city · Central
Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake) — Kandy
Cover photo: Chathura Anuradha Subasinghe (Unsplash)
- District
- Kandy
- Province
- Central
- Best for
- Walkers and photographers; easy lakeside loop in the city centre
About this place
Man-made lake built in 1807 right beside the Temple of the Tooth. Best at sunrise or late afternoon; full circuit takes about an hour on foot. Free to walk; watch traffic on narrow sections and skip feeding the monkeys.
Visitor brief
Good to know before you go
- Best at sunrise or late afternoon; the full lakeside circuit takes about an hour on foot.
- Free to walk; sections are narrow with traffic, so keep to the footpath side.
- Do not feed the monkeys; they snatch food and bags.
- Combine with the evening Tooth Temple puja and a cultural dance show the same day.
How to travel there
In central Kandy beside the Temple of the Tooth; walkable from anywhere downtown. Kandy is reached by train (scenic from Colombo, ~2.5-3 hrs), intercity bus, or taxi.
Where to stay
Stay around Kandy lakeside and Bogambara guesthouses (budget-mid) or hillside hotels (mid-luxury), all walkable.
Nearby places
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, Kandy View Point (Arthur's Seat), Royal Palace complex / National Museum Kandy
Scams to watch for
- 'Temple is closed today' strangers near the lake detour tourists to gem shops; walk away and check the temple gate directly.
- Tuk-tuk city tours that end at commission gem/spice shops; agree stops and fare first or use PickMe.
Comments & tips