Lunara Lanka Travels
Ella · Sri Lanka
Central Province · hill capital
The last royal capital of Sri Lanka, set around a lake and home to the country's most sacred Buddhist temple.
Why go
Kandy was the seat of the Kandyan kings until the British took control in 1815, and it still feels like a capital: a large town ringed by hills, a lake at its centre and the Temple of the Tooth Relic holding the island's most important Buddhist shrine.
For travellers it usually functions as a hinge — the point where the lowlands end and the hill country begins. A night or two here breaks up the journey from Colombo to Ella and gives you a city with genuine cultural weight rather than another scenic stop.
The town rewards walking in the cooler hours: around the lake, up to the viewpoint, through the market, and into the temple grounds at offering time when the atmosphere is at its strongest.
What to do
One of Buddhism's most revered sites. Evening puja ceremonies are open to visitors; dress modestly and remove shoes before entering.
Large, well-kept gardens on the edge of town with a famous collection of orchids and avenue palms. An easy half-morning.
A loop around the lake takes about 30 minutes. The viewpoint above town gives the classic photograph of the city and its hills.
Kandyan dance shows run most evenings near the temple. Touristy, yes, but the drumming and fire dancing are real and worth seeing once.
On the road between Colombo and Kandy. Opinions vary — go with realistic expectations, or skip it and see elephants in a national park later.
Kandy trades in gems, batik and woodwork. Prices vary hugely, so treat any purchase as a negotiation rather than a fixed rate.
Practical notes
Suggested stay: 1–2 nights for most travellers; 3 if you want day trips to the Cultural Triangle..
By private car
A private transfer through the tea country from Kandy to Ella — the classic hill-country driving day, with time to stop at estates and waterfalls.
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A direct private transfer from Colombo Airport to Kandy, usually the easiest first move for travellers starting their trip in the cultural capital.
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A private transfer from Colombo Airport into the Cultural Triangle, putting you at the foot of Sigiriya rock in a single drive.
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A scenic private transfer linking Sri Lanka's two best-known hill towns, past tea estates and down through Haputale into Ella.
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Nearby
North Central Province · Cultural Triangle
A 5th-century rock fortress rising about 200 m above the jungle, and the most iconic single sight in Sri Lanka.
Central Province · tea country
Sri Lanka's tea heartland at about 1,900 m — cool, green and often misty, with colonial-era architecture and endless estates.
Uva Province · hill country
A small hill-town of tea estates, waterfall walks and long valley views — the easiest place in Sri Lanka to slow down for a few days.
Western Province · commercial capital
Sri Lanka's busy capital — a useful arrival and departure stop with colonial quarters, good food and a seafront promenade.
FAQ
Yes, particularly if you care about history and culture rather than beaches. It is also the practical gateway to the hill country, so most itineraries pass through anyway.
One night covers the temple, the lake and the gardens. Two nights lets you add Peradeniya, a tea factory or a slower morning — which most guests prefer after long driving days.
Either works. Trains are scenic and memorable but fixed in time and often fully booked. Driving gives you stops, your luggage with you and a door-to-door arrival. A popular compromise is the train for part of the route with your car meeting you.
Travelling to Kandy
Tell us your dates and where you are coming from — we will suggest the route, the drive times and the right vehicle.