Major city · Sri Lanka
Kandyමහනුවර
Give Kandy one to two nights for the Temple of the Tooth and as the gateway to the hill country; travel there by train from Colombo if you can book seats early enough.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Best months
- Jan–Apr (drier in the central highlands)
- avoid Oct–Nov (inter-monsoon rain brings the wettest, most unpredictable weather)
- Airport
- none nearby
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 5
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Sri Lanka ↗Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation only on the official government ETA site; lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules and fees change.
- Sri Lanka ↗At temples cover shoulders and knees, take off shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue; Buddha images on clothes or tattoos cause offence.
- Sri Lanka ↗Carry Sri Lankan rupees in small notes; tuk-tuks, buses and small shops are cash-only, and ATMs are fewer outside the cities.
Kandy was the capital of the last independent Sinhalese kingdom, holding out against colonial powers until 1815, and its historic centre around the lake is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is the country's most important Buddhist shrine. Kandy is also where the scenic hill-country railway to Ella and Nuwara Eliya begins.
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- none nearby: arrive by land or via another city
Weather and climate
Kandy: next 7 days
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Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the lakefront and temple area; three-wheelers and buses reach outlying sights like Peradeniya. Trains from Colombo Fort take about 2.5–3 h, and the onward scenic route to Ella and Nuwara Eliya is one of Sri Lanka's best-known train rides.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around Kandy Lake
Walkable to the Temple of the Tooth and the town centre.
Hillside above the town
Quieter, with lake and valley views, but needs a tuk-tuk into the centre.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Watch out
- Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and remove shoes and hats before entering the Temple of the Tooth.
- Reserved seats on the scenic hill-country trains sell out weeks ahead: book online through the official rail booking site as early as possible.
- Touts near the temple sometimes steer visitors to overpriced 'gem museums' or shops: politely decline unsolicited offers.
- Hill roads are winding and slow, and can see landslides in heavy rain.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kandy. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jan–Apr (drier in the central highlands) · avoid Oct–Nov (inter-monsoon rain brings the wettest, most unpredictable weather)
- 0 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- 4 things to watch out for
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialSri Lanka Tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage — Kandy