7 Epic Things to Do in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Are you looking for the best things to do in Kandy, Sri Lanka? Kandy is a must-see in Sri Lanka, so you can’t miss it on your Sri Lanka Itinerary.

Most people only know Kandy for its famous train ride between Kandy and Ella. But Kandy is much more than that and well worth a visit!

Wondering what to do in Kandy, Sri Lanka?

Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, climb the Ambuluwawa Tower, see the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, take a day trip to Sigiriya, and wander around Kandy Lake.

This ultimate guide to visiting Kandy includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

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Where is Kandy, Sri Lanka?

Kandy is located 3 hours from Colombo in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.

Is Kandy Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Kandy has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 and is the cultural capital of Sri Lanka.

Best Time to Visit Kandy, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a popular destination all year round! But the best time to visit Kandy is during the dry season, from January to April. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for sightseeing and exploring the nearby attractions.

Kandy has a tropical climate with high humidity, and the average temperature is 24°C all year round.

The rainy season runs from May to September.

Here are all your hotel options in Kandy.

How to Get to Kandy, Sri Lanka

Most people come to Kandy from Colombo. The distance between Colombo and Kandy is about 120 km, which is 2.5-4 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.

We have a detailed post on how to get from Colombo to Kandy with all the information you need.

Although there are several ways to get to Kandy, you will need a mode of transport on arrival to discover the best attractions of Kandy.

Therefore, one of the most exciting and best ways to get from Colombo to Kandy is to rent a tuk tuk and drive there yourself. The journey time by tuk tuk is approximately 4-6 hours. We rented a tuk tuk for 2 weeks in Sri Lanka for only 22 USD/day.

Read the full post → Tuk Tuk Rental in Sri Lanka

How to Get Around Kandy

Wondering how to visit Kandy, Sri Lanka? It’s easy to get around Kandy.

The best ways to get around Kandy are to join a private or group tour or hire a private driver. We arrived from Sigiriya to Kandy by tuk tuk and easily explored the attractions in the area.

If you have limited time in Sri Lanka, take a day trip from Kandy to Sigiriya. Book your tour HERE.

Where to Stay in Kandy

Kandy has some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Luxury: Earl’s Regency Hotel
Mid-Range: Earl’s Regent Hotel
Budget: Queen’s Hotel

more hotels in kandy

We stayed at the Theva Residency for 2 nights, and it was a good base for exploring the Kandy attractions.

Best things to do in Kandy, Sri Lanka

1. Climb the Ambuluwawa Tower

One of the best Kandy things to do is to visit Ambuluwawa Tower. Take a short trip from Kandy to the Ambuluwawa complex and enjoy the epic 360-degree view from the tower.

Ambuluwawa is a Biodiversity Complex and Sri Lanka’s first multi-religious sanctuary. Spend at least 1-1.5 hours at the Ambuluwawa and explore the beautiful temples.

Book your Ambuluwawa Tower day tour.

The distance between Kandy and Ambuluwawa Tower is approximately 25 km, which takes 1 hour, depending on traffic.

The entrance fee to the Ambuluwawa Temple is just 2000 LKR (7 USD) for foreign adults and 1000 LKR (3.5 USD) for foreign children.

Read the full post → How to Visit Ambuluwawa Tower

2. Explore Royal Botanic Gardens

One of the best places to visit in Kandy is the Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya. This is a fantastic program for couples and families and a must for nature lovers, so don’t miss it if you are in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

It is easily accessible by tuk tuk, about 20-30 minutes from the center of Kandy. The Royal Botanic Gardens is open daily from 7:30 AM to 6 PM.

The entrance fee to the Royal Botanic Gardens is 3540 LKR (12 USD) for foreign tourists and 1770 LKR (6 USD) for children under 12 years.

There are over 4,000 species of plants in the gardens, such as woody trees, palms, ferns, orchids, and shrubs. Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours at the Royal Botanic Gardens and see the beautiful flowers and plants from around the world.

The best places to visit in the gardens are Spice Garden, Royal Palm Avenue, Giant Bamboo, Orchid House, and Medicinal Garden.

Recommended post → Ultimate Sri Lanka Itinerary

3. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

The temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is a Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important pilgrimage site of worship where the Buddha’s tooth is kept.

The Sri Dalada Maligawa is open daily from 5:30 AM to 8 PM.

There is a dress code, so you should wear respectful clothing when visiting the temple. Bring a sarong or borrow one at the temple to cover your shoulders or knees.

The entrance fee to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is 2000 LKR (6 USD). For the best experience, visit during the rituals, which run from 5:30 AM to 7 AM, 9:30 AM to 11 AM and 6:30 PM to 8 PM.

You can only enter the temple complex without shoes. There is a shoe rack where you can leave your shoes for a small donation.

Plan to spend at least 1-2 hours at the temple, see the beautiful carvings, and talk to locals. Then, visit the Udawattakele Forest Reserve, just a 10-minute drive away.

TIP
As this is a popular attraction, we recommend avoiding weekends!

4. Take a Day Trip to Sigiriya

Sigiriya is one of the most popular destinations, so don’t miss it when visiting Kandy, Sri Lanka. You can easily take a day trip to Sigiriya and explore the best attractions.

A day trip to Sigiriya is a great way to visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple, so even if you can only take a short visit, it’s still worth it.

The tour price includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, transport by air-conditioned vehicle, a local English-speaking guide, entrance fees, and lunch.

So take a day trip from Kandy to Sigiriya and visit the best sights. Book your tour online.

TIP
If you spend enough time in Sri Lanka, we recommend spending at least 2 days in Sigiriya.

Read our → Sigiriya Guide

5. See Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue

One of the less popular attractions in Kandy is the Sri Maha Bodhi Temple, which is well worth a visit in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya temple is located at the top of the Bahirawakanda hill. Its giant Buddha offers stunning photo opportunities. Climb to the top of the viewpoint and enjoy the beautiful views of Kandy.

The entrance fee to the Sri Maha Bodhi Temple is 300 LKR (1 USD).

Although it is only a 30-minute walk from the center of Kandy, we do not recommend walking! At Kandy Lake, you can easily catch a tuk tuk for 500 LKR (1,5 USD) round trip and reach the temple in 5-10 minutes.

You can visit the temple every day from 6 AM to 6 PM.

6. Visit Kandy Lake & Kandy Market

Are you looking for more top places to visit in Kandy, Sri Lanka? Wander around Kandy Lake and combine your visit with the Temple of the Tooth and Kandy Municipal Central Market.

Visiting local markets is a great way to talk to locals and ask for tips on what not to miss in the city.

Kandy Lake is one of the most iconic spots in the city, offering the perfect photo opportunity. But for the best panoramic views, visit Arthur’s Seat View Point, Kandy at sunset.

7. Kandy to Ella Train Journey

Are you looking for an unforgettable experience in Sri Lanka? The stunning journey from Kandy to Ella is one of the most picturesque train rides in the world, so don’t miss it on your Sri Lanka Itinerary.

The Kandy to Ella train journey takes around 6-7 hours. The famous Kandy to Ella train departs from Colombo Fort and arrives at Badulla. Trains run only 3 times a day between Kandy and Ella!

It’s good to know that if you want reserved seats, you must book your train ticket online at least 1 month before your travel date!

On this unique train journey, you can enjoy the beautiful views along the tea plantations and take iconic photos.

Get Kandy Ella Train Tickets via 12Go or Bookaway.

We recommend choosing the second or third class and enjoying epic views while hanging out the doors.

Read the full post → Guide to Kandy to Ella Train

Is it Safe to Travel to Kandy, Sri Lanka?

Yes, it is generally safe. But small thefts and pickpockets can happen everywhere. So always take care of your valuables!

There are monkeys, so always keep an eye on your bag and don’t leave anything in the tuk tuk.

Traffic in downtown Kandy is often chaotic, so drive carefully!

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

Where to Eat in Kandy

In Kandy, you can find many local restaurants, vegetarian options, national foods, and the best places to eat with all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best restaurants in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Vito Wood Fired Pizza (Best pizza)
Cafe 1886 (Delicious Sri Lankan Cuisine)
The Bake House (A good place for breakfast or lunch)
Buono (Best coffee, perfect place for breakfast)
Nagalingam’s Bhavan (Indian restaurant)
The Empire Cafe (Best Sri Lankan curry)
Theva Cuisine (Our favorite place to eat in Kandy)

Join a private street food tour.

How many Days do you Need in Kandy, Sri Lanka?

Kandy is a popular place and the perfect base for a day trip to Sigiriya. So we recommend you spend at least 2-3 days and enjoy the best things to do in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Important note
Please don’t support places where elephants are kept in chains, so don’t visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage!

We hope our list of the best things to do in Kandy will help you plan your next trip to Sri Lanka. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

7 Epic Things to Do in Kandy, Sri Lanka