Kandy- The Capital of Medieval Kings

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Some days Kandy’s skies seem perpetually bruised, with stubborn mist clinging to the hills surrounding the city’s beautiful centre piece lake. Delicate hill-country breezes impel the mist to gently part, revealing colourful houses amid Kandy’s improbable forested halo. In the centre of town, three-wheelers careen around slippery corners, raising a soft spray that threatens the silk saris worn by local women. Here’s a city that looks good even when it’s raining.

And when it’s not raining, Kandy is yours to explore in the sunshine.

KANDY WEATHER
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Best time to visit Kandy

The best time to visit Kandy is from March to August. August is the Kandy Esala Perahera season.

If you want to climb the Knuckles mountain range from Kandy is from June to August is the best time.

Nightlife and drinks

Kandy, not just because of its importance to Buddhism but also because it’s a hard-working town, has no real nightlife, except for occasional disco nights at hotels and private parties. The night is very quiet.

Slightly Chilled Lounge Bar is a modern bar with good vibes and view.

The PUB is the oldest Bar with street view.

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Train- There are trains from Badulla, Matale and Hatton as well as trains from Colombo.

Daily express train to Badulla leaves Colombo at 05:55 arriving Kandy at 08:42
Daily Colombo to Kandy Intercity leaves Colombo at 07:00 arriving in Kandy at 09:31
Daily express train to Badulla leaves Colombo at 08:30 arriving Kandy at 11:03
Daily Colombo commuter to Matale leaves Colombo 10:35 arriving Kandy at 13:52

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Daily Express train to Hatton leaves Colombo Fort at 12:40 arriving in Kandy at 16:04
Daily Colombo Kandy intercity train leaves Colombo at 15:35 arriving Kandy at 18:06
Daily Colombo Kandy Express (Monday to Friday and except holidays) leaves Colombo Fort at 16:35: arrives in Kandy at 19:34
Daily colombo Kandy Express leaves Colombo at 17:45 arrives in Kandy at 20:55

View train timetable

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Road- Private and state air-conditioned and old-fashioned non-air-conditioned buses start from Colombo Fort bus terminal for the journey to Kandy.

Private and state air-conditioned and old-fashioned non-air-conditioned
buses start from Colombo Fort bus terminal for the journey to Kandy. Bus number 01 starts from the private bus stand at Bastian Mawatha Colmbo ( Directions) for Kandy.

Buses available every 30 minutes. The journey takes at least five hours.

If you wish not to wait in queue and want to guarantee a seat reserving bus seats online through is an option.

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Important Contacts

Kandy tourist Police station – 0813837392

Kandy Railway Station – 0812222271

Free Ambulance – 1990 (toll-free)

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6.2km from Kandy
Vehicle
8.30 – 17.30
Rs1,100 per adult
Garden Landscaping
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600m from Kandy
Foot/Vehicle
05.30 – 20.30
Rs1000 – 1500 per adult
Historical Place of Worship[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”mob-city-p” width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1565850353650{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #fcfcfc !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”2894″ img_size=”medium” el_class=”city-places-see” css=”.vc_custom_1574102090872{margin-bottom: 12px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”city-places-to-see” css=”.vc_custom_1574103346539{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]

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800m from Kandy
Foot/Vehicle
Before and for sun-fall
Free
Historical Sightseeing[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”mob-city-p” width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1565850358698{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”2896″ img_size=”medium” el_class=”city-places-see” css=”.vc_custom_1574102736980{margin-bottom: 12px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”city-places-to-see” css=”.vc_custom_1574102892528{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]

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1.5km from Kandy
Foot/Vehicle
07:00 to 18:00
Rs300 per adult
Sanctuary
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750m from Kandy
Foot/Vehicle
Before and for sun-fall
Free
Mountaintop Viewpoint[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”mob-city-p” width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1565850373634{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”2901″ img_size=”medium” css=”.vc_custom_1574103520606{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1574103742251{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” el_class=”city-places-to-see”]

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7.6km from Kandy
Vehicle
Before and for sun-fall
Free
Mountaintop Trek
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550m from Kandy
Foot/Vehicle
8.00 – 16.00
Free
Meditation Temple
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4.5km from Kandy
Vehicle
Sat/Sun 08:30 -15:30
Rs800 per adult
Tea manufacturer [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” gap=”10″ css=”.vc_custom_1568945585906{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_inner el_class=”mob-city-p” width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1565850367538{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”2909″ img_size=”medium” el_class=”city-places-see” css=”.vc_custom_1574137739165{margin-bottom: 12px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”city-places-to-see” css=”.vc_custom_1574137835799{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]

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16.3km from Kandy
Foot/Vehicle
9-16.00
Rs500
Historical[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”mob-city-p” width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1565850373634{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”2910″ img_size=”medium” css=”.vc_custom_1574138309765{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1574139059211{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” el_class=”city-places-to-see”]

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16.7km from Kandy
Vehicle
10.00-16.00
Rs300 per adult
Tower Climb HIstorical
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”mob-city-p” width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1574139077204{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”mob-city-p” width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1574139085787{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Food and drink” title_align=”separator_align_left” el_class=”city-h2″][vc_column_text el_class=”city-places-to-see”]Plenty of food places around the city with local and touristy places. Prices are modern, which means no longer cheap. Fast food chains and coffee shops are available.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” gap=”20″ css=”.vc_custom_1569172958133{margin-top: -25px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1565843249362{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #f7f7f7 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”2913″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text el_class=”city-places-to-see” css=”.vc_custom_1574140257235{margin-top: -15px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]

Slightly Chilled Lounge (Serves beer and food)

Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Kandy
Monday to Sunday 11.00 to 23:00
0812238 267
Casual dining Western food Sri Lankan food Wi-FiBeer[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1574140560815{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” gap=”20″ css=”.vc_custom_1569172946071{margin-top: -25px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1574140580845{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1574140589253{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1565847461776{background-color: #f2f2f2 !important;}”][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Rental” title_align=”separator_align_left” el_class=”city-h2″ css=”.vc_custom_1565849160325{margin-top: -40px !important;padding-top: 9px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;}”][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” gap=”10″ css=”.vc_custom_1565847702121{margin-top: -60px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1565847617311{margin-bottom: 10px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1565847682767{margin-bottom: 10px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Places to stay in Kandy” title_align=”separator_align_left” el_class=”city-h2″][vc_column_text el_class=”city-places-to-see”]There is a wide choice from hostels and homestay to luxury hotels.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” gap=”10″ css=”.vc_custom_1565846717438{margin-top: -20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1565845051100{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #f7f7f7 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”2915″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” css=”.vc_custom_1574141337353{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}” link=”https://www.booking.com/hotel/lk/kandy-cabana.en.html?aid=1702746&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1″][vc_column_text el_class=”city-places-to-see” css=”.vc_custom_1574141360582{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]Kandy Cabana

The Kandy Cabana Eco Resorts going to be a brand new experience for you to immerse in a total greenery to relax your mind, body and soul. Located in the Central Hills near Kandy, it is your perfect hideout from all the hustle and bustle of the whole year.

This extra silent Eco resort is located by the Sri Lanka’s longest river; the Mahaweli, and you could always wake up to the morning sunshine for the real tweets of birds, an array of wildlife in the nearby forest patches. The Kandy Cabana Eco Resorts offers a range of luxury accommodation in private and individually designed cabanas made of wood.

Eco friendliness at its core, The Kandy Cabana Eco Resort aims to be a positive force for the people and nature with whom we co-exist.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1565845190571{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #f7f7f7 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”2914″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” css=”.vc_custom_1574141349558{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}” link=”https://www.booking.com/hotel/lk/serene-kandy.en.html?aid=1702746&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1″][vc_column_text el_class=”city-places-to-see” css=”.vc_custom_1574141181170{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]Serene Kandy

Located in salubrious surroundings where the cool mountain air induces a welcome refreshing on one hand while nature exhibits her splendor on the other, Serene Grand sits proudly on an impressively landscaped piece of property in Kandy. Evoking the charm of hill country hideaways, Kandy boasts tranquility, climatic conditions and vacation facilities that are unparalleled elsewhere.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1565847226205{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #f7f7f7 !important;}”][vc_column_text]

Booking.com

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Transportation in Kandy

Taxi-hailing work in Kandy and there are plenty of tuk-tuks so do a deal on the fare that you’re happy with. But make sure the driver understands where you want to go before you get in.

If the tuk-tuk has a lot of hills to climb, bad roads and a lot of waiting, expect the driver to add extra to the hire cost.

Kandy is a small town, most of the places worth visiting there can be reached by foot.

Attire and safety

Kandy is a tourist town and can be regarded as safe. Kandy is a regarded as a holy city. Attire matters. Women avoid wearing modern short clothing.

Wear comfortable light clothing and shoes as there’s lot of walking to be done. The nights can get cold.

+ Read more: Safety in Sri Lanka?

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Things to be aware in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Self-proclaimed tour guides, Don’t worry if your polite brush-off doesn’t deter these touts. Just ignore them until they get tired and look for another victim. Kandy is the kind of place you can enjoy discovering by yourself, if you do your research before visiting the town.
Avoid rides offered by drivers of private transportation. Let your hotel or guesthouse arrange known transport for you.
Book hotels through reputable travel agents or established, popular websites
Even if you’re offered something, be advised that drug-taking in Sri Lanka is illegal
Avoid buying railway tickets from brokers as they could be forged. The real tickets are issued at the station counters or click here on how to reserve your railway tickets online
Kandy is a regarded as a holy city. Attire matters. Women avoid wearing modern short clothing.
Public smoking is frowned upon by locals as Kandy is a holy city.
The town is a working town and has several schools, shops and offices, so be prepared to crowds of locals.
Finding a taxi late at night can be challenging. If you find one on the road, make sure the driver understands where you want to go and negotiate the fare before you get in.
Kandy is located in a valley and is restricted in area. Traffic is usually high during morning and evening hours.