Kandy was Sri Lanka's last independent kingdom, holding out against the Portuguese and Dutch until the British finally took it in 1815. Today it's a UNESCO World Heritage city of about 125,000 people, ringed by hills and centered on a lake and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — the most important Buddhist site in the country.
How to get to Kandy
From Colombo airport: 3.5 hours by road via the expressway, or 3 hours on the scenic train (book second-class reserved).
From Sigiriya: 2.5 hours by road through Matale and the spice gardens.
From Nuwara Eliya: 3 hours by road, or 4 hours on the famous train.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
The temple houses a tooth relic of the Buddha, brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD. Visit during one of the daily pujas (05:30, 09:30, 18:30) when the inner chamber opens and drumming and chanting fill the temple.
Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off at the entrance. Entrance fee about USD 10 for foreigners. Allow 90 minutes including the on-site museums.
Walk the lake at sunset
Kandy Lake is artificial — built by the last king of Kandy in 1807. The 3 km path around it is the city's evening promenade: monks, families, kingfishers and views back across to the temple. Beautiful at sunset and very safe.
Cultural dance show
Three venues run a one-hour Kandyan dance show every evening at 17:00 — drumming, masked devil dancers and a fire-walking finale. The Kandyan Art Association is the most authentic; ticket about USD 7. Touristy but a fun introduction to the country's performing arts.
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens
Six kilometres from town — 60 hectares of palm avenues, orchid houses, giant bamboo and a 200-year-old Javan fig tree. Best in the morning before the heat. Entrance about USD 10. Allow 2 hours.
Day trips from Kandy
Ambuluwawa Tower: a spiral viewing tower 90 minutes from Kandy with 360° views of the central highlands.
Knuckles Range: a UNESCO-listed mountain range with full-day guided hikes through cloud forest. Best for active travelers.
Pinnawala or the Elephant Freedom Project (Rambukkana): 90 minutes west. We recommend the Freedom Project for an ethical, hands-off experience.
Where to stay
Stay above the lake on the hillside — the views are unbeatable and you escape city noise. Budget: Theva Residency. Mid-range: Kandy House or OZO Kandy. Luxury: Villa Rosa, Kings Pavilion or Earl's Regency.
How long to stay
Two nights is ideal: arrive afternoon one, dance show + dinner; full day for the temple, lake and botanical gardens; depart day three. One night works only if you're transiting through.
Prices, fees and schedules — last verified August 2026
Last verified: August 2026. Entrance tickets, national park and safari fees, train fares and timetables, visa and ETA charges, opening hours, exchange rates and travel regulations in Sri Lanka are set by the relevant authorities and are revised from time to time.
Every price, duration and schedule in this guide is indicative and subject to change. Please confirm current details with the official source — the Department of Immigration and Emigration for visas and ETA, Sri Lanka Railways for train times and reservations, the Central Cultural Fund for heritage-site tickets and the Department of Wildlife Conservation for national parks — or message our team for an up-to-date quote.
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