This essential travel guide for Kandy, Sri Lanka details must-know tips from the very best places to visit in Kandy, where to stay, where to eat, and more.
Kandy is the second-largest city in Sri Lanka and is located in the center of the country, about three hours northwest from Colombo. It’s an integral stop on many Sri Lanka itineraries because of its central location between major destinations like Sigiriya and Ella. And of course, because it offers some of the best things to do in Sri Lanka!
While Kandy is best known as a city brimming with colonial architecture, bustling crowds, and the famous Temple of the Tooth, it doesn’t only offer city experiences. Travelers can also venture off to explore the surrounding rainforests, nearby tea fields, and striking mountains. Just be sure to avoid riding elephants or partaking in animal tourism!
Before embarking on your journey to Kandy, here’s everything you need to know to have the best experience!
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Things to Know Before Visiting Kandy
Best time to visit Kandy
The best time to visit Kandy is typically December to April when the weather isn’t too hot and fairly dry. Kandy typically experiences monsoon season between October to November, so if there was any time to avoid traveling to Kandy, it would be during the fall.
How much time is needed in Kandy
While there are a lot of incredible things to do in Kandy, you really only need 1 or 2 days to see the city. I personally spent only 1 day in Kandy, and was able to see everything I wanted to see. Kandy for me was a great stopover destination between seeing the best attractions in Sigiriya, and heading south to visit the beautiful places in Ella.
Is solo travel safe in Kandy?
I traveled solo in Sri Lanka and can attest that it’s a safe place for solo (female) backpackers. As with any city visit, just keep your eyes out and trust your gut when you feel like you’re in a sticky situation. Meeting friends at a hostel is also a great way to feel more comfortable when traveling solo in Kandy!
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Where to Stay in Kandy
Kandy offers many beautiful and unique places to stay for all types of travelers. I personally stayed in the Best Hostel as a budget traveler, and it was chill, social, and super cheap. Here are more options for where to stay in Kandy:
- Best for Budget: Kandy Backpackers Hostel is a great budget hostel in Kandy for backpackers. Stay here for a chill and social stay that’s about a 20 minute walk from the lake. It’s pretty basic accommodation in comparison to your other options, but you can’t beat that price. For even cheaper (and I mean CHEAP, check out Central City Hostel).
- Best Centrally Located Hotel: The Radh Hotel is a traveler favorite that offers a fantastic location in the heart of the city just a short walking distance from the Temple of the Tooth.
- Best for Flashpackers: Kandy Hills is a fantastic option for flashpackers looking for a nice romantic private room in Kandy. A wonderful breakfast can be booked with your stay and the decor is gorgeous. It even has excellent mountain views!
- Romantic Nature Retreat: Aarunya Resort is tucked away in the rainforests surrounding Kandy offering visitors a retreat to nature. The property feels very glamorous and you can’t beat the views.
How to get to Kandy, Sri Lanka
If you’re coming from Sigiriya, there is one direct bus that leaves Sigiriya at 6:30 am. The bus stop is in front of the Kumani grocery store on the main street. Be sure to ask the locals for help if you’re unsure! I paid 250 rupees ($1.60 USD) for the 3-hour bus ride to the center of Kandy.
Leaving from Dambulla is also a viable and convenient option! Visit the Dambulla bus stand in the city and locals will be able to help you find the correct bus. There are more options for buses leaving from here compared to Sigiriya, and you can expect at least 2 buses per hour headed towards Kandy.
Coming from Colombo you’ll have even more options. There are plenty of buses going between Sri Lanka’s two largest cities. You can also catch a train from Colombo Fort to the Kandy train station. When taking the bus, sadly the timetable is not online. You’ll need to rely on the kindness of the locals to find out when, where and which bus to take. It sounds intimidating but is actually super easy once you’re there! As for the train, you can check out the government website here to see the train timetable and other important information.
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10 Best Places to Visit in Kandy
Some Kandy guides list out destinations far outside of the city. This list shares the best places to visit inside the city lines!
1. Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue
Entrance fee: LKR 250 ($1.25)
The iconic Buddha statue is an iconic landmark in Kandy that you shouldn’t miss! Not only is it a beautiful temple, it boasts some killer views of the city from above. Before you visit, be sure you read up on Sri Lanka temple ettigqute and dress appropriately.
You’ll need to take off your shoes and wear a sarong if your legs are bare. Your shoulders should also be covered (a scarf is a great thing to carry around for temple days). The temple is located outside of the city center about a 30+ minute walk or you can catch a tuktuk for about LKR 300 ($1.50) depending on where you’re leaving from.
2. Kandy’s central market
I don’t know about you, but I love a local market, and Kandy’s central market was really cool to walk through. You can see and purchase various goodies that range from fresh fruit and veggies, freshly butchered meats, and handmade goods.
The meat market section was something I hadn’t ever seen before, so if you have a sensitive stomach or sense of smell prepare yourself. Be sure to buy some bananas while you’re there, seriously the best I’ve ever had.
3. Kandy Lake
If you have the time, take a walk around Kandy Lake, an artificial body of water that dates back to 1807 and was originally built by the king. The entire route around the lake is roughly 2 miles long, taking only about 40 minutes depending on your walking speed.
The path passes through various neighborhoods in the Kandy offering up a unique experience and lovely views. There are street food vendors selling goodies along the lake path as well as benches for you to sit and people watch as you so please!
4. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Entrance fee: LKR 1,500 ($7.50)
The Temple of the Tooth is a sacred Buddhist temple best known for housing an ancient relic from Buddha. The temple is a staple for any trip to Kandy, but if you’re short on time or budget, you can walk around the grounds for free and skip actually entering the temple.
Before entering the temple, you’ll need to purchase an entrance ticket and ensure you’re properly dressed. There are vendors set up by the entrance renting sarongs and selling flower offerings. I paid LKR 500 ($2.50) for my sarong. You’ll also need to take off your shoes before you enter, and pay to safely store your shoes at the temple shoe locker. It’s not to expensive and can be easily found at the entrance.
5. The Royal Botanical Gardens
Entrance fee: LKR 1,500 ($7.50)
Kandy’s botanical garden is a beautiful place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The gardens lie in the western part of the city, near the flowing Mahaweli River. Blooming orchids, towering palms, and more than 4000 species of flora and fauna can be seen in the gardens.
6. Kandy Old Town
Kandy is a city that’s known for its historic colonial architecture and vibrant street vendor scene, which means getting lost in the city is one of the best ways to experience it. As a budget backpacker, this is also my favorite way to see a place without spending a single dime – except for of course on local snacks.
7. The traditional Kandy dance show
Entrance fee: LKR 1,000 ($5.00)
Check out a traditional Kandy dance show during your visit to the city. The Kandy Lake Club hosts a cultural dance show every day at 5:00 pm behind the Temple of the Tooth. The dances are often performed to the beat of a drum and the dancers wear beautiful traditional attire.
8. Kandy’s many historic temples
Entrance fee: LKR 300 ($1.50) per temple
For more temple sightseeing, be sure to add the Gadaladeniya Viharaya, Embekke Devalaya, and Lankathilaka Vihara temples to your Kandy itinerary. Each temple offers a glimpse into a different aspect of Sri Lankan history and culture.
The Gadaladeniya Viharaya temple dates back to the Gampola period and is an ancient Buddha monastery and temple. Embekke Devalaya is also associated with the Gampola period and was built by a king and features wood carvings that date back over 500 years. Lankathilaka Vihara is a short distance from the Gadaladeniya Viharaya and is known as the “Great Temple of the Kings”.
9. The Udawattakele Sanctuary
Entrance fee: LKR 650 ($3.30)
The Udawattakele Sanctuary is about 15 minutes from the city, and is a historic forest preserve that protects about 250 acres of land. Visitors come to take a stroll through the lush grounds where fantastic bird watching opportunities abound. The sanctuary also offers a home for other wildlife like deer and monkeys.
10. The Famous Kandy to Ella train ride
Ticket price: LKR 175 – LKR 240
One of the absolute best things to do in Sri Lanka is ride the famous blue train through tea country that travels between Kandy and Ella. The ride runs for about 7 hours in total between Kandy and Ella, which many stopovers in popular Sri Lanka destinations like Nuwara Eliya (4 hour ride). Ticket prices vary based on the class, and throughout the ride vendors pass through selling snacks and drinks.
It was such a fun and exhilarating ride, but I got off the train beyond dirty and exhausted!
Tips for taking the train from Kandy to Ella:
- Purchase your ticket a day or two in advance to secure a spot. It’s a very busy route for locals and tourists.
- You can buy a ticket directly at the train station or through a tour operator
- First class tickets come with an assignment seat and A/C cars with sealed windows, which means no hanging out admiring the view
- Second class tickets are what most travelers opt to take, and is from where most people snap their photos. Second class has bench seating that’s first come first serve, and the windows and doors are kept open
- Third class is where people traveling with cargo sit and it can be a hectic (and crowded) experience
- Take the morning train so you don’t miss the views
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Where to Eat in Kandy, Sri Lanka
Kandy serves up an excellent assortment of highly rated local fare and western friendly cafes. I only had one day in the city, but these four places consistently come up as some of the best restaurants in Kandy.
- Secret Alley Cafe: delicious smoothie bowls, avocado toast, and artsy atmosphere
- Empire Cafe: a cafe serving tasty meals in a classic example of colonial architecture
- Balaji Dosai: serves vegetarian Sri Lankan fare and fantastic masala dosa
- Vito Wood Fired Pizza: great views and pizza/Italian options
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
These best places to visit in Kandy showcase the very best of this lovely Sri Lankan city. Share any questions or comments about Kandy, Sri Lanka below!
Is Hunas Falls close by?
Sadly I didn’t have a chance to go to Hunas Falls while I was there but it’s about an hour and a half drive north of Kandy!! Locals would know best how to get there I think 🙂