Kandy
Lakeside temple town and hill-country gateway.
- Budget level
- Very affordable
- Best months
- Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Jul, Aug
- Ideal stay
- 2–4 days
- Best for
- Nature, Beach, Culture
Overview
Lakeside temple town and hill-country gateway. It is one of the places we suggest when planning a trip to Sri Lanka.
Plan & book
Compare flights, stays, activities and transport for your trip to Kandy.
Compare routes and fares from your departure city.
Book experiences, day trips and guided tours.
Compare rental cars for road trips and day trips.
Pre-book a private ride from the airport to your stay.
Some links on WhereWeGo are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no additional cost to you.
Why go to Kandy
- A representative city stop on most Sri Lanka itineraries
- Fits the wider South Asia travel style
Budget
Kandy is very affordable by Sri Lanka standards. Across Sri Lanka, mid-range travellers typically spend around $85 per person per day.
Country-level planning estimate, excluding flights. See the full Sri Lanka budget breakdown.
Practical information
- Language
- Sinhala and Tamil; English common
- Currency
- Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)
- Power
- Type D/G, 230V
- Entry
- ETA required for most nationalities
When to go to Kandy
Plan 2–4 days here. Highlighted months are the best fit for most travellers.
Getting around
- Scenic hill-country train from Kandy to Ella
- Private drivers are affordable for full itineraries
Suggested itineraries
Island loop
13 daysRuins, tea, safari, beach.
Route: Sigiriya → Kandy → Ella → Yala → Galle
South and hills
9 daysShorter version of the classic.
Route: Kandy → Ella → Mirissa
