culture
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
Sri Lanka's holiest Buddhist shrine, on the lakeshore, housing a tooth relic of the Buddha behind a gold-roofed inner chamber opened during daily puja.
Kandy · Attractions
Top attractions in Kandy
A reference guide to the sights worth seeing in Kandy, what each one is and why it's worth your time.
Want to know how to spend your days instead? See our things to do.
nature
Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
A 147-acre royal-era garden in a river loop southwest of the city, known for its palm avenues, orchid house and giant Javan fig tree.
landmark
Kandy Lake (Kiri Muhuda)
A man-made lake dug in 1807 by the last Kandyan king, ringed by a walking path with birds, monitor lizards and views to the temple.
landmark
Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue
An 88-foot white seated Buddha on a hill above the city, reached by a short climb and offering wide views over the lake and old town.
nature
Udawattakele Forest Reserve
A protected forest and former royal pleasure garden rising behind the temple, with quiet trails, langurs, giant squirrels and rich birdlife.
culture
Ceylon Tea Museum
A restored 1925 tea factory on the Hantana road with working machinery, exhibits on the Ceylon tea pioneers and a valley-view tea room.
landmark
Ambuluwawa Tower
A tall spiralling tower atop a biodiversity complex near Gampola, about an hour southwest, with a narrow stair to panoramic hill-country views.
wildlife
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
A government-run herd about 40km west, best known for twice-daily river bathing sessions; a popular but crowded and debated attraction.
culture
Embekka Devalaya
A 14th-century temple southwest of Kandy celebrated for its carved wooden pillars depicting dancers, wrestlers, swans and mythical creatures.
culture
Lankatilaka Temple
A 14th-century rock-set temple blending Sinhalese and South Indian architecture, standing on a granite outcrop with painted shrine interiors.
culture
Gadaladeniya Temple
A stone temple of 1344 on a bare granite hill, showing strong South Indian Dravidian influence and long valley views from its terrace.