Landmarks in Kandy
- 01
Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue
A 26.8-metre seated Buddha on a hill above Kandy, visible from much of the city. The short climb rewards you with one of the best views over the lake and rooftops.
- Time needed
- 45–60 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Late afternoon or early morning in clear weather
- Tickets
- The statue is publicly visible. The temple precinct may ask for a donation or small fee; dress modestly and check locally.
- 02
Kandy Lake (Kiri Muhuda)
A small artificial lake built in the early 19th century beside the Temple of the Tooth. A flat walk around its edge is the simplest way to get your bearings in Kandy.
- Time needed
- 45–90 minutes for the full loop; 20 minutes for a part
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon, outside rain
- Tickets
- The lakeside is free to walk. There is no booking needed; check locally for any boat rides, as availability varies.
Museums in Kandy
- 03
Ceylon Tea Museum
A four-storey former tea factory in Hanthana, south of Kandy, now a museum of tea machinery, books and photographs, with a tea room on the top floor. A good introduction before you reach the plantations.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning or afternoon, clear weather for the views
- Tickets
- There is an entry fee, usually higher for foreign visitors. Opening hours and tea-tasting arrangements change, so check before you go.
- 04
National Museum of Kandy
A compact museum in the former royal palace beside the Temple of the Tooth, with more than 5,000 objects from the Kandyan period and later. A cool, level hour that gives the temple and town some context.
- Time needed
- 45–60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Any weekday; useful in rain or midday heat
- Tickets
- There is an entry fee, higher for foreign visitors. Opening days and hours vary, so check before you go.
Temples in Kandy
- 05
Embekke Devale
A shrine to the god Kataragama (Skanda) in the hills west of Kandy, famous for the finely carved timber pillars of its drummers' hall. A small, rewarding stop for anyone who likes woodwork.
- Time needed
- 45–60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, dry weather
- Tickets
- There is typically an entrance fee for visitors, higher for foreigners; check at the gate. Dress modestly and remove shoes.
- 06
Gadaladeniya Vihara
A 14th-century Buddhist temple built of carved granite in a South Indian style, on a rock outcrop west of Kandy. An atmospheric half-hour stop on the road to the nearby temples.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon, dry weather
- Tickets
- There is usually a small entry or donation request; check at the site. Dress modestly and remove shoes.
Culture in Kandy
- 07
Kandyan Art Association Cultural Show
A daily hour-long show of Kandyan dance and drumming in a theatre run by the Kandyan Art Association, with a craft sales centre in the same building. It is a practical, comfortable introduction to the region's performing arts.
- Time needed
- About 1–1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Evening show; check the current schedule
- Tickets
- Tickets are sold at the venue and by tour operators. Prices and show times change, so check on the day or ask your hotel to confirm before you go.
Gardens and parks in Kandy
- 08
Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
A 59-hectare botanic garden on a loop of the Mahaweli River, known for its orchid house, palm avenues and giant trees. It is the easiest long, shaded, flat outing near Kandy.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning on a dry day; January to March is the most reliable
- Tickets
- There is an entry fee, higher for foreign visitors. Check the current fee and opening hours with the Department of National Botanic Gardens before you go.
Places of worship in Kandy
- 09
Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic)
The royal-palace temple that houses Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist relic, a tooth of the Buddha. It is the reason most visitors come to Kandy, and the daily rituals are worth timing your visit around.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours, longer during a ritual
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning or the evening ritual; avoid full-moon (Poya) days unless you want the crowds
- Tickets
- Foreign visitors normally pay an entry fee; locals do not. Photography has often carried an extra charge and is discouraged during rituals. Check current fees and hours with the temple or the Sri Lanka tourism authority before you go.
Read the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) guide →
Experiences in Kandy
- 10
Udawattakele Forest Reserve
A 100-hectare forest on the ridge above the Temple of the Tooth, once the royal pleasure garden of the Kandyan kings. Quiet trails and birds, ten minutes from the busy centre.
- Time needed
- 1.5–3 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning on a dry day; January to March
- Tickets
- There is an entrance fee, higher for foreign visitors. Check the current rate at the gate. Guides for birdwatching can be arranged locally.
