Kandy Overview

Kandy lies inland and experiences a climate that is wetter and colder than popular coastal destinations in Sri Lanka. The moderate climate and moist air (relative humidity of 70 to 79 per cent) of Kandy and its surrounding regions are features that have assisted it in becoming famous for tea-growing. more...

Kandy Activities

Known by Buddhists across the globe, and also referred to as Sri Dalada Maligawa, this famous temple holds a tooth that allegedly belonged to the Buddha. For devoted Buddhists, the temple is the ultimate pilgrimage site, while for non-Buddhists it's a place of great historic and cultural value. Visitors are permitted entry to the temple, which was constructed in the 17th century, irrespective of their religious beliefs. Visits need to be planned around the thrice-daily religious rituals that are scheduled. more...

Kandy Events and Festivals

Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day: this Buddhist festival marks the arrival of the full moon and is celebrated as a public holiday across the country. Every completion of the lunar cycle is celebrated in the same way, marked by a public holiday that is enjoyed by all. more...

Kandy Sightseeing

While many of Sri Lanka's most popular visitor destinations are beach-based, Kandy lies inland and relies heavily on its interesting sightseeing attractions to draw tourist interest. The city offers an interesting variety of visual treats, among which are both manmade and natural highlights. Horton Plains National Park is perhaps the most scenic of Kandy's draw cards and is rarely missed by anyone visiting this part of the country. more...

Kandy Transport

From Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital city, travellers can take a train direct to Kandy. However, the intercity express train is the only service that offers a reasonable level of comfort and a speedy connection, as other services are invariably crowded and rarely run to schedule. Booking at least one week in advance of travel is recommended to be sure of a seat on the intercity service. more...

Kandy Travel Tips

Kandy is not considered an especially high risk area as far as malaria is concerned. However, anyone planning to do any trekking in the mountainous areas of the region might want to consider a course of anti-malarial drugs. Be sure to use plenty of insect repellent both day and night to prevent getting bitten by dengue fever and malaria carrying mosquitoes. more...