Kandy family guide

Top things to do in Kandy with kids

1. Temple of the Tooth Ages 5+

   Sri Dalada Maligawa holds a tooth of the Buddha in a golden casket, and drummers play during the daily ceremonies while pilgrims bring lotus flowers. Foreign adults pay about LKR 2,000; everyone removes shoes and covers shoulders and knees.

2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya Ages 3+

   Huge lawns, an avenue of royal palms, a giant Javan fig tree and trees full of hanging fruit bats make this an easy half day just outside town. Foreign adults pay roughly LKR 3,000-3,500, children about half.

3. Kandyan dance show Ages 4+

   A one-hour evening show of drummers, masked dancers and acrobatic performers ends with fire walking over hot coals. Tickets cost roughly LKR 1,500-3,000, and seats near the front give children the best view.

4. Kandy Lake and the Bahirawakanda Buddha Ages 4+

   Walk part of the flat path around the lake to spot monitor lizards and pelicans, then take a tuk-tuk up to the big white Buddha statue on the hill for the view. The lake walk is free and the statue has a small entry fee.

5. Scenic hill-country train Ages 5+

   The line from Kandy climbs through tea estates, tunnels and waterfalls; families often ride a shorter stretch to Hatton or Nanu Oya rather than the full day to Ella. Reserved observation or second-class seats are cheap but sell out, so book ahead.

Rainy-day and cold-day options

• Ceylon Tea Museum

  An old tea factory in the Hantana hills with machinery, tea tasting and a rooftop view.

• International Buddhist Museum

  Next to the Temple of the Tooth, with Buddha statues and models from many countries, included in the temple ticket.

• Kandy National Museum

  A small museum in the former palace complex with royal objects, weapons and old jewellery.

A simple first day

Morning

Walk around Kandy Lake and spot water monitors and pelicans.

Afternoon

Spend a few hours in the shade of Peradeniya's giant trees.

Evening

Watch the Kandyan dance show, then hear the drums at the Temple of the Tooth.

Getting around

Trains from Colombo Fort take about 2.5-3 hours, and many families hire a car with driver for the hill country. In town, walk the lake and centre and use PickMe or Uber tuk-tuks for Peradeniya and the viewpoints.

Food kids like

Children usually like egg hoppers, string hoppers with mild dhal, kottu roti and a king coconut to drink. Ask for curries 'not spicy'; buffalo curd with kithul treacle is a favourite dessert, and dinner is often served from 19:00.

What Kandy costs for a family

About LKR 30,000-50,000 (about €85-145) a day for a family of four, excluding lodging.

Ask for child prices at every site, as many charge half or nothing for younger children, and use ride-hailing tuk-tuks instead of street hails. Prices are typical ranges checked for 2025–2026; confirm current prices before you book.

Safety notes

• Kandy's roads are busy and pavements narrow, so hold hands near the clock tower and book tuk-tuks through PickMe or Uber for fair, metered fares.
• Monkeys around Udawattakele, Bahirawakanda and Peradeniya grab food, and leeches appear on forest paths after rain, so keep snacks away and wear closed shoes.
• Drink bottled or filtered water, choose freshly cooked food, and expect large crowds and road closures during the Esala Perahera festival in July or August.