How to Spend 2 Days in Kandy: Best Itinerary and Travel Tips
This 2 day itinerary will cover all the highlights in Kandy if you’re in a time crunch. Feel to rearrange it as you see fit. I take care of all the planning for you so that you don’t have to worry! Kandy is a charming city with lots to offer so consider adding it to your itinerary when visiting Sri Lanka.
Day 1
Bahirawakanda Temple
Assuming that you are arriving by train or bus you might not have the full day, so we will stay inside the city of Kandy for Day 1. The first stop is the Bahirawakanda Temple, where you can visit the giant Buddha statue.
The temple is about 1.5km from the city centre, so you can either walk or go by tuktuk. I opted to walk but I found myself alone in the journey as most people didn’t want to climb the steep hill. Try to go early in the morning to avoid the scorching sun.
Once you arrive, you will be asked to remove your shoes and then head to the ticket counter. The ticket is 300 LKR for foreigners. Make sure you dress appropriately, having your shoulders and legs covered. You will also want to remove any hats once you get to the top.
The Buddha statue is truly magnificent and the surrounding atmosphere is peaceful. Take your time walking around and appreciate the tranquility outside of the bustling city. There’s a staircase you can climb which will take you directly behind the Buddha’s head. You will be rewarded will stunning views of the city of Kandy. After you’ve soaked it all in, there’s a small gift shop you can visit and then head back to collect your shoes.
Visit a Local Market
The Kandy Municipal Central Market can easily be found on Google Maps. There is a wide variety of things to see from clothing, to fruits, and spices. Even if you’re not looking to buy anything, it’s a fun place to walk around to experience the Sri Lankan markets. I recommend trying the local fruit as it’s fresh, affordable, and high quality.
Sri Lanka is said to have about 29 varieties of bananas so they are a must try! There were so many different options at the market. I regret not trying the red bananas, they are the most expensive and known to serve as an energy booster and regulate blood pressure. Rambutan and mangosteen are among my favourite fruits so why not give it a try! The vendors are very friendly and will let you sample the fruit before buying.
I opted for the King Coconut which is native to Sri Lanka. Be warned though, once you try it you might crave one every single day! Coconuts are a great way to replenish your electrolytes and stayed hydrated in the heat.
Watch a Kandyan Dance Show
I purchased my ticket for 2000 LKR through my hostel for the Kandyan Dance Show. There are multiple venues but this one was at the Red Cross Society Hall. Try and get there early to secure a good spot. The performance lasts for about 45 minutes and starts at 5pm. The costumes and dances are beautifully intricate and are an excellent way to immerse yourself in the culture of Kandy. Stay until the very end for the fire show.
Visit the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
A short walk from the Kandyan Dance Show, you will find the Temple of the Tooth. On the way there, there will be many vendors selling flower offerings. The offerings can be brought into the temple, I wish I had bought one but it was too late once I got inside. There is a ritual that starts at 6:30pm which is perfect timing if you head over right after the dance show.
The temple itself can feel a bit overwhelming if you are not familiar with the customs. Many groups were there with guides who explained where to put the offerings and the meaning behind the ritual. I think this is a great option in order to get the full experience! Since the ritual was taking place, it was quite crowded and loud with the music playing. If you are looking to avoid the crowds, I would recommend visiting outside of ritual hours.
Ritual Hours
- First Service: 5:30am to 7:00am
- Second Service: 9:30am to 11:00am
- Third Service: 6:30pm to 8:00pm
There are many restaurants nearby so stop by for dinner on the way back to your accommodation.
Day 2 – Day Trip out of Kandy
Ambuluwawa Tower (Biodiversity Complex)
Wake up bright and early and take the public bus to the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex. The entrance fee is 2000 LKR for adult foreigners. The main attraction here for tourists would be the famous tower. Climbing to the top is not for the faint hearted and those with a fear of heights. The good news is that you don’t have to climb all the way to the top and the views are equally as beautiful from anywhere on the tower.
I visited on a weekday around 9am and it was almost empty. If you want to beat the crowds, I recommend coming early in the morning. There are two other smaller towers adjacent to the main one that you can climb as well. If you are interested, there is also a giant swing right at the entrance where you can get your photo taken.
The tower itself is quite high with many stairs to climb. I made it all the way to the top and it was terrifying, I felt like I could’ve easily fallen over the rail. The views from the top were very beautiful but I don’t recommend going all the way up if you have a fear of heights or have small children.
The path at the top was quite narrow and I had to shimmy my body sideways at some points. The path is only wide enough for one person so it can be difficult if people are trying to go up and down at the same time. Luckily I didn’t run into that problem because I was the only one there. Go slowly and be careful. For more information check out Ambuluwawa Tower – How to Make the Most of Your Visit.
Royal Botanical Gardens (Peradeniya)
On the way back from Gampola you can hop off the bus and stop by the Royal Botanical Gardens. You could easily spend the whole day here if you wanted because this is the largest garden I’ve ever visited! Make sure you wear comfortable shoes because you will be doing a lot of walking. The ticket is 3000 LKR for foreigners.
You might have seen this place on instagram. It’s famous for the long stretch of palm trees. I wish I had brought my drone to capture a video of this! The beauty of this place is that it never feels crowded because it is huge. You can relax, read a book, and enjoy all that nature has to offer. It might be a fun idea to have a picnic here. There is a small cafe and restaurant but it wasn’t anything that piqued my interest.
Once you’ve soaked in all the beauty, catch the bus back to Kandy and enjoy dinner in the city. This brings us to the end of our 2 days in Kandy and gives a great taste of what the city has to offer. Happy travels!