Introduction
Places to visit in Kandy, a picturesque city in central Sri Lanka, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant festivals, and scenic beauty.
Kandy, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, a World Heritage Site sits pretty in a valley surrounded by rings of mountains, 115km away from the seaport of Colombo. Kandy district is situated in the centrel province of Sri Lanka. One of the seven World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka, Kandy was once home to the Kandyan Kings of yore in the 16th-century and a fountainhead for all the music, arts, crafts and culture in the country.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, or Sri Dalada Maligawa, is the most sacred Buddhist temple in the world. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy and most important place of places to visit in Kandy. The Temple which is venerated by thousands of local & foreign devotees and tourists daily was named as a world heritage by UNESCO in 1988. The Temple which carries a lot of value to Buddhists all over the world also has immense cultural value. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country.
Open Hours
Open throughout the week from 05:30 AM – 08:00 PM
Morning Puja : 5.30 AM – 7:00 AM, 9.30 AM – 11:00 AM
Evening Puja: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden
Royal Botanic Garden, Peradeniya about 5.5 km to the west of the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is near the Mahaweli River (The longest river in Sri Lanka). It is renowned for its collection of orchids. The garden includes more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. The total area of the botanical garden is 147 acres (0.59 km2), at 460 meters above sea level, and with a 200-day annual rainfall.
Prince of Wales Royal Park
Wales Park in Kandy is known by many names: The Royal Palace Park, Wace Park, or Rajawasala Park. Situated on top of a hill, the park covers approximately 2 hectares of land and is known for its majestic views of the surrounding city and Kandy Lake. It stands overlooking the Kandy Lake and was established by King Sri Wikrama Rajasingha. The park was later renamed by the British as Wales Park to honor the Prince of Wales. The park displays a Japanese field gun which was captured by the British army during World War II and given to the city of Kandy.
Kandy View Point
Kandy City View Point is a main one of places to visit in Kandy to capture the picturesque view of Kandy city. This is situated in Rajapihilla Mawatha. It is also called Arthur’s Seat. Located 1.7 KM from Kandy City. It is regarded as the highest point in the city from where one can appreciate Kandy Lake as if just below their feet and also the Dalada Maligawa Temple. Visiting Kandy View Point is not just about its picturesque beauty but also provides a quick simple adventure – a short hike through the steep slopes on the way to View Point to admire the magnificent panoramic view of the surroundings with an occasional misty breeze.
Hanthana International Bird Park & Recreation Center
Hanthana Birds Park (Hanthana International Bird Park & Recreation Center) is a recently established travel destination near the famous Kandy City. The place is situated 6 kilometers away from the busy City of Kandy. You can observe the famous Hanthana Mountain Range from there. The park covers an area of about 4 acres and is home to over 100 species of birds. Visitors can stroll through the park’s beautiful gardens and enjoy the sight of birds flying freely in their natural habitat.
Opens Tuesday to Sunday 9 AM to 6 PM
Closed on Monday
Kandy Lake
Kandy Lake is located towards the Eastern part of Kandy City and the last king of Sri Lanka, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, built this lake popularly known as ‘Nuwara Wewa’. It is an artificial lake that is also known as the Kiri Muhuda (or the “Sea of Milk”). The Kandy Lake Round walking path is very popular with visitors and the walking path around the lake perimeter covers a distance of 2.7 Kilometers at present. The whole distance can be walked under the shades of large trees, watching many species of birds and creatures that inhabit the lake such as fish, turtles, and Asian water monitors.
Udawattekele Sanctuary
Udawatta Kele Sanctuary or the Royal Forest Park of Kandy is situated on the hillside behind the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Consisting of rich biodiversity, the sanctuary is the ideal place for a quick trek where you’ll get to spot rare and endemic bird species among other organisms, such as mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and wet zone butterflies. Also contains three Buddhist forest monasteries that one could explore on their trek. It was once a pleasure garden for Kandyan royalty and was reserved for the exclusive use of the royal family.
Ambuluwawa Tower
Ambuluwawa Tower is located in the suburbs of Gampola Town in Sri Lanka. It is the first Multi-Religious Center in Sri Lanka. You can see a Temple, Kovil, a Mosque, and a Church. There has been an increased popularity in recent times especially due to the breathtaking views you can experience when you climb to the top of the Ambuluwawa Tower. Reaching the top of Ambuluwawa one can experience the most amazing views which could sometimes be covered by the ongoing mist.
Ceylon Tea Museum – Places to visit in Kandy
The Ceylon Tea Museum at Hantane, three kilometers from Kandy city is served by a motorable road that circles the museum and provides easy access and adequate parking facilities for cars and tourist coaches.
Tuesday – Saturday: 08:30 AM to 03:45 PM;
Sunday: 08:30 AM to 03:30 PM;
Closed on Monday
National Museum of Kandy
Located just beside the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, the National Museum, acclaimed its status in 1942, it is a one of main location of places to visit in Kandy. It is a must-visit place for travelers and explorers who have a thirst to know the unknown and to understand the past. Formerly known as Palle Vahala, the museum used to serve as accommodation for royal guests.
International Buddhist Museum – Places to visit in Kandy
Sri Dalada Maligawa Kandy has established the International Buddhist Museum (IBM) to showcase the expansion of Buddhism throughout Asia and the rest of the world. This is the only museum that demonstrates the expansion of Buddhism all around the world. The inception of Buddhism in the above countries and its applications, showcasing Buddha’s message and how it diverges into the modern world is the purpose of this museum.
Highway Museum Complex – Places to visit in Kandy
Expressway Exhibition Hall Complex is Sri Lanka’s first thruway historical center and is situated in Kiribathkumbura, Kandy. It is an open-air museum that displays machinery used to construct roads during the colonial era. It includes locomotives such as trains used back in the day. It is a museum which is free of charge and especially useful for children.
Natural Gems and Gemological Museum
The Natural Gems and Gemmological Museum is situated on Colombo Road, Kiribathkumbura in Kandy. This museum is considered one of the best geological museums in Sri Lanka, which provides the visitor with comprehensive knowledge of minerals and how they are formed. The museum exhibits rare minerals in the world which are found in Sri Lanka and the oldest fossils of living beings from the Cambrian era about 541 – 485 million years ago.
British Garrison Cemetery in Kandy
The British Garrison Cemetery is on the far side of Kandy Lake, past the Temple of the Tooth and a short walk up the hill. This small oblong plot of cleared ground, bordered on three sides by the Udawattakele Forest Sanctuary, where chattering monkeys and the acrid smell of elephants mingle with the peace and quiet of this tranquil place, are tombstones and black headstones.
Commonwealth War Cemetery
The Commonwealth War Cemetery (also called the Kandy War Cemetery/ Pitakande Military Cemetery) lies around 1.5 kilometers away from the entrance to the Royal Botanical Garden.
Kandy War Cemetery is officially open every day between 07 AM – 04 PM but in practice, your & BEYOND guide will always ring ahead.
Lankatilaka Vihara Temple – Places to visit in Kandy
Located at Udunuwara Hiyarapitiya village of Kandy. It was constructed as a four-story building that stood eighty feet high and sits on an uneven rock bed overlooking the Hantane mountain range. King Buwanekabahu IV built this temple in 1344 AD. The King’s Chief Minister Senalankadhikara was entrusted to carry out the construction work of this temple.
Gadaladenyia Vihara – Places to visit in Kandy
Gadaladenyia Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Pilimathalawa, Kandy. It is considered one of the largest rock temples in Sri Lanka.
Embekka Devalaya
The Embekka Devalaya (Embekke or Embekka) Temple is situated in an area known as Udunuwara in the Kandy district.
Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue
The temple on the hill of Bahirawakanda, called the Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya, is most well-known to tourists for its giant Buddha statue, which can be seen from almost any point in the city of Kandy, just 2 km from the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This beautifully sculptured white Buddha statue was built in 1972. Standing at 88 feet, it is considered one of the biggest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka.Galmaduwa Viharaya
The Galmaduwa Temple is a temple with strange architecture situated in Kalapura village, on Kundasala Road. This 125-year-old temple was built by the reign of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe (the last king of Kandy), this temple is known for its stunning roof artwork and architecture that amalgamates Piyo rocks and seems vividly similar to a Hindu Kovil.
Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya
The Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya is situated in a village called Amunugama 7 km from Kandy city. It was built in 1771 AD by King Rajadi Rajasinha and was initiated during the reign of his elder brother King Kirti Sri Rajasinha [1747-1782 AD]. This is considered a Cave Temple with Kandyan era Paintings and Architecture.
Anyone traveling through Kandy can reach the Degaldoruwa Viharaya via the road over the Lewella Bridge or by turning off at Nattarampota along the Kundasale Road.
Sri Natha Devale
This temple was built way back in the past and is considered to be the oldest building in Kandy. Natha Devalaya is one of the Hatara Devalya (four main Devalayas) in Kandy, the other three being Vishnu, Kataragama, and Patini. These four Devalayas have a long association with the Royal Palace ( Maha Vasala) and the Temple of Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) and have been venerated by Buddhists and Hindus alike from their inception.
Vishnu Devalaya
Maha Vishnu Devalaya is situated to the northwest of the Royal Palace. Maha Vishnu Devalaya will give you a more in-depth understanding of the area’s spiritual beliefs.
Sri Maha Paththini Davalaya
The two devales were separated by a cross-road called “Et Vidiya” or the Elephant Street which is no more.
Red Mosque
Red Mosque is situated in E.L. Senanayake Veediya in Kandy. The beautiful facade of the mosque which is visible from the road, is painted red which gives the mosque its name. It is amongst the most beautiful mosques in Sri Lanka.
St. Paul’s Church
The architectural style is Neo-Gothic, and the interior is a piece of English Victoriana. It is an Anglican church, affiliated with the Church of Ceylon.
Alagalla Mountain Range
The mountain range is a popular hiking destination among local travelers. You need to walk around 3 km to reach the Alagalla Tea Factory from the Ihala Kotte Railway Station. Then you need to walk along the tea estate to find the small footpath to the mountain. Both the Poththapitiya route and the Ihala Kotte route join together near the Alagalla Tea Factory. Finally, you have to follow one route to reach the summit.
Chariot Path
Chariot Path of King Rawana is a GrassLand (Plain) on the top of a mountain range that is surrounded by a pygmy forest, which looks like a pathway. It is a remarkably beautiful place, which has breathtaking views and an unspoiled extraordinary environment. This is located near Frotoft Tea Estate in Kandy district in the Central province of Sri Lanka.
Hanthana Mountain Range
The Hanthana Mountain Range is located in the central province of Sri Lanka. It consists of seven peaks. The height of the highest peak in the range is 3800 ft. The highest peak is named “Uura Kanda”. It is a popular location for bird watching, hiking, and camping. The mountains have served as locations for movies and music videos. The peaks of the mountain offer amazing views of Kandy city, the Knuckles mountain range, the hills of Sabaragamuwa, and the Dolosbage range of Aranayake.
Kandy Brassware Village
Kandy Brassware Village is situated on Kalapura road, about 13 km from Kandy town. These brass items are of the highest quality and have made a mark among the many tourists visiting the area
Bogambara Prison
The Bogambara Prison was the second largest prison in Sri Lanka, the first being the Welikada Prison in Colombo. On the 24th of August 2019, the Bogambara Prison was transformed into a cultural and tourism center named “Bogambara Cultural Park”.
Ran Avuda Mandapaya
The Ran Auda Mandapaya is located within the premises of the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Constructed in 1592 by King Wimaladharmsooriya I, the Ran Avuda Mandapaya was believed to be the place where the crowns and swords of the Kandyan kings were designed, molded, and bejeweled.
Gurugal Oya Dam
Located at Gabadagama village and is 7km away from Delthota town. It is a beautiful man-made reservoir surrounded by hills, just 8 km from Loolcondera Tea Estate which is the first tea estate in Sri Lanka.
Can be accessed through Kandy ➡ Rikillagaskada ➡Pallebowala ➡Gurugaloya Dam
Or
Kandy ➡Galaha Junction ➡Galaha ➡Deltota ➡Gabadagama ➡Gurugaloya Dam
Nearly 8km from Loolcondera Tea Estate (First Tea Estate in Sri Lanka).
When to Visit Kandy
Kandy enjoys a cooler climate than Sri Lanka’s coastal regions due to its elevation (about 500 meters above sea level).
If possible, plan your visit to coincide with the spectacular Esala Perahera, one of Asia’s grandest festivals. Held annually in July or August (dates vary according to the lunar calendar), this ten-day celebration features elaborately decorated elephants, traditional dancers, drummers, and fire performers in nightly processions through the city.
Getting Around
Within the Kandy city center makes walking a viable option for many attractions. For more distant sites, tuk-tuks provide convenient and affordable transportation. Negotiate the fare before setting off, or ask your accommodation to recommend reliable drivers.
For day trips outside the city, consider hiring a car with driver or joining organized tours that combine multiple attractions. Public buses connect Kandy with nearby towns and villages but may be crowded and have limited schedules.
Where to Stay
Kandy offers accommodation options for every budget, from luxury hotels overlooking the lake to charming boutique properties and budget-friendly guesthouses. Many colonial-era buildings have been converted into characterful hotels that blend historical charm with modern amenities.
For the best experience, consider staying near Kandy Lake or in the leafy suburbs slightly removed from the city center, where you’ll enjoy cooler temperatures and peaceful surroundings while remaining within easy reach of major attractions.
FAQ
Q: How many days is enough for Kandy?
A: While Kandy’s main attractions can technically be covered in one very busy day, 2-3 days is ideal to fully appreciate the city without rushing. This allows time to explore the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Royal Botanical Gardens, and cultural sites at a leisurely pace, plus take in a cultural show and perhaps a day trip to nearby attractions like the Three Temples Loop or Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.
Q: What is Kandy best known for?
A: Kandy is best known for being the last capital of Sri Lanka’s ancient kings and home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites. The city is also renowned for its annual Esala Perahera festival, traditional Kandyan dance, exquisite handicrafts, and as the gateway to Sri Lanka’s central highlands and tea country.
Q: Is Kandy worth visiting?
A: Absolutely! Kandy offers a perfect blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and authentic Sri Lankan experiences. Its cooler climate provides relief from coastal heat, while its UNESCO World Heritage status reflects its historical and cultural significance. For most visitors to Sri Lanka, Kandy is considered an essential stop that provides insights into the country’s heritage, religion, and traditions that coastal destinations don’t offer.
Q: What is special about Kandy?
A: Kandy’s special character comes from its unique position as a living cultural center where ancient traditions remain vibrant parts of daily life. Unlike many historical cities that feel like museums, Kandy balances preservation of its royal heritage with the energy of a modern regional center. The natural setting amidst misty hills, the sacred atmosphere surrounding the Tooth Relic Temple, and the distinctive cultural expressions like Kandyan dance make this city unlike any other in Sri Lanka or indeed South Asia.
How do I get from Colombo to Kandy?
Several transportation options connect Colombo and Kandy:
Train: The scenic train journey takes 2.5-3 hours and is considered one of the most beautiful rail trips in Asia. First and second-class tickets with reserved seats are recommended and should be booked in advance.
Bus: Frequent public buses make the journey in approximately 3-4 hours, depending on traffic.
Private car/taxi: The most flexible option takes about 3 hours and allows stops at interesting sites along the way.
The train journey offers the best combination of comfort, scenery, and cultural experience, particularly if you secure a window seat on the right side when traveling from Colombo to Kandy.
Final Thoughts
Kandy is not just a city; it’s an experience that blends culture, spirituality, and nature in a truly magical way. Whether you’re watching the sunset from a hillside temple, walking through a misty forest, or listening to the rhythms of traditional drums, Kandy will touch your soul in unforgettable ways.
Plan your journey wisely, and don’t rush. Kandy is best savored slowly.
