Places to Visit in Kandy

The golden-roofed Sri Dalada Maligawa sits within Kandy's historic royal palace grounds. It houses Sri Lanka's most sacred Buddhist relic, the tooth of the Buddha, surrounded by traditional Kandyan architectural carvings and chanting worshippers.

Famed for its spectacular collection of orchids, spices, medicinal plants, and towering palms. The highlight is the giant Javan fig tree, whose massive canopy stretches over a manicured central lawn.

Situated directly behind Thilanka Hotel, this historic rainforest sanctuary was once a royal retreat. Perfect for guests seeking silent forest treks, birdwatching, and ancient monk caves in the canopy.

Perched atop Ambuluwawa mountain in Gampola, this striking multi-faith white spiral tower scales 48 meters. The spiraling external stairs narrow towards the summit, rewarding climbers with raw 360-degree vistas of the central hill country.

Ascend Bahirawa Kandy hill to stand beneath the massive 88-foot white Buddha statue. It overlooks the entire Kandy valley, providing spectacular photographic vistas, particularly during sunset and evening hours when illuminated by warm spotlights.

Established in 1975 along the Ma Oya river, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a world-famous sanctuary caring for orphaned, rescued, and injured Asian elephants. Visitors can watch the majestic herd march to the river for daily bathing and observe nursing calves during feeding times.

Sri Lanka's premiere life-size wax sculpture museum showcasing intricately crafted figures of historic Sri Lankan royalty, national leaders, freedom fighters, and cultural icons, offering an educational and lifelike journey through the island's storied past.

Housed inside a converted 1925 vintage four-story tea factory in Hantana. It displays historical tea machinery, antique packaging, and documents honoring tea pioneers James Taylor and Thomas Lipton, complete with a top-floor tea tasting room.