The Travel Guide To Kandy – Kandy is the second largest city in Sri Lanka. While its centre has more of an urban feel to it, the surrounding area is lush and beautiful. With green hills and many sacred temples Kandy is a great place to experience the best of both worlds.
How To Get There
Getting to Kandy is relatively easy. The main method of travel is by bus or by taxi, but there is an option to fly. Buses can be easy to catch if you know what you are looking for, just be sure to ask the locals or your hotel reception for advice. Our main advice would be to take a taxi or Pick Me, they are relatively inexpensive and are a great way for groups of 2-4 to travel.
The Travel Guide To Kandy
Things To Do
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
While in Kandy you’ll hear a lot about a temple dedicated to a sacred tooth. Don’t be mistaken this is actually a real thing. The Buddhist temple is home to Buddha’s tooth which is found within the complex of the royal palace. Entry fee is 1000 rupee which is pretty expensive in our opinion…. just to see a tooth. However, there is a chance to see Buddha’s tooth for free, and that is at the Esala Perahera festival.
Esala Perahera Festival
The Esala Perahera festival is the largest Buddhist festival in all Sri Lanka and the 5th largest in the world. Taking place around the end of June and early July. It will make a great addition is you have timed your trip to Kandy right. This is a great opportunity to see some real Sri Lankan culture. During the festival the town is shut down from 8pm onwards and the streets become the stage for one incredible show. A cultural parade which is a sight to behold. Consider yourself lucky if you happen to be in town like us.
Royal Botanical Gardens
The Royal Botanical Gardens are a great place to relax and take a stroll around some beautiful flora. A popular spot amongst locals, this was a great place to spend an afternoon and get a bit of fresh air. Entry fee is 1,500 rupees, a bit steep, but worth it if you plan on spending the majority of your afternoon there.
Kandy Lake
Located at the heart of Kandy, is the famous peaceful lake. It is a great place to walk around and find a relaxing spot to sit in the evening times. There are plenty of coffee shops on the southern side, so grab a drink and watch the world go by.
Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue
This is one of the largest Buddha statues in all of Sri Lanka. Once at the top you are also able to witness one of the most breathtaking views of the entire city below!
The Travel Guide To Kandy
Places To Eat
World Spice
Located atop of the Kandy City Centre KCC, World Spice is a great place to dine if you are having trouble deciding what to eat. With it’s food court atmosphere, guests can decide on the style of cuisine they fancy. Be it Indian, Thai, Chinese, or Italian they have a great selection of options for everyone.
Ceylon Tea Cabin
Amazing food with affordable prices! It is a cozy cafe that serves delicious treats and drinks. Be sure to save room for dessert here.
Cafe Banana Chill
Incredible healthy and fresh food! The avocado toast was delicious and we loved all the various juice and smoothie options. A must go spot for a healthy breakfast, or mid-day snack.
The Travel Guide To Kandy
Where To Stay
Theva Residency
If you are looking for a beautiful quiet escape from the city down below, check out Theva Residency. We had the most relaxing stay here and really enjoyed using their infinity pool and spa facilities. It was a great way to treat ourselves mid-way through our trip and we were happy we did. To read more check out our blog post here: Theva Residency Blog
Rest For Guests
If you are looking for a more affordable guest house near the centre of town, check out Rest for Guests. A fairly new guest house, run by the sweetest man you will be happy in these clean rooms. Breakfast was included in the stay which was also an added bonus.
Overall, Kandy is a great city to spend some time and explore. There are plenty of things to see and do, but overall we would recommend only a few days. Most things can be easily done within that amount of time hassle free!
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