Central hill country

Kandy

A hill city around a lake: the last capital of the Sinhala kings and home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Illustrative image

Kandy sits among hills in the centre of the island, around a lake. It was the last capital of the Sinhala kings, it is a Sacred City on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a famous pilgrimage place, is at its heart.

It works well as a base between the cultural heartland and the tea country: a place to slow down, walk by the lake and visit the temple at the quieter hours.

What to expect

The Temple of the Tooth Relic, a living place of worship and pilgrimage
A lake and green hills at the centre of the city
The history of the last Sinhala royal capital
A convenient base between the ancient cities and the tea country

When and how

The temple is a place of worship, so we plan the visit for a quieter time of day and leave room to take it slowly.
Rain follows the monsoons, and the hill country has its own pattern, so we plan walks around the weather.
Two nights is a good start: one evening by the lake and one full day for the temple and the surroundings.

Travel responsibly

Dress modestly and remove shoes and hats where asked
Ask before photographing worshippers and ceremonies
Choose local guides and local meals so the visit supports the people who live here

Practical facts

Each fact comes with its source and the date we last checked it. Rules and conditions change, so please confirm them before you travel.

Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhala kings, whose patronage let the Sinhala culture flourish for more than 2,500 years until the British occupation in 1815. It is the site of the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a famous pilgrimage place, and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988.
Official source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre (opens in a new tab). Checked on October 11, 2026.
Sri Lanka has two monsoons. The south-west monsoon (May to September) brings most of its rain to the south-west and the hill country; the north-east monsoon (December to February) rains mainly on the eastern half of the island. In the months between, October to November and March to April, showers can fall anywhere. Conditions vary from year to year.
Official source: Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka (opens in a new tab). Checked on October 11, 2026.