Kandy

Best Dec – Mar Central Highlands Culture & Heritage 2 – 3 nights

Kandy occupies a green bowl in the central highlands, 500 metres above sea level, where misty mornings give way to warm afternoons and the entire city orbits one sacred building. The Temple of the Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist shrine, sits on the shore of the lake that reflects the surrounding hills. For couples, Kandy blends spiritual calm with an energy found nowhere else on the island.

Mornings begin with a walk around the lake's 3.4-kilometre pathway before the heat builds. Afternoons belong to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, where giant bamboo, tropical orchid houses and a celebrated avenue of royal palms stretch across 147 acres.

Why Honeymoon in Kandy?

The last Sinhalese royal capital held out against colonial powers for over three centuries before falling to the British in 1815, and that independence left its mark on everything from architecture to cuisine. The city wraps around Kandy Lake, an artificial reservoir created by the last king, with the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the Audience Hall and the royal palace complex forming its cultural heart.

During the day, couples can explore the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, one of the finest tropical gardens in Asia, established in 1821 and home to over 4,000 plant species. The Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue, a 26-metre white figure visible from most of the city, rewards a short uphill walk with panoramic views across the valley. For something more intimate, a guided spice garden tour through the outskirts reveals cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla growing in their natural state.

After dark, the city comes alive with Kandyan dance performances at the Kandy Lake Club, where firewalkers and acrobatic drummers perform nightly. Dinner at The Empire Cafe, housed in a restored colonial building steps from the temple, pairs local rice and curry with views of the illuminated shrine. Kings Pavilion, perched on a hillside above the valley, offers private balcony dining for two.

Highlights of Kandy

Temple of the Tooth

Sri Lanka's most sacred Buddhist shrine houses a tooth relic of the Buddha on the shore of Kandy Lake

Royal Botanical Gardens

Stroll 147 acres of tropical gardens at Peradeniya, home to giant bamboo groves and over 4,000 plant species

Kandyan Dance Show

Firewalkers and acrobatic drummers perform centuries-old rituals at nightly cultural shows in the city centre

Kandy Lake Walk

Follow the 3.4-kilometre lakeside pathway at dawn as mist lifts off the water and temple bells ring nearby

Bahirawakanda Buddha

A short uphill walk leads to this 26-metre white Buddha statue with sweeping views across the Kandy valley

Spice Garden Tour

Wander through cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla plants growing wild on the outskirts, then sample fresh spice tea

Best Time to Visit

December to March is the driest period, with daytime temperatures between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius and pleasantly cool evenings. February and March are the most reliable months with the least rainfall. The southwest monsoon from May to September brings occasional heavy showers, though Kandy's elevation keeps temperatures comfortable year-round.

Getting There

Kandy is 117 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport, approximately three hours by private car via the expressway. The scenic train from Colombo Fort to Kandy takes around two and a half hours and is one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated rail journeys. We arrange private airport transfers with English-speaking drivers as standard.