Sacred tooth relic in a hill capital
Kandy is a hill city around a lake in Sri Lanka's central highlands and the last royal capital before British rule. It is the home of the Temple of the Tooth and the base for tea country, botanical gardens and the ancient rock sites. It suits culture seekers, families and slow travellers who like cooler air.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
The most sacred Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, housing a relic believed to be the Buddha's tooth. Drumming and offerings take place several times a day.
Foreign visitor ticket, which has risen in recent years; check locally.
A large tropical garden with orchids, spice trees, giant bamboo and an avenue of palms, set in a bend of the Mahaweli River.
Foreign visitor ticket; local prices are much lower.
A 5th century rock citadel rising about 200 metres from the plain, with frescoes, mirror wall, water gardens and a summit with ruins. It is the island's most famous ancient site.
Foreign visitor ticket in dollars; price has changed in recent years, so check the current rate.
A calm artificial lake beside the temple, with a path around it used by locals for evening walks. Birds and turtles are easy to see.
Free to walk around.
A large white Buddha statue on a hill above the city with sweeping views of the town, lake and surrounding hills.
A small entry fee for foreign visitors may apply.
An evening performance of traditional Kandyan dance, drumming and fire walking at a few theatres in town. It lasts about an hour.
Ticket prices differ by venue.
A museum in a former tea factory telling the story of Ceylon tea, with old machinery, tastings and a rooftop view. It is a good introduction before touring estates.
Entry fee includes a short tour or tasting in some cases.
A group of caves with hundreds of Buddha statues and painted ceilings, used as a place of worship for over two thousand years. A large golden Buddha stands at the entrance.
Foreign visitor ticket; check current rates.
A busy covered market with spices, vegetables, textiles and souvenirs, a few steps from the lake. It is good for a sample of local daily life.
Free to enter.
A forest reserve above the temple with easy trails, birdlife, monkeys and shady paths. It is a quick escape from the heat and traffic.
Entry fee for foreign visitors.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one covers the temple and lake, day two the botanical gardens and an evening cultural show, day three a full day at Sigiriya.
Cool tea country with colonial buildings and waterfalls.
50 mi · Car or train and bus, about 3 hours each way
Cloud forest hiking and villages for a nature day.
28 mi · Car with guide, about 2 hours
A spiral hilltop tower with wide views and a multi faith site.
16 mi · Taxi, about 1 hour
Best: January to April and July to September (festival season). Hill weather is mild and drier in the early months, and the Perahera pageant falls in July or August.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
July or August (about ten nights around the full moon)
A grand procession of elephants, drummers and fire dancers honouring the tooth relic.
April 13 to 14
Family festivals with games and sweets.
May (full moon)
Lanterns and light decorations around the lake.
Visitors usually find it welcoming, but governments advise caution for petty theft, winding roads and occasional unrest, so check current advice.
The lake and centre are walkable, but streets are steep and busy with traffic.
Buses and trains connect to other towns, but within the city tuk tuks and ride apps are the practical choice.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers, couples
Near the temple and shops with hillside views.
Best for: families, couples
Quieter, with panoramic views over the city.
Best for: garden lovers, budget
Near the botanical gardens and the train line.
Best for: nature, luxury
Boutique villas and cool air with hill views just outside town.
| Main airport | Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) (CMB), 71 mi from the center |
| To the center | Private car or taxi takes about 3 to 4 hours; a bus or train is slower but cheaper. |
| Around town | Tuk tuks and ride apps cover the city. Scenic trains run to Ella and Nuwara Eliya, and drivers are often hired for day trips. |
| Ride apps | PickMe, Uber |
Home style rice and curry with local vegetables and coconut.
Milk rice served on special days, often with lunu miris.
Try a pot at a tea estate or local cafe.
Chopped flatbread stir fried with vegetables and spices.
Coconut custard pudding with jaggery and cardamom.
| Plugs | Types D, M and G, 230 V |
| Tap water | Use bottled water |
| Tipping | About 10 percent in restaurants if no service charge is added; small tips for drivers. |
| Payments | Cards work in larger hotels and restaurants; carry rupees for tuk tuks, markets and entry fees. |
| Etiquette | Dress modestly, remove shoes and hats at temples and do not pose with your back to Buddha statues. Offer or accept things with the right hand. |
Kandy was the capital of the last independent Sinhalese kingdom from the late 1500s and resisted European control longer than the coastal areas. The British took it in 1815. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the sacred Temple of the Tooth, which holds a relic believed to be a tooth of the Buddha. It remains the centre of Sri Lankan Buddhism and traditional Kandyan dance and music.
Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.