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Asia / Sri Lanka

Kandy.

Places to go. A little room to wander.

A local view near Kandy, Sri Lanka
A local view near Kandy, Sri Lanka. Photograph by Sachindu 5 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized proportionally, EXIF orientation applied, converted to high-quality WebP (quality 92); no content edits.

THE SHORTLIST

A few places worth your time.

01Culture · DAY 1 IDEA

Bahirawakanda Lane, Mulgampola

Bahirawakanda temple

The ominipresent Buddha statue seen from everywhere in Kandy city. Take a tuk tuk ride to the Temple or walk, just 1 km away from the Kandy city. The way to the temple may not be easy to locate, you might have to take a three wheeler or ask a local, when in doubt just walk up and follow the colourful Buddhist flags over the road. This Buddha statue is best viewed from far away. Once you get onto the premises it is no longer easy to see.

Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate

Map Source
02Outdoors · DAY 1 IDEA

Kandy

Udawattakele Royal Forest Sanctuary

The forest was planned and maintained as the part of the Royal palace complex of the Sinhala Kings. A patch of tropical rain forest still survives and if you don't come across it, it is still a wonderful walk. Wear long trousers after rain, and take some salt as there are lots of leeches about.

Allow about 60 minutes · planning estimate

Map Source
03Culture · DAY 1 IDEA

Kandy

Temple of the Tooth

It houses a tooth relic of the Lord Buddha, and is consequently considered one of Sri Lanka's most holy shrines. Although you should expect that you will not be able to view the actual tooth itself, the casket within which it is said to be is displayed twice a day. The first is at 5:30AM and the second which could be the best time to view this ornate casket is around 6:30PM. Besides, Sri Dalada Maligawa museum can be found on its second and third floor.

Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate

Map Source
04Culture · DAY 2 IDEA

Deveni (2nd) Rajasinghe mawatha down by the Mahaweli riverside

Commonwealth War Cemetery

Formerly known as Pitakande Military Cemetery, it is one of the most beautifully landscaped and maintained war cemeteries in the world. There is one Commonwealth burial of the World War I and a further 196 Commonwealth burials of the World War II commemorated in the cemetery. In addition there are four Foreign National and two non world war burials. The range of nationalities laid to rest comes from the records of the War cemetery, and include 107 Britons, 35 East Africans, 26 Sri Lankans, 23 Indians, six Canadians, three Italians and one Frenchman.

Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate

Map Source
05Culture · DAY 2 IDEA

Kandy

University of Peradeniya

The second university of Sri Lanka, established in 1942 in affiliation with former 'The University of Ceylon'. This has the largest university library in South Asia which is seven storyed. Tremendous beauty of this university has been appreciated over decades. Off the university bounds, Hanthana mountains can be hiked. On the opposite side, largest river of Sri Lanka, the River Mahaweli flows. The beauty of site can be markedly seen in March–April season.

Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate

Map Source

A note before you go. Start with Bahirawakanda temple, then decide whether Udawattakele Royal Forest Sanctuary deserves a separate visit rather than rushing both. The suggested days are an editable grouping, not a timed tour. Visit allowances exclude transfers, meals and queues; confirm the exact entrance and current visiting arrangements for University of Peradeniya before setting off.

Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. Suggested days and time allowances are editorial starting points. Check the linked visitor information for opening hours, access, and reservations.

BEFORE YOU SET OFF

A more practical kind of plan.

Getting your bearings

If you can get them for Rs 60-70 per Km you are doing well) and exciting way of seeing the city, and they run virtually all night long. However, beware of the Tuk-Tuk mafia at the Kandy railway station – they are likely to rip you off (and they threaten Uber or PickMe drivers when they collect passengers near their stand). Walking is also recommended - the centre is not that large - as a way of seeing temples, shops, shopping area and other sights around the lake.

Build a route that makes sense

Bahirawakanda temple and Udawattakele Royal Forest Sanctuary are about 1.1 km apart in a straight line. Use the route link to compare the actual streets or transport connections before putting both in the same morning; the measurement is not a walking distance or a transfer estimate.

A LITTLE STRUCTURE. ROOM FOR DISCOVERY.

Your Kandy plan.

Add a few stops, choose your days, and leave space between them.

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Location, map & reference details

Find your bearings.

Country
Sri Lanka
Area
Central Province
Time zone
Asia/Colombo
Coordinates
7.2906, 80.6336

Geographic reference: GeoNames, CC BY 4.0.

Kandy

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Visitor information & sources

Reference credits & reuse

This city guide includes selected, abridged material by Wikivoyage contributors, adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. The adapted guide text is available under the same license; photographs and website design retain their separate terms. Selected and abridged reference descriptions; operational prices and timetables omitted. Elsewhere added the shortlist, geographic grouping and planning notes.

Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. It is community-edited background, not firsthand reporting or a live opening-hours service.

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