Kandy Sri Lanka Holidays
Kandy
Holidays
The cultural capital of Sri Lanka — the Temple of the Tooth, Kandyan dance and the most beautiful hill city in Asia
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Flight Time
10–11h from London, then 3h drive from Colombo
Best Time
December to April (dry season)
Country
Sri Lanka
Suppliers
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Kandy Holiday Guide
Kandy is the cultural capital of Sri Lanka — a beautiful hill city home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic (the most sacred Buddhist site in Sri Lanka), extraordinary Kandyan dance performances and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
The scenic train to Ella is one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world. The Esala Perahera festival (July/August) is the most spectacular event in Sri Lanka. Tea plantation visits are excellent.
The best time to visit is December to April. We search across Travelpack, Emirates Holidays and JTA Holidays for the best deals.
Popular Areas in Kandy
Average Temperatures
Jan
26°C
Feb
27°C
Mar
28°C
Apr
28°C
May
27°C
Jun
25°C
Jul
24°C
Aug
24°C
Sep
24°C
Oct
24°C
Nov
24°C
Dec
25°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Kandy
The sacred temple, Kandyan culture and extraordinary hill scenery that make Kandy the cultural heart of Sri Lanka.
Temple of the Tooth Relic
The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is the most sacred Buddhist site in Sri Lanka — a beautiful temple complex on the banks of Kandy Lake housing the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts thousands of pilgrims daily. The evening puja (offering ceremony) is one of the most atmospheric religious experiences in Asia.
Kandyan Dance
Kandyan dance is the most celebrated traditional art form in Sri Lanka — an extraordinary performance combining acrobatics, fire-eating, drumming and elaborate costumes. Evening Kandyan dance performances are held nightly in Kandy and are one of the most memorable cultural experiences in Sri Lanka.
Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, 5km from Kandy, are the finest botanical gardens in Asia — a beautiful 147-acre garden with an extraordinary collection of tropical plants, including the famous avenue of royal palms, a giant Java fig tree and an orchid house. The gardens are a wonderful half-day excursion from Kandy.
Scenic Train to Ella
The train journey from Kandy to Ella is the most scenic in Sri Lanka — a 6-hour journey through extraordinary tea plantation scenery, past waterfalls, through tunnels and over the famous Nine Arch Bridge. The journey is one of the most beautiful train rides in the world and is the highlight of many visitors' Sri Lanka itinerary.
Kandy Lake
Kandy Lake is in the heart of the city — a beautiful artificial lake created by the last King of Kandy in 1807, surrounded by the Temple of the Tooth, the Royal Palace and the hills of the city. The lakeside walk is one of the most pleasant in Sri Lanka. The lake is particularly beautiful in the early morning and at sunset.
Tea Plantation Visits
Kandy is surrounded by tea plantations — the heart of the Sri Lankan tea industry. Day trips to working tea estates (including the famous Mackwoods Labookellie estate on the road to Nuwara Eliya) offer tours of the tea factory, tea tasting and extraordinary views of the plantation landscape.
Esala Perahera
The Esala Perahera is the most spectacular festival in Sri Lanka — a 10-day festival in July/August with an extraordinary procession of elephants, drummers, dancers and fire-eaters through the streets of Kandy. The festival is one of the most spectacular religious events in Asia and attracts visitors from across the world.
Kandy Food Scene
Kandy has an excellent food scene — a wide range of restaurants serving Sri Lankan cuisine, Indian food and international options. The local rice and curry restaurants are excellent and very affordable. The Kandy market has excellent fresh produce and street food.
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