Off the beaten path around Kandy

This page is about less-frequented places of interest in the
Kandy District of Sri Lanka.

Find a list of links to dozens of off-the-beaten-path destinations
all over Sri Lanka here...

Kandy

Popular tourist attractions in the Kandyan hills of Sri Lanka

Whether you are visiting the Cultural Triangle area or the Central Highlands, Kandy will almost certainly be on your way when being on a round tour. The charming hill capital is worth to stay there several days. Elephant bath or tea factory or the Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya or village tours in Pilimattalawa are popular attractions in the surroundings of Kandy. Many heritage travellers like to see the Western temples of Gadaladeniya, Lankatilaka and Embekke from the Gampola period.

Lonesome places in the surroundings of Sri Lanka's hill capital

1*star & almost secret

This classical half-day trip excursion can easily be extended to become a full-day excursion by also visiting the nearby Kandy-period temples in Danthure and Dodamwela and relaxing in the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya on the way back.

1*star & rarely visited

Only very few tourists travel to destinations in and around the Mahaweli Valley situated to the east of Kandy, though there are several places of interest around Victoria and Randenigala Reservoir. Besides Dambulla and Ridigama, the cave temple of Degaldoruwa has the most impressive murals in the Kandyan style. It’s rarely visited, though it’s surprisingly close to Kandy.

3***stars & almost secret

Even tourists who have not time enough for hiking in the Knuckles Range or are not eager to walk long distances, could consider a half-day excursion to Medamahanuwara and Hunasgiriya and Deanston in the southern foothills of Knuckles Range. Hiking only very short distance will be rewarded with astonishing vistas. Surprisingly, not many foreigners come to know these places when preparing their tours. Great places such as Deanston are still off the beaten path. An excursion to Deanston can easily be expanded to include Corbett’s Gap and Meemure as well.

1*star & almost secret

On the way to the Cultural Triangle further north, many travellers take a break to see the rock temple of Aluvihara. It’s also worth to include it on a day trip to the seceic northeast of Kandy, the northern foothills of Knuckles Range. There are short hikes with phantastic vistas in Riverston or to the waterfalls of Bamarakiri. A stop in Rattota at the island’s only Rama temple and detour to the beloved Hunas Falls hotel are worth considering on the way back.

1*star &  almost secret

Hanguranketa, the hideout of the Kandyan kings during periods of foreign intervention, has a temple with an impressive collection of palm-leaf manuscripts and a large building full of Kandyan paintings. It could be a welcome break for those who are travelling an alternative and less touristy route to Nuwara Eliya.

photo courtesy of Günter Schönlein