Kandy, in the heart of Sri Lanka, is one of those places that leave lasting imprints on the mind and soul of every passionate traveler. The city is detailed by mild chants of hymns, emblazoned with soothing charm, and nature’s magical vibes. Whoever takes a trip to Sri Lanka is left deeply influenced by the refined charm and the best things to do in Kandy that result in a bounty of lasting memories.
A major hub of Buddhism among other prominent Asian destinations, Kandy is a place submerged in tranquility. Couples spending romantic moments at a lake facing restaurant around the Kandy lake, women clothed in tasteful attire, cheerful compassionate people brimming with warm gestures, and exciting historical monuments overlooking magnificent vistas make Kandy an exciting place in Sri Lanka.
13 Best Things To Do In Kandy
Explore the city like a pro with this handy guide on best things to do in Kandy Sri Lanka!
1. Ashburnham Estate – A Cuppa Steaming Tea
2. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage – Elephant Ride
3. Dambulla Cave Temple – Leisure Stroll
4. Nilambe Buddhist Meditation Centre – Meditation
5. Kandy Lake – Nature Walk
6. Horton Plains National Park – Explore
7. Rock View – Good Food And Great Lake Views!
8. Main Market & Kandy City Center – Shopping
9. Temple Of Tooth Relic – Seek Buddha’s Blessings
10. Botanical Garden – Wander
11. Udawatta Kele Sanctuary – See Giant Lianas
12. St.Paul’s Church In Kandy – Marvel At The Architecture
13. Lankathilaka Vihara – Lankan History
1. Ashburnham Estate - A Cuppa Steaming Tea
Unique rooms, vast tea estates in the boutique premises, and exciting nature around make Ashburnham an important place to stop by when you are looking for best things to do in Kandy. The 100-acre campus located at a one hour distance to the northeast presents stunning views of the Knuckles mountains, waterfalls, tea estates, and has exciting stay options. The huge bedrooms with modest design are a treat to the travelers.
Good food and guided tours put Ashburnham atop the list of must-visit places in Kandy. Thanks to the unmatchable experiences offered at the property!
Guided tour includes: Tour of Botanical Gardens, Temple of Tooth Relic, Udawattakele Forest, and down the hill for Ayurvedic massage in Wattegama among others
Tariff: $ 149 per night onwards
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2. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - Elephant Ride
One of the best things to do in Kandy and the most loved fun activity in the town, an elephant ride is one of its kind experience when you are in Kandy. Ride the beast, play with them, feed them, and take a shower as they empty their trunk full of water, elephant ride is one of the important highlights of top things to do in Kandy.
Well trained and tamed elephants exploring the wildlife, and nearby villages make the safari even more exciting.
Where: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Tariff: $30 per person approximately
Must Read: See The Best Of Sri Lanka: Ramayana Tour & Beyond
3. Dambulla Cave Temple - Leisure Stroll
Image Courtesy: Sinhala.news.lk
If you are a traveler looking to sample the unparalleled beauty and vast diversity of Sri Lanka, take a leisure stroll in and around the Dambulla Cave Temple. The temple regarded as one of the most ancient (dating back to 2nd century BC) and prized possessions of Sri Lanka boasts of prehistoric paintings, carvings, and peace. A popular place for spiritual seekers and Buddhists, the cave temple is certainly one of the most sought after place in Kandy.
It also happens to be the Largest Rock Cave Temple in Sri Lanka tucked at a 600 feet high rock with exceptional nature views around it. The archeologists have affirmed that the rock caves were once a dwelling place back in prehistoric times. The temple is 68 km from Kandy in Dambulla town by the A9 road.
Attractions for visitors: Rock paintings, statues of Lord Buddha
4. Nilambe Buddhist Meditation Centre - Meditation
13 km to the south of Kandy lies Nilambe Buddhist Meditation Centre – a peaceful sojourn offering daily meditation classes to the seekers and nature enthusiasts. The meditation center is the perfect place for everyone looking to make the best of a memorable holiday in the island nation. With lots of greenery and Buddhist monks around nothing in Kandy could get you as much comfort as Nilambe Meditation Center. Walk through the sprawling tea estates and pump yourself up. This place has a lot to offer!
And while you are at the meditation center premises make sure that you maintain absolute silence and adhere to the guidelines mentioned here!
Suggested Read: Top 10 Things To Do In Kandy For Couples That Assure Ultimate Fun In Sri Lanka!
5. Kandy Lake - Nature Walk
A comforting nature walk around the central lake must be in your Kandy things to do list! The areas around the lake mostly thronged by the peace loving visitors. A peaceful walk in the morning hours with Tooth Relic Temple and rainforest looming in the backdrop make for the perfect setup to go for a leisure stroll around the Kandy Lake.
Besides, youd also stumble on a lot of visitors practicing Buddhist way of meditation and spreading chants in the surrounding areas. Such a place gives you plenty of time to meditate and rediscover yourself which is one of the most unique things to do in Kandy.
Suggested Read: 20 Honeymoon Places In Sri Lanka That Will Sweep You Off Your Feet
6. Horton Plains National Park - Explore
From standing on the verge of Worlds End overlooking an almost 900 m plunge to planning camping and hiking in the park area, an excursion to the Horton Plains National Park is indeed-the best thing to do in Kandy for adventure seekers. The chain of mountains in the national park area features-exciting trails across the most popular peaks in Sri Lanka. Enchanting and inviting they are!
A walk through the alpine, lush grassland and traversing paths atop 2000 m plus altitude give you-the perfect thrill you have been looking for in Kandy. The best of the park can be experienced between 6 – 10 am, thats when-it’s covered in mist and haze.
January – March is the perfect time to visit the Horton Plains National Park.
2.5 hour – dirve from Kany takes you to Nuwara Eliya – a tourist attraction in the central Sri Lankan province. Considered as a trekker’s paradise Nuwara Eliya has amazing landscapes and tea plantations. Devon Falls and Hakgala Botanic Gardens are other attractions here.
Suggested Read: 14 Best Waterfalls in Sri Lanka That Unveil The Country’s Bewitching Landscapes
7. Rock View - Good Food And Great Lake Views!
Dine by the Kandy Lake, marvel the excellent views, and feast on the precious moments, you just cracked one of the best things to do in Kandy effortlessly! As you sit back in the picturesque restaurant reputed to offer unmatchable views around, the experiences offered by the comforting Kandy city become unparalleled! Care to explore-
1. Rock View
2. White House
3. Soya Center
4. Kandy House
5. Kandy Muslim Hotel
8. Main Market & Kandy City Center - Shopping
With ample of shopping options, Kandy City Center and Central Market offer a world of exciting opportunities for travelers. Exploring the local marketplace is certainly one of the best things to do in Kandy. The city center mall distinguished for its ultra modern features, and unique architecture caters to a major chunk of visitors planning a visit to Kandy.
Apart from well-laid restaurants, supermarkets, and entertainment area the center also has plenty of showrooms featuring designer wears, handicraft stores, and accessories shops. You can also find other popular shopping options in the city located in the close proximity of the Kandy Lake.
If you are planning to travel to Kandy in July or early August, do make prior arrangement to attend Esala Perahera – the 10-day festival when lots of elephants are decorated and processions are carried out.
9. Temple Of Tooth Relic – Seek Buddha’s Blessings
Also known as the Dalada Maligawa, the Temple Of Tooth Relic is amongst the most sacred places in Sri Lanka and tops every pilgrim’s list who visits this island nation. It is, in fact, one of the most revered places of worship all over the world and an integral part of the Ramayana tour. Located inside the royal palace complex that had belonged to the former Kingdom of Kandy, this beautiful white temple complex is known to house a relic of the tooth of Buddha wrapped up in a golden casket. Visiting this renowned World Heritage Site is amongst the most soothing things to do in Kandy at night.
10. Botanical Garden – Wander
The historic Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya dates back to 1371. One can reach here easily via a tuk-tuk ride from the city center which would hardly take about 20 minutes. Spread over an area of 147 acres or more, this lush paradise attracts more than 2 million visitors annually owing to its vast array of rare, exotic, medicinal, and herbal plants. It is known to have more than 4,000 species of flora till date, including a staggeringly large range of orchids.
Suggested Read: Esala Perahera: All You Need To Know About Kandy’s Most Popular Festival
11. Udawatta Kele Sanctuary – See Giant Lianas
Image Source
Spread over an enormous area of over 257 acres, Udawattakele is a huge forest reserve located on top of a hill-ridge in the city. Popular amidst nature lovers and wildlife seekers for its extensive avifauna and curvy roads suitable for thrilling bike rides, it houses a superb range of plant species, including the giant lianas, shrubs, and small trees. In fact, many nature fanatics and botany enthusiasts frequent this park to visit these giant lianas that are hardly found anywhere else in Sri Lanka. The park also has many small and medium-sized mammals endemic to Sri Lanka as well as three Buddhist meditation hermitages and stunning rock shelter dwellings for Lanka’s Buddhist monk hermits.
12. St.Paul’s Church In Kandy – Marvel At The Architecture
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Situated right next to the Temple of the Tooth Relic on the main sacred grounds is this towering holy sanctum that was established in 1848. Earlier built to be a symbol of British power, it now serves as a great exhibit of the colonial architecture of that time, and a revered sacred institution for the Sri Lankan people. Luring in people with its simple and spacious interior, this church has been maintained under supervision for more than 150 years now and is a great example of a multi-religious heritage.
Suggested Read: Trekking In Kandy Is An Ultimate Date With Untouched Nature Of Sri Lanka
13. Lankathilaka Vihara – Lankan History
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Though it’s located a little far from the main town of Kandy, it still makes up for a great pilgrim site to visit for locals as well as travelers. Situated on the Daulagala road in Udunuwara, this ancient Buddhist temple is known to be one of the most magnificent architectural edifices established in the Gampola era. With an interesting history dating back to the 14th century, this ancient sanctum was built by King Bhuvanekabahu IV who had reigned here from 1341 to 1351 A.D. Though it was built under the instructions of the king, the entire construction was later finished under the supervision of his Senalankadhikara, his Chief Minister.
Further Read: Keep This Ultimate Sri Lanka Honeymoon Guide Handy For Your Tropical Vacation
Kandy is a spiritual sojourn for sure, but the thrilling spectacles around the city are equally engrossing if you are up for some adventure. Go for the best things to do Kandy and know what this place has in store for you. Plan a Sri Lanka trip now!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Best Things To Do In Kandy
Got queries? These shall help you clear your doubts:
How do I get from Kandy to Sigiriya?
From Kandy, one can easily reach Sigiriya by bus or hired vehicle. You will need to proceed to the terminal and board a bus headed to the town of Dambulla. Then from the Dambulla bus terminal, you can take a bus to Sigiriya.
How long is the train ride from Colombo to Kandy?
It usually takes around 4 hours to reach Kandy from Colombo by train.
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