Kandy’s grand colonial-era hotel, more than 160 years old, right by Kandy Lake and the Temple of the Tooth.
- Mid-range
Why we marked it
- Sri Lanka’s largest botanic gardens
- Orchid house and spice garden
- Giant Java fig and palm avenues
- About 6 km from Kandy
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, about six kilometres from central Kandy, are the largest and most famous gardens in Sri Lanka, set in a loop of the Mahaweli River.
What to expect
Wander avenues of royal palms, the orchid house and spice garden, and the huge Java fig tree whose branches spread across the lawn. Fruit bats roost in the tall trees.
Good to know
- Allow two to three hours and bring water.
- Go in the morning before the heat.
- Sri Lankan citizens pay a much lower local rate; bring your NIC.
- Popular with families and couples at weekends.
Where it is
Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka
More spots in Kandy
All of KandyA hillside retreat in Heerasgala, above Kandy, known for misty mornings, sweeping views and warm service.
- Upscale
A 27-room hotel on Rajapihilla Mawatha with a rooftop pool and lake views, a short walk from Kandy Lake and Wales Park.
- Upscale