15 Beautiful Things To Do In Kandy, Sri Lanka 2024
Looking for the most beautiful things to do in Kandy?
The best things to do in Kandy, Sri Lanka, aren’t difficult to find. Named a must-visit destination for anyone wanting to sample Sri Lankan culture, Kandy is a city a little different from the rest.
Framed by mist-draped mountains and the distant lights of far-off hill towns and villages, Kandy has an undeniable religious aura and a laid-back vibe compared to other popular Sri Lankan cities.
It’s at its best as the sun is setting when bell chimes and bird calls fill the air and the city comes to life in a way of its own.
You can’t go far wrong just wondering about the busy streets and taking in all the different sights and sounds, but there are also so many things in and around Kandy to visit. It would be a crime not to tick off at least a few of the most beautiful places in Kandy before you leave.
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Table Of Contents
- The Most Beautiful Things To Do In Kandy
- Temple of the Tooth Relic
- Kandy lake
- The Knuckles Mountain Range
- Huluganga Falls on the Hulu River
- The Kandy Museum
- The Royal Botanical Gardens
- Take the train from Kandy to Ella
- Go Waterfall Hunting
- Visit Udawattakele forest reserve
- Take A Cookery Class
- Bahirawakanda Temple
- Commonwealth War Cemetery
- Ceylon Tea Museum
- All-Inclusive Tour
- Visit Sigiriya Rock
- Alternative Ideas
- The Best Time To Visit The Most Beautiful Places In Kandy
- How to get to Kandy
- Where to stay
- What to bring on your trip
- Where to next?
The Most Beautiful Things To Do In Kandy
The best things to do in Kandy don’t have to be expensive. You can find some truly beautiful sights by just wandering around the city.
But if you’re wanting to make the most of your time here then you should take a look at this list of the most interesting and spectacular things to do in Kandy and the surrounding area.
#1. Temple Of Tooth Relic
The Temple of the Tooth is considered one of the most important Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. Located north of Kandy lake, and very central, it would be a shame to miss out on this world-famous temple and it is definitely considered a Sri Lanka highlight.
It is thought that the sacred tooth of Buddha himself is enshrined in the temple. You can enter the room containing the tooth to offer your prayers, but nobody gets to see the tooth because it is kept in a golden casket inside a stupa-like structure.
The grounds are a nice place to visit too, so make time for both. The temple is housed in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy and was made a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
Make sure you cover up (trousers and long sleeves) before you enter the temple as it is an important religious site.
Prices: Adult Rs 1500
Opening Times: Between 5:30 AM and 8:00 PM.
#2. Kandy Lake
This is honestly one of the most stunning places we have ever seen at sunset, and we’ve seen a lot of pretty sunsets! The sun sets behind the mountains, and casts an incredible golden and purple glow over the lake.
As if the reflections weren’t breathtaking enough, the growing dark brings out literally hundreds of huge bats which fly over the lake and nest in the surrounding trees. It is quite something.
After watching the impressive sunset show, you can then watch all the people running around with newspapers on their heads to try and avoid the droppings from the sky! And I shouldn’t laugh, as we got caught out here with a good old dollop. I’m not sure bat droppings are as lucky as bird droppings, but who knows!?
The lake, existing since 1807, is surrounded by some of the most beautiful places in Kandy. It is also known as the Kiri Muhuda or the Sea of Milk and is an artificial lake.
Being in the heart of the city and beside some of the famous attractions of Kandy, it is a popular tourist site. You can expect it to be quite crowded in the evening with tourists and locals alike. If you would prefer to see it when it’s quieter we would suggest heading there at sunrise.
It is possible to take boat rides on the lake, though this isn’t something we tried when we were there. There are also lots of places to grab a bite to eat or a drink, while you take in the beauty of the lake.
#3. Hiking The Knuckles Mountain Range
One of the most beautiful places in Kandy and high up the list for our favourite place in all of Sri Lanka.
The Knuckles Mountain Range (So called because it resembles the shape of a knuckle of a clenched fist from the top) is definitely the most adventurous and off-the-beaten-track thing to do in Kandy.
The mountain Range is in the region towards the northern end of the Sri Lankan highlands (39 km from Kandy) and is the perfect place to try your hands at long-distance hiking and camping.
You will need to book a guided trek with a personal guide, as it is illegal to trek here without one. Although the walking isn’t too strenuous as hikes go, the weather in the area is extremely unpredictable and the area is very large.
Your guide will also be able to point out all the incredible wildlife found here, including the unique Crestless lizard, Kangaroo lizard, and Pygmy lizard. We even spotted a rattle snake on our two day trek.
You can read all about the different trekking options and the amazing variety of sights and eco systems you will encounter in our extremely detailed post on trekking the Knuckles Mountain Range. You can also find prices here (true in 2020) and recommendations of an excellent tour company.
✅ If you only have a day to spare you can book a day trek here
#4. Visiting Huluganga Waterfall
Just 30 km from Kandy, in the sleepy town of Dumbara, lies Huluganga Falls on the Hulu River. The river source comes from the beautiful Knuckles Mountain Range, and is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Kandy city itself, especially in the heat of the midday sun.
The waterfall is an impressive 75 meters high and is one of the most popular places to visit as a day trip from Kandy, even for locals. It certainly is a picturesque place to spend a few hours.
Take a picnic and make the most of the spray of the water when the weather gets too hot to bear!
Be aware that sudden increases in water levels can make Huluganga Falls a place to be cautious of in certain weather conditions. The drivers in Sri Lanka usually have local knowledge, so double-check with them or your hotel before you go!
#5. The Kandy National Museum
This museum is in the former Royal Palace and displays artifacts, weapons, and much more from this period in time. It’s an interesting place if you like history and want to learn more about the Kandian era.
You won’t need too long here, but it’s conveniently located next to The Temple Of The Tooth, so you can combine a visit.
#6. The Royal Botanical Gardens
One of the most beautiful places in Kandy, these Royal Botanical Gardens are a must-visit for nature lovers.
The gardens are very well maintained and teeming with beautiful flowers (what you see will depend on the time of year you visit). The place has a very calm and peaceful feel to it, so it is a great place to be in the heat of the day or to escape the noise of the city.
You will probably want to spend half a day here, though it will depend on how interested you are in the plants they have on show and how much you enjoy strolling around the pretty gardens. We thought 3-4 hours was the perfect amount of time and we timed it perfectly to fall over lunch so we could relax in the restaurant and plan a route around the gardens!
Price: Adult Rs 1500
Opening Times: 7.30am-5pm
#7. The Kandy To Ella Train
Famous for being one of the most beautiful train rides in the world, we can see why Sri Lanka’s trains have become a firm favourite tourist attraction. Even if you aren’t planning on visiting Ella, we can thoroughly recommend taking the train there and back (or grabbing a tuk-tuk back for a different experience!)
It passes through vibrant tea fields, lush greenery, and beautiful waterfalls, and you can experience it all from an open doorway with the wind in your hair. It takes 4 hours to Nuwara Eliya (so you could do this as a day trip) and 7 hours to Ella.
We did this exact journey by train, starting in Kandy, stopping over in Nuwara Eliya and ending in Ella. It was a real highlight of our visit to Sri Lanka and we can thoroughly recommend it!
#8. Go Waterfall Hunting
Kandy is surrounded by incredible forest land, mountains, and of course, waterfalls. It might be hard to juggle seeing more than one in a day while travelling on your own, but with a local guide you can experience four of the best waterfalls surrounding Kandy city.
Learn about each of these beautiful waterfalls or simply enjoy the short trek to them and the swim at the end!
✅ Book onto the waterfall hunting tour here
#9. Udawattakele Forest Reserve, One Of The Most Beautiful Places In Kandy
If you’re after a trek that you can do on your own then this is a great option. Udawattakele forest reserve is a favourite spot for getting away from the city. You could easily spend a full day exploring this area so pack a picnic and plenty of liquid and head off for the day.
If you’re into birdwatching, you can arrange a guide for around 500 LKR, or just grab a map at the entrance and follow the trails that lead to various different places of interest.
Price: Rs 550
#10. Take A Sri Lankan Cookery Class
Chitra is an experienced culinary instructor based in Kandy, who will teach you to cook like an expert (she even worked wonders with me, renowned for my lack of skills in the kitchen!)
This is a small group cooking class where you’ll learn how to make a variety of dishes, from lentils to jackfruit curry. You’ll make a starter, main, and dessert based on fresh, local food, and of course, you’ll get to try the fruits of your labour afterward!
Recipe options for vegan and gluten-free diets are available, just be sure to let them know when booking.
✅ Book a cookery class with Chitra here
#11. Bahirawakanda Temple And The Soaring Buddha
Just a few kilometers from Kandy city, the Bahirawakanda Temple is a major attraction and can actually be seen from most places in Kandy.
The statue of the Buddha is one of the tallest in all of Sri Lanka. If you have the time then it’s pretty cool to visit it up close, if just for the views.
Bahirawakanda Temple is an important monastery where many Buddhist events take place, with Buddhists meeting here from all over the world.
You can take the steps to reach the top of the hill or you can take a tuk-tuk ride if you’re not feeling quite so energetic. Remember to take water if you plan on taking the stairs, it’s a long way up!
Price: Rs 200
#12. CommonWealth War Cemetery
There are six commonwealth war cemeteries in Sri Lanka, yet the one in Kandy is known to be the most beautiful.
It is maintained by soldiers and is there to commemorate the soldiers of the British Empire who died during WW1 and WW2.
#13. Ceylon Tea Museum
About 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Kandy is the famous Ceylon Tea Museum. Dating back to 1925, this vintage tea museum is built on four floors where you can see the old tea-making equipment, machinery, and libraries and have a look around the museum.
Obviously, you can also taste this authentic Sri Lanka tea while enjoying the mountain views!
If you’re after more tea-related experiences in Sri Lanka (what better thing to do if you’re English!) then we can thoroughly recommend a trip to the Pedro Tea Estate just outside Nuwara Eliya, and a trip to the famous Lipton’s Seat.
Opening Hours: 8.30am-3.45pm Tue-Sat, to 3pm Sun
Price: Adult Rs 800
#14. Take An All-Inclusive City Tour
We LOVE a good city tour. There is no better way to get a feel for a city in a short amount of time than by taking a tour from a local resident who really knows the best hot spots.
This tour includes some of Kandy’s best sights, like the Giragama Tea Factory where you can learn how tea in the region is made, the Botanical Garden of Peradeniya which is one of the best things to do in Kandy, Kandy lake, a cultural show at one of Kandy’s best theatres and a whole lot more.
If you only have a short amount of time in Kandy then this is the perfect way to squeeze in a whole lot of culture!
✅ Book your all-inclusive city tour here
#15. Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Several hours away from Kandy is the impressive Sigiriya rock. This has become an iconic image for Sri Lanka, and it features on the front page of many guide books. One visit there and you will see why!
It’s a little much to find your own way there and back for a day but by booking onto a tour you will get to visit at a great price and cut the faff out of finding your own transport.
This is one of the best tours to Sigiriya Rock from Kandy, and includes Matale Hindu Temple, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and Dambulla Cave Temple.
✅ Book a tour to Sigiriya Rock here
Optional Extra
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
I don’t have the subject-specific knowledge to know what is right and wrong in this situation, so instead, I’ll just give a little overview of what I know and let you decide for yourselves.
The orphanage is situated in the Pinnawala village, in the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. The orphanage was started in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a popular breeding ground for around 90 elephants who are raised inside the park. The orphanage rescue and cares for abandoned elephants but also for elephants who are seriously injured, separated from their group, or elephants that have been raised in captivity and donated to them.
They bring all elephants back to good health in the best way they can and try to raise them in their natural habitat as much as possible.
Before we visited we took the time to read a few first-hand accounts of the place, as we’re always a little cautious when it comes to visiting animal sanctuaries after some previous bad experiences.
From what others say, apparently some of the elephants are chained up and they exhibit distressing behaviour, like swaying back and forth and shaking their heads nonstop (though as I said, I’m no expert in elephant behaviour).
I also heard reports that they chain the animals to the river so that they have no choice but to be there for when the tourists arrive to see them bathing.
The optimist in me would argue that had they been left injured, or without their mothers in the wild, obviously, they would have suffered more. Elephants are an endangered breed, and caring for them is incredibly important.
If this orphanage makes the money it needs to care for these animals properly from taking them for a half an hour bath in the river and making them stay there, then maybe the good outweighs the bad.
Another huge part of me thinks perhaps the elephants are better left to die in nature than endure cruel behaviour from humans, which is mostly how they ended up here in the first place.
I wish I knew more, about whether they are running this ‘charity’ for profit, and about how the elephants are treated after the park closes.
I have seen some excellent examples of how humans can do good when it comes to protecting endangered animals (read my posts on Ol Pejeta in Kenya and the Nairobi elephant orphanage to find out more).
I have also seen the incredibly negative impact that tourists and travellers can have on this world’s wildlife (see my post about whale watching in Mirissa, Sri Lanka). The sad thing is that most people won’t know what they are in for until they have paid their money and supported the wrongdoing. As travellers we need to be aware of the impact we are having.
Although it’s impossible to know the ins and outs of organisations like this unless you work for one, I do think it’s important to do careful research before you pay money to people who are running a business without a care for the animals.
Make sure you do the same and make an informed decision before you go. There are plenty of first-hand accounts on the internet.
If I read any possible negative about a place then I make it my rule to stay away. More than anything, I have seen badly treated animals and it has scarred me for life. I never want to risk seeing it again.
For this reason, I avoided Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and it has not made it onto my list of the most beautiful places to visit in Kandy, but do your own research before you decide!
The Best Time To Visit The Most Beautiful Places In Kandy
To be fair, I don’t think there’s a bad time to visit Kandy. It’s the atmosphere that really makes this place special. That being said, there are certain times of the year when you can expect to get pretty darn wet!
March – May: Hot but not too hot, this is a great time to visit the most beautiful places in Kandy. The temperature remains around 26 – 28 degree celsius so exploring on foot shouldn’t be too sweat-inducing, and you’ll be able to get out and explore the areas around Kandy too.
December – April: Again, a great time to visit Kandy. The weather shouldn’t be too cold or too hot, so you’ll be able to enjoy the place as much as it deserves!
October- November: During these few months Kandy is in monsoon season. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit if now is your only chance, but you will get pretty wet! Monsoons are pretty impressive, so if you’re happy to run from building to building and get completely drenched then perhaps you should give it a go! This is a quieter time of year to visit, so you might get better deals on accommodation.
How To Reach Kandy
By Driver: One of the best and most popular ways to get around Sri Lanka is by hiring a driver. This usually works out cheaper, and almost always works out more time efficiently.
✅ Find out more about hiring a driver in Sri Lanka here
By Air: Bandaranaike International Airport is the nearest airport to Kandy and you will probably want to take a taxi or hire a driver from here to get to Kandy itself. The journey should take you around 3 hours depending on traffic.
By Rail: The Colombo to Kandy train ride is a spectacle in itself, with great views and an incredible atmosphere. It is one of the most scenic train rides in the world. It will take around 6 hours, so it might be worth reserving a seat. You can read all about how to do that here. There are also frequent trains running from Ella and Nuwara Eliya if you are coming to Kandy from the other direction.
Bus: You can also catch a bus from Colombo to Kandy. It will take around 3-4 hours and should cost around 187 – 400 LKR. The train is usually recommended for comfort and reliability when travelling in Sri Lanka.
Tuk-tuk: You can rent and drive your own Sri Lankan tuk-tuk to go around the whole island, giving you lots of freedom and a good few laughs. Tuk-Tuk rental based in Colombo come highly recommended and costs around USD$18 a day for a rental period of 28 days.
Be warned though that Sri Lankan roads are a little hectic. You will want to be a confident driver to take this on!
Places To Stay In Kandy
Budget Option-Kandy Dilruk Homestay
This cheap and cheerful option has lake views and is close to Kandy city centre. It’s got great reviews and won’t break the bank!
Mid Range Option-Kandy Eco Retreat
With a garden view, you can really escape it all at this eco-retreat. Close to the city centre, but not too close to soak up the traffic noise, this place will make for a pleasant stay while you visit the most beautiful places in Kandy.
Luxury Option-Sati Villa
Set in beautiful surroundings, this place really does have it all. Book a stay here to feel thoroughly pampered on your holiday in Sri Lanka.
The Equipment We Use When Travelling
Looking for the best equipment to capture your time in Kandy? This is the gear we wouldn’t be without!
Camera Equipment
We often get asked what equipment we use when taking photos and videos for our blog posts on Sri Lanka and our social media posts so here is all the information for you because we’re helpful like that!
Adam uses a Sony ILCE7KB.CE Full Frame Compact with a 28mm lens to take the amazing shots we get for the website. We also love the video quality of this camera. It is well worth the money!
We also always carry a Tripod for creating stable content.
✅ Buy the Sony Full Frame Compact on Amazon
If you’re seriously looking for decent camera equipment then we’ve written full reviews on the best cameras for blogging and the best action cameras.
Outdoor Gear
There are some great options to get outdoors in Kandy, and we thoroughly recommend planning at least one trek while you’re here.
For the Knuckles Range hike mentioned above you’ll want some proper hiking gear (listed in the post), but for day trips we recommend a decent pair of walking shoes and a sun shirt and hat to protect you from the blazing sun!
Travel Insurance
Safety Wing provides travel insurance and has a clear tick box section so you can easily see which activities are covered (and which aren’t!)
Conclusion: The Most Beautiful Things To Do In Kandy
Hopefully this list has inspired you to head out and explore some of the best things to do in Kandy.
You could easily spend weeks in this fascinating city alone, but if you’re only in Sri Lanka for a short time then consider splitting your time between Kandy and some of the top destinations listed below. You won’t regret it!
- 5 days in Sri Lanka
- 2 weeks in Sri Lanka.
- Nuwara Eliya
- Diyaluma Falls near Ella
- Nine Arch Bridge in Ella
- Sigiriya
- Horton Plains
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post on the most beautiful places to visit in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Follow us on social media for more travel inspiration and tips!
This is a beautifully presented blog. I have traveled the Shri Lanka quite extensively back in the day but obviously, there’s a whole lot more to see, pick up souvenirs and create memories.
Thank you for your kind comment. Sri Lanka is just beautiful, there’s so much to explore. I hope you make it back one day!
Thanks for this helpful article. Please note that even with train delays, the journey from Colombo to Kandy is around 3 hours, not 6 hours and is a tiny fraction of the price of hiring a car!