Being in the central part of Sri Lanka, Kandy is popular for its attractive landscape, picturesque beauty, misty full mountains views and for the great cultural heritage.
If you have read the blog Why you should visit Kandy you already have an idea on all the hype.
Kandy can be a cozy place for relaxing getaway and also there are many things to do in Kandy while you spend a day or two in here.
Following consist of some best bits of things to do and one should not miss them if you travel to this incredible city.
1. Temple of Tooth Relic ( Sri Dalada Maligawa )
The temple of tooth relic also known as ‘Sri Dalada Maligawa’ is the holiest places in Sri Lanka. As the name indicates, the temple holds the tooth of Buddha and it is preserved inside seven golden boxes. This is a main tourist attraction in Kandy not just because of its cultural indication also because of its picturesque interior including ornate carvings and colorful portrayals of Buddha.
Rituals including traditional drum sounds are performing at dawn (5.30am), at noon (10.30am) and in the evening (5.30 pm) everyday, through out the year.
Tip > Plan your visit in the dawn to avoid the crowd!
Also just like any other temple in Sri Lanka, in here also you must wear decent clothing by covering your shoulders and knees.
Ticket price: LKR 1,500 pp
* if you are from a SAARC country it’s only LKR1000
Location: Center of Kandy city
Opening hours: 5.30am- 8 pm
2. Kandy Lake
Right at the middle of a busy city, the peacefully residing Kandy Lake is another popular tourist attraction in Kandy as it is truly a greenful luxury to one’s eyes. The lake is right next to Temple of tooth relic and it is an ideal place to spend hours in the evenings witnessing this beautiful surrounding.
Due to its historic nature the lake has the cultural touches like the cloud wall surrounding it, the small island in the middle of it and also ancient queens bathing pavilion (Ulpan) near it.
A breeze full evening Walk in the Lake round while feeding the fish and ducks in the lake or an exciting boat ride in the lake one of the fun things to do while you are in Kandy.
Cost: Free
Boat ride cost: Rent of the whole boat is LKR 2500, *No need to reserve tickets in advance
Location: Center of the Kandy city
3. Kandy View Point
Being the hill city of Sri Lanka, one can not imaging to view the city from a place above that. But here you go! Located from 1.7km from the city center, the Kandy viewpoint is another one of beautiful places to visit in Kandy. You can either take a 5 minutes ride in a tuk tuk to reach or take a 20 minutes walk. You can sightsee the whole city including the lake, forest reserves from the viewpoint free of charge.
Tip> Take your camera in the morning around 6 am with you to capture some insta worthy shots in here!
Cost: Free
Location: Keerthi Sri Rajasighe Mawatha, Kandy
4. Royal Botanical Garden
Home to over 10,000 plant species spread over about 150 acres, the royal botanical garden is one the must visit places in Kandy. It is a major tourist attraction in Kandy and over 2 million visitors every year come to explore it. The garden is dating back to 1800s where it used as the garden area only for Royals. Today the garden is a home to many unique floras in the tropical world and also a place to relax and escape from one’s busy life.
To add more excitement, you can also witness the massive orchid garden with many beautiful varieties and the old cannonball tree planted in 1901 by King George and Queen Mary during their visit to Sri Lanka. Undoubtedly it is one of the must visit places in Kandy.
Ticket price: LKR 1500 pp.
Opening hours: 8am-5.30 pm
Location: 5.5 km to the west of the city of Kandy
Journey: Tuk Tuk| LKR 350 * Use Uber or Pickme ride
Kandy-Peradeniya Bus| LKR 20 Pp.
5. Bahirawakanda Temple Buddha Statue( White Buddha Statue )
The iconic 80 ft Buddha Statue in the ‘Bahirawankada’ hills overseeing the Kandy city is situated in this temple. The top of the temple can easily go by a car or a tuk tuk following with some stairs at the end and it offers a panoramic view of the city. You can also walk there from the city center and it will take nearly 20 minutes.
Hint> Visit during the evening to enjoy the beautifully glowing sunset!
Ticket Price: LKR 250 Pp.
Location: 2km From the Kandy city center
6. Common Wealth War cemetery
This no so known tourist attraction that is peacefully hidden in the city is a British military cemetery made for the brave soldiers who lost during WW II. This well maintained resting place would genuinely move your heart to see all the people who sacrificed their selves to the war.
Cost: Free
Location: Lady Magdalene Drive, Kandy (2 km from the city center)
Opening hours: 7 am-4 pm
7. Visit Tea Plantation and Tea Factory
Sri Lanka is world known for it’s finest tea. Hill country is the core producer of Ceylon tea and visiting the plantations to explore the tea journey is one of the best things you can do in Kandy. While it gives some peace and tranquility to walk around the plantations, you are also welcome to witness the tea production in these classic tea factories. You can discover the whole tea production procedure for free of charge!
Tip> Do not forget to enjoy some authentic Ceylon tea while you are there!
You can also buy the premium tea in the world directly from the factory. Trust me, It’s worth every penny!
Cost: Free Demonstration on tea production at the factory
Opening hours: 8am- 6 pm
Most common tea plantations to visit
- Hanthana tea museum-3 km from the city center
- Giragama tea factory-16km from the city center
8. Udawattakale Sancuary
Preserved as a bio reserve in Kandy Udawaththakale sanctuary is located near the temple of tooth relic. Spreads over 104 hectares which is also home to many bird species and insects, tourists love this green filled forest reserve. You can also find three Buddhist forest monasteries along with the nature trail. Spend few hours and enjoy this serenity.
Cost: LKR 700 Pp.
Location: 2.6 km from the Kandy City center
Opening hours: 7am- 6 pm
9. Enjoy Traditional Kandyan Dancing
Another best thing to do in Kandy is witnessing the traditional Kandyan cultural dancing show.
This is unique to Kandy, hence the name and it is an energetic show with dancers and drummers with colorful traditional costumes. The show will be performing in a big cultural hall for an hour.
Cost- LKR 1000 Pp.
Tip> Book your Cultural show tickets with us!
10. Shopping Time at the Kandy Town
Even though Kandy is a main city in Sri Lanka Kandy town is smaller comparing to Colombo and one can say it’s a best place to do some shopping. Kandy has variety of shopping options for tourists ranging from shopping malls to local markets.
While you can do some high end shopping at shopping malls, try to experience the local market where you can buy fresh tropical fruits and vegetables. Also many tourists visit local market to do some unique photography.
Kandy also has plenty of souvenir shops including gem and jewelry, antiques, handicrafts and also traditional weaving clothings and batik designer wears.
Shop examples > Laksala……Odel , Thilakawardhana
Hint> Do not hire tuk tuk on each place hence it will be costly. Plan a city tour using below transportation modes.
- Rent a Scooty: LKR 1500
- Hire a tuk tuk: LKR 2500
- Hire a private vehicle: LKR 4500
TIP> Hire a scooty from him for 150 lkr or 1500?: add the contact number
Hire a private car from him for a day tour : contact number
Checkout these places also you can visit as day trips while you are in Kandy
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- Hulu River Waterfall
- Knuckles Mountain Range
- Horton Plains National Park Ohiya – Witness The Wildlife
- Riverston Gap
- Lankatilaka Temple
- Gadoladeniya temple
- Embakke Temple
- Ranawana Purana Rajamaha Vihara
- Hanthana Mountain Range