your camera and GoPro.
