a white building with a gold roof with Temple of the Tooth in the background

Kandy

Kandy is a hill city in central Sri Lanka with a lake at its center, the Temple of the Tooth, which holds a relic of the Buddha's tooth, and a forest reserve close to the old town.

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Kandy is a hill city in central Sri Lanka, about 70 miles from Colombo, and the administrative capital of the Central Province. Locals call it Maha Nuwara, or Great City. It was the last capital of the Kandyan kingdom, which resisted Portuguese, Dutch and British attempts to take control for centuries. The city sits at about 465 meters above sea level, and its architectural heritage earned a UNESCO World Heritage listing in 1988. It is often called the cultural capital of Sri Lanka.

The Temple of the Tooth holds a relic of the Buddha's tooth and is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world. Kandy Lake, built in 1807 near the temple, sits in the middle of the city, and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, about 5 km west of the center, are the largest botanical garden on the island, with more than 4,000 plant species. Plan two to three days for the temple, the lake and the gardens. Drier weather from January to April suits a visit best; the monsoon months bring rough, unstable weather.

Kandy in five

Dress for the Temple of the ToothCover shoulders and knees, remove shoes and hats. Light, plain clothes are best.
Book the Kandy to Ella train earlyReserved seats on the scenic line sell out well ahead. Reserve as soon as sales open and check Sri Lanka Railways for the current booking window.
Visit the Peradeniya gardensThe Royal Botanic Gardens are a short ride west of the city.
Sort the ETA before the long train dayMost visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorization before landing. Apply on the official site only, then book the hill train.Sri Lanka ETA
Time a visit to the temple ceremoniesOfferings are made several times a day and the shrine room is busiest then. Check the times posted at the temple and arrive early to queue.

Things to do in Kandy

See all attractions in Kandy

Sight · KandyUdawattakele Information Center

Museum · KandyCeylon Tea Museum

Temple · KandySri Dalada MaligawaDress modestly. Entry depends on meeting the dress rules set by the temple authorities.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to KandyPut the places you like in Kandy on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Bandaranaike (CMB), about 3 hours by road
Getting there: Trains from Colombo Fort about 2.5–3 hours
Getting around: Tuk-tuks, buses and walking around the lake
Best base: Near the lake, or in the hills above it
Time needed: 2 days

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Dry
FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh29°Low19°Dry
MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Dry, warm
AprilRain21 rainy daysHigh31°Low21°Showers
MayRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Showers
JuneRain22 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Showers
JulyRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Showers
AugustRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Showers
SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Showers
OctoberRain26 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Wet
NovemberRain24 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Wet
DecemberRain17 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Wet

Average daily high and low in Kandy (Katugastota), 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Kandy

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 24°
Humidity: 93%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Kandy

02:07 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today29°21°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed29°21°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu29°20°100%Thursday: Rain. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 100%.
Fri30°20°100%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sat30°20°100%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun30°21°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 10:47 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 332.4 LKR

Amount

Converted to

LKR · Sri Lankan Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Kandy

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

KandyKandy Esala PeraheraAug 7 – 17, 2027 · Read the event guide

Day trips by train

Sigiriyaabout 2.5–3 hours by roadRock fortress with frescoes and a steep climb.Read the guide
Dambulla cave templesabout 2 hours by roadPainted caves full of Buddha statues.

Before you go to Kandy

Stays around Kandy LakeWalk to the temple or stay in the hillsCheck availability

Kandy and Sigiriya day toursRock fortress and cave temples by driverCompare day trips

eSIM for Kandy and the hillsRail times and ride apps in the hillsRead the guide

Travel insurance for Sri LankaCover for hill roads and rain delaysRead the guide

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Rules for Kandy, checked

Many nationalities need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka. Check whether yours does on the official ETA site before you book.Source
Remove shoes and hats before entering the Temple of the Tooth, and cover your shoulders and knees. Do not point your feet at Buddha statues.
Sri Lanka enforces strict drug laws with heavy penalties. Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with the prescription.
Check with Sri Lanka Customs before you buy antiques or Buddhist objects to take home, as some may need an export permit.

Plan around Kandy

Ella

The scenic train ends here, in tea country

Read the guide Colombo

Trains from Fort station to Kandy

Read the guide All of Sri Lanka

Routes, seasons and entry rules

Read the guide Sri Lanka ETA

Apply online before you fly

Read the guide Connectivity

Data options for the hill country

Read the guide The Hill Country

Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ella together

Read the guide The Ancient Cities

The dry-zone ruins north of Kandy

Read the guide

Kandy FAQ

How long is the train from Kandy to Ella?

About 6–7 hours. Delays are common, so do not book anything tight at the other end.

What should I wear to the Temple of the Tooth?

Clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. You remove your shoes before entering.

When is the best time to visit Kandy?

January to April, the driest months. October to December has the most rain.

How many days do you need in Kandy?

Two days cover the temple, the lake and a botanic garden, with one more if you add Sigiriya. Many people spend one night here before the train to Ella.

Is Kandy worth visiting?

Yes, for the Temple of the Tooth and the hill setting, and as the logical stop between Colombo and the tea country. It is busy with traffic, so keep sights close together.