Discover the charm of Kandy with its colonial architecture and sacred Buddhist shrines. Immerse yourself in the city’s rich history and vibrant cultural life.
Discover the charm of Kandy with its colonial architecture and sacred Buddhist shrines. Immerse yourself in the city’s rich history and vibrant cultural life.
- Asgiriya Maha Viharaya - Enjoy a free museum tour and meditation experience.
- Bahirawakanda - Climb the stairs inside the Buddha statue for a breathtaking view.
- Udawattakele Lake - The Udawattakele Forest Reserve, also known as Udawatta Kele, is a historic forest reserve located on a hill-ridge in Kandy. Spanning 104 hectares (257…
- Asgiriya Maha Viharaya - Enjoy a free museum tour and meditation experience.
- Bahirawakanda - Climb the stairs inside the Buddha statue for a breathtaking view.
- Udawattakele Lake - The Udawattakele Forest Reserve, also known as Udawatta Kele, is a historic forest reserve located on a hill-ridge in Kandy. Spanning 104 hectares (257 acres), it was once called “Uda Wasala Watta” in Sinhalese, meaning “the garden above the royal palace.” The sanctuary is renowned for its diverse birdlife and a wide variety of plant species, including lianas, shrubs, and small trees. Visitors may also encounter various mammals, snakes, and reptiles. Established as a forest reserve in 1856, it became a sanctuary in 1938.
- Kandy Lake - Kandy Lake is a central feature of the town. A leisurely walk around the lake, with occasional stops on the lakeside benches, offers a pleasant way to spend a few hours. However, the tranquility can be disrupted by diesel buses speeding along the southern edge. The most enjoyable section to walk is near the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
- Royal Botanical Gardens - Once exclusive to Kandyan royalty, these magnificent gardens are now open to all. They are the largest and most impressive botanical gardens in Sri Lanka, covering 60 hectares. Highlights include a superb orchid collection, a majestic avenue of royal palms, the unique cannonball fruit tree, and 40m-high Burma bamboo. The giant Javan fig tree on the great lawn, with its massive central trunk and umbrella-like canopy, is also a major attraction. Peradeniya is located 6km from central Kandy.
- Natural Gems and Gemmological Museum - Free entry to the museum and factory facilities.
- Oak Ray Handcrafted Wood Carvings - Watch and learn the art of wood carving for free, or try it yourself.
- Heritage Spice & Herbs Garden - Free entry.
- Storefield Tea Factory - Free entry.
- Gunatilake Batiks - Batik Factory
Discover the vibrant art of batik printing, a centuries-old technique using wax and dyes on fabric. Visitors can observe each step of the process and explore colorful, handcrafted designs to take home.
- Hemachandra Silks - Lanka Silk Factory
Witness the luxurious process of silk weaving and dyeing by skilled artisans. Observe the transformation from cocoon to fabric and shop for genuine silk clothing and accessories.
- Kandy View Point - Capture stunning views of Kandy City, surrounded by lush hills and the picturesque lake below. It’s an ideal spot for photos, especially at sunset when the city is bathed in golden light.
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - The Temple of the Sacred Tooth, with its golden roof, houses Sri Lanka’s most significant Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Buddha. During puja (offerings or prayers), the heavily guarded room containing the tooth is accessible to devotees and tourists. However, the tooth itself is not visible, as it is kept in a gold casket shaped like a dagoba (stupa), which contains a series of six diminishing dagoba caskets.
In addition to the revered main temple, the complex features a series of smaller temples, shrines, and museums.
- Kandy Lake Club - Cultural Dance Show - Enjoy the vibrant Kandyan cultural dance performance. An entrance fee of 7 USD per person is required.

- Private transportation
- Private transportation
Some days Kandy’s skies seem perpetually bruised, with stubborn mist clinging to the hills surrounding the city’s beautiful centerpiece lake. Delicate hill-country breezes impel the mist to gently part, revealing colorful houses amid Kandy’s improbable forested halo. In the centre of town, three-wheelers careen around slippery corners, raising a soft…
Some days Kandy’s skies seem perpetually bruised, with stubborn mist clinging to the hills surrounding the city’s beautiful centerpiece lake. Delicate hill-country breezes impel the mist to gently part, revealing colorful houses amid Kandy’s improbable forested halo. In the centre of town, three-wheelers careen around slippery corners, raising a soft spray that threatens the silk saris worn by local women. Here’s a city that looks good even when it’s raining.
And when the drizzle subsides, cobalt-blue skies reveal a city of imposing colonial-era and Kandyan architecture, none more impressive than the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism’s most sacred shrines.
History and culture are on tap. Yes, the city is renowned for the great Kandy Esala Perahera festival (held annually in July/August), but its vibrant cultural life and attractions more than justify a visit at any time of year.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.