CMBKANDAM
Sri Lanka in 3 Days
A short stopover taste of the island: Kandy’s temple and the rock fortress of Sigiriya.
Via Sigiriya
Culture
03days
Price on request
Hill Country
Kandy, Sri Lanka
7.29°N 80.63°E
The hill capital and home of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — the cultural heart of Sri Lanka.
Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and remains the island’s spiritual centre. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, beside a lake in the middle of town, is one of the most important places of worship in the Buddhist world, and the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is also the gateway to the hill country: from here the road and the railway climb into tea country.
Top things to do
01
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Tip: Visit during an evening puja (ceremony); dress in white or modest clothing.
02
Kandy Lake walk
Tip: An easy loop around the lake at dusk.
03
Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
Tip: Allow two to three hours; go in the morning.
04
Kandyan dance performance
Tip: Evening shows run near the lake.
When to visit
Best time: Dec–Apr
- January: good time to visit
- February: good time to visit
- March: good time to visit
- April: good time to visit
- May: off season
- June: off season
- July: off season
- August: off season
- September: off season
- October: off season
- November: off season
- December: good time to visit
Practical tips
- The Esala Perahera festival takes place in July/August — book early.
- Kandy is the start of the scenic train journey to Ella.
Hotels we book here
- Mahaweli ReachKandy
- Amaya HillsKandy
- Grand KandyanKandy
- Cinnamon CitadelKandy
- Earl’s RegencyKandy
Tours that include Kandy
CMBSIGCOL
Sri Lanka in 5 Days
Cultural Triangle highlights and the cool tea hills in five well-paced days.
Via Dambulla · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya
CultureTea country
05days
Price on request
CMBSIGGAL
Classic Sri Lanka in 7 Days
The essential first-timer’s route: ancient cities, the hill-country train and the south coast.
Via Dambulla · Polonnaruwa · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya …
CultureTea countryBeach
07days
Price on request
Kandy FAQs
When is the Kandy Esala Perahera?
The Esala Perahera is held in July or August. Exact dates follow the lunar calendar and are announced each year.
