Nestled in the green hills, surrounded by mountains and embellished by a lake that enhances unique and unspoiled landscapes, Kandy is the island’s historical and cultural capital. It is one of Sri Lanka’s main tourist destinations. Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to sacred landmarks, landscaped gardens, and cultural museums.

The gateway to all of the hill-country action, the greatest train journey in the world start from Kandy.

The city’s heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling. Kandy Lake was constructed in 1807 by the last king of Sri Lanka, King Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shrine, celebrated with the grand Esala Perahera annual procession. Kandy is one of the most sacred places in the world amongst the Buddhist community. 

Mahanuwara (Kandy) Esala Perahera Procession is considered one of the most beautiful of such processions in all of Asia and is hosted by the Sri Dalanda Maligawa, the Temple of Tooth Relic. It is the most valuable cultural event of the country in which almost all the traditional performances and arts are showcased. This world-famous Buddhist Festival event is held annually in July or August in the world heritage city of Kandy.

This year, Kandy Esala Perahera will be celebrated from 10 to 20 in August 2024.

Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhala Kingdom, a monarchy that flourished for over 2,300 years. Protected by its geographic position and less-accessible terrain, the powerful ancient Kingdom of Kandy was able to hold off the advancement of both the Portuguese and Dutch colonisers through the 1500s and 1600s, so the province was able to preserve the unique customs, culture, and arts. The kingdom of Kandy resisted European takeover for more than 300 years until it fell to the British in 1815. The name of this city ‘Kandy’ was taken from the Sinhala name ‘Kanda’ (means a hill).

How to reach Kandy

Kandy is located in central Sri Lanka and around 100 km from the Capital Colombo. If you’re going straight to Kandy from Bandaranaike International Airport, then one option would be to book a private transport. It’s more expensive but it’ll save you the trouble of having to go to Colombo Fort train station first.

Your travel plan may be more suited to join group excursions made of one-day and overnight tours that take you to the city, provide time for a free to walk around, introduce you to the Temple of the tooth of the Buddha and a trip to the Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya. You can purchase such excursions at any major resort in Sri Lanka.

If you want to visit the city for a longer period, or even just go there for one day with an overnight stay, there will be no difficulty in getting to Kandy from anywhere in Sri Lanka. You can get there by train, bus, taxi, and even fly by plane.

By Train

You can book train tickets from Colombo to Kandy online, from the railway station or through travel agents which is hazel-free. Reserve your seats as early as possible and do not leave it until late. Most tavellers are not aware that many of the Ella tourists also take the trains from Colombo to Kandy first, spend a day or two there, and then get on with their beautiful train journey to Ella.

If you are returning from Ella and planning coming to Kandy by train you are certainly taking a most popular train route in Sri Lanka, so remember to reserve your seats early.

By Road

You can reach Kandy by bus or private transport as well, though traveling to Kandy by road may not be as scenic as the train. Intercity air conditioned buses are available and are favoured greatly, besides normal city buses. Plenty of tourists book taxis to drive them to the city. It is quicker and takes around three hours if you are coming from Colombo.

Things to see and do in Kandy

Kandy is one of Sri Lanka’s most important UNESCO heritage sites and is home to Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Kandy hosts the world-famous Buddhist Festival event Esala Perahera in July or August every year. Do not miss Kandy Esala Perahera held from 10th to 20th August 2024.

The scenic Kandy Lake was created as an additional feature for the Temple of the Tooth. You can take a break from the bustle of the city by walking the path encircling the lake. Visit Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, the hill resort of Nuwara Eliya Little England and the Ella hill paradise are not very far away. A great way to uncover the countryside around Kandy is on a cycling tour. Starting just outside Kandy, you’ll feel the breeze whip through your hair as you wind your way through tea country on a 30 km (17 mile) guided route.

Kandy has a thriving food scene, with a growth in the number of restaurants starting to provide authentic Kandyan home cooking. Delve into the Kandyan food scene on a guided walking food tour, or otherwise, taking an exploratory trip on your own. In the guided tour you’ll be taken on a culinary journey through Kandy’s markets, sampling tropical fruit and milky ‘workers tea’, before being greeted with plates of freshly fried Kandyan snacks such as authentic culinary experience at a woman’s cooperative. Your day culminates in visiting a café for curd and treacle.

Ref: Magnificentsrilanka