Sri Lanka’s finest botanic gardens, just outside Kandy, with an orchid house, giant Java fig and avenues of royal palms.
- Mid-range
- Experience
A small café a short walk from the Temple of the Tooth and Kandy Lake, known for homemade cakes and good coffee.
- Budget
- Café
- Homemade cakes
- Coffee
A good-value hostel above Kandy with some of the best views in the city, a sunrise balcony and help planning onward travel.
- Budget
A stylish boutique hotel on Colombo Street, steps from the Temple of the Tooth, with garden suites that have their own plunge pools.
- Upscale
A small boutique hotel on Deva Veediya, right by the Temple of the Tooth’s gates, with its own café.
- Mid-range
A busy, no-frills South Indian vegetarian spot in central Kandy, famous for its crisp dosas and vadai at very low prices.
- Budget
- Restaurant
- Dosa
- Masala dosa
- Vadai
A hidden café at the end of an alley near Kandy City Centre, serving smoothie bowls, healthy lunches and its signature iced latte.
- Mid-range
- Café
- Cortado
- Sri Lankan coffee
- Iced latte
A busy, no-frills Kandy eatery and bakery for rice and curry, kottu, vadai and short eats at local prices.
- Budget
- Restaurant
- Rice and curry
- Kottu
- Vadai
A nine-room luxury hotel in leafy Aniwatte, about ten minutes from Kandy, with an infinity pool, spa and big suites with valley views.
- Luxury
A relaxed hillside lounge and restaurant with views over the lake and temple, serving Chinese and Western dishes and cocktails.
- Mid-range
- Restaurant
- Cocktails
- Lake views
- Chinese
A five-star hotel on the hill above Kandy, with a rooftop pool, four restaurants and views across the city and the Kandyan hills.
- Luxury
A long-running vegetarian spot in central Kandy, serving soya-based street food, buns, roti rolls and soy soft-serve.
- Budget
- Restaurant
- Vegetarian
- Soy ice cream
- Short eats
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Kandy at a glance
Kandy was the last royal capital of Sri Lanka’s kings and is now a UNESCO World Heritage city. It sits in the hills of the Central Province, around a man-made lake, with the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) on its shore. It is cooler than Colombo, easy to explore on foot, and the natural gateway to the hill country.
Where to stay in Kandy
- Around the lake and Rajapihilla Mawatha: the road that climbs above the lake towards the Kandy viewpoint. Walkable, with the best views.
- Town centre: streets like Cross Street and Dalada Veediya, close to the railway station and the temple. Busy, practical and good value.
- The hills outside town: quieter, greener and often with big views, but you will rely on tuk-tuks.
Don’t miss
The Temple of the Tooth (dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered), a walk around Kandy Lake, the view from Rajapihilla Mawatha, and the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, a short ride out of town. If you are visiting in July or August, check the dates of the Esala Perahera, one of Asia’s great festivals, and book well ahead.
Good to know
Where is the best area to stay in Kandy?
Around Kandy Lake or on Rajapihilla Mawatha if you want views and to walk everywhere. The town centre is cheaper and close to the railway station. The hills outside town are quieter but you will need tuk-tuks.
How many days do you need in Kandy?
Two nights covers the Temple of the Tooth, the lake, the viewpoint and the botanical gardens at a relaxed pace. Add a night or two if you want day trips into the hill country.
How do you get from Colombo to Kandy?
By train from Colombo Fort, a popular and scenic ride of around three hours, or by road, which usually takes three to four hours depending on traffic. Book reserved train seats ahead in busy seasons.
When is the Kandy Esala Perahera?
It usually takes place in July or August, with dates set by the lunar calendar. Kandy fills up fast during the festival, so book accommodation early.
What should I wear to the Temple of the Tooth?
Cover your shoulders and knees, and be ready to take your shoes off at the entrance. White or light clothing is traditional but not required.