What are the best things to do in Kandy?
Top picks in Kandy include Temple of the Tooth, Royal Palace of Kandy, World Buddhist Museum, Raja Museum. See the full list and itinerary on this Kandy travel guide.
Why visit Kandy
Travel guide for Kandy, Sri Lanka — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Kandy is a stop in Sri Lanka, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Temple of the Tooth, Royal Palace of Kandy, World Buddhist Museum instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 25–80 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: November–March for cooler, drier conditions. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Experiences
Things to do in Kandy
1
Temple of the Tooth
2
Royal Palace of Kandy
3
World Buddhist Museum
4
Raja Museum
5
St. Paul Church
6
National Museum of Kandy
Budget travel
Free things to do in Kandy
Temple of the Tooth
St. Paul Church
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Kandy itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Temple of the Tooth
- Visit Royal Palace of Kandy
- Visit World Buddhist Museum
- Eat at Green Leaf Hotel and Bakers
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Raja Museum
- Visit St. Paul Church
- Visit National Museum of Kandy
- Eat at Bakehouse
Budget
Kandy trip cost
Budget
USD 15–35
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 25–80
per person / day
Luxury
USD 90–150+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Kandy
Estimated total (USD)
$1,725
≈ $863 per person · $246 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $50/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Kandy mid-range ground costs (budget 15–35 · mid 25–80 · luxury 90–150+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Green Leaf Hotel and Bakers
Bakehouse
Devon Food Court
Avanhala
Flower Song Chinese Restaurant
Dinemore
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Rosendale Villa
Hill Top Hotel
McLeod Inn
Burmese Rest
Kandy City House
Shopping
- Laksala
- Kandy City Centre
- Waruna Antiques
- Kandy Art Association
- Upali Jayakody Batiks
- Central Market
Museums & culture
- Temple of the Tooth
- Royal Palace of Kandy
- World Buddhist Museum
- Raja Museum
- St. Paul Church
- National Museum of Kandy
In pictures
Kandy gallery
Photos: A.Savin, Johannes Janssonius Waasbergen (publisher), Anoniem / Anonymous (engraver / etcher), Nirvanatoday, Bernard Gagnon, Anuradha Ratnaweera, මියුරු සංකල්ප — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Kandy travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Kandy?
November–March for cooler, drier conditions.
How many days do I need in Kandy?
Plan at least 2 days in Kandy for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Kandy?
Popular stays in Kandy include Rosendale Villa, Hill Top Hotel, McLeod Inn. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Kandy cost?
On the ground in Kandy (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 15–35 per person per day, mid-range about 25–80, and luxury about 90–150+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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