Discover
KandyThe Sacred
Hill Capital
Ancient kingdoms, misty mountains, sacred temples and emerald tea gardens — Kandy is Sri Lanka's cultural soul, just a scenic drive from Colombo.
Quick Facts
ColomboDrive offers comfortable, air-conditioned private transfers from Colombo to Kandy with expert local drivers. Book instantly via WhatsApp +94 71 708 0600 or email colombodrivesl@gmail.com
A Kingdom That
Defied Empires
Kandy, known in Sinhalese as Mahanuvara (the Great City), served as the final capital of Sri Lanka's ancient kings. Nestled deep among the central highlands and guarded by jungle and mountains, it successfully resisted Portuguese and Dutch colonization for centuries — an extraordinary feat of a small island kingdom.
The city finally fell to the British in 1815 under the Kandyan Convention, ending over four centuries of Sinhalese monarchy. Yet Kandy's cultural identity never wavered. Today it remains the undisputed heart of Sinhalese Buddhist culture, recognized worldwide as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.
"Kandy is not merely a city — it is the living embodiment of Sri Lanka's civilization, its faith, and its unbroken spirit."
The city's old bazaar streets, royal palace grounds, the shimmering Kandy Lake, and the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic all combine to create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in South Asia.
Kandyan Architecture
A distinctive style blending South Indian and Sinhalese influences, seen in the layered roofs, ornate woodwork and moats of the palace complex.
Buddhist Importance
Kandy is the spiritual center for all Theravada Buddhists worldwide. The Tooth Relic has symbolized sovereignty in Sri Lanka for over a millennium.
Kandyan Arts
The city is the cradle of traditional Kandyan dance, drumming, mask carving and handloom weaving — crafts still practiced by master artisans today.
Colonial Heritage
British-era buildings, hill clubs, and coffee-turned-tea plantations dot the surrounding landscape, adding a unique colonial layer to the region's story.
Kingdom Founded
Kandy established as capital of the Kingdom of Kandy under King Wickramabahu III, beginning centuries of highland rule.
Portuguese Rivalry Begins
Portuguese arrival on the island ignites decades of conflict. Kandy's highland position makes it near-impossible to conquer.
Sacred Tooth Relic Enshrined
The Buddha's Tooth Relic is brought to Kandy, cementing the city's status as the sacred center of the Buddhist world.
Kandy Lake Constructed
King Sri Wickrama Rajasinha builds the iconic artificial lake at the heart of the city, creating a magnificent urban centrepiece.
Kandyan Convention
The British end Sri Lanka's last independent monarchy. The Kandyan Convention is signed, unifying the island under British rule.
Independence
Sri Lanka gains independence from British rule. Kandy regains its prominence as the nation's cultural and spiritual capital.
UNESCO World Heritage
The Sacred City of Kandy is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its outstanding universal cultural value.
Top Things to Do in Kandy
From sacred Buddhist shrines to botanical gardens and ancient temples scattered among the hills — Kandy rewards every kind of traveller with unforgettable experiences.
Temple of the Tooth
Sri Dalada Maligawa is the most sacred Buddhist site in Sri Lanka, housing a relic of the Buddha's tooth. The golden-roofed temple beside Kandy Lake is magnificent at any hour, but the nightly puja ceremony — filled with drumming, incense and chanting — is truly otherworldly. Arrive 30 minutes early for the best viewing spot.
Kandy Lake & City Walk
The serene artificial lake at the heart of the city was built in 1807 by Sri Lanka's last king. A morning walk along its misty banks, past the temple walls and old colonial cloud wall, is one of the most peaceful experiences in Sri Lanka. The area comes alive at dusk with locals and street food vendors.
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
One of Asia's finest botanical gardens, spreading across 147 acres beside the Mahaweli River. Home to over 4,000 plant species, giant Javan fig trees, a stunning orchid house, a bamboo grove, and fragrant spice gardens. A perfect half-day excursion just 6 km from the city.
Esala Perahera Festival
Held annually in July or August, this is Sri Lanka's grandest festival — a spectacular ten-night procession of ornately decorated elephants, fire dancers, whip crackers, traditional musicians and thousands of costumed performers winding through the streets of Kandy. Book accommodation months in advance.
Ancient Hilltop Temples
Within 15 km of Kandy lie three extraordinary 14th-century temples — Gadaladeniya, Lankatilaka and Embekke Devalaya. Each is uniquely spectacular: South Indian stonework, a towering Buddha hall, and legendary carved wooden pillars featuring elephants, wrestlers and lotus flowers.
Kandyan Dance Performances
Traditional Kandyan dance shows are performed nightly at cultural halls in the city. Vibrant hand-embroidered costumes, hypnotic drumming patterns and fire-walking performances refined over centuries. A fantastic way to experience Sri Lankan cultural heritage in an intimate, accessible setting.
Tea Plantation Tours
Just outside Kandy, the highlands transition into rolling green tea estates producing some of the world's finest Ceylon tea. Tour a working factory from leaf to cup, walk the manicured rows with panoramic mountain views, and enjoy the freshest brew you'll ever taste — straight from the source.
Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue
The giant 26-metre white Buddha statue overlooking the entire city from Bahirawakanda Hill is visible from most of Kandy. A climb up the hill rewards visitors with panoramic 360° views of the city, the surrounding green hills, and the glittering Kandy Lake far below. Best at sunrise or golden hour.
Kandy Market & Shopping
The buzzing central market and surrounding streets offer a sensory feast of tropical fruits, fragrant spices, handloom batik fabrics, lacquerwork, silver jewelry and handicrafts. The Kandyan Arts Association showcases traditional artisans at work — a great place to buy authentic, fairly traded souvenirs.
Natural Wonders Around Kandy
Kandy sits at the threshold of Sri Lanka's extraordinary central highlands. Beyond the city, breathtaking waterfalls, misty cloud forests, shimmering reservoirs and rich wildlife await within easy reach.
Ramboda Falls
One of Sri Lanka's highest waterfalls at 109 metres, tumbling dramatically through tea country 40 km from Kandy on the scenic road to Nuwara Eliya.
Mahaweli River
Sri Lanka's longest river winds through the Kandy valley offering white-water rafting, riverside picnic spots and superb birdwatching along its lush banks.
Victoria Reservoir
A stunning man-made lake surrounded by forested hills, 25 km from Kandy. Boat rides at sunrise offer extraordinary mirror-still reflections of the mountains.
Knuckles Mountain Range
A UNESCO World Heritage wilderness zone with jagged peaks, cloud forest trails and extraordinary biodiversity — a trekker's paradise just north of Kandy.
Udawattakele Forest
A 104-hectare royal forest reserve behind the Temple of the Tooth. Ancient trees, medicinal herbs, streams and natural silence surprisingly close to the city.
Tea Country Drive
The road from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya passes through Asia's most photogenic tea landscapes — misty mountain passes, waterfalls and emerald green hillsides all the way.
Udawattakele Royal Forest Reserve
Hidden in plain sight behind the city's most famous temple, Udawattakele is a living treasury of highland biodiversity — one of Kandy's most underrated treasures.
The forest is home to purple-faced langurs, giant squirrels, Indian muntjac deer, and over 70 species of birds including the Sri Lanka junglefowl — the national bird. Rare orchids, ferns and medicinal plants carpet the forest floor.
Early morning walks through the misty canopy reveal the forest at its most enchanting. Local guides are available at the entrance for a deeper understanding of this ancient woodland that once served as the royal pleasure garden of Kandyan kings.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Just 40 km from Kandy, Pinnawala is home to the world's largest herd of captive elephants. Watch the daily river bathing at 10am and 2pm — dozens of elephants splashing in the Maha Oya river. ColomboDrive can include this as a stop on your Kandy journey.
Plan Your Perfect Kandy Visit
Best Time to Visit
January to April offers the driest and most comfortable weather. July and August are spectacular for the Esala Perahera festival. The south-west monsoon (May–September) can bring heavy rain to the surrounding hills, though Kandy itself remains relatively accessible year-round.
Temple Dress Code
All temple visits require shoulders and knees to be covered for both men and women. Sarongs and shawls are often available at entrances. Always remove shoes before entering any religious premises — bring a pair of comfortable socks for the walk.
Puja Ceremony Times
The Temple of the Tooth holds three sacred puja ceremonies daily at 6:30 AM, 9:30 AM and 6:30 PM. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the evening puja for the best experience. Photography rules vary — respect signage inside the temple complex.
Food to Try
Don't leave Kandy without tasting kottu roti, milk rice (kiribath), fresh wood apple juice, and a cup of freshly brewed Ceylon tea at a hilltop estate. The central market area has excellent, inexpensive local food stalls open from early morning.
Budget Guide
Temple of the Tooth entry is approximately USD 15 for foreign visitors. Peradeniya Botanical Gardens costs around USD 5. Budget LKR 2,000–3,000 for a solid local lunch for two. Always carry cash as ATMs can be limited outside the city centre.
Getting to Kandy
The most comfortable and flexible way to reach Kandy from Colombo is by private car (~3 hours). ColomboDrive offers door-to-door transfers with knowledgeable drivers who can narrate the journey and make stops at spice gardens, viewpoints, or Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.
Distances & Drive Times from Kandy
Kandy makes an excellent base for exploring Sri Lanka's hill country. Use this guide to plan day trips and onward journeys with ColomboDrive.
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time | Route Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏙️ Colombo → Kandy | 115 km | ~3 hours | Expressway + highland scenic route |
| 🌿 Kandy → Nuwara Eliya | 75 km | ~2.5 hours | Tea estates, Ramboda Falls, Gregory Lake |
| 🐘 Kandy → Pinnawala | 40 km | ~1.5 hours | Spice gardens, elephant orphanage |
| 🏔️ Kandy → Ella | 135 km | ~4 hours | Panoramic highlands, Nine Arch Bridge |
| 🏖️ Kandy → Trincomalee | 180 km | ~4.5 hours | Ancient Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa ruins |
| 🌊 Kandy → Mirissa | 195 km | ~4 hours | Southern Expressway, beach towns |
| 🗿 Kandy → Sigiriya | 90 km | ~2.5 hours | Ancient rock fortress, cave temples |
Ready to Explore Kandy?
Let ColomboDrive handle the journey — comfortable air-conditioned cars, reliable experienced drivers, and genuine local knowledge from Colombo to Kandy and everywhere in between.
