Kandy sits in Sri Lanka’s lush central highlands, and honestly, it’s one of those places that gets under your skin. Whether you spend two days or a full week here, you’ll leave feeling like you’ve only scratched the surface. As the last royal capital of the Sri Lankan kings and home to one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites, Kandy is a city where history, culture, and nature all show up at once — and they all show up beautifully.
Table of Contents
Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your time there, from how to get there to the experiences you absolutely shouldn’t skip.
I’ve put together a focused guide covering the 10 best things to do, practical transport options from Colombo, solo travel tips, and a bonus festival pick that could completely transform your trip — all within a few hundred words. Let’s get into it.
🚆 How to Get to Kandy from Colombo
Kandy is around 115 kilometres from Colombo, and the journey itself can be part of the experience — especially if you take the train. Here are your four main options:
By Train
The scenic train from Colombo Fort Railway Station is one of the great rail journeys in Asia. It takes around 2.5–3 hours, and if you book a first-class observation car or second-class reserved seat, the views of rolling countryside are absolutely worth it. Book train tickets here.
By Bus
Air-conditioned ‘luxury buses’ depart regularly from Colombo Central Bus Stand in Pettah. Budget 3–4 hours depending on traffic. Book your bus here.
Public buses exist too, but they’re considerably more crowded — I’d save those for shorter local hops.
By Car or Taxi
The drive takes around 3 hours via the Colombo–Kandy Highway (A1). DiscoverCars is a good option for self-drive, or you can arrange a private driver through your accommodation or local apps like PickMe.
By Private Transfer
Door-to-door, flexible, and ideal if you’re travelling with luggage or in a small group. Many hotels can arrange this, or book a private transfer here. You can also request stops along the route.
💡 Solo travel tip: The train is hands-down the most popular option for solo women travellers — it’s easy, sociable, and the views are hard to beat. Stick to reserved carriages for extra comfort and peace of mind.
10 Things to Do in Kandy, Sri Lanka
1. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
This is the one you’ve come for. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and arguably the most important Buddhist temple in the world. It houses a relic of the Buddha’s tooth, and attending a puja (prayer) ceremony gives you a genuine sense of the devotion it inspires. The golden canopy above the inner sanctum is stunning — don’t rush through.
2. Take a Kandy Village Cooking Class
One of the best ways to understand a culture is through its food, and a Kandy village cooking class delivers exactly that. You’ll prepare traditional dishes using fresh local ingredients under the guidance of experienced instructors, with real insight into the cultural significance of what you’re making. This is a particularly lovely experience for solo travellers — relaxed, hands-on, and a great way to meet people.
3. Climb Ambuluwawa Tower
Just 25 kilometres from Kandy, Ambuluwawa Tower sits atop a hill within the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex and offers some of the most dramatic views in the highlands. The spiral staircase is a bit of a workout, but the panoramic views of mountains, valleys, and tea plantations at the top make it completely worthwhile. Budget a half-day for the visit.
4. Explore the Kandy Gem Museum
Sri Lanka is one of the world’s great gem-producing countries, and a visit to the Kandy Gem Museum gives you a proper appreciation of why. You’ll see sapphires, rubies, and topazes up close, learn about the gem-cutting process, and discover the history of gemstone mining in the region. There’s also the option to purchase unique jewellery pieces — a far better souvenir than anything you’ll find in a tourist shop.
5. Watch a Kandyan Cultural Dance Performance
A Kandyan cultural dance performance is vibrant, colourful, and genuinely thrilling. Held at venues like the Kandyan Art Association, shows feature traditional drumming, elaborate costumes, and — the highlight — a firewalking finale that never fails to impress. This is one of those experiences where you realise just how rich Sri Lankan cultural heritage really is.
6. Explore the City by Tuk-Tuk
There’s something wonderfully chaotic about exploring Kandy by tuk-tuk. Friendly drivers double up as impromptu tour guides, sharing stories about local landmarks as you weave through the streets. You can hop on and off at places like the Temple of the Tooth and Kandy Lake, making it one of the most flexible and memorable ways to see the city. Solo travellers especially love this option — it’s social, safe, and genuinely fun.
7. Take the Scenic Train to Ella
If you have time to venture further, the train from Kandy to Ella is one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world — and that’s not an exaggeration. The route winds through misty mountains, tea plantations, and tiny villages over 6–7 hours. Book a second or third-class seat with open windows; there’s no glass between you and the view, and the atmosphere is wonderful.
8. Wander the Udawattakele Forest Reserve
A short walk from the city centre, the Udawattakele Forest Reserve is a peaceful, shaded escape that feels a world away from the busy streets below. Explore the trails, spot birdlife, and seek out the ancient meditation caves. Once reserved exclusively for the Kandyan royal family, it retains a quiet, almost mystical atmosphere that I find hard to leave.
9. Tour a Tea Plantation
Kandy sits at the heart of Sri Lanka’s famous tea country, and a visit to a working plantation — such as the Giragama Tea Factory — is both educational and deeply satisfying. A guided tour walks you through the full production process, from leaf to cup. You’ll taste freshly brewed Ceylon tea and have the chance to bring premium teas home. A word of warning: once you’ve tasted it here, supermarket tea is never quite the same.
10. Immerse Yourself in Local Food
Kandy’s food scene is one of its great unsung pleasures. Start with rice and curry — the medley of vegetable curries, sambal, and crispy papadums is deeply satisfying. Then work your way through egg hoppers, kottu roti, and string hoppers. For the full experience, join a local street food tour or take a cooking class to learn the techniques behind these flavours firsthand. This is the kind of food that gets remembered.
🎉 Bonus: Time Your Visit for the Esala Perahera
If your dates are at all flexible and you’re visiting between July and August, do everything you can to be in Kandy for the Esala Perahera festival. This extraordinary procession celebrates the Sacred Tooth Relic with drummers, fire dancers, and dozens of elaborately decorated elephants parading through the streets. It’s widely considered one of the most spectacular cultural events in Asia — and it lives up to that billing completely. Book accommodation well in advance if you’re planning around it.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kandy Activities
📍 Ready to Explore Kandy?
Kandy is one of those rare destinations that rewards slow travel. The more time you give it, the more it gives back. Whether you’re coming for the sacred temple, the highland scenery, the extraordinary food, or all of the above — you’re going to love it.
Now go book that train ticket. The highlands are waiting.
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