EXPLORE EVERY CORNER

Kandy

Sri Lanka's last royal capital, gathered around a scenic lake and home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the island's most revered Buddhist shrines.

Recommended1-2 days DistrictKandy RegionHill Country

THE COMPLETE DESTINATION GUIDE

Discover Kandy

Kandy sits in a natural bowl of hills at the edge of the central highlands, and was the last stronghold of Sri Lanka's kings before the island came fully under British control in the nineteenth century. At its heart, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) houses what is venerated as a tooth relic of the Buddha, and remains one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Buddhist world. Its ornate architecture, daily ritual drumming, and steady flow of worshippers give the temple a living, unhurried atmosphere distinct from a purely historical monument.

The artificial lake at the centre of town, created in the early nineteenth century, is ringed by a pleasant walking path and gives Kandy a genuinely different feel from the flatter cities of the ancient north — a hill town built around water and green space rather than open plains. The surrounding streets hold a mix of colonial-era buildings, markets, and craft workshops, and the city serves as a natural gateway to the wider hill country, with tea estates, waterfalls and mountain scenery all within relatively easy reach.

Kandy is also known for its cultural dance performances, held most evenings at several venues around the city, combining drumming, traditional costume and, at some performances, fire-walking demonstrations — a good introduction to Kandyan performing arts for visitors with only a short time in the city. The nearby Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, with their avenues of enormous trees and orchid collections, make an easy and worthwhile half-day addition for travellers with more time.

As the spiritual centre of Sri Lankan Buddhism, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in particular expects modest dress and respectful behaviour, and this is worth planning for before arrival.

Place to visit

Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya

Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya is an important part of the kandy experience and deserves more than a passing stop.

Place to visit

Bahirawakanda Buddha

Bahirawakanda Buddha is an important part of the kandy experience and deserves more than a passing stop.

Place to visit

Ceylon Tea Museum

Ceylon Tea Museum is an important part of the kandy experience and deserves more than a passing stop.

Place to visit

Kandy Cultural Dance

Kandy Cultural Dance is an important part of the kandy experience and deserves more than a passing stop.

Place to visit

Udawattakele Forest Reserve

Udawattakele Forest Reserve is an important part of the kandy experience and deserves more than a passing stop.

Place to visit

Gem Museum and Workshop

Gem Museum and Workshop is an important part of the kandy experience and deserves more than a passing stop.

Historic Lake, Scenic City Walk and Cultural Landmark

Kandy Lake

A scenic historic lake in central Kandy, offering relaxed walks and views of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and surrounding hills.

Sacred Buddhist Temple, UNESCO Heritage and Royal History

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Sri Lanka’s most revered Buddhist temple, housing the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha within Kandy’s UNESCO-listed royal palace complex.

COMPLETE PLACE GUIDE

Kandy Lake

Kandy Lake is a historic artificial lake situated in the centre of Kandy, beside the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. It was created in 1807 under the direction of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the last king of the Kingdom of Kandy.

The lake forms one of the city’s most recognisable landscapes. A walking path follows much of its shoreline, providing attractive views of the water, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, wooded hills and historic buildings around central Kandy.

The small island in the lake is known as Diyathilaka Mandapaya. It adds a distinctive feature to the landscape and is connected with stories from the Kandyan royal period. Visitors may also observe birds, fish and water monitors around the lake.

Early morning and late afternoon are particularly pleasant times for a walk because the weather is cooler and the light is suitable for photography. The lake is also attractive during the evening when the surrounding city and important buildings are illuminated.

Kandy Lake is located beside busy city roads, so visitors should remain on the designated walking paths and use pedestrian crossings carefully. Swimming, fishing and entering restricted shoreline areas are not permitted.

Allow1.5 hours

AccessThe public walking paths around Kandy Lake are generally accessible throughout the day. Daylight visits are recommended, with early morning and late afternoon providing cooler temperatures and a more relaxed atmosphere. Temporary access restrictions or road closures may apply during the Kandy Esala Perahera, important religious ceremonies, official events or security operations.

Good to knowWear comfortable walking shoes and carry drinking water, sunscreen, a hat and rain protection. A relaxed walk around the accessible sections of the lake normally takes between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on the route and the number of photography stops. Traffic on the roads surrounding the lake can be heavy, especially during weekday peak periods and religious events. Remain on the pavement and use recognised pedestrian crossings carefully. Do not feed birds, fish, monkeys or water monitors. Swimming, fishing and entering restricted areas around the shoreline are prohibited. Keep the surroundings clean and carry all rubbish away. Kandy Lake can be combined conveniently with visits to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Kandy city centre and nearby cultural attractions.

AccessibilitySeveral sections of the lakeside walking path are relatively level and may be suitable for wheelchair users and travellers with limited mobility. However, some sections contain narrow pavements, uneven surfaces, kerbs, slopes and busy road crossings. Wheelchair users may require assistance when moving between different sections of the path. A private vehicle with a planned drop-off and collection point is recommended for visitors who cannot complete the full walk. Accessible conditions can be more difficult during crowded religious events and the Kandy Esala Perahera. Travellers with specific mobility requirements should plan their route and transport arrangements in advance.

COMPLETE PLACE GUIDE

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, commonly known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka. It stands beside Kandy Lake within the former royal palace complex of the Kingdom of Kandy.

The temple houses a sacred tooth relic believed by Buddhists to be a relic of the Buddha. The relic itself is protected within a series of caskets and is not normally displayed directly to visitors.

Daily ceremonial offerings, known as puja or thevava, take place in the morning, at midday and in the evening. During these ceremonies, drumming and traditional music accompany the opening of the chamber containing the sacred casket.

The wider complex includes temple buildings, museums, shrines, historic audience halls and architectural features from the Kandyan period. A knowledgeable guide can help visitors understand the site’s religious, historical and artistic importance.

As this is an active place of worship, visitors must dress modestly, remove footwear and hats and behave quietly and respectfully.

Allow2.5 hours

AccessThe temple is generally open daily from early morning until evening. Daily ceremonial offerings normally take place during morning, midday and evening periods, but exact times can change. Security procedures, ticket-office hours, museum access and visitor arrangements may vary during festivals and special ceremonies. Confirm current details before visiting.

Good to knowWear clothing covering the shoulders and knees. Remove footwear and hats before entering the temple. Footwear can normally be left at the designated counter. Visitors may pass through a security inspection before entering. Avoid carrying prohibited objects and follow instructions from security and temple officials. Speak quietly, do not touch sacred objects and avoid blocking worshippers. Photography may be restricted in particular areas. Do not use flash where prohibited or pose disrespectfully near Buddha images. The temple is busiest during ceremonies, full-moon days and the Kandy Esala Perahera. Arrive early and keep personal belongings secure during crowded periods.

AccessibilitySeveral ground-level areas can be reached by travellers with limited mobility, but raised thresholds, stairs and crowded entrances may create difficulties. Wheelchair access to upper floors, museums and individual shrine areas may be limited. Assistance should be arranged in advance where possible. Visitors who cannot stand for long periods should avoid the busiest ceremonial times. Footwear-removal requirements and hot exterior paving should also be considered.

TRAVEL WELL

Good to Know

Practical travel notes

Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is required inside the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and footwear is removed before entering — comfortable slip-on shoes make this straightforward. The temple can be busy around ritual drumming times, which some visitors specifically plan around, so it's worth checking current timings locally. Evenings can be cool at this elevation, so bring a light layer.

Accessibility

The lakeside path is mostly level and walkable, but the temple complex includes stairs and raised thresholds at several points, with footwear removal required. Streets in the older part of town can be busy, narrow and unevenly paved in places.

TAILOR-MADE FOR YOU

Include Kandy in Your Journey

Tell us what inspires you and our local team will shape the route around your pace.

Plan My Tour →