Kandy: where culture meets the hills.

Kandy is one of those places where Sri Lanka feels slower, more traditional and deeply connected to its culture. Surrounded by green hills and built around a peaceful lake, the city is best known for its sacred temples, royal history and
vibrant traditions.

Where is Kandy?

Kandy is located in Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands, surrounded by green hills and about halfway between Colombo and
the hill country.

It was the last capital of the Sinhala kings before British rule and remains one of the country’s most important cultural and religious centres. Today, the Sacred City of Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
at its heart.

Why visit Kandy?

Kandy offers a different side of Sri Lanka.

While the coastal towns are known for beaches and the hill country for tea plantations and scenic train rides, Kandy is more about culture, history and everyday life. You can spend the morning visiting a sacred temple, walk around the lake in the afternoon and watch the city slowly come alive in the evening.

It is also a good place to slow down for a day or two before continuing deeper into
the Central Highlands.

What to see in Kandy

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, or Sri Dalada Maligawa, is Kandy’s most important landmark and one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka.

The temple is part of the former royal palace complex and remains an important place of pilgrimage. It is also closely connected to the city’s most famous annual celebration,
the Esala Perahera.

Kandy Lake

Right in the centre of the city, Kandy Lake offers a quieter break from
the busy streets.

A walk around the lake is especially pleasant later in the day, when the surrounding hills and historic buildings give Kandy a completely different atmosphere from the rest of the city.

Kandyan culture

Kandy is deeply connected to Sri Lanka’s traditional music, dance and

religious ceremonies.

If you visit during the Esala Perahera, you’ll see the city at its most vibrant, with processions, drummers, dancers and elaborate traditional costumes filling the streets. The festival is held annually
in July or August.

What to know before you go

Kandy can feel busy, especially around the city centre and during major festivals. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is an active religious site, so modest clothing is expected when visiting.

The city is also warmer and more urban than nearby Nuwara Eliya or Horton Plains, but the surrounding hills give it a greener and more relaxed feel.

One or two days is usually enough to see the main sights, although Kandy also works well as a base before continuing to other parts of the Central Highlands.

How to get to Kandy

Kandy is well connected by train, bus and private transport.

The train journey from Colombo is a popular option, while Kandy is also an important stop on the way towards Ella and
Sri Lanka’s hill country.