Surrounded by forest-covered hills in Sri Lanka’s Central Province, Kandy is a destination where history, spirituality, nature and traditional culture come together. Once the last capital of the Sinhala kings, the city remains one of Sri Lanka’s most important cultural and religious centres.
Kandy was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. At the heart of the city is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the world’s most significant Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Beyond its sacred landmarks, Kandy offers peaceful gardens, panoramic viewpoints, colourful markets, traditional performances and beautiful hill-country scenery.
Whether you are visiting Sri Lanka for a cultural journey, a family holiday, a short island tour or a romantic escape, here are some of the best things to do in Kandy.
No visit to Kandy is complete without experiencing the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, locally known as Sri Dalada Maligawa.
Located beside Kandy Lake, the temple is believed to house a sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. It has been an important place of worship and pilgrimage for generations and remains closely connected to the history of the Kandyan Kingdom.
Visitors can admire traditional Kandyan architecture, decorative paintings, ceremonial spaces and the peaceful atmosphere surrounding the temple complex. Daily religious ceremonies feature traditional drumming and offerings, creating a meaningful cultural experience even for visitors who are not Buddhist.
As this is an active place of worship, travellers should dress respectfully by covering their shoulders and knees. Shoes and hats must be removed before entering the main temple areas.
Walk Around Kandy Lake
Kandy Lake creates a calm and scenic centre within the busy city. A leisurely walk along the lakeside is one of the simplest ways to appreciate Kandy’s atmosphere.
The route provides views of the Temple of the Tooth, the surrounding hills and several historic buildings. It is especially pleasant in the morning or towards the end of the afternoon, when visitors can enjoy a quieter side of the city.
The lakeside is also a convenient starting point for exploring nearby temples, shops, markets and cultural attractions. Several Serentia Travels itineraries include a walk or sightseeing experience around Kandy Lake as part of their city tours.
Located approximately 5.5 kilometres west of Kandy, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya are among Sri Lanka’s most impressive botanical attractions.
The gardens cover more than 60 hectares and contain over 4,000 plant species, including orchids, palms, ferns, shrubs and large tropical trees. The grounds are surrounded by a loop of the Mahaweli River, adding to the garden’s peaceful setting.
Visitors can wander along palm-lined avenues, admire colourful orchid collections, relax on the open lawns and discover an extraordinary range of tropical plants. The gardens are particularly rewarding for nature lovers, photographers, families and couples looking for a quiet escape from the city.
Allow at least two or three hours to explore the gardens without rushing.
A traditional cultural performance is one of the most entertaining ways to experience the artistic heritage of Kandy.
These performances usually feature energetic Kandyan dancers, colourful costumes, rhythmic drumming and dramatic fire displays. The movements, music and clothing reflect traditions that have been preserved and performed across generations.
A cultural show is an ideal evening activity after visiting the Temple of the Tooth or completing a Kandy city tour. Cultural performances are included or available within several Serentia Travels itineraries that visit Kandy.
The large white Buddha statue at Bahirawakanda is one of Kandy’s most recognisable landmarks.
Positioned on a hill overlooking the city, the site offers panoramic views across Kandy Lake, the city centre and the surrounding green hills. It is a worthwhile stop for travellers interested in photography, scenery and religious landmarks.
The elevated setting provides a different perspective of Kandy and helps visitors understand how the city is surrounded by the hills of Sri Lanka’s central region.
Bahirawakanda is included among the cultural highlights of the Sri Lanka Discovery itinerary.
Kandy’s markets reveal the lively, everyday character of the city.
Visit the local bazaar to browse fresh produce, spices, clothing, souvenirs and household products. The busy streets, small shops and local vendors offer a strong contrast to the city’s peaceful temples and gardens.
Exploring the markets also provides an opportunity to interact with local people and observe daily life in one of Sri Lanka’s most important cities.
Kandy’s bazaars form part of the city sightseeing experiences offered through the Sri Lanka Discovery, Scenic Sri Lanka, Glimpse of Sri Lanka, Ramayana Trails and Honeymoon Escape itineraries.
Kandy is an excellent place to explore Sri Lanka’s traditional craftsmanship and internationally recognised gemstone industry.
At local arts and crafts centres, travellers may see skilled artisans producing wood carvings, decorative masks, ornaments, jewellery, batik fabrics and other handmade products. Some centres offer live demonstrations, allowing visitors to understand the time, patience and traditional techniques involved in creating each item.
A visit to a gem museum provides an interesting introduction to Sri Lanka’s long connection with precious and semi-precious stones.
Sri Lanka has been known for gemstones for centuries. The island produces several varieties of stones, including blue sapphires, star sapphires, rubies, cat’s-eye stones, moonstones, garnets, topaz and different varieties of quartz.
Inside a gem museum, visitors may learn how gemstones are naturally formed beneath the earth and how they are discovered in Sri Lanka’s gem-producing regions. Displays may include rough stones, polished gemstones, traditional mining equipment, jewellery collections and explanations of the characteristics used to identify different stones.
Some museums also explain traditional gem-mining methods. These displays help visitors understand the effort involved in locating gemstones and the journey each stone takes before becoming part of a finished piece of jewellery.
A lapidary is a workshop where gemstones are cut, shaped, polished and prepared for use in jewellery.
During a lapidary visit, travellers may observe skilled craftspeople examining rough stones and deciding how they should be cut to reveal their natural colour, clarity and brilliance. The cutting process requires accuracy and experience because an incorrect cut can reduce the beauty or value of a gemstone.
Visitors can see how an ordinary-looking rough stone is gradually transformed into a bright, polished gem. The experience demonstrates the patience, technical knowledge and craftsmanship required to prepare each stone.
Many gem museums and lapidaries include jewellery showrooms displaying finished rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and pendants.
These pieces may combine locally sourced gemstones with gold, silver or other materials. Visitors are usually welcome to browse the collections even when they do not intend to make a purchase.
Travellers considering buying a gemstone or jewellery item should avoid making a rushed decision. Ask for proper certification, a detailed receipt and clear information about the stone’s type, quality, treatment and origin. It is also sensible to compare options before purchasing an expensive item.
Arts and crafts centres, gem museums and lapidaries are included in several Serentia Travels Kandy city tours. Together, they offer visitors a closer look at two of Sri Lanka’s most respected traditional industries.
Travellers with additional time in Kandy can explore the historic temples located outside the city.
The Three Temples Loop includes:
Gadaladeniya Raja Maha Viharaya is known for its stone architecture and historic religious importance. Its design reflects a combination of local and South Indian architectural influences.
Lankatilaka Vihara is an impressive temple situated in a scenic elevated setting. Visitors can admire its architecture, religious artwork and views of the surrounding countryside.
Embekke Devalaya is celebrated for its detailed traditional wooden carvings. The pillars, beams and other wooden elements feature elaborate designs created by highly skilled craftspeople.
Together, these temples provide a deeper understanding of Kandyan architecture, craftsmanship and religious traditions. They are quieter than the major attractions in central Kandy and are well suited to travellers interested in history and heritage.
The Three Temples Loop is included in the extended Kandy programme of the Sri Lanka Discovery tour.
Sri Lanka is internationally recognised for Ceylon tea, and Kandy is a valuable place to begin exploring the history behind the island’s tea industry.
At the Ceylon Tea Museum, visitors can see historic machinery, photographs and displays explaining how tea cultivation and production developed in Sri Lanka. A tea-tasting experience allows visitors to appreciate the flavours and aromas of locally produced tea.
Kandy is also an important gateway to the central highlands. From the city, travellers can continue towards destinations such as Ramboda, Nuwara Eliya and Ella, passing tea plantations, waterfalls and mist-covered mountains along the way.
The Sri Lanka Discovery itinerary includes a visit to the Ceylon Tea Museum, while other Serentia Travels packages continue from Kandy through Sri Lanka’s tea-growing regions.
A spice garden visit is an interesting addition to a journey towards Kandy.
Travellers can walk among plants used to produce cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, cloves and other Sri Lankan spices. Guides often explain how the plants are grown and how spices have traditionally been used in cooking, natural remedies and locally made products.
A guided visit can help travellers recognise spices in their natural form before they are dried, ground or prepared for sale.
Several Serentia Travels itineraries include a spice garden stop while travelling to or from Kandy, making it a convenient introduction to another important part of Sri Lankan culture.
Make time during your Kandy visit to enjoy traditional Sri Lankan flavours.
Try rice and curry served with vegetables and sambols, crispy hoppers, string hoppers, kottu roti and freshly prepared tropical fruit. A cup of Ceylon tea is also a fitting addition to any hill-country experience.
Local restaurants provide an opportunity to sample authentic meals, while cafés and hotel restaurants offer more familiar dining environments.
Travellers looking for a stronger local experience should be open to trying smaller restaurants and asking their guide for trusted recommendations. However, choose clean and reputable establishments, particularly when trying unfamiliar street food.
Kandy should not be treated only as a checklist of attractions.
The surrounding mountains, gardens, lake and cooler hill-country atmosphere make the city an excellent place to slow down. Spend time enjoying the view from your hotel, walking beside the lake or relaxing in a nature resort outside the city centre.
For couples, Kandy offers a romantic combination of peaceful landscapes, cultural attractions and secluded accommodation.
The Honeymoon Escape in Kandy package builds on this atmosphere with a private nature-resort stay, a guided city tour and dedicated leisure time.
Wear modest clothing when visiting temples and carry socks if you are uncomfortable walking barefoot on warm outdoor surfaces.
Kandy’s roads can become busy, so travelling with a knowledgeable chauffeur-guide can make sightseeing more efficient.
Do not try to fit every attraction into a few hours. A rushed day trip will only show the surface of Kandy. Travellers who are genuinely interested in culture, temples and the surrounding countryside should spend at least one or two nights in the area.
Discuss entrance fees and optional activities before beginning your tour, as some experiences may not be included in the standard package price.
When visiting gem museums, craft centres or jewellery showrooms, do not feel pressured to make a purchase. Take your time, ask questions and request certification for valuable gemstones or jewellery.
Exploring Kandy independently is possible, but poor planning can result in wasted travel time, missed attractions and an itinerary that feels rushed.
A well-organised tour connects Kandy’s cultural landmarks with transportation, accommodation and the rest of your Sri Lankan journey.
Serentia Travels offers several tour packages featuring different Kandy experiences.
The Sri Lanka Discovery tour offers the most comprehensive Kandy programme among these packages.
The itinerary includes Kandy Lake, the local bazaar, arts and crafts, a gem museum and lapidary, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Sri Dalada Museum, Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue, the Royal Botanic Gardens and a traditional Kandyan cultural performance.
Travellers also explore the Three Temples Loop and visit the Ceylon Tea Museum before continuing through Sri Lanka’s highlands, wildlife regions and southern coast.
View the Sri Lanka Discovery tour
The Scenic Sri Lanka tour is suitable for travellers who want to experience several of Sri Lanka’s major landscapes within a shorter holiday.
Its Kandy programme includes a city tour covering the lake, bazaars, arts and crafts, a gem museum and lapidary. Visits to the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and a cultural dance performance are available as optional experiences.
The journey then continues through Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Udawalawe, Galle, Bentota and Colombo.
View the Scenic Sri Lanka tour
The Ramayana Trails tour combines Kandy with sacred temples, legendary landscapes and destinations connected to the Ramayana tradition.
During the Kandy visit, travellers experience a city tour, Kandy Lake, arts and crafts bazaars, a gem museum and lapidary, and a traditional cultural dance. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is available as an optional visit.
The package is especially suitable for travellers interested in spirituality, mythology and Sri Lanka’s multicultural religious heritage.
The Glimpse of Sri Lanka tour provides a compact introduction to the island.
Its Kandy experience includes the city, lake, bazaars, arts and crafts, a gem museum and lapidary. Optional experiences include the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and a cultural dance show.
After Kandy, the tour continues through the tea-filled hills of Nuwara Eliya before travelling to Bentota and Colombo.
View the Glimpse of Sri Lanka tour
The Honeymoon Escape in Kandy is designed for couples seeking a quieter and more romantic experience.
The package includes accommodation at a luxury nature resort, private transportation and a guided city tour covering the Kandy viewpoint, lake, bazaar, arts and crafts, gem museum and lapidary.
Couples can also choose to visit the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. A dedicated leisure day gives couples time to relax and enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings.
View the Honeymoon Escape in Kandy tour
Kandy is more than a stop between Colombo and Sri Lanka’s tea country. It is a destination that deserves enough time to appreciate its sacred temples, royal history, traditional arts, gemstone heritage, botanical gardens and scenic surroundings.
Whether you want an in-depth cultural journey, a short introduction to Sri Lanka, a spiritual Ramayana experience or a romantic hill-country escape, Serentia Travels offers a tour package that can help you experience the best of Kandy as part of an unforgettable Sri Lankan holiday.