The hill capital of the country, Kandy is 72 miles (116 km) from Colombo. It served as the former capital during the reign of the last monarchy of Ceylon. Nestled in the Central Hills, Kandy is well connected to all parts of the island through numerous roads radiating from the city. Kandy City Tour highlights include the Consecrated Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. This temple, known in Sinhalese as the ‘Sri Dalada Maligawa,’ houses the sacred tooth relic of Buddha. It is located beside the tranquil Kandy Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Behind this sacred shrine lies the Kandy Arts Center. There, visitors can enjoy the daily Kandy Cultural Dance Performance, held every evening at 5 pm.

Well-landscaped cemeteries of the British defence forces and leaders, honourably buried on the island, are within walking distance from town. Additionally, the Royal Botanical Gardens, located at Peradeniya, is 12 km from the town. This park features almost every type of vegetation from both tropical and temperate climates, including plants, vines, herbs, trees, and more. Consequently, it is highly reviewed by visitors globally and is worth a visit. Furthermore, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, situated 22 km from town, is another fascinating attraction. At this orphanage, orphaned elephants are protected and tamed. As a result, these elephants can live out their lives away from the starving wilderness from which they were rescued. For those interested in the area, a Kandy city tour offers additional insights and experiences.

Kandy city tour