The city of Kandy is bound to be on the itinerary of your trip to Sri Lanka with your partner, as it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. We’ve put together some ideas for things you could both enjoy together while in Kandy.
Kandy is one of the most culturally significant cities in Sri Lanka. Therefore, you are certainly going to want to visit the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha), as well as the trio of temples – Gadaladeniya Viharaya, Embekke Devalaya and Lankathilaka Viharaya. Other culturally significant places to visit are the Kandy National Museum, St. Paul’s Church and the Kandy Art Association, where you can catch a daily cultural show of traditional music and dance.
A lovely evening stroll around the picturesque Kandy Lake can be a rather romantic experience. You should stick to the area close to the Sri Dalada Maligawa for peace and tranquillity.
The beautiful gardens are immaculately maintained and have many scenic pathways that you could traverse. You will most likely run into many young local couples strolling along hand-in-hand here. Find a lovely old tree to sit under and maybe enjoy a picnic lunch together.
If you are an adventurous couple, Kandy has some interesting things for you to do. The Hanthana Mountain Range, located 8km away from the city of Kandy, is popular amongst local hikers. Not only does it give you spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes, but it is also home to a number of birds and animals, some of them endemic. Keep in mind that hiking here is only possible from 9am to 3pm.
The 257-acre Udawattakele Forest Reserve is located within the Kandy city, and is famous for bird watching. You can trek through the forest and experience the thick vegetation which includes creepers, shrubs, lianas, vines, orchids and herbs.
Sri Lanka has long been celebrated for producing high quality spices such as cinnamon, cloves and pepper. Take a tour around the New Ranweli Spice Garden, located close to the Peradeniya Gardens, and learn about the various spices that are cultivated in the country and exported all over the world. Make sure you check the sign board before venturing into the premises, as there are other spice gardens that don’t provide as great an experience as New Ranweli.
Walking through the doors of Helga’s Folly, a unique lodge and restaurant, is like walking through Alice’s looking glass. You enter a world that is unlike anything you have seen before. Whimsical, eccentric, artistic are some of the words that can be used to describe the place, but you should definitely check it out for yourself.
