Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka lies Kandy, a vibrant city that is best known for its dignified reputation as the spiritual and cultural capital of the island.
The foremost reason for this is Kandy’s number one attraction; the Temple of the Tooth, an astonishing religious centre that is considered one of Sri Lanka’s holiest places.
Also, Kandy is now world-famous as one of the gateways to the most spectacular train journey in the world, running between the ancient kingdom of Kandy and the lush mountain town of Ella.
But to me, Kandy is more than just a stepping stone to Sri Lanka’s famous Ella to Kandy train ride.
The former City of Kings is in fact a great town to get a feel for everyday Sri Lankan life.
Whether you’re enjoying a calm afternoon at the iconic Kandy Lake, experiencing the hustle and bustle of the intoxicating Kandy Market, admiring the picture-perfect views from the Big Buddha statue, or simply roaming endlessly through the lively streets, Kandy clearly knows how to emphasize its charms.
To help you explore the very best of Kandy, I’ve put together this guide, including my favourite things to see and do – plus advice on where to stay, when to visit and how to get there.
Here are my absolute favourite things to do in Kandy and its surroundings.
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The New Where the Souls Wander Print Store
After putting out my first-ever print collection in 2022, I decided it was finally time to re-open my print store, and I couldn’t be happier with the result.
Whether you’re looking to grab a unique piece for your own wall, gift one to a loved one to remind them of a memorable trip together, or simply get your hands on a piece because it provokes a specific memory or feeling, I’d be honoured and grateful if you decide to collect or gift one of my prints.
To celebrate the launch, I’m offering a 20% discount until the 24th of December.
Where to stay in Kandy
Cafe Aroma Inn | Spacious air-conditioned rooms at the heart of Kandy for a good Quality-Price-Ratio.
Range Hotel Kandy | Simple, good rooms and a pool with a view make this hotel perfect for some afternoon relaxing.
Dumbara Peak Residence | Comfortable double rooms, a great rain shower and located in the town centre of Kandy.
Alternatively, search for accommodations in Kandy on booking.com.
8 Wonderful things to do in Kandy, Sri Lanka
1. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
At the heartbeat of the vibrant city is one of the most sacred Buddhist places of pilgrimage in the world. This is mainly because the legend says a tooth of the Buddha is kept here.
The most important Buddhist relic of Sri Lanka remains safe in a gold casket under the roof of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth. Every day, thousands of Buddhists come by to honour and celebrate the Sacred Tooth Relic.
The Sri Dalada Maligawa was built by the Kandyan kings between 1687 and 1707 to house the sacred relic. The temple since then became the number one attraction in Kandy.
The best time to visit the Temple of the Tooth is during Buddha Puja. During this ceremony, the casket, containing the Sacred Tooth Relic, is revealed to its worshippers.
Those spiritual practices are held three times a day and are really intriguing to witness. As always, respect religious customs.
Where | Temple of the Tooth Relic
How to get to the Temple of the Tooth Relic | This one is quite straightforward. From the city centre walk in the direction of Kandy Lake. Once you arrive at the lake you’ll see the complex on your left hand.
It is also an option to join this all-inclusive Kandy city tour. For prices and availability click here.
Ceremony times | 05:30 – 07:00 | 09:30 – 11:00 | 18:30 – 20:00 | For more information click here.
Cost | 1.500 LKR ($8,5) per person
2. Climb to the Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue
Brilliantly positioned, on top of the Bahirawa Kanda hill and to be seen from various points in town is the majestic Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue.
A visit to the big Buddha in Kandy brings a sense of peace and harmony, not to mention an impressive panorama view.
With 27 meters tall it is one of the largest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. Even more notable is the charming atmosphere created by the Buddha overlooking Kandy with a serene facial expression.
Don’t forget to remove your hat and shoes when entering the temple complex.
Where | Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue
How to get to the Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue | The Big Buddha in Kandy is 1.2km away from the city centre. From the Bahirawa Kanda Road, it is around 750 meters of walking with an incline of 26 meters.
Cost | 250 LKR ($1,4) per person
3. Take a walk around Kandy Lake
Kandy Lake is an iconic place where you’ll find calm and serenity at the heart of the vibrant city.
Taking a walk around the Kiri Muhuda Lake is both peaceful and charming. The beautiful area around the lake is home to some of the best activities in Kandy, think of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the Udawattakele Forest.
During sunset, the lake turns into a huge reflecting mirror which is magnificent to observe. Locals appreciate hanging out around Kandy Lake while the sun slowly drops below the horizon. You’ll understand why once you experience a vibrant and peaceful atmosphere for yourself.
Where | Kandy Lake
How to get to Kandy Lake | For Kandy Lake you don’t need any directions. You simply can’t go around it when in Kandy. Ooh, you actually can, takes about an hour to walk through.
4. Clear your mind at the Udawattekele Sanctuary
In the midst of the lively, sometimes chaotic city centre of Kandy is a hill ridge that is home to the Udawattakele Forest Reserve.
The Udawattekele Sanctuary is perfect for a quiet and peaceful walk away from the bustling city. The urban forest that was once only open for royal blood is home to over 400 species of plants, 70 species of birds and several mammals.
A walk through the sanctuary brings you along a few interesting sights.
By following the path that walks through the sanctuary you’ll come along the highest peak of Kodimale, the Senkanda Cave, the water pond and some interesting Buddhist temples. The duration of a round trip is approximately 5km.
Where | Udawattekele Sanctuary
How to get to the Udawattakele Forest Reserve | By taking a 15-minute walk, starting at the Temple of the Tooth. Follow the DS Senanayake Veediya road until you reach the post office near the Kandy Municipality. Turn right at the post office and follow the road uphill.
Cost | 670 LKR ($3,75) per person
5. Experience the famous Kandy to Ella train ride
If both Ella and Kandy are on your Sri Lanka itinerary, this beautiful train journey is a must. The 7-hour train ride is incredibly charming and guarantees memories that last a lifetime.
The most authentic experience is between the locals in the 3rd class, which is also the cheapest option. The vibe that reigns inside the dusty train cabins is extraordinary at its finest. Never ever had I experienced such an authentic journey in my life.
While the train slowly navigates along the winding tracks you’ll pass dense forest hills, vibrant local villages and hundreds of flourishing tea fields. Literally everything the light touches is pure beauty and bliss. Try to reach for an open door or a window seat once you reach the most picturesque part of the journey: Nanu Oya to Ella.
Getting a ticket on the day of departing can be difficult due to the still-rising popularity. To be sure you’ll have a spot on the train you do wise to buy a ticket 1 – 2 days in advance. You can also book a ticket online by clicking here.
Where | Kandy Railway Station
Train times from Kandy to Ella | Daily 08:47 and 11:10. More information on train times here.
Cost | 2nd class: 250 LKR ($1,50) per person, 3rd class: 180 LKR ($1,-) per person
Cost online | 1st class reserved AC: 3.200 LKR per person ($18,-), 2nd class reserved no AC: 3.000 LKR ($16) per person.
6. Wander around the Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya
Wandering through pure delicate nature on a warm day, sheltered and cooled down by the shade of tree leaves. That’s a walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya in a nutshell.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, located in Peradeniya, just outside of Kandy is a lively urban city park. The gardens contain over 4.000 species of plants, including spices, medicinal plants, orchids and palm trees.
An early morning stroll is perfect to escape the heat and chaos that prevails in Kandy town. While walking through the gardens, pay some extra attention to the superb-looking Royal Palm Avenue, the appealing Orchid Garden and the impressive Cannonball Tree that was planted by King George and Queen Mary of the United Kingdom.
An interesting option for visiting the Royal Botanic Gardens is to join an all-inclusive Kandy City Tour. For prices and availability, click here.
Where | Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya
How to get to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya | From the city centre of Kandy it takes only 10 minutes by tuk-tuk to reach the gardens of Peradeniya. A one-way trip will cost around 400 LKR ($2).
Cost | 1.500 LKR, ($8,50) per person.
7. Explore the Kandy Municipal Central Market
You’ll have to admit it, the atmosphere found at a local market always tend to be attractive. The two-floor Kandy Municipal Central Market is no different.
The Market in Kandy is an excellent place to experience the hustle and bustle of daily local life in Sri Lanka.
The first floor is where your senses are put to the test. Vendors of every kind try to bargain a deal with you. Think of fresh fruits, spices, fish, dried fish, meat and vegetables.
Upstairs you’ll find a great variety of incense, all kinds of textiles, artistic crafts, and even medicines. At the Kandy market, they sell almost everything, name it and they’ll have it for you.
Making your way along a countless amount of market stalls can be a bit overwhelming and chaotic at first. Once you’re used to the circumstances it is genuine the best way to discover Kandyan’s daily life.
Where | Kandy Municipal Central Market
How to get to the Kandy Market | The market in Kandy is opposite to the Central Bus Station and Kandy Clock Tower.
8. St. Paul Church
The historic district of Kandy, where you’ll find the world-famous Temple of the Tooth is also home to the St. Paul Church.
The Neo Gothic-style church, English Victorian on the inside, was consecrated on 25 January 1853 after a long building process.
At first, the church was named the Garrison Church. The mission of the church was to serve British troops during the British Ceylon period. Nowadays, the Anglican church is open to worshippers every Sunday at 07:45 am.
Exploring the church and historic district of Kandy can easily be combined with a visit to the Udawattekele Sanctuary and Temple of the Tooth.
Where | St. Paul Church
How to get to the St. Paul Church | The church is located behind the Temple of the Sacred Tooth in the historic district. A walk from the temple to the church is around 5 minutes.
Where to eat in Kandy
Licensed to Grill | Even though they have a license to grill, their food is illegally delicious.
Roots Fresh Juice | The perfect place to treat yourself on a refreshing juice during the sizzling days in Kandy.
The Bakehouse Kandy | If you’re into pastries don’t hesitate to drop by The Bakehouse. It’s an excellent venue to satisfy your inner sweet tooth. Try their local favourite ‘Malu Paan’.
Things to do in Kandy | The essentials
The best time to visit Kandy
The best time to visit Kandy in Sri Lanka is between December and April. The days are mostly dry which is excellent to wander around the city.
Even though the weather in Sri Lanka is good year-round, keep in mind that Sri Lanka experiences two monsoons. The first one is from May to September and the second one is from October to November.
During my visit to Kandy in the midst of September, the monsoon didn’t give me any trouble. In fact, the prices were lower and there were fewer travellers around.
Try to avoid the monsoons if you’re planning to hike the Knuckles Mountain Range, during the wet season the forest is full of leeches.
How to get to Kandy
From Colombo to Kandy
Train | The 3-hour train ride from Colombo to Kandy is part of the world-famous Colombo to Badulla route. The direct journey starts at the Colombo Fort station and is quite straightforward. For those who are unfamiliar with public transport in Sri Lanka, this journey is a good introduction.
Cost | 1st class AC: 490 LKR ($2.75) per person | 2nd class: 270 LKR ($1.5) per person | 3rd class: 180 LKR ($1) per person
Travel time | The journey take 2.5 – 3 hours
Train times | 05:55 | 06:45 | 07:00 | 08:30 | 09:00 | 09:45, 10:35 | 12:40 | 15:35 | 17:20 | 17:45 | For more information about train times click here.
Bus | Jump on a direct bus that leaves at the Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal. The journey to Kandy takes as long as the train but without the epic views. Taking the train should be your number one pick.
Cost | 200 LKR ($1) per person
Travel time | The travel time is 0315 hours
Bus times | The busses leave every 20 minutes
From Ella to Kandy
Train | One of the most beautiful train rides in the world is the one from Ella to Kandy. Imagine a scenic, 7-hour journey that goes by smoother than expected, that is exactly what the journey from Ella to Kandy is. This pleasant ride brings you along green mountains and lush tea fields.
Travel time | The journey takes around 6 – 7 hours to complete
Cost | 2nd class: 250 LKR ($1.5) per person | 3rd class: 180 LKR ($1) per person
Bus | Don’t even think of taking a bus from Ella to Kandy, the train journey is way too scenic.
From Sigiriya to Kandy
Bus | Sigiriya – Dambulla – Kandy – Start the journey with a 20-minute tuk-tuk drive to Dambulla. At the Dambulla bus stand jump on a direct bus that heads for Kandy.
Cost | Tuk-tuk to Dambulla – 1.000 LKR ($5.5) | Bus from Dambulla to Kandy – 200 LKR ($1) per person.
Travel time | The journey takes 2.5 – 3 hours
Stay safe in Sri Lanka | Travel insurance
Though Sri Lanka is perfectly safe for travellers, I always strive to sort out my travel insurance before arriving in a foreign country, and I highly advise anyone else to do the same.
Where we prefer that everything goes smoothly during our travels, something unfortunate can happen at any moment, whether it’s an injury or an accident on the road. When that happens, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Heymondo | Whether you’re going on a 3-week backpacking trip, or planning a long stay somewhere abroad, Heymondo has excellent insurance options either way – plus full COVID-19 coverage and a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Readers of WTSW receive 5% off any insurance policy, more information here.
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