Hill Country
Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Cultural heart
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Kandy is Sri Lanka's cultural capital and the last royal city of the Sinhala kings. It sits in the central hills at 500 metres, wrapped around a lake, and its heart is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world. The evening puja at 6:30pm, with drumming and the opening of the inner chamber, is the best time to visit. Entry costs USD 10.
Why go to Kandy
Kandy is where Sri Lankan cultural identity is at its most concentrated - the Temple of the Tooth, the Kandyan dance tradition, the perahera festival, the botanical gardens at Peradeniya, and a working city that has been the country's spiritual centre for six hundred years. Almost every itinerary uses it as the bridge between the Cultural Triangle and the hill country.
Best things to do in Kandy
- Attend the evening puja at the Temple of the Tooth Relic at 6:30pm - the drumming, the ceremonial procession and the opening of the inner chamber. Modest dress; shoes off.
- Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya - the orchid house, the giant Java fig, the double coconut avenue. Allow a half day.
- Kandyan cultural show at 5pm daily - traditional drumming, costume dance and fire-walking. Touristy but genuinely well done.
- Walk Kandy Lake at sunset - about 3 km around, easy pace, monkey-watching guaranteed.
- Visit a tea factory on the way in or out - Nuwara Eliya has the famous ones, but there are working factories closer to Kandy too.
- Time your visit for the Esala Perahera (late July or August) if you can - ten nights of costumed dancers, drummers and decorated elephants.
How to get to Kandy
From Colombo Airport (CMB) the drive is 95 km and takes 3 to 3.5 hours - the most common transfer in Sri Lanka. From Colombo city it is 115 km and 3 to 4 hours through Kegalle. The Colombo to Kandy train takes about 3 hours and is scenic, but a private driver is more flexible and comfortable with luggage. See the CMB to Kandy transfer page.
| From | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Colombo Airport (CMB) | 95 km | 3 - 3.5 hrs |
| Colombo city | 115 km | 3 - 4 hrs |
| Sigiriya | 90 km | 2.5 - 3 hrs |
| Nuwara Eliya | 80 km | 2.5 - 3 hrs |
| Ella | 140 km | 4 - 5 hrs |
How many days do you need in Kandy?
Two nights is right for most itineraries. One night misses the evening puja or the botanical gardens; three nights makes sense if you want to see the surrounding villages, the Knuckles range or attend an unhurried perahera.
Best time to visit Kandy
Year-round. Kandy sits at 500 metres so it is markedly cooler than the coast, with pleasant days year-round. The Esala Perahera falls in late July or August; that fortnight is the busiest and most expensive time in the town. See all 12 months of Sri Lanka weather compared for a fuller picture, or browse tour packages that already sequence the seasons for you.
What to pair Kandy with
The natural pairing is Sigiriya on one side and Nuwara Eliya or Ella on the other. Kandy is the bridge between the Cultural Triangle and the hill country.
The one thing that changes the visit
Include Kandy in a private tour
Every stop on our itineraries is optional and re-orderable. Tell us your dates, group size and interests and we build a private route around them - with a driver from your arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to your final drop-off.
Read next: 7-day itinerary (Classic Loop) · 10-day itinerary · 14-day itinerary · Private driver costs · Attraction fees
What travelers ask us this week about ask-this-week
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How much is the Temple of the Tooth entrance fee?
USD 10 for foreign adults, half-price for children. The ticket includes access to the World Buddhism Museum next door. Modest dress required - shoulders and knees covered - and shoes off at the entrance.
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What time is the puja at the Temple of the Tooth?
There are three pujas daily - 5:30am, 9:30am and 6:30pm. The evening puja is by far the most atmospheric, with drumming, the ceremonial procession from the outer temple and the opening of the inner chamber that contai...
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Is Kandy worth visiting?
Yes, essential. Kandy is Sri Lanka's cultural heart and the natural bridge between the Cultural Triangle and the hill country - almost every well-planned Sri Lanka itinerary includes at least one night here.
Good to know
Kandy - common questions
How much is the Temple of the Tooth entrance fee?
USD 10 for foreign adults, half-price for children. The ticket includes access to the World Buddhism Museum next door. Modest dress required - shoulders and knees covered - and shoes off at the entrance.
What time is the puja at the Temple of the Tooth?
There are three pujas daily - 5:30am, 9:30am and 6:30pm. The evening puja is by far the most atmospheric, with drumming, the ceremonial procession from the outer temple and the opening of the inner chamber that contains the tooth relic.
Is Kandy worth visiting?
Yes, essential. Kandy is Sri Lanka's cultural heart and the natural bridge between the Cultural Triangle and the hill country - almost every well-planned Sri Lanka itinerary includes at least one night here.
When is the Kandy Esala Perahera?
The Esala Perahera runs for ten nights and culminates on Esala Poya, which falls in late July or August depending on the lunar calendar. Exact dates are announced annually. Accommodation books out four to six months ahead.
How do I get from Colombo airport to Kandy?
The drive is 95 km and takes about 3 to 3.5 hours in a private car. A private transfer with a driver waiting inside arrivals costs about USD 60-90 and includes fuel, tolls and parking. The train takes 3 hours but does not run at all hours and does not carry your luggage door to door.
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