Discover the Best Things to Do in Kandy: Your Ultimate Guide to Unforgettable Experiences
Welcome to Kandy, where religion, beautiful sceneries, ancient traditions blend together seamlessly. It’s the perfect place to discover when in Sri Lanka, as you want to learn more about history and culture, like at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a nature lover, Kandy offers a serene escape into the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural soul.
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For your information, all these pictures were taken in January 2024.
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Some information about Kandy
Kandy is a major city, located in the middle of Sri Lanka. It was also the last capital, which is now Colombo, of the ancient kings’ era. This city is mostly a religious city, but is also located in the midst of beautiful nature like tropical plantations.
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How to get to Kandy?
You will arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport at Negombo, which is only a 2h20 drive to Kandy. You’ll probably arrive at Kandy from Ella or Dambulla. There are a few different ways to reach Kandy:
1 | By bus
Buses are a common mode of transportation in Sri Lanka and it’s a easy way to travel both short and long distances. The bus network is also very extensive, where major cities and towns are well connected.
Sometimes, the information online can be a bit confusion, so it’s best to ask the locals for some help. But to take the bus, you need to know which number/line you need. Then, you need to stop this bus as it passes you by. Once on the bus, someone will come by to collect the money. Make sure you have enough cash with you!
2 | By taxi driver / PickMe
The easiest way to travel from place to place would be by a private driver, which can be stopped at the side of the road or by the app PickMe App. Just know that this will be a lot more expensive (think 10 times or even more). This is what we did as it was our first day in Sri Lanka and we arrived in the middle of the night. So, we just wanted to be at our hotel as quickly as possible.
3 | By tuk-tuk
The last way to travel around Sri Lanka would be by tuk-tuk. This small, three wheeler vehicle is perfect to travel from place to place. The only disadvantage would be the space and the top speed. You can do this with a private driver, which you can stop at the side of the road, or by renting your own tuk-tuk.
Best time to visit Kandy
The best time to visit Kandy would be between December and April, as this isn’t the monsoon season in the south-west. But know that this is high season in Sri Lanka, so everything will be more expensive and busier.
There is a south-west monsoon between May till August and September till November. This monsoon hits the south and west coast the most between this period. During these months, the weather can be somewhat unpredictable, with intermittent rainfall and occasional thunderstorms.
Where to stay in Kandy?
I stayed at Dumbara Peak Residence for my 2-night stay in Kandy and it was the perfect hostel for this short trip! The hotel is in the middle of the city center, which made it a very accessible hotel. It also have the best view of the Big Buddha!
Best things to do in Kandy
Kandy is definitely a chaotic and busy city, but once your used to the bustling street life, you will find the beauty in this city. It’s also a very religious place, where you can learn more about the culture in Sri Lanka. So, here is a list of top things to do in Kandy with the best attractions and places to visit:
1 | Bahirawakanda Temple
The first things you see when entering Kandy is this temple with the big, white Buddha. It’s one of the biggest statues in Sri Lanka, standing at approximately 26.8 meters. This statue is an iconic symbol for the religion as it represents the Lord Buddha in a meditation posture.
One of the most captivating things about this temple is the panoramic view you have over Kandy and the lush hills that surround the city. As the temple is open relatively early, it’s a great place to watch the sunrise!
Opening hours: Bahirawakanda temple is open daily from 6 am to 6 pm.
Entrance fee for foreigners: The entrance is 300 LKR for foreigners
Things you should know: You will have to walk barefoot around the temple. Climb all the way to the top of the Buddha to have an even better view!
2 | Kandy Spice Walk 101
Our Tuktuk driver led us to the Kandy Spice Walk and it felt like a tourist trap, but to be honest, I really enjoyed learning more about the different herbs and spices of Sri Lanka.
The tour is done by students and they have a lot of knowledge about what’s in their garden. There was also a short cooking class and massage.
Opening hours: The Spice garden is open daily from 7 am to 10 pm.
Entrance fee for foreigners: The entrance is free for foreigners, but you can always donate or buy something at their shop.
3 | Royal Botanic Gardens
Another great place to learn more about the fauna and flora of Sri Lanka is at the Royal Botanical Gardens. But there are also plants from all around the world! The Botanical Garden is perfect to wander around, take some pictures or have a relaxing picnic.
Opening hours: The Spice garden is open daily from 7.30 am to 5 pm.
Entrance fee for foreigners: The entrance is 3000 LKR for foreigners and 1500 LKR for children up to 12 years old.
Things you should know: Don’t miss the iconic photo spot with the double coconut palms!
4 | Watch a Kandyan dance
This is a must do when in Kandy! It’s such a fun thing to watch and it’s an amazing show with traditional dances. You should definitely stay until the end as it ends with a spectacular fire show. Afterwards, you will go to the Tooth Temple, which is next on the list.
Opening hours: The Kandyan dance takes place at 5 pm till 6 pm.
Entrance fee for foreigners: The entrance is 2000 LKR for foreigners.
5 | Sri Dalada Maligawa
After the Kandyan dance, we went straight to Sri Dalada Maligawa or better known as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. It’s a world-renowned place of worship, because the tooth of Buddha is placed here. Thousands of tourists visit this temple daily, which makes it quite busy at times. I learned a lot at my visit to this temple as it’s a place rich in history, culture, religion and architecture. At the evening, there is a ceremony going on as well.
Opening hours: The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is open daily from 5.30 AM till 8 PM .
Entrance fee: The entrance is LKR 2000 for foreigners and 1500 for locals.
6 | Ambuluwawa Temple
This has to be my favourite place I visited near Kandy! The temple features the beautiful Ambuluwawa Tower, which is a remarkable experience when climbing to the top. The path at the top becomes very narrow, which makes it hard to pass each other. Thus, it’s better to visit very early in the morning. But once at the top, it offers a stunning panoramic view of the surroundings!
Opening hours: Ambuluwawa Temple is open daily from 8.30 AM till 5 PM .
Entrance fee: The entrance is LKR 2000 for foreigners and 50 for a Tuktuk to enter the park.
Things you should know: It takes around an hour to reach this temple from Kandy, and is best by Tuktuk or with a taxi.
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Hello, I’m Ellen and welcome to this blog! I’m in love with exploring the world and hopefully I get to inspire you with these blog posts and pictures to feel the same. You will find detailed itineraries, hidden gems, tips and so much more!
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