Private & personalized tours - just for you!
Whether you're a foodie, history lover, urban explorer or a traveling family. Enjoy Kandy to the max with the best things to do in Kandy with a local expert. The best thing? It's private & personalized - just for you!
Tours in KandyWhether you're a foodie, history lover, urban explorer or a traveling family. Enjoy Kandy to the max with the best things to do in Kandy with a local expert. The best thing? It's private & personalized - just for you!
Tours in KandyNo strangers on your tour. It’s just you and your local host.
Let your local host tailor the tour completely to your wishes.
Our tours are designed with people, places & the planet in mind
Make your stay in Kandy complete with these things to do
What other guests say about our tours and locals
"Buddhima is a fun and enthusiastic guide who enjoys sharing her love for her country and the food it has to offer. The tour focused on 4 different food stops, and we tried multiple food items at each. Buddhima was able to cater the tour easily to my dietary requirements - I certainly didn’t leave hungry! She was happy to answer all the questions we had about her country, and was very easy to chat with. We felt like we’d made a friend in Sri Lanka! Also she has the most infectious wonderful laugh! She’s a fantastic guide, don’t hesitate to book. "
"What an absolute delight Buddhima is. she was so helpful and accommodating and could not do enough for us. We were Introduced to some of the best food in Kandy and ended up having such a fun night with nightcaps at a Local bar. She also gave us all the local secrets we needed to discover the city the next day. Wish she could come to Ella with us. "
"Buddhima was amazing. The tour was so much fun and we got to try so many foods we would not have thought to try and visit so many places that we would have just walked past. We learnt so much about Sri Lanka and Kandy and just had a great time overall. I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone visiting Kandy."
"We loved our food tour with Buddhima! Buddhima was a wonderful guide, lovely to chat to her and experience Kandy with all her insight and knowledge. We went to places we would never have tried by ourselves. Highlights were the ladies street food market, the fruit and veg market and the prison! We were just sad we couldn’t manage to eat everything, start hungry! Thank you Buddhima, we loved meeting you!"
"We loved this tour. Buddhima is a very informed guide and it's certainly true that she loves to laugh! We did this tour towards the end of our Sri Lankan holiday as we felt that we had experienced too much 'tourist' food and not enough of the true local specialities. Our appetites were more than satisfied with visits to a food court run by a local collective, the fruit & vegetable market and various local restaurants/food stalls. I totally recommend this tour for anyone who likes food, authenticity and good humour."
"Buddhima goes out of her way providing superior customer service. She arranged for a vegan food tour for my family and coordinated for a birthday cake for my daughter. She also gave her flowers on her birthday. She is very thoughtful and knowledgeable about Sri Lankan’s cuisine. My family had a great time! Highly recommend her :-)"
"Fantastic tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and shared a lot of information on Kandy and the food. Had very tasty snacks and unusual fruit. We walked a lot and learnt a lot, we also concluded with great local meal options The tour and food was amazing (Price expensive if you come from a poorer economy as you pay in euros)"
"Buddhima was great showing us round Kandy and introducing us to all sorts of food we would not have the guts to try ourselves! Had a wonderful afternoon and we're left completely full!"
"If you're planning to visit Kandy, please schedule a food tour with Buddhima. She's a great host, knows all about the (street)food and -most important- is a great person to meet! Try the best local streetfood, fruit (it's amazing) and Sri Lankan spices. Don't forget to buy some food if you want to do the Kandy - Ella train ride. Thank you Buddhima for the great afternoon and the nice talks."
Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore Kandy with locals
Our locals will give you the best experiences that Kandy has to offer
Other travelers went to these amazing experiences near Kandy
Discover experiences based on your interest
Kandy is home to a World Heritage Site and is centrally located. It is therefore well-connected to the major cities in Sri Lanka. You will have a long list of things to do in Kandy ranging from visits to religious sites, trekking through amazing landscapes and truly exploring the hidden gems of the city with a local guide. We have listed down some of the best things to do in Kandy below.
Popularly known as the “Sri Dalada Maaligawa” by the locals, this Temple is famous for having the Tooth of Lord Buddha. Visiting this temple is one of the most popular things to do in Kandy. You will see several locals and tourists gathering to visit the shrine, which holds the Sacred Tooth.
Located in the Royal Palace Complex, your local host will explain the history behind the attraction and navigate you through the complex.
Of course, traditional Kandyan dancing can only be best experienced in Kandy. Attend one of the daily shows (usually in the evenings) and be mesmerized at the unique traditional dance show, as it is anything but dull.
You might want to attend the show at the Kandyan Cultural Center as it is the most popular one but surely you can ask local guides for their own recommendations. They will let you know the one most preferred by the locals. After all, they know best! Local tip: Drinks at the show are usually pricier, so you might want to get your own food and drinks to take to the show.
Visiting this garden is one of the most popular things to do in Kandy amongst both the locals and visitors. They are very well maintained and feature a wide-variety of plants, flowers, monkeys and birds. Do make it a point to captures some beautiful shots of the famous orchids, which are very well known in this garden.
You could also go on a picnic day with your family and friends in the evening with some locally prepared snacks, which your private guide can arrange for.
Cooking is definitely an art and there’s no better place to learn local cooking than from the locals themselves. Hence, this is listed as one of the top things to do in Kandy. A truly unique experience, you’re guaranteed to learn a lot from this class and come out as a pro!
On this hands-on experience, you can even go to the market yourself to pick the best fresh ingredients. Your local host will guide you and will help you choose your very own vegetables; then head back to the house to cook your very own local dish. How’s that for a truly local experience! It’s going to be unforgettable indeed!
Visit two of the most treasured historical UNESCO-sites of Sri Lanka by getting a local guide to take you on a day trip from Kandy. Two birds in one stone! Marvel at the Sigiriya Rock, which is considered to be one of the Wonders of the World.
Your local guide will take you through to the top while explaining the historical importance of it along the way. Head on to Dambulla to visit the temple-style caves! These are so important in terms of historical value that they are UNESCO-protected too.
Nothing can beat the quality of an authentic local meal at a local’s home! So why not savor some of the best rice and curries that your local host has to offer. No better way to appreciate local cuisines from the locals themselves, right?
It’s also a great opportunity to understand local living and what it means to live in a city like Kandy. You are very likely to hear first-hand accounts of their experiences, which no mainstream travel guides would explain. It is going to be one of the most enriching things to do in Kandy.
The train ride from Kandy to Ella is popular amongst several visitors. It’s a long but a scenic ride through the hills of Central Sri Lanka. Make sure you catch the window seat to capture some of the best views the ride has to offer. Alternatively, you could sit on the platform to enjoy the fresh air just how the locals do.
Your local guide will provide you with some of the best tips on how to capture some amazing shots during your ride. Once you get to the small town of Ella, treat yourself to some breathtaking views by trekking up the Mini Adam’s Peak. Tip: The best time to start the climb is before dawn so you could get to the top in time to catch the sunrise. Let your local guide know so they can make arrangements for the climb.
This has got to be in your list as one of the things to do in Kandy, because it provides its visitors with spectacular views of the entire city. The viewpoint is best visited during evening hours just before sunset, so you could watch along as the city goes to sleep during the golden hour.
Let your guide know of your interest of making this climb so they can make preparations accordingly. The climb itself is a bit steep so it may require some physical strength to get to the top. But you’re effort will be immediately paid off with some amazing panoramic views!
Take a scenic drive along the way to visit the town of Mahiyangana where you will engage with the primitive tribes of Sri Lanka. Go back in time to witness first hand, the way the indigenous citizens lead their lives and you’ll be truly amazed! It’s a tribe that still lives off land by hunting and farming.
Your local guide will also take you through to a museum that showcases their style of living over the years. Also, during the trip, you’ll be visiting some picturesque sites such as the Sorabora Wewa, Diyawanna Oya and Ulhitiya Resevoir. So, have your phones and cameras ready to snap some amazing shots along the way!
Savor the smells of fresh herbs and spices such as cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg and many others at this beautifully set up garden. This visit will take you back in time, as visitors are welcome to witness the age-old industry of spice production.
Don’t miss out on one of the very interesting things to do in Kandy. It’s centrally located and very convenient for you to make a visit here too. Let your local guide run you through the various herbs and spices that you witness here so you could truly appreciate the entire process.
The best way is the local way! From wandering through sprawling tea fields to hexploring idden temples, your local host will show you the best things to do in Kandy on your private tour. With so many activities, you’ll be spoiled for choice with all the fun things to do in Kandy. Foodies will be delighted by the delicious street food. Discover beautiful temples and unique alleys as you taste your way through samosas, kasava chips and paper dosas. Nature lovers will be hitting the trails on foot or by bike, climbing Sigiriya Rock and exploring the Dambulla Caves. With your local host to show you where to go, you’ll be amazed by how many outdoor activities there are in Kandy. Simply let your local host know your personal hobbies and interests, and they will know just where to go to find the perfect things to see and do in Kandy! When you’re exploring a new city, it is so much more rewarding to travel with a local host who knows every corner of Kandy in depth. Whether you prefer to visit Nuwara Elliya to learn about the tea trade, take a private cooking class or stroll through the bustling markets, your local host will only show you the best things to see and do on your private tour! If you’re planning what to do in Kandy, a Withlocals private tour is the perfect way to discover the best activities. With your local host by your side to customize your tour, you’ll be exploring Kandy on your own terms. Let them know what suits you and they will sort it all out locally for you!
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