Places to Visit in Kandy

Amidst tea and spice plantations of Sri Lanka, Kandy showcases remnants of its colonial past and affords spectacular lush landscapes and a rich Buddhist cultural heritage.

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Things To See & Do

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Sacred Buddhist Temple
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic dates back to the 16th century and houses the relic of the tooth of Lord Buddha that is symbolically bathed every Wednesday.

1 hour

Suggested Time

Udawattakele Forest Reserve

Udawattakele Forest Reserve

Historic Forest Sanctuary
Spread across 104 hectares, Udawattakele Forest Reserve has various plant species along with abundant birdlife like the three-toed kingfisher, crimson-fronted barbet and brown fish owl.

2 to 3 hours

Suggested Time

International Buddhist Museum

International Buddhist Museum

Informative Buddhist Centre
The International Buddhist Museum features Buddhist artefacts and informative material that has been contributed by 17 countries including Sri Lanka, India, Japan, China and Bhutan.

1 to 2 hours

Suggested Time

Kandy Lake

Kandy Lake

Centrally Located Lake
Built in 1807 by Sri Wickrama Rajasinha, the last ruler of the kingdom of Kandy, Kandy Lake is an artificial waterbody popular with outdoor enthusiasts.

30 minutes

Suggested Time

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Protected Elephant Habitat
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was set up by the Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife Conservation as a protected environment for the largest herd of elephants in captivity in the world.

2 hours

Suggested Time

St Pauls Church

St Pauls Church

19th Century Church
Consecrated in 1853, the Anglican St. Paul’s Church affords Neo-Gothic architecture with Victorian interiors that include tapestries, teakwood carved panels and a stained glass window.

30 minutes

Suggested Time

National Museum of Kandy

National Museum of Kandy

Historic National Museum
Located in the Royal Palace complex, the National Museum of Kandy has over 5,000 artefacts including weapons and jewellery from the Kandian and post-British Colonial eras.

2 hours

Suggested Time

Best Time To Visit Kandy

Perfect winter destination

  • DEC-APR

    Peak Season

  • SEP-NOV

    Moderate Season

  • MAY-AUG

    Off-season

  • What To Expect:Pleasant weather with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 30°C.
  • Things You'll Love:Sightseeing and trekking.

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

1/2

Kandy Esala PeraheraJune-July

Vesak PoyaMarch

Tamil New YearApril

Book Your Trip to Kandy

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Places to Visit in Kandy for a Cultural Holiday


The cultural capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy comes with an abundance of nature. Whether you are having a vacation with friends or family, there are some attractive places to visit in Kandy including gardens, museums and lakes. The best tourist places in Kandy are perfect for couples, families and even solo travellers.


Attractions for a Natural Escape

Kandy has a range of spots that showcase nature at its best. Some of the top places to visit in Kandy for 3 days include:

  • Royal Botanical Gardens:Witness the huge collection of flowers, tropical trees and shrubs in this 147-acre sprawling Royal Botanical Gardens. Make sure to visit the Orchid House which displays beautiful flowers such as Oncidium, Dendrobium, Vanda, etc. Do not miss the Spice Garden which hosts the finest selection of cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg.
  • Wales Park:One of the loveliest places to visit in Kandy, Wales Park has beautiful walking trails and woodlands where you can explore nature away from city life.
  • Hanthana Mountain Range:Navigate lush pine forests and reach the sun-soaked summit of Hanthana to get a mesmerising view of the surroundings.
  • Kandy Garden Cafe:One of the best places to visit in Kandy at night, Kandy Garden Cafe offers spectacular views of the surroundings along with authentic Sri Lankan and international cuisines.

Romantic Spots in Kandy

  • Kandy Viewpoint:Enjoy the Kandy landscape from the highest point in the city while taking photographs of the surroundings.
  • Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage:One of the most loved places to visit in Kandy for couples, this orphanage offers shelter and food to baby elephants.
  • Kandy Lake:Enjoy the ethereal beauty of one of the best places to visit in Kandy with family, the artificial Kandy Lakewhile engaging in a boat ride with your loved one amid sprawling greenery.

Other Stunning Spots to Explore

Whether you are planning a tour with your friends or family, there are numerous places to visit in Kandy for 2 days. Here is a quick list:

  • Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic:Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic housesLord Buddha’s left canine and has a royal palace, gardens and a museum.
  • Udawattakele Sanctuary:One of the best places to visit in Kandy with friends, this sanctuary comes with a bio-reserve spanning 257 acres, home to almost 80 bird species. Lose yourself in the wilderness or plan a fun trek with your friends while spotting rare bird species, wet zone butterflies and exotic varieties of trees along your way.
  • Ceylon Tea Museum:Among the top places to visit in Kandy, the Ceylon Tea Museumexhibits ancient tea manufacturing instruments and is a great place for tea lovers.

How to Reach Kandy

You will need to book an international flight from India to Colombo and then reach Bandaranaike International Airport. From Colombo, you can take a cab or board a train to reach Kandy. While an average train journey takes 2 hours and 50 minutes, a trip from the airport to Kandy by cab can take around 3 or 4 hours.


Tourist Places in Kandy

Udawattakele Forest Reserve, National Museum of Kandy, International Buddhist Museum, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, St Pauls Church

Country

Sri Lanka

Best Time to Visit in Kandy

December to April

Things to Do in Kandy

Kandy Lake, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Try Ayurvedic Therapies, Stroll through Royal Botanical Gardens, See a Kandyan Cultural Dance Show

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Kandy

What is the best time to visit Kandy?

Ideally the best time to visit any place is considered when the weather conditions are delightful. For Kandy, you can choose to go in December, January, February, March and April which is the peak season and September, October and November which is the moderate season. Both will serve you well to unwind from your tedious routine.

For which type of travelling is Kandy a perfect destination?

Kandy is a perfect destination for International themed holidays.

What are the activities you can explore during the peak season and moderate season in Kandy?

In the peak season months December, January, February, March and April you will experience pleasant weather with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 30°C wherein around moderate season i.e. September, October and November you will enjoy extremely hot and humid weather. Whatever that suits your calendar, Kandy awaits you for a good time.