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Things to Do in Kandy
12 Best Things to Do in Kandy, Sri Lanka (2026 Guide)
Kandy sits in a bowl of green hills around a calm lake, about 500 metres above sea level. It was the capital of Sri Lanka's last kingdom, and it guards the island's most sacred Buddhist relic. Today it is a lively hill city where drummers, monks, tuk-tuks and tea buyers all share the same busy streets.
For most travellers, Kandy is the first stop after Colombo and the gateway to the tea country. It is cooler than the coast, packed with culture, and easy to explore in a day or two. This guide covers the best things to do, what each one costs, and how to plan your time.
Quick answer: Don't miss the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a walk around Kandy Lake, the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya and an evening Kandyan dance show. One full day covers the highlights. Two days lets you add tea, viewpoints and a slower pace.
1. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
This golden-roofed temple beside the lake is Kandy's heart and one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world. It houses a tooth relic of the Buddha, kept inside a series of golden caskets, and it is part of the UNESCO-listed Sacred City of Kandy.
Time your visit with a puja (daily ceremony), when drums and horns fill the halls and the inner shrine room opens. Puja times are roughly 5:30 am, 9:30 am and 6:30 pm. The evening puja is the most atmospheric. Allow 1.5–2 hours, including the museums inside the complex.
Entry: about LKR 2,000–3,000 for foreign visitors (buy only at the official counter)
Hours: about 5:30 am to 8:00 pm
Dress: shoulders and knees covered; shoes are left at the entrance
2. Walk around Kandy Lake
The man-made lake, built in 1807 by the last Kandyan king, is circled by a 3.5 km path with a low "cloud wall" parapet. It takes about an hour at a gentle pace. Go early morning or late afternoon for cooler air, water birds, monitor lizards and lovely views of the temple across the water.
3. Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
Just 15–20 minutes from the city, these 60-hectare gardens are among the finest in Asia. Highlights include the orchid house, the avenue of royal palms, the giant Javan fig tree and the spice garden. Plan 2–3 hours. Entry for foreigners is around LKR 3,000 or more; check at the gate.
4. Kandyan cultural dance show
Every evening around 5:00–5:30 pm, troupes perform Kandyan dance in halls near the lake. Expect drummers, acrobatic dancers in silver headdresses, masked dances and a fire-walking finale. Tickets cost about LKR 2,000 at the door. The show lasts about an hour and pairs perfectly with the evening puja at the temple afterwards.
5. Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha statue
A huge white Buddha statue sits on a hilltop above the city. Climb up for the best panoramic view of Kandy, especially at sunset. Dress modestly, as it is an active temple.
6. Arthur's Seat and Kandy View Point
For the classic postcard shot of the lake, the temple and the hills, head to the viewpoints on Rajapihilla Mawatha above the lake. They are free and only a short tuk-tuk ride from town.
7. Udawattakele Forest Reserve
This protected forest, once the royal pleasure garden, starts right behind the temple. Easy trails lead past giant trees, a small pond and plenty of monkeys and birds. Entry is about LKR 600. Wear closed shoes, as leeches appear after rain.
8. Ceylon Tea Museum
In a converted tea factory at Hantana, just outside Kandy, this museum tells the story of Ceylon tea with original machinery. It ends with a tea tasting and a view over the hills. It's a good warm-up before you head into the tea estates of Nuwara Eliya.
9. Kandy Central Market and the city centre
Wander through the old colonial streets, the Kandy Central Market (spices, fruit, batik and handicrafts) and the shops around Dalada Veediya. It's the easiest place in Kandy to buy spices and tea to take home.
10. Spice gardens and gem museums
Many tours stop at a spice garden on the Matale road or a gem museum in town. They can be interesting, but they are also sales showrooms with high prices. Enjoy the demonstrations, and only buy if you are sure. A good guide will never pressure you.
11. Ambuluwawa Tower (day trip)
About an hour from Kandy near Gampola, this spiral white tower crowns a mountain and represents Sri Lanka's four main religions. The very narrow outer staircase at the top is not for anyone afraid of heights, but the 360-degree view is spectacular on a clear morning.
12. See elephants, ethically
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is about 1.5 hours from Kandy and often appears on tour plans. However, animal welfare groups have raised concerns about how the elephants are kept. Many travellers now prefer to see wild elephants in Minneriya, Kaudulla or Udawalawe National Park instead. Ask us to plan a route that includes a wild elephant safari.
Kandy Esala Perahera: Sri Lanka's biggest festival
Once a year, Kandy hosts the Esala Perahera, one of Asia's grandest Buddhist festivals. Over about ten nights, a procession of hundreds of dancers, drummers, fire performers and richly decorated elephants parades through the city. On the last nights, the lead elephant carries a replica of the tooth relic casket.
The festival takes place in July or August, timed to the Esala full moon. In 2026 the main processions ran from 18 to 27 August, ending with the Grand Randoli Perahera. The 2027 dates have not been announced yet. The temple usually confirms them a few months ahead.
If you want to see it:
Book your hotel several months ahead; rooms fill fast and prices rise sharply
Reserve a seat on a viewing stand rather than standing on the roadside for hours
The last two or three nights are the biggest, and also the most crowded
Want to plan a trip around the Perahera? Tell us early and we'll hold rooms and seats for you.
How many days do you need in Kandy?
One full day covers the main sights: the temple, the lake, the botanical gardens and a dance show. Two days lets you slow down and add the tea museum, viewpoints, Udawattakele forest or a day trip to Ambuluwawa. Most of our itineraries spend one or two nights in Kandy before moving on to Nuwara Eliya. For the bigger picture, see How Many Days Do You Need in Sri Lanka?
Sample one-day Kandy plan
Time | Plan |
7:00 am | Walk around Kandy Lake while it's cool |
9:30 am | Morning puja at the Temple of the Tooth, then its museums |
12:30 pm | Rice and curry lunch in town |
2:00 pm | Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya |
5:00 pm | Kandyan cultural dance show |
6:30 pm | Evening puja at the temple, or sunset at the Bahirawakanda Buddha |
8:00 pm | Dinner and an early night before the drive to the tea country |
You can swap the morning and evening puja depending on your arrival time. The evening ceremony after the dance show is the most memorable combination.
Practical tips for visiting Kandy
Dress code. Kandy is a religious city. Cover your shoulders and knees for temples, and remove shoes and hats before entering. A light scarf or sarong in your bag solves most situations. Don't pose with your back to a Buddha statue for photos.
Getting there. Kandy is about 3–4 hours by car from Colombo or the airport, and about 2.5–3 hours from Sigiriya. Trains from Colombo take about 2.5–3 hours through pretty countryside. Heading on to Ella? Read our Kandy to Ella Train guide first, as parts of the line have been affected since Cyclone Ditwah.
Getting around. The city centre is walkable, but the roads are hilly and traffic is heavy at rush hour. Use tuk-tuks (agree the fare first, or use a ride app) or your private driver.
Weather. Kandy is pleasantly warm year-round, usually in the mid-20s °C, and cooler in the evenings. Showers are possible in any month, so pack a light umbrella. See Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka for details by season.
Where to stay. Hotels on the hills around the lake give the best views and a quieter stay. Staying near the lake keeps the temple and dance shows within walking distance.
Food. Try a Kandyan rice and curry, string hoppers for breakfast and kottu at night. Kandy has a large, long-established Muslim community, so halal restaurants are easy to find in the town centre. Our Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide has more tips.
Kandy in a Sri Lanka itinerary
Kandy fits naturally between the Cultural Triangle and the hill country. A classic route goes Colombo → Sigiriya → Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Ella → the south coast. Pairing Kandy with Sigiriya? See our [Sigiriya Rock Fortress guide] (add live URL).
D Asia Travels packages that include Kandy:
Sri Lanka Tour Kandy & Nuwara Eliya, 7 Days 6 Nights — culture and tea country at an easy pace [product link]
6 Days 5 Nights Sri Lanka Adventure: Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella & Galle — hill country plus the south coast [product link]
8 Days 7 Nights Sri Lanka Buddhist Tour Package — Kandy's Temple of the Tooth plus the ancient cities [product link]
See all options on our Sri Lanka tour packages page.
Kandy FAQ
What is Kandy famous for? The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Esala Perahera festival, Kandy Lake, Kandyan dance and its role as the last royal capital of Sri Lanka.
How much is the Temple of the Tooth entrance fee? Foreign visitors pay about LKR 2,000–3,000. The ticket includes the temple's museums. Buy it only at the official counter.
Is one day enough for Kandy? One full day covers the highlights. Stay two nights if you want a relaxed pace or a day trip.
What should I wear in Kandy? Light clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, especially for temples. Bring a light layer for cool evenings.
Is Kandy good for families? Yes. The lake walk, botanical gardens, dance show and short drives make it easy with children and older travellers.
When is the Kandy Perahera? Every July or August, on dates set by the Esala full moon. The 2026 festival ran from 18 to 27 August.
Plan your Kandy trip with D Asia Travels
We have been arranging Sri Lanka holidays since 2009. We can build a trip that times your temple visit with the evening puja, books the best dance show seats, and carries you on to the tea hills of Nuwara Eliya and Ella.
Send us your travel dates and group size for a customised itinerary and quotation. You can book now and confirm your dates later.
WhatsApp us: +60 12-425 0469 or browse our Sri Lanka tour packages.
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