Quick answer
The best area to stay in Kandy for sightseeing depends on the length of your visit. For one night, stay in the centre or on the hill just south of the lake, within walking distance of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. For two or three nights, the surrounding hills, such as Hantana, Anniewatte or the Mahaweli river side, give views and quiet for a 15 to 30 minute drive. Peradeniya suits garden lovers and train departures, and Digana, near the Victoria reservoir, suits longer, slower stays.
Key takeaways
- Hotels in central Kandy are within about a kilometre of the temple, the lake and the market.
- Hill areas such as Hantana and Anniewatte are roughly 15 to 30 minutes from the centre outside peak traffic.
- Digana and the Victoria reservoir lie 30 to 45 minutes east of Kandy.
- Guesthouse rooms in Kandy cost roughly US$20 to US$45, and mid-range hill hotels US$70 to US$150.
- During the Esala Perahera, room rates in Kandy commonly double and central rooms are booked months ahead.
How to decide
Deciding where to stay in Kandy starts with two questions: how many nights, and whether you have a driver. One night without a driver points to the centre. Two or more nights with a driver point to the hills.
The second consideration in Kandy is noise. The centre is busy from 5 in the morning, with temple drums, buses and the call to prayer. Light sleepers are happier higher up, where the loudest sound is usually rain on the roof.
- →One night, no driver: centre or the near southern hill.
- →One night, with driver: near hills, 10 to 15 minutes out.
- →Two to three nights: hills or river side.
- →Three or more nights, slow pace: Digana and the Victoria side.
The lakeside centre
The lakeside centre of Kandy is the most convenient place to stay. From here you can walk to the temple for the dawn and evening pujas, circle the lake before breakfast and reach the market in ten minutes. The railway station is a short tuk-tuk ride.
The centre of Kandy has drawbacks. Rooms facing the road are noisy, air quality is poor in rush hours and few properties have gardens or pools. Heritage buildings trade on position and atmosphere more than on modern comfort.
- →Best for: one-night stays, travellers without a driver, the Perahera.
- →Walk to: temple, lake, market, museums.
- →Watch for: road noise and limited parking.
The southern hills
The hill immediately south of the lake, around Rajapihilla Mawatha and Saranankara Road, is where most guesthouses in Kandy are found. It offers lake views, cooler air and a 10 to 20 minute walk down to the temple. The walk back is steep.
Further south and west, the ridges of Hantana, Anniewatte and Heerassagala hold mid-range and boutique hotels with wide views over the city and the Knuckles Range. They are 15 to 30 minutes from the centre by road. These areas give the best balance of access and calm for a two-night stay.
- →Best for: views, quiet nights and value.
- →Distance: 1 to 6 kilometres from the lake.
- →Watch for: steep lanes, and few restaurants nearby.
Peradeniya and the river side
Peradeniya, six kilometres south-west of Kandy, suits travellers who want the botanic gardens on their doorstep or an early train. Peradeniya Junction is a stop for most hill-country services, which avoids a drive through the city on departure morning.
The Mahaweli river side, north and east of Kandy around Katugastota, Lewella and Kundasale, has hotels and villas in garden settings beside the water. They are peaceful and often good value. Reaching the temple means crossing the river and the city, so allow 30 minutes or more.
Digana and the Victoria side
Digana and the shores of the Victoria reservoir, 30 to 45 minutes east of Kandy, offer the most space and seclusion. Villas and resorts here look over water and hills, and there is a golf course beside the lake.
Staying on the Victoria side makes sense for three nights or more, for honeymooners and for anyone heading to the Knuckles Range or onward to the east coast. For a short sightseeing stay it is too far: two trips into Kandy in a day would mean two to three hours in a vehicle.
Booking tips
Booking in Kandy is easy for most of the year and difficult in two periods. During the Esala Perahera in July or August, and from about 20 December to 10 January, good rooms go months ahead and prices rise steeply.
A few checks prevent disappointment in Kandy. Ask how long the drive to the temple takes in the evening, whether the property has a lift or many stairs, and whether meals are available on site. Lankan Stays & Trails matches the area to the itinerary: central for a single night, hills for two, and reservoir side for a restful finish.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Kandy?
For a short visit, the best area to stay in Kandy is the centre or the hill just south of the lake, within walking distance of the temple. For two or more nights, the surrounding hills offer views and quiet for a 15 to 30 minute drive.
Is it better to stay in Kandy city or outside?
Stay in the city for one night, or if you have no driver, since the temple and lake are on foot. Stay outside, in the hills, for two or more nights if you value quiet, views and a pool and do not mind a short drive.
How far are the hill hotels from the Temple of the Tooth?
Hill hotels around Kandy are typically 15 to 30 minutes from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic outside peak traffic, and up to 45 minutes in the evening rush. Properties near the Victoria reservoir are further, at 30 to 45 minutes or more.
Where should I stay in Kandy for the train to Ella?
For the train to Ella, stay in central Kandy near the main station, or in Peradeniya close to Peradeniya Junction, where most hill-country trains also stop. Either avoids a long drive through morning traffic before departure.
How much do hotels in Kandy cost?
In Kandy, guesthouse doubles cost roughly US$20 to US$45, mid-range hotels US$70 to US$150 and boutique or luxury properties from about US$200 a night. Prices rise sharply during the Esala Perahera and over Christmas and New Year.
Where should I stay in Kandy for the Perahera?
For the Perahera, stay in central Kandy within walking distance of the procession route, since roads close from mid-afternoon and vehicles cannot move afterwards. Book many months ahead. If you stay in the hills, arrange a pick-up point outside the cordon.