Kandy is the cultural capital of Sri Lanka where you can experience both bustling activity and serene tranquility. The center teems with tuk-tuks, motorcycles, and street vendors, but in the colorful botanical garden, all you hear is birdsong. Right in the heart of Kandy lies the famous Temple of the Tooth, where a tooth of Buddha is kept, making it a significant site for Buddhism. Throughout the day, you’ll see locals bringing flowers and monks engaged in various rituals. Additionally, Kandy is the popular starting point for the renowned train journey to Ella. This train ride takes you through the stunning highlands of Sri Lanka. Below, I’ll tell you more about what Kandy has to offer, where to enjoy delicious meals, and the best places to stay in the city. These are 7 tips for Kandy!
What to Do in Kandy?
Kandy is a bustling city. In addition to visiting some remarkable attractions in the center, it’s also nice to escape the hustle and bustle occasionally, such as to the beautiful surroundings outside the city. Here are some tips you shouldn’t miss.
Visit the Temple of the Tooth
The Temple of the Tooth (in Sinhalese Sri Dalada Maligawa) is Kandy’s most cultural highlight. The famous temple gets its name from housing a tooth relic of Buddha, making it an important pilgrimage site for the Buddhist population. A ritual is held in the morning at 09:30 and in the evening at 18:30. Accompanied by traditional musicians, a curtain is drawn behind which lies a beautiful golden door. This is the entrance to the chamber where Buddha’s tooth relic is kept. During this ceremony, people with boxes and crates enter the room to perform a ritual. Essentially, the ceremony is not much more than that because what happens behind the doors cannot be seen. Then, the entire crowd takes a tour around the temple to make their offerings and prayers. It’s nice to witness this ceremony and see the golden doors, but this ceremony is certainly not a must if it doesn’t fit into your schedule.
If you want to visit the Temple of the Tooth when it’s less crowded, it’s best to go early in the morning. The temple opens as early as 05:30. It’s important to have your knees and shoulders covered. It might also be wise to bring socks. You have to leave your shoes behind when visiting the temple, and the tiles can be hot when the sun shines on them.
Tip: Would you like a guided tour of the Temple of the Tooth? The friendly Fernando speaks Dutch and can tell you everything about this important temple. He is hard of hearing, but that doesn’t stop him from being a super good guide. You can reach Fernando at +94 72 4435 843.
Take a Stroll around Kandy Lake
The Temple of the Tooth is located by Kandy Lake. This is a beautiful lake with a small island in the middle. It’s nice to take a walk around the lake and catch a glimpse of daily life in Kandy. Here, you’ll see schoolchildren in white uniforms, lots of tuk-tuks, and the typical red and blue buses of Sri Lanka. Combine your walk with a visit to the Temple of the Tooth and grab a bite to eat at the charming restaurant Sweet Beans.
Awaken Your Senses at Kandy Municipal Central Market
In a bustling city like Kandy, you can naturally find a local market. Kandy Municipal Central Market is located in the heart of the city and has everything you need. From clothing and souvenirs to spices, herbs, and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. It’s the perfect place to stock up on your daily dose of fruit and try some new varieties.
Stroll through the Gardens of Royal Botanic Gardens
Just a fifteen-minute drive from the center, you’ll find the beautiful botanical gardens of Royal Botanic Gardens. This is a delightful place if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Kandy for a while. In Royal Botanic Gardens, you’ll find more than 4000 plant species, many of which you’ve probably never seen before. You’ll walk through avenues of towering palm trees, colorful flower beds, or through an orchid house. The park has plenty of spots where you can take beautiful photos. If you go early in the morning, it’s not too crowded yet. Bring a nice breakfast and find a cozy spot for a picnic.
Enjoy the View over Kandy at Sri Maha Bodhi Maha Viharaya
On one of the hills surrounding Kandy stands a temple with a large, white Buddha statue called Sri Maha Bodhi Maha Viharaya. This gigantic Buddha statue, standing at 27 meters, is one of the largest Buddha statues in all of Sri Lanka. From this spot, you have a beautiful panoramic view over Kandy. You can climb even higher via stairs at the back of the statue to get a view of the surrounding landscape. In the evening, it’s a magical sight to see the many lights of the city.
Hike to the Top of Ambuluwawa Tower
In the category of ‘unique structures’, Ambuluwawa Tower definitely deserves a spot. This tower, with its winding staircase to the top, seems to come straight out of a fairy tale. The tower is a total of 48 meters high, and although it’s not a difficult climb to the top, it can be a bit thrilling. The staircase is steep and quite narrow. However, the 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains, forests, rivers, and cities is absolutely rewarding when you reach the top.
How to get to Ambuluwawa Tower? From Kandy, it’s about an hour’s drive to Ambulawawa Hill. You can take a tuk-tuk or drive yourself with a scooter. At the entrance of Ambuluwawa Tower, you can buy an entrance ticket, and then it’s about a 3.5-kilometer steep uphill walk. That takes about 45 minutes. You can also opt for a tuk-tuk with an extra strong engine.
Transportation in Kandy
To visit the attractions in Kandy, you can choose to rent a scooter, but it’s also fun to make a deal with a local tuk-tuk driver. He’ll drive you around the city in his tuk-tuk to show you the various highlights. You can ask your accommodation if they have a recommendation for a tuk-tuk driver. Still, want to explore on your own with a scooter? Kandy Scooter Rental is a reliable rental company in Kandy.
Tips for Good Restaurants in Kandy
Balaji Dosai – This is a vegetarian restaurant serving dishes from South India. Try one of the various types of dosas and eat it just like the locals do; traditionally with your preferred hand.
Hideout Lounge – A trendy restaurant with a diverse menu and a lovely terrace with shaded areas. In the evening, it’s also a cozy place for a drink because they serve delicious cocktails, and some evenings there’s live music.
Cafe Banana Chill – Here, you can go all day for delicious, vitamin-packed breakfasts.
Sweet Beans – In this small place, they serve tasty smoothies, coffee, bowls, and sandwiches.
Soul Food – This vegetarian restaurant is owned by the same family as Soul Food in Sigiriya. Here, you can enjoy delicious bowls, burgers, and wraps.
Vito Wood Fired Pizza – For delicious pizzas with a view over Kandy, this is the place to be.
The Empire Cafe – Delicious Sri Lankan dishes full of flavor.
Our Favorite Spots in Kandy
One of the best accommodations in Kandy is SWP Eco Lodge. The location is fantastic because it’s located by Kandy Lake, so you’re treated to a beautiful view every day. It’s just outside the bustling center, but you can still easily walk there. You’ll stay in a beautiful room with a large balcony where you can enjoy the view over the lake in all privacy. You don’t even have to leave the door for good food because the restaurant serves delicious meals. Also, at Feel Home, you’re in the right place for a beautiful view. This is a more affordable hotel because it’s a bit further from the center, about a 5-minute drive away. The rooms are incredibly spacious, as is the balcony (with a view, of course), and the host Fazly is very hospitable. If you still want to stay closer to the center of Kandy without paying a fortune, then Mcleod-Inn is perfect. Because it’s slightly elevated, you also have a view over the city from here. That means you’ll have to walk up a road (or take a tuk-tuk) from the center to get to this hotel. Once in the hotel, you can enjoy all the peace and quiet.
  SWP Eco Lodge |
  Feel Home |
  Mcleod-Inn |
