Kandy Star rating [to confirm]
Earl's Regency
A big hotel in the hills just outside Kandy, with the town close enough for the temple but far enough to be quiet.
Partner rate on request
Ask for our rate
Hero photo needed: Kandy lake with the Temple of the Tooth behind it, wide
Where to stay
Where to stay in Kandy
The last kingdom, the tooth relic, and the point where the road starts to climb. Kandy is where most routes turn from flat and hot to cool and green.
About 3 hrs from the airport
Two nights
3 experiences nearby
Everything for Kandy in one quoteHotel, driver and experiences together
Is Kandy right for you?
Kandy is built around a lake with the Temple of the Tooth on one side and hills on every other. The town itself is small and busy; the hotels worth staying in are mostly above it, in the valley or up the ridge.
That is the choice to make here: in town, and walk to the temple and the evening ceremony, or out of town, and get space, a pool and quiet at the cost of a short drive each way. Your driver makes the second option cheaper in effort than it sounds.
Good for
Temples, gardens, and breaking the drive between the Cultural Triangle and the hills.
Not ideal for
Beaches, and anyone who wants a resort feel in the centre of town.
Worth knowing
The evening ceremony at the Temple of the Tooth is the one to aim for. Ask us the time for your date, as it moves.
Which part of the area to stay in
| Base | Best for | To the Temple of the Tooth |
|---|---|---|
| In town, by the lake | Walking to the temple and the evening ceremony. Noisier, and rooms are smaller. | Walking distance |
| The Mahaweli valley | Space, a pool and river views, with a short drive in for the temple. | [Drive time] |
| Up the ridge | The view back over the town, and cool evenings. The steepest drive. | [Drive time] |
Hotels in Kandy
Partner hotels our team has stayed in. Rates are quoted for your dates, never published.
Kandy Star rating [to confirm]
Mahaweli Reach
A long-established Kandy hotel on the bank of the Mahaweli, closer to town than most.
Partner rate on request
Ask for our rate
Getting here, and getting around
Drive times are approximate and depend on the road and the hour. Every one of them is included when you travel with us.
From The airportIncludedabout 3 hrs
From SigiriyaIncludedabout 2.5 hrs
From Nuwara EliyaIncluded[Drive time]
Your driver brings you here from your last hotel and takes you on to the next one. Stops along the way, for lunch or a temple, are fine. Just ask. How the driver works.
Map: Kandy with partner hotels and sights pinned
Partner hotels
Sights and experiences
Things to do near Kandy
Private experiences run by our own team, added to the same quote as your hotel.
Photo needed: the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, at the evening ceremony
Temple of the Tooth, Kandy
- Duration
- 2 hours
- When
- All year
- Run by
- Genuine Sri Lankans
Photo needed: the palm avenue at Peradeniya botanical garden
Peradeniya botanical garden
- Duration
- Half day
- When
- All year
- Run by
- Genuine Sri Lankans
Photo needed: the hill country train crossing the tea estates between Nanu Oya and Ella
Kandy to Ella by train
- Duration
- Half day
- When
- All year
- Run by
- Genuine Sri Lankans
Routes that stop in Kandy
Prefer a whole trip? These routes include nights here, with the driving included throughout.
Suggested route 10 nights
Sri Lankan Essential
Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Yala and the south coast
sigiriyaKandyellayalaweligama
Suggested route 10 nights
Hills and the south coast
Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Haputale and the south coast
Kandynuwara eliyahaputalegalleweligama
Suggested route 10 nights
Ancient cities and Kandy
Anuradhapura, Sigiriya and Kandy
anuradhapurasigiriyaKandy
Planning Kandy? Tell us your dates.
We will check our partner rates for the hotels here and build the rest of the trip around them.
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Send your dates and who's travelling. We'll reply with a plan and real prices.
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travel@genuinesrilankans.comReplied to the same day
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Choose a timeNext-day slots usually available
The planning team at Genuine Sri Lankans, answering from Sri Lanka