Last Updated: May 26, 2023
Kandy is often considered the cultural capital of Sri Lanka and is one of the top places to visit and for good reason.
There are numerous things to see and do around Kandy for families. It is logistically an easy place to visit whilst in the country. So it a great place for a top off on any Sri Lanka Itinerary.
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Getting To and From Kandy with Kids
There’s no major airport in Kandy so most people fly into Colombo first if coming internationally.
Kandy has a major train station and is very accessible by train. You can get to it directly from Colombo or some of the other popular destinations such as Nuwara Eliya and Ella.
If you’re coming in from the north you might need to make a change at another station, but train is usually a good option wherever you come from.
If you really can’t make the train work, then you can also get there by bus from pretty much anywhere. The buses can be a bit nail biting to say the least, but if you can handle the crazy driving then this will be your cheapest option.
Taxis can also be an option if you’re not too far away. If you have a private driver already, then you will probably already have Kandy on your list of destinations already as a stop off.
If you want to read some more on how to get about Sri Lanka then head to our seperate post.
Where to Stay in Kandy with Kids
There are lots of otions of where to stay in Kandy. The bigger more popular hotels are more central. But there are some great budget options dotted around the Kandy Lake or on the hill overlooking it.
It doesn’t matter too much where about you stay as tuk-tuks are so cheap and easy to get that it’s easy to get from one area to another. So don’t get too bogged down with the location.
We stayed up on the hill and although it was a bit out of the way, we really liked staying up there with great views and a peaceful atmosphere.
The usual booking sites work for Kandy and you can find stays for any budget on the usual’s, like Booking.com or Agoda. Or it’s also easy to just turn up walk around and find a place you fancy if you have the time and the energy when you arrive.
Things to do in Kandy with Kids
Temple of the Tooth
One of the most important cultural sites in Kandy (and indeed Sri Lanka) is the Temple of the Tooth. More formally known as Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic or Sri Dalada Maligawa.
This is where the relic tooth of Buddha resides. An extremely important relic in terms of political status as whoever holds the relic is considered to hold the governance of the country. It has moved around over the years, but is now proudly present in this great temple in Kandy.
A large white building with a golden roof, the temple sits on the edge of Kandy Lake. It can easily be reached by tuk-tuk or just walking if you are close enough.
There are usually daily rituals where tourists and locals alike come to pay tribute. Although you won’t actually see the tooth, as it is safely contained within a golden container.
The ceremony are quite extravagant and kids will enjoy the spectacle as much as the adults.
It costs around 1,500LKR ($7) to enter for tourists.
The Big Buddha
The Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha statue or ‘the Big Buddha’ can be seen from pretty much everywhere in Kandy. Hoisted high up on Bahiravokanda mountain keeping a watchful eye over Kandy.
You can head up via tuk-tuk and see the statue close up and also get great views of the city from here.
Photos can be taken, but always ensure you are looking at Buddha and not the camera, as turning your back to Buddha for a photo is considered extremely disrespectful.
The Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens is a great green space to walk around, with lot’s of various plants and flowers. With wide open spaces it’s a great place to head for the kids to blow off some steam.
As well as the plant life there is also some great wildlife. Watch out for the monkeys and be sure to look up to the extremely tall trees and you are likely to spot some enormous Giant Fruit/Flying Fox Bats!
Entrance is from 1,500 LKR for adults and 750 LKR for children.
See a Kandy Dance and Fire Show
Every evening you can head to watch a Cultural Dance Show.
Kandy Lake Club or Kandyan Cultural Centre are a couple of the venues that have a show, although there are some other locations to choose from.
It’s a little ‘touristy’ but still quite fun non-the-less. With dancing, fire eating and fire walking usually on show. It’s only for an hour or so so quite good for kids with a short attention span.
KCC Mall
If you simply want a bit of commercial shopping then a trip wondering around KCC mall might be for you.
It it’s a commercial complex and can be a nice break from the heat to wonder around the air conditioned complex. There’s also an off license around the back if you’re looking to get hold of some beers!
It also does some of the best Nutella Milkshakes in the world (as endorsed by Nadia, who had them on a regular basis!)
Kandy Lake
Finally a walk round Kandy Lake is always a must. A large artificial lake built in 1807 is around 2 miles in circumference.
You will be able to spy fish and some pretty big monitor lizards strutting around! This is one of the nicest things to do in Kandy on a sunny day with the kids.