8 Awesome Places To Visit In Kandy, Sri Lanka

Kandy is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka because of its central location in the country and numerous historical and cultural monuments. This blog will help you to make plans in Kandy during your holiday in Sri Lanka.

TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN KANDY

Kandy has a rich history, being the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings prior to colonisation. This section will guide you through the best places to visit in Kandy during your tour.

Temple Of The Sacred Tooth Relic

Sri Dalada Maligawa – better known as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – is definitely at the top of the list of places to visit in Kandy. The Temple houses a tooth of the Buddha himself, and is considered one of the holiest places in Sri Lanka.

The compound contains many other important places to visit in Kandy, such as the Royal Palace of Kandy and the International Buddhist Museum.

Schedule: Open every day, 5:30 am to 8 pm.

Price: Locals and children can enter for free. For adults from SAARC countries, Thailand and Myanmar the entry fee is LKR 1500. For adults of all other nationalities, the fee is LKR 2000.

Royal Palace of Kandy

The Royal Palace of Kandy is filled with art and sculptures depicting various stages throughout Sri Lanka’s history. For those who enjoy learning about history and culture, this is an essential stop to understand the history of Sri Lanka – a worthy addition to the list of places to visit in Kandy.

Schedule: Opens daily from 9 am to 4 pm

Price: Included with Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic entry fee.

National Museum of Kandy

The National Museum of Kandy is home to a wide range of artefacts from various stages of Sri Lankan history. The exhibits take you through the various stages of Sri Lanka’s history, from the prehistoric era to the Independence of Sri Lanka in 1948 and beyond.

The unique architecture and intriguing exhibits make it one of the best places to visit in Kandy.

Schedule: Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm.

Price: Foreigners have to pay 600 LKR for adults and 400 LKR for children.

International Buddhist Museum

The International Buddhist Museum showcases the story of Buddhism through the ages. Maintained by the Sri Dalada Maligawa authorities, it is among one of the most interesting places to visit in Kandy. See historical artefacts from around the world and hear of how this religion has spread throughout Asia.

If you are interested in spirituality and religion, this is one of the places to visit in Kandy that you shouldn’t miss.

Schedule: Open every day, from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm.

Price: Included with Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic entry fee.

Kandy War Cemetery

The Kandy War Cemetery is the resting place of hundreds of servicemen from around the world who lost their lives during World War II. For those interested in Sri Lanka’s history and culture, this is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Kandy.

Schedule: Open daily from 7 am to 4 pm.

Price: Free

Kandy Lake

Located just next to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake offers visitors a scenic place to walk and enjoy views of the city. It is a popular place for residents to take morning walks and jogs, and is widely regarded as one of the most essential places to visit in Kandy.

Schedule: Open daily from 6 am to 8 pm.

Price: Free

Ceylon Tea Museum

Located near the scenic Hanthana range, the Ceylon Tea Museum showcases the history of tea production in Sri Lanka. The Museum has a tasting room where guests can get a taste of the finest teas the country produces.

The unique mix of history, business and heritage makes this museum one of the best places to visit in Kandy.

Schedule: Open Tuesday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4 pm. It is open from 8 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Price: The entrance fee for foreigners is 1000 LKR for adults and 500 LKR for children.

PLACES TO VISIT FROM KANDY

Kandy is located towards the centre of Sri Lanka, and is well-connected to several other major cities. After seeing all the incredible places to visit in Kandy, here are the places around Kandy for you to explore during your visit to Sri Lanka.

Colombo

Sri Lanka’s dynamic capital, Colombo, is a must-visit for anyone coming to Sri Lanka. From spectacular architecture to stunning beaches, Colombo is an incredible city to visit on your tour of Sri Lanka.

Distance from Kandy: 123 km

Top Attractions: Gangaramaya Temple, Mount Lavinia Beach, Galle Face Green, Old Dutch Hospital.

Sigiriya

Sigiriya Rock Fortress is the site of an ancient city, with spectacular sculptures carved from the rock itself. It is one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic tourist spots, with many other smaller archaeological sites all around.

Distance from Kandy: 90 km

Top Attractions: Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Pidurangala Vihara.

Dambulla

The cave temples of Dambulla are an incredible sight, filled with intricate artwork and stunning sculptures cut straight out of the rock surrounding it. These temples are considered as a holy site, and the area is an active monastery.

Distance from Kandy: 75 km

Top Attractions: Dambulla Cave Temples

Nuwara Eliya

The centre of the Sri Lankan tea trade, Nuwara Eliya is widely considered as Sri Lanka’s most beautiful city. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Sri Lanka’s rolling hills.

Distance from Kandy: 75 km

Top Attractions: Dambulla Cave Temples

Negombo

There are few better cities for seafood lovers than Negombo. The city is known for its stunning beaches and old Dutch buildings.

Distance from Kandy: 95 km

Top Attractions: Negombo Lagoon, Negombo Beach, Morawala Beach

Kitulgala

For those seeking adventure, Kitulgala is where you want to be. This small town on the banks of the Kelani river is a hotspot for rafting, rock climbing and trekking.

Distance from Kandy: 60 km

Top Attractions: Rafting, Rock Climbing, Trekking

Also Read : All You Need To Know About Whale Watching In Sri Lanka

Top Places To Stay In Kandy

Choosing the right accommodations can have a major impact on your stay. As Kandy is not . Here are a few hotel recommendations at various price points.

Castle Hill Bungalow

Accommodation Type: Luxury Hotel

Price Per Night: INR 7000 Onwards

Hotel Cassendra

Accommodation Type: Deluxe Hotel

Price Per Night: INR 3900 Onwards

The Hills By Blue Fox

Accommodation Type: Economy Hotel

Price Per Night: INR 2500 Onwards

Best Time To Visit Kandy

The best time to visit Kandy is between December to April. This time of the year is cooler than the rest of the year, with a low chance of rainfall.

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FAQs

Is Kandy worth visiting?

Kandy is a city with many important cultural and historical sites. It is an important place to understand the history and culture of Sri Lanka.

Why is Kandy famous?

Kandy is known for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. It is also known for being the city where many scenes from the movie Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom were filmed.

Is 1 day enough for Kandy?

One day is enough to explore the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic complex. To visit all of the places to visit in Kandy, it is best to keep at least 3 days and 2 nights.