Fernweh: Home
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAll highlightsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    • Neighborhoods & highlights
    • Eat & drink
    • Culture
    • Getting around
    • Accommodation
    • Plan trip
    • Nearby
    Kandy

    Sri Lanka

    Kandy

    City

    Kandy is the last royal city of Sri Lanka and the country's religious center, nestled in the hills at the northern edge of the highlands.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Sri Lanka
    7. Kandy & Highlands
    9. Kandy
    Kandy is the last royal city of Sri Lanka and the country's religious center, nestled in the hills at the northern edge of the highlands. You come here for the Temple of the Tooth, the Esala Perahera in August, and as a starting point for tea country and train journeys south.The center is situated around Kandy Lake, which King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe had built between 1807 and 1812 next to the Temple of the Tooth. North of the lake lies the Udawattakele forest slope, while in the west of the old town, a white Buddha statue rises above the city on Bahirawakanda Hill. The commercial streets around Dalada Veediya and Raja Veediya (Kings Street) form the bazaar area.Outside the city are the Peradeniya Botanical Garden and the Tea Museum in the Hanthana Hills. Kandy train station is currently cut off from the highland section; destinations in the south you reach by bus or car (as of October 2026).

    Sights in Kandy

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Ceylon Tea Museum
    Museum

    1Ceylon Tea Museum

    The museum occupies the former Hanthana Tea Factory from 1925 in the hills south of the city and opened on December 1, 2001. It is supported by the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
    Open in Google Maps
    Kandy Lake
    Historic Landmark

    2Kandy Lake

    King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe created the lake right next to the Temple of the Tooth between 1807 and 1812. A shore path circles it, linking temple and Old Town.
    Open in Google Maps
    Bahirawakanda Vihara
    Place of Worship

    3Bahirawakanda Vihara

    The white-washed Buddha statue on Bahirawakanda Hill is a landmark above the city. From the top, you overlook Kandy and the lake.
    Open in Google Maps
    Tooth Temple (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
    Museum

    4Tooth Temple (Sri Dalada Maligawa)

    The temple preserves Buddha's Tooth Relic and is the country's main sanctuary. It is open daily from approx. 5:30 AM to 8 PM; the three Pujas (5:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 6:30 PM) are the most atmospheric visiting times. Shoulders and knees must be covered.
    Open in Google Maps
    Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
    Park

    5Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya

    The garden on the city's outskirts spans approximately 60 hectares. According to several travel reports, foreign guests pay about 3,540 LKR admission (as of October 2026, no official rate found).
    Open in Google Maps

    Restaurants in Kandy

    1

    Balaji Dosai

    Simple vegetarian eatery with South Indian cuisine and several Kandy branches. Paper Dosa, Cheese Dosa and Ulundu Vadai are recommended.
    Show on Google Maps
    2

    Theva Cuisine

    Restaurant in the Hanthana Hills with wide city views. Besides the cuisine, its own cocktails and desserts are known.
    Show on Google Maps

    Tooth Temple, Perahera and Etiquette

    Esala PeraheraThe Esala Perahera is a religious festival in honour of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. According to Sri Lanka Tourism, it combines the procession of the Dalada Maligawa with the parades of the four Devales for Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Pattini, accompanied by drummers and dancers. In 2026, it took place from August 18th to 28th: Kumbal Perahera from August 18th to 22nd, Randoli Perahera from August 23rd to 27th, and the Dahawal day procession on August 28th. The dates for 2027 had not yet been released as of October 2026; the official website kandyesalaperahera.com provides the details.Book reserved seating only after checking location, arrival time, and cancellation conditions.Book accommodation for the festival days early.Visit to the Temple of the ToothOpen daily approximately 5:30 AM to 8 PM, Pujas at 5:30 AM, 9:30 AM, and 6:30 PM.According to the temple's official FAQ, foreign visitors pay 3,000 LKR (as of October 2026); Sri Lankans pay nothing.Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes and headwear before entering. Sarongs are available for rent at the entrance.Do not photograph during Pujas.Alcohol near the TempleNo alcohol is served in restaurants and bars in the immediate vicinity of the Temple of the Tooth; the Royal Bar serves no alcohol in the afternoons between 2 PM and 5 PM.

    Getting There & Around

    TrainTrain Status (as of October 2026): The highland railway line was damaged in numerous places by Cyclone Ditwah at the end of 2025. The section from Nanu Oya to Badulla via Ella has been back in operation since June 20, 2026. Between Kandy and Nanu Oya, there are no through trains yet: The Hatton to Nanu Oya section is still being repaired, and there is no confirmed completion date. From Colombo, trains have been running only as far as Peradeniya and Gampola since October 2, 2026; the section from Peradeniya to Kandy remains closed until the new bridge is completed. Sri Lanka Railways anticipates a resumption of service from Colombo to Kandy in January. Check the latest status with Sri Lanka Railways before your trip.For onward travel towards Ella, take a bus or car to Nuwara Eliya and board the train at Nanu Oya station, about 10 kilometers away. Reserved seats are released one month in advance.Bus and CarKandy to Nuwara Eliya: 75 kilometers, buses approximately every 30 minutes, journey time about four hours. The last bus departs around 6 PM from Goods Shed Bus Stand.By taxi or with a driver, the same route takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.In the CityThe Temple of the Tooth, the lake, and the bazaar are within walking distance of each other. For Peradeniya, the Tea Museum, and Bahirawakanda, take a tuk-tuk.

    Accommodations in Kandy

    Find perfect stay in Kandy

    Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Agoda* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Airbnb
    Vacation Rentals

    * Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.

    Plan your trip to Kandy

    Save places, build a route and plan your city trip, all in one place.

    1. 1
      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
      1234

      Round trip

      12 days · 4 stops

      Saved

      Pick a route

      Pick a ready-made one or save places and plan your own.

      Open bookmarks
    2. 2

      Trip to Kandy

      Live
      • 1Ceylon Tea Museum3 days
      • 2Kandy Lake4 days
      • 3Bahirawakanda Vihara5 days
      Budget

      Plan your trip

      The planner sorts stops, days and budget. Plan together in real time.

      Start trip planning
    3. 3
      9:41 No signal
      Kandy
      Available offline

      Use it on the road

      Download the guide to your phone and use it on site, even offline.

    Nearby

    Kandy & Highlands

    Kandy & Highlands

    The central highlands are Sri Lanka's cool heart: From the ancient royal city of Kandy, roads and railway lines ascend into tea country, cloud forests, and plateaus at around 2,000 meters. For those seeking a change from beaches and the Cultural Triangle, this area offers hiking trails, tea factories, and one of Asia's most famous railway lines.Kandy, with its Temple of the Tooth, is the religious center of Sinhalese Buddhism. Further south are colonial Nuwara Eliya, the hiking towns of Ella and Haputale, Horton Plains National Park with World's End cliff, and the pilgrim mountain Adam's Peak.The railway connection through the highlands was interrupted for months after Cyclone Ditwah. Since June 2026, trains have been running again between Nanu Oya and Badulla, but from Kandy, the journey currently still goes by road (as of October 2026).
    Nuwara Eliya

    Nuwara Eliya

    Nuwara Eliya is located at 1,868 meters in the heart of the tea country and is the most important center for Sri Lankan tea production. Founded by Samuel Baker in 1846, the city, with its British villas, is nicknamed "Little England" and serves as a base for tea factories, Horton Plains National Park, and onward train journeys to Ella.The city center is built around Victoria Park and the red-brick post office building from 1894. To its south is Gregory Lake with its park, and colonial hotels like the Grand Hotel and the Hill Club line Grand Hotel Road.The city's train station is Nanu Oya, approximately 10 kilometers west of the center. Since June 2026, trains have again run from there to Ella and Badulla.
    Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)

    Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)

    Adam's Peak, in Sinhalese Sri Pada, is a 2,243-meter high conical mountain in the western highlands and one of the island's holiest sites. Between December and May, pilgrims and travelers ascend at night via around 5,500 steps to reach the summit by sunrise.Near the summit lies a 1.8-meter long rock imprint, revered by Buddhists as the footprint of Buddha, by Hindus as that of Shiva, by Christians as that of Saint Thomas, and by Muslims as Adam's. At sunrise, the mountain casts a triangular shadow over the surrounding area, which rapidly shortens as the sun rises higher.Six paths lead up, with the ascent from Dalhousie (Nallathanni) near Hatton being the most frequently used, alongside the path from Ratnapura via Palabaddala.
    Horton Plains National Park

    Horton Plains National Park

    Horton Plains National Park is a high plateau at around 2,000 meters, approximately 20 kilometers south of Nuwara Eliya and 20 kilometers west of Haputale. It is known for its circular trail to World's End cliff and Baker's Falls, the only national park trail in Sri Lanka you are allowed to hike without a guide.The 3,160-hectare park lies between Kirigalpotta and Totapola, the island's second and third highest peaks. Highland forest and wet grassland characterize the landscape, with an average temperature of about 16 degrees. Sambar deer are most frequently encountered, but wild boars and leopards also live here.It’s worth setting off early: From late morning onwards, clouds often roll in and obscure the view from World’s End.
    Dambulla

    Dambulla

    Dambulla is a market town in the heart of the Cultural Triangle, renowned for its cave temple featuring 153 Buddha statues and approximately 2,100 square meters of wall paintings. Situated on the main road to Anuradhapura and close to Sigiriya, the town also serves as a convenient transport hub for the region.The cave temple is located at the foot and on the flank of a rock that rises 150 to 160 meters above the plain. Below it stands the golden Buddha statue of the newer temple and museum complex, separate from the historic site. The town center, with its bus station and shops, stretches along the main thoroughfares, while to the southwest, on the road to Kurunegala, lie the megalithic tombs of Ibbankatuwa.According to tradition, King Valagamba found refuge in the caves for 15 years in the 1st century BCE and later had them converted into a temple. Since 1991, the complex has been a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Pexels, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI