If you are heading to Sri Lanka on a family holiday and looking for a place which provides plenty of engaging things to do, then Kandy is for you. Set amidst the hill country, it provides both outdoor discoveries and a taste of local culture, which will even have your toes tapping… read on to find out!
Wander Around the Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens in the suburb of Peradeniya will be a definite hit with your loved ones, and it’s within easy reach of properties like Hotel Topaz. With sprawling lawns, shady trees, and colourful flowers, it’s perfect for both exploration and relaxation. Kids will love running around the Great Lawn and walking under the massive Java Fig Tree. You can also snap that family selfie along the avenue of palm trees, and don’t forget to pack a picnic too!
Enjoy a Boat Ride on Kandy Lake
This lake is the “heart” of the city and is a scenic spot that’s great to visit on your family outing in Kandy. Things to do here include taking a stroll beside its banks, though hopping onto a boat takes the fun up a notch. You can go on a guided ride on the water, though for something more immersive, rent some paddleboats; out on the lake, you may also spot various birds, water monitors and maybe even monkeys in the trees along the shore.
Go On a Hike at Udawatta Kele Sanctuary
Tucked away behind the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Udawatta Kele Sanctuary is a serene forest, perfect for families who love the outdoors. This former royal reserve has trails which are easy enough for kids to join on a hike, and the reward is spotting colourful birds, monkeys, and maybe even a deer or two. It’s a great way to show little ones that adventure doesn’t always need a digital device!
Watch a Lively Cultural Dance Show
End your day with a burst of colour and rhythm at the cultural dance show held at the Kandy Lake Club. Expect lively drumbeats, twirling dancers, intriguing traditional masks and “fire-eating” that will keep even the youngest ones captivated. Of course, just when you think it can’t get more exciting… get ready for a dramatic fire walk! Suffice it to say, it’s a grand finale that will have the whole family clapping in awe.