Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second-largest city, is surrounded by mountain ranges and tea plantations. We traveled the 3 hours from the capital, Colombo, to spend two days visiting Kandy’s colonial buildings and religious sites. Although Kandy City is definitely a must-see, we found the most remarkable sights just outside in the rainforest. In this guide, we’re sharing all our favorite things to do in Kandy, where to stay, and where to grab a delicious meal.
Things to do in Kandy
We spent two days exploring the beautiful city: one day in the center and another in its surroundings. From Kandy, we also did a day trip to Sigiriya, which we highly recommend!
1. Visit the Botanical Garden in Kandy
The Royal Botanical Gardens of Kandy are a place where people of all ages gather, especially on the weekends. The garden is famous for its countless (4000+) species of plants and trees, and we really enjoyed exploring the grounds.
It’s a 15-minute drive west of Kandy and makes a great escape from the city. We spent 2 hours exploring the massive garden and its cafes. Tip: Bring a towel to relax on the grass.
Entrance fee: 3,540 LKR (12 USD). Not the cheapest, but we found it 100% worth it if you spend a couple of hours.
2. The Streets of Kandy
Kandy’s center is full of old colonial buildings and street vendors. We started our route at the Temple of the Tooth and wandered around the old streets, enjoying a fresh coconut from one of the many colorful fruit stands. This is our favorite way to discover a new place: simply walking around areas where locals gather.
Tip: Don’t forget to look up to see the beauty of the historical buildings!
3. Day Trip to Sigiriya
After two days exploring the city and its surroundings, we made our way to the famous Sigiriya. From Kandy, it took us about 3 hours to get to.
It’s home to Lion Rock, an enormous 20-meter-tall, square-shaped rock that towers over the entire region. It’s one of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and a must-see in Sri Lanka.
We decided to hike to the top for sunrise – one of the best ways to experience this natural beauty. To get there on time, we recommend spending the night before in Sigiriya or a hotel in Habarana.
Joining a tour is also possible, which organizes everything for you. Book your tour to Sigiriya easily online
Tip: Besides Sigiriya Rock, we also checked out Pidurangala, which we actually preferred. This rock may be smaller, but it looks directly onto Lion Rock, and has a cheaper entrance fee! We paid around 3 USD each.
4. Temple of the Tooth
The Temple of the Tooth, also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is a beautiful golden-roofed Buddhist Temple in the heart of Kandy. To skip the crowds, we visited early in the morning and got to see the legendary tooth relic of Buddha (yes, the actual Buddha!).
It was mesmerizing to see that no expense is spared to protect the tooth; it lies enclosed inside several golden boxes, covered in jewels. Therefore, it’s worth a visit for both its religious fame and its beautiful interior!
Tip: You do not need a guide to enter the building, even though the guides at the front might say otherwise.
5. Stay at a Rainforest Resort
What we love about Kandy is its unique blend of nature and luxury. The nearby rainforest is home to several resorts with pools overlooking the forest.
During our visit, we stayed at Aarunya Resort, a sustainable nature retreat within a 7-acre plantation (where they harvest fresh produce for their on-site restaurant). Their Sri Lankan dining experience is, without a doubt, one of the best meals we’ve had in the country!
Want to experience this, too? Check out a stay at Aarunya here.
6. Do NOT visit an Elephant Orphanage
Although visiting an elephant orphanage is popular in Kandy, it’s not a good activity. These establishments say they take care of animals (which is partly true), but the animals are primarily used for entertainment rather than genuinely cared for.
Multiple animal organizations, such as Born Free, have written about this and stated that such animal activities are always a no-go. We don’t support this type of tourism, and urge you not to either. Here are the things to know about wildlife tourism and the better alternatives.
Instead, here’s the best way to see the elephants in Sri Lanka.
7. Kandy Buddha Statue
The Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue is one of the biggest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. It’s 25 meters tall and lies nestled in the hilltops above Kandy, in the shadow of the Knuckles Mountain Range.
We easily drove up the mountain on a motorbike (a car is also possible) and then climbed the short flight of stairs to the statue. From here, you’ve got the best panoramic views of the city!
8. Kandy Lake
After visiting the Temple of the Tooth, we took a stroll around Kandy Lake, which is considered the heart and soul of the city for its central location and undeniable beauty.
In the middle of the lake, you’ll spot a tiny island with a few palm trees. We noticed it later while strolling past some souvenir stores, but this view is one of Kandy’s iconic scenes and is featured on many postcards.
9. Kandy to Ella Train
Kandy is the starting point of one of the world’s most beautiful train routes. This stunning 4-7-hour journey through the tea plantation hills is what brought us to the city and is an absolute must-do on any Sri Lanka itinerary.
We felt the wind blow through our hair and across our skin while dangling our feet outside the door of the open train! It’s an exhilarating experience that lets you see the beautiful surroundings in a truly unique way.
There are a few options to experience this:
- Take the 4-hour ride to Nuwara Eliya (book tickets here)
- Or, the 7-hour ride to Ella. This is what we did, and our tickets cost around 400 LKR (1,30 USD) at the time (third class/unreserved). However, prices vary by class and destination.
How to Get to Kandy, Sri Lanka
Kandy is strategically located between Sri Lanka’s major sites. The train station connects to the central highlands, north to Jaffna, east to Trincomalee, and to the capital, Colombo.
- Option 1: A train from Colombo to Kandy (2.5 hours). Get your train tickets here.
- Option 2: A direct bus or taxi from Colombo (3-4 hours). We booked a taxi through our friend Indi, which cost us 45 USD.
- Option 3: Self-drive by renting a car.
Where to Stay in Kandy, Sri Lanka
Kandy offers affordable hostels and hotels. You can stay in the city center to be close to most sites, or, like us, choose to stay in the rainforest hills nearby (highly recommend!).
Best Restaurants in Kandy
As a popular travel hub, Kandy is not short of a variety of different restaurants and cuisines. We found it to have an excellent fusion of East meets West, with incredible Sri Lankan dishes and Western meals. Our favorite restaurants are:
- Buono
- Banana Chill
- Vito Wood Fired Pizza
- Indian Summer
By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost.
Thank you for your support. ♥️
- Find Hotels via Booking.com
- Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
- Find Flights to Sri Lanka via Skyscanner
- Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
- Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
- Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go
Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.
We’re in Kandy right now and we really love your blogpost. Just to let you know, the entrance fee for the botanical garden has increased a lot. It is 3540 for an adult these days. It was really big and beautiful though.
Hi Chantal, thanks for letting us know! We’ll make sure to update our guide :)