🇱🇰 3-Day Kandy City Walk Guide

Based on Lonely Planet Sri Lanka guide. Covers food, accommodation, transport & more.

📋 Overview

Kandy is Sri Lanka's cultural capital and second-largest city, nestled in a valley at ~500m elevation surrounded by lush tea plantations and tropical rainforest. The last capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom (until 1815), it retains a strong traditional atmosphere. The lake at its center is a jade-green gem flanked by temples, colonial architecture, and local markets.

Best time to visit: December – April (dry season, 18–28°C) Rainy season: May – November (intermittent rain, greener landscapes) Suggested stay: 2–3 days / 4 days with day trips Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR), 1 USD ≈ 300 LKR Elevation: ~500m, 5–8°C cooler than Colombo

📅 Day 1: Old Town Core

Morning: Temple of the Tooth & Kandy Lake

08:00 Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) – Kandy's most important landmark, UNESCO World Heritage. Houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha. Three daily Puja ceremonies: 5:30, 9:30, 18:30. Don't miss the morning Puja – the seven-tiered golden casket is displayed. Remove shoes, cover shoulders & knees. Entry ~1500 LKR.
10:30 Kandy Lake – Artificial lake built in 1807 by the last Kandyan king. The 3.3km loop walk passes ancient trees, white egrets, and offers temple views. The island was reportedly the king's harem.
11:30 Town Center – Main Street and surrounding lanes for local life.

Lunch

Devon Restaurant – Kandy institution, try rice & curry and kottu roti
Muslim Hotel – Famous for biryani and mutton rolls

Afternoon: Cultural Tour

14:00 National Museum of Kandy – Next to the Tooth Temple. Royal artifacts, traditional masks, weapons.
15:30 Kandy Market Hall – Largest indoor market. Spices, tea, handicrafts, fresh produce.
17:00 Udawattakele Forest Reserve – 104-hectare urban forest reserve. Trails through tropical rainforest with monkeys, birds and butterflies.

Dinner

The Empire Cafe – Colonial-style cafe in Kandy City Centre
Slightly Chilled Lounge Bar – Rooftop with city panorama

📅 Day 2: Botanical Gardens & Tea Culture

Morning: Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya

08:30 Royal Botanical Gardens – 6km from city center (15 min by tuk tuk). 60 hectares with 4000+ plant species. Highlights: Orchid House (300+ varieties), Palm Avenue, giant Java fig tree, spice garden. Allow 2–3 hours. Entry ~2000 LKR.
11:30 University of Peradeniya – Sri Lanka's most beautiful campus, colonial architecture, Mahaweli River runs through it. Free.

Afternoon: Tea & Crafts

14:00 Ceylon Tea Museum – On Hantana Hill (4km from city), converted tea factory. Learn about Ceylon tea history and production, tasting sessions. Top floor has panoramic views.
16:00 Handicraft Street – Saranankara Road and nearby lanes: woodcarving, brasswork, batik, silver jewelry. Watch artisans at work.
17:30 Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue – Giant white Buddha (27m) at Kandy's highest point. Panoramic views of the city and surrounding hills.

Dinner

Kandy Muslim Hotel – If you missed it at lunch
Bakehouse – Famous bakery, try the pastries

📅 Day 3: Day Trip or Deep Dive

Option A: Sigiriya & Dambulla Day Trip (Highly Recommended)

06:00 Depart – 2.5 hours by car
09:00 Sigiriya – "Lion Rock", UNESCO site. 200m-high rock fortress with ancient palace ruins. Climb takes 1–2 hours. Mirror Wall and Sigiriya Frescoes along the way. Entry ~$30.
12:00 Dambulla Cave Temple – "Golden Temple", UNESCO site. 5 caves with 153 Buddha statues and murals dating to 1st century BCE. Entry ~1500 LKR.
15:00 Return to Kandy – ~2.5 hours

Option B: Kandy to Ella Train Experience

08:00 Train to Nuwara Eliya – One of Sri Lanka's most scenic train rides (3–4 hours). Tea plantations, waterfalls, misty valleys. Sit in 2nd class for open windows.
13:00 Nuwara Eliya – "Little England" at 1868m. Visit tea factories, Victoria Park, Gregory Lake.
17:00 Return – 2.5 hours by car

Option C: Traditional Kandy Experience

09:00 Kandyan Dance Performance – Traditional dance show near the Tooth Temple. Includes fire walking.
11:00 Ayurveda Herb Garden – Traditional medicine plantations
14:00 Cooking Class – Learn to make curry, hoppers, roti
17:00 Kandy Lake Sunset – Watch the sunset paint the Tooth Temple golden

🍽️ Food Quick Reference

Dish	Description	Where
Rice & Curry	National staple, multiple curries	Devon Restaurant
Kottu Roti	Chopped roti stir-fry with meat/egg	Street stalls / Devon
Hoppers	Bowl-shaped fermented rice pancake	Breakfast stalls
String Hoppers	Steamed rice flour mats	Breakfast stalls
Biryani	Fragrant rice	Muslim Hotel
Mutton Rolls	Moor-style lamb rolls	Muslim Hotel
Wood Apple Juice	Unique Sri Lankan fruit	Street juice stalls
Watalappan	Coconut milk egg custard	Various
Ceylon Tea	World-famous black tea	Tea Museum

🏨 Accommodation

Type	Price	Notes
Boutique	$50–150/night	Colonial villas, garden views
Mid-range	$20–50/night	Many near Kandy Lake
Budget	$8–20/night	Hostels and guesthouses

Best areas: North shore of Kandy Lake (views, near temple), Peradeniya Road (quiet, near gardens), City Center (convenient but noisy)

🚗 Transport

Getting to Kandy:

Train from Colombo: 200–500 LKR ($0.7–1.7), ~2.5–3 hours
Bus from Colombo: 300–500 LKR, ~3–4 hours
Private car from Colombo: 8,000–12,000 LKR ($27–40), ~3 hours
From airport: ~15,000 LKR ($50), ~3.5 hours

Getting around:

Walking: Free – old town core is walkable but hilly
Tuk Tuk: 100–300 LKR/short trip – most convenient
Bus: 20–50 LKR/ride – to Peradeniya, Hantana
Private car: 5,000–8,000 LKR/day – for Sigiriya, Dambulla trips

Walking routes:

Lake Loop – From Tooth Temple around the lake (~3.3km)
Culture Trail – Temple → Museum → Market → Udawattakele (~4km)
Peradeniya Line – City → University → Gardens (~6km, take tuk tuk)

💰 Daily Budget

Item	Budget	Mid-range	Luxury
Accommodation	$8	$30–50	$100+
Meals	$5–8	$15–25	$40+
Transport	$2–5	$10–15	$25+
Activities	$5	$15–25	$40+
Daily total	~$20	~$70	~$200+

👗 What to Wear

Light layers – Hills are cool in morning/evening (15–20°C), warm midday (25–30°C)
Rain gear – Carry a compact umbrella
Comfortable shoes – City is hilly, gardens need walking
For temples – Cover shoulders & knees, remove shoes
Scarf/shawl – Useful for quick cover-ups

📱 Practical Info

Item	Details
SIM card	Dialog/Airtel, get in Colombo or airport
Ride app	PickMe (has tuk tuk option)
Language	Sinhala/Tamil, English widely spoken
Plug	Type D/G, 230V
Timezone	UTC+5:30
Tipping	10% at restaurants

📚 Sources

Lonely Planet: Sri Lanka
Lonely Planet Sri Lanka Guidebook – Kandy & the Hill Country chapter