Kandy

Sacred Temples, Misty Hills, Tea Trails

Kandy stands as a major city in central Sri Lanka, known for its rich cultural heritage and historic significance. The city serves as home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a sacred site drawing visitors interested in history and spirituality. Kandy also functions as an important center for traditional music, dance and crafts. Surrounded by hills and gardens, it provides access to tea plantations and nature reserves. Its central location makes travel within Sri Lanka convenient, with markets, schools and hospitals readily available for residents and tourists alike.

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City in Sri Lanka

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.2

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	3

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and by guides, especially in tourist areas. Most signage is bilingual. In markets and with older locals, Sinhala or Tamil is more common, but basic English is usually enough.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Kandy Summary

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Strong in culture and temple history. Visit the Temple of the Tooth, walk around the scenic lake, watch traditional dance shows and explore botanical gardens.

Place score

7.3

Best at:

Religious sites

Walkable

Pilgrimage

Local cuisine

Architecture

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

Sri Lanka – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type D , Type M Type D: Type M: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) £1 ≈ LKR 442.31
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in Sri Lanka, especially in larger cities, but cash is still widely used in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Sri Lanka, but small tips are appreciated for good service in restaurants, hotels, and taxis.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in Sri Lanka. Alcohol is typically consumed in licensed venues such as bars and restaurants.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars, and public transport.

Sinhala and Tamil New Year (13–14 April)	Celebrated with family gatherings
Independence Day (4 February)	Commemorates Sri Lanka's independence from British rule

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 119 (Police), 1990 (Ambulance), 110 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	PickMe, Uber
Other:	Sri Lanka is known for its stunning beaches, ancient temples, and rich cultural heritage. It is a popular destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Kandy, Sri Lanka

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Jan

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Feb

🔥

Mar

🌦️

Apr

⛈️

May

🌦️

Jun

🌦️

Jul

🌦️

Aug

🌦️

Sep

⛈️

Oct

⛈️

Nov

🌦️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, Dec.
Shoulder season:	May, Aug.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Esala Perahera, Sri Lanka's grandest procession with elephants and dancers, runs about ten nights in July or August, shifting with the full moon; hotels book out far ahead

Rain falls in most months but is heaviest in two periods, May to June and October to November

Don't miss

🦷 Visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic
🌊 Stroll peacefully around scenic Kandy Lake
🌺 Explore the vast Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
🏞️ Admire panoramic city views from Ambuluwawa Tower
💃 Experience traditional Kandyan dancing and cultural shows
🗽 Climb the Bahiravokanda Buddha statue for city views

You've been here?

Why travel to Kandy?

Kandy is a must for anyone wanting to experience Sri Lanka’s soul. The city’s centerpiece is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a revered Buddhist site that draws pilgrims year-round. Stroll around scenic Kandy Lake, wander the Royal Botanical Gardens or hike through forest reserves teeming with wildlife. Don’t miss the colorful Esala Perahera festival if you’re there in July/August-it’s one of Asia’s most spectacular processions, with dancers, drummers and elephants in dazzling regalia. Kandy’s vibrant markets, tea plantations and colonial-era charm round out the experience. But be prepared: Kandy is busier and more touristy than many Sri Lankan towns, especially during festivals. Traffic and road safety can be challenging and the city’s hilly terrain means lots of walking and stairs. The weather is cooler than the coast but can change quickly – rain is common, especially from May and October to November. Nightlife is limited and the city quiets down early. Still, Kandy’s mix of culture, scenery and friendly energy is unforgettable.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Commonwealth War Cemetery
2 Old Royal Palace
3 Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
4 National Museum of Kandy
5 Friends of the British Garrison Cemetery Museum
6 Triangle

🎡Places for activities

1 St. Paul's Church
2 Ceylon Tea Museum
3 Millennium Elephant Foundation

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Triangle
2 Mahaweli River
3 Kandy Lake

🛍️Shopping

1 Vasanthas Jewellers And Money Exchangers

🎈Events

Esala Perahera (July/August)
Kandyan New Year (April)
Vesak Festival (May)
Kandy Book Fair
Kandyan dance and music shows
Flower exhibitions at Botanical Gardens
Poya Day temple ceremonies
Traditional food festivals
Cricket matches at Asgiriya Stadium
Artisan fairs in the old town

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Dress modestly for the Tooth Temple; shoulders covered.
Expect heavy traffic and slow distances; tuk-tuks are best for short hops.
Walk Kandy Lake near sunset, but keep valuables secure in crowds.
Pair the Royal Botanic Gardens with the nearby three-temple loop for a fuller Kandyan heritage day.

How to travel to Kandy

Kandy is about 3.5 hours by train or car from Colombo. The train ride is famous for its mountain views and is one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic journeys. Buses and private cars also connect Kandy to other cities. The nearest airport is in Colombo; from there, take a train, bus or taxi. Tuk-tuks and taxis are available at the train and bus stations.

Access summary

From Colombo Airport (CMB): Taxi or private transfer, usually about 3–4 hours.
From Colombo city: Scenic train or bus via mountains, around 3–4 hours.
From Ella/Nuwara Eliya: Famous hill-country train journeys, typically 4–7 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Kandy

Kandy offers everything from lakeside boutique hotels and colonial-era guesthouses to budget hostels and homestays. For the best views, look for accommodation on the hills above the lake. Book early for festivals, as rooms fill up fast. Some places are up steep roads or stairs-check accessibility if needed.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Cinnamon Citadel Kandy

8.4

Cafe Aroma Inn

8.6

The Golden Crown Hotel

8.8

Earl's Regent Hotel Kandy

8.2

Elegant Hotel

9.0

Kandy City Hotel by Earl's

7.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Kandy

Kandy’s central sights are walkable, but the city is hilly and some attractions are further out. Tuk-tuks and taxis are plentiful and cheap – agree on a price or use a meter. Local buses reach nearby sights, but can be crowded. Trains are scenic for day trips, but be cautious on platforms and with belongings. Roads are busy and not always well-maintained, so take care when walking or crossing streets.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-75 %

Daily expenses in Kandy are around 75% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-18 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to LKR) is 18% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£18	£35	£102
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£5	£15	£45
🍝 Food per day	£12	£18	£52
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£2	£5

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£4.80
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.10
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.90
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4
☕ Cappuccino	£1.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.12
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£3.20
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.80

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£2.20
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£4.60
🤧 Cold medication	£1.30
💇 Basic haircut	£1.05

Safety information overview

General safety

Kandy is generally safe, with low crime rates. Petty theft and pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas and on public transport. Road safety is a concern — watch for traffic and use tuk-tuks or taxis after dark. Avoid showing valuables.

Health & Medical

Medical care is available, with clinics and pharmacies in the city. Tap water is not safe to drink — use bottled or filtered water. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, especially in rainy season — use repellent. Bring any needed medication.

Accessibility

Most main attractions are accessible, but hills, stairs and uneven pavements can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Tuk-tuks and taxis help reach outlying sights. Check accessibility with your accommodation if needed.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink. Use bottled or filtered water, which is widely available. Public fountains are rare — carry a refillable bottle, especially when walking or hiking.