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Sigiriya Galle Fort Yala Ella Arugam Bay Kandy Mirissa Colombo Plan trip
Central
The last royal capital of Sri Lanka, set around a lake in the hills and home to Buddhism's most revered relic.
Kandy is the cultural heart of the island. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — said to hold a tooth of the Buddha — sits beside a colonial-era lake, and every evening drummers and devotees fill its halls. The city held out as the last independent kingdom until 1815, and that pride still runs through it.
It's also the gateway to the hill country: most travellers arrive here before boarding the famous train south to Ella. Time your visit for August and you may catch the Esala Perahera, one of Asia's most spectacular processions of dancers, drummers and caparisoned elephants.
Temple of the ToothSri Lanka's holiest Buddhist site — visit at puja time for drumming and ceremony.
Kandy LakeA gentle loop walk in the city centre, best at dusk.
Esala PeraheraAugust’s torchlit procession of elephants, dancers and fire — book ahead.
Royal Botanic GardensPeradeniya’s vast colonial gardens, with an avenue of giant palms.
From boutique to value, the spread of stays in and around Kandy.
Boutique
Small hotels above the lake with views across the city and valley.
Luxury
Grand old addresses with verandahs overlooking the temple and water.
Value
Friendly, central rooms within walking distance of the temple.
Dress respectfully for the Temple of the Tooth — shoulders and knees covered, shoes off. Evening puja (around 6:30pm) is the most atmospheric time to visit.
All yearHalf day · Kandy
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From $25 per person
All year1 day · Nuwara Eliya
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From $45 per person
All year1 day · Kandy → Ella
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From $12 per person
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