Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist shrine, best visited during the evening puja when drums and offerings fill the temple.
Hill Country · Sri Lanka
Kandy, Sri Lanka's last royal capital.
Set around a lake in the central hills, Kandy was the seat of Sri Lanka's last kingdom and is home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the natural first stop between the airport and the tea country.
What to see
The highlights of Kandy.
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens
Avenues of royal palms, an orchid house and a giant Javan fig tree, just outside the city.
Kandy Lake and the old town
An easy lakeside walk, the colonial-era streets and the viewpoint above the city at sunset.
Esala Perahera
Kandy's great procession of dancers, drummers and decorated elephants, held in July or August each year.
When to go
Best time to visit
Kandy can be visited all year. Mornings are fresh and afternoons warm; short showers are common in the monsoon months. Book early if your dates fall during the Esala Perahera.
How long
How many nights
One or two nights. One night covers the temple and lake; two lets you add Peradeniya, a tea factory or a cultural dance show without rushing.
Getting there
Travel by private car
About three to three and a half hours by private car from Bandaranaike International Airport, and around two and a half hours from Sigiriya. Your chauffeur confirms timings on the day.
Published Navigeto journeys
Private tours that include Kandy.
Every route can be changed: the number of nights, hotels, pace and stops.
- Heritage & Capital4 days · 3 nights
- Family Explorer · 3-Star Option6 days · 5 nights
- Family Explorer · 4-Star Option6 days · 5 nights
- Island Introduction4 days · 3 nights
- Safari to Mirissa8 days · 7 nights
- Kandy to the Wild8 days · 7 nights
- Sigiriya to the Sea8 days · 7 nights
- Highlands to Coast Express5 days · 4 nights
- Sigiriya & Kandy Shores6 days · 5 nights
- Sigiriya Highland Discovery6 days · 5 nights
- Ancient Cities & Eastern Seas15 days · 14 nights
- Kandy Tea Discovery4 days · 3 nights
Good to know
Kandy questions, answered.
How many days do you need in Kandy?
Most travellers spend one or two nights. One night is enough for the Temple of the Tooth and Kandy Lake; a second adds the botanical gardens and a slower pace.
When is the Kandy Esala Perahera?
The Perahera takes place over around ten nights in July or August, following the lunar calendar. Hotels fill quickly, so we confirm the year's dates and book well ahead.
Can I travel from Kandy to Ella by train?
Yes. The hill-country railway from Kandy to Ella is one of Sri Lanka's most scenic journeys. We can reserve seats where available and arrange your car to meet you at the other end.
Start planning
Add Kandy to your Sri Lanka trip.
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. A Sri Lanka specialist will suggest a route, hotels and a private car, with a clear quotation.
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