Kandy - The Last Kingdom of Sri Lanka
Kandy is the cultural home of Sri Lanka and is considered one of the most sacred places in the world amongst the Buddhist community. Home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic and famous botanical gardens, Kandy has been hailed as one of the top destinations in Sri Lanka thanks to its historical value. It’s certainly an interesting city with everything wrapped into one: It’s chaotic, noisy, and vibrant, yet you don’t have to go too far to find peace and serenity.
How Long to Spend in Kandy, Sri Lanka
While there are many beautiful places in the city of Kandy, how much time you spend here depends entirely on how much time you spend in Sri Lanka. If you have 2 weeks (or more) in Sri Lanka, I recommend spending a day in Kandy. This will be equivalent to 2am as you arrive in the afternoon on the first day, explore the best things to do in Kandy on the second day and leave early on the third day.
If you can spare an extra day then the Knuckles Range is just outside the city and if you are looking for an outdoor adventure, it is the best place to visit in Kandy.
What is the best way to visit Kandy?
Whilst Kandy may be the second-largest city in Sri Lanka, it doesn’t have that massive city vibe. This makes it easy to visit the top tourist places in Kandy on a free walking tour, as I did. Walking from one part of the city to the other allows you to see a side of Kandy that you may have missed otherwise. You’ll walk through the streets as families go about their daily lives, you’ll watch as the locals play an intense game of street cricket, and you’ll pass school kids as they rush to their classes. If you’re not too keen on walking, you could hail down a tuk-tuk and get a personalized tour of all the beautiful (and hidden) places in Kandy. This shouldn’t cost you more than $15 Either option is a fun way to explore Kandy like a local.
One Day Kandy Itinerary - The Best Places to Visit in Kandy Sri Lanka
Surrounded by lush mountains and tea plantations, there’s more to Kandy than meets the eye. The city boasts some pretty impressive historical buildings as well as religious sites and is, of course, the starting point of the famous Kandy to Ella train ride. I planned to visit the uncommon places in Kandy – you know, those hidden gems that are often missed by other travelers who are in search of Insta-worthy locations instead. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many of these “off-the-beaten-track” places to visit in Kandy! Below is my one-day Kandy itinerary but I’ve also included some of the other popular attractions that you might prefer
Visit Kandy King's Forest Park
Situated in the center of Kandy, and overlooking Kandy Lake, lies Udawattakele Forest, also known as the Royal Forest Park of Kandy. It’s a beautiful lush urban jungle at the heart of the bustling city.
It was once the King’s personal garden but has since been made open to the public, offering one of the best places to visit in Kandy.
You only need 2 hours to explore the forest, where you’ll walk beneath a thick canopy of trees and come across numerous monkeys and native bird species. There’s a viewpoint that overlooks Kandy Lake but most interesting was the cave I discovered by following a narrow path leading off the main trail.
Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue - The Best views of Kandy
The Bahirawakanda Vihara Statue is one of the most famous places in Kandy and dominates the city’s skyline.
At 27m in height, it’s one of the tallest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka and can be seen in all its might from just about anywhere in Kandy. The views from the site itself are just breathtaking and overlook the Kandy cricket stadium, Udawattakele Forest, and Kandy Lake.
How to get to the Buddha statue The Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha lies on the opposite side of Kandy to the Udawattakele Forest. It’s a 2.5km walk from the forest to this statue and the walk takes you through the city.
The final stretch involves an uphill climb which can be quite tiring for some. Alternatively, you can take a tuk-tuk.
You need to take off your shoes and wear a sarong to cover your legs before entering the statue premises.
Taste a local meal- Sri Lankan food – it’s delicious!
Indulge in a delicious Sri Lankan meal Phew, if you’re following this Kandy free walking tour, you would have walked over 6km’s already! Reward yourself with a delicious lunch to keep you fuelled for the rest of the day! I
stopped at Nagalingam’s Bhavan, an amazing family-run restaurant in Kandy that serves up the best (and cheapest) local food. Save this location because it was one of the best places in visited in Kandy. How to get there From the Buddha statue, make your way down the hill to Kandy Lake which is 1.5km away. En route, you’ll come across many local restaurants so pop in and order a Sri Lankan curry or Kottu Rotti.
As you get closer to Kandy Lake, you’ll notice the change in energy as the streets become more chaotic and the atmosphere, more cheerful. If you’re as obsessed with local food as I am, you might want to check out these awesome food tours in Kandy!
Hang out at Kandy Lake in the heart of Kandy
Built in 1807 by orders of the last King of Sri Lanka, Kandy Lake is an artificial lake sitting in the heart of the city. You can purchase fish food from one of the vendors and feed the many fish that call the lake home. If you’re lucky, you’ll even spot huge monitor lizards swimming in the lake or basking in the sun. If you’re up for some more walking, why not take a stroll along the path that encircles Kandy Lake. But, the main road runs alongside the walking path so it can get noisy with buses and tuk-tuks honking consistently.
Temple of the Tooth Relic -The most sacred place to visit in Kandy
Right next to Kandy Lake lies Sri Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth Relic. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most spiritual places to visit in Kandy,
if not the whole country! The stunning golden roof temple is home to the famous tooth of Buddha which is housed in the Royal Palace Complex. How did Buddha’s tooth get there?
Well, it was initially smuggled into Sri Lanka way back when and was moved around the country before finding its new home in the famous temple in Kandy. It’s a spiritual place with religious fame and you need to show respect by covering your shoulders and legs.
Sri Lankans believe that they should visit the Temple of the Tooth at least once in their lifetime and many people make the long journey to Kandy just to step foot in the holy grounds. Unfortunately, you can’t actually see the tooth itself as it’s hidden in a golden casket that’s heavily guarded. The temple has been attacked twice, once in 1989 and a second time in 1998, and so security is extremely high. This scared tooth relic is one of the top tourist places in Kandy
The Royal Botanical Gardens or Peradeniya Botanical Gardens in Kandy
The Royal Botanical Gardens or Peradeniya Botanical Gardens in Kandy is not only the biggest botanical garden in the country but also the oldest, dating back to 1371.
Home to over 5 000 species of flora and fauna, the gardens boast an impressive collection of orchids and other flowers. Also, keep an eye out for the giant fruit bats! These botanical gardens are one of the top tourist attractions in Kandy where you can enjoy a tranquil setting amongst the trees so bring a picnic blanket and a book if you’re keen for some downtime.
How to get there The Royal Botanical Gardens are a 20-minute drive from the center of Kandy and you can easily hop on a local bus if you’d prefer not to pay for a tuk-tuk. Head to the bus station at the Kandy Clock Tower and look for the bus to Pilimathalawa. Alternatively, just ask to say, “Botanical Gardens” and the locals will happily point you in the right direction.
Knuckles Mountain Range - Experience the biodiversity with the true beauty of the hills
Explore Knuckles Mountain Range Home to cascading waterfalls, lush green hills, and rich in biodiversity and wildlife, Knuckles Mountain Range is one of the best places to visit in Kandy if you’re looking for a secluded outdoor experience.
Situated north-east of Kandy, just a thirty-minute drive from the center, you’ll need a full day to explore Knuckles Mountain Range which will include about 5 hours of trekking through the lush green hills.
It offers a variety of diverse and challenging trails (over 30 to be exact) so you’re guaranteed a thrilling experience away from the crowds. But, a guide is needed as the routes are not signposted and you can easily get lost.
Kandy to Ella train journey is one of the most interesting train journeys in the world
When you’re done exploring the best things to do in Kandy, it’s time to move on to your next destination in hill country. The best way to get there? The famous Kandy to Ella train ride, of course! It’s been hailed as one of the most scenic train rides in the world, and the thousands of Insta shots have attracted tourists in their numbers, deservedly so. But, if you think you’ll easily find a window seat offering picturesque views of the valleys below or that you’ll get to hang out the doors with not a worry in the world, you’re in for a surprise! The Kandy to Ella train gets packed! So much so that the excitement and rush to get on the train is often more memorable than the actual train ride. The first train from Kandy to Ella departs at 08:47. Get there by 07:45 to secure tickets. If comfort is what you’re after, you’ll need to pre-purchase your 1st or 2nd class train tickets here but otherwise, buy a third-class ticket from the Kandy train station. Sitting with the locals in the back is the best way to experience the Kandy to Ella train!
Best Time to Visit Kandy
The seasons in Sri Lanka are just down-right confusing and no matter when you visit, the weather is bound to be unpredictable. October and November is the rainy season in Kandy and I can attest to that.
December to April is said to be the best time to visit Kandy as this is the dry season with no rain, but it’s also one of the most popular times to travel to Sri Lanka so be prepared for crowds.
Do you care about cultural aspects? The largest and most important cultural festival in Sri Lanka is also held in Kandy. It is based on Dalada Maliga. The festival with elephants is really amazing. Kandyan dance you will never forget. That beautiful religious festival is one of the most famous festivals in the world. It is a national level religious festival in Sri Lanka. If you want to see it, use your visit in August. But be careful booking accommodation in Kandy city. This time is the time when Kandy city attracts tourists the most
