view · Central
Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya — Kandy
Cover photo: Cornelia Pettersson (Unsplash)
- District
- Kandy
- Province
- Central
- Best for
- Nature lovers and families; stroll palm avenues, orchid house and riverside lawns
About this place
At Peradeniya, about 5 km west of Kandy on the Mahaweli river; one of Asia's largest gardens. Open daily roughly 7:30 AM-5 PM; allow 2-3 hours and go early to avoid heat. Foreign adult ticket around LKR 3,500 (about 9 euros); tuk-tuk or bus from Kandy.
Visitor brief
Good to know before you go
- Open daily roughly 7:30 AM-5 PM; allow 2-3 hours and arrive early to avoid midday heat.
- Foreign adult ticket applies (order of ~USD 10-13; confirm at gate as rates change).
- Highlights: giant palm avenues, orchid house, cannonball tree lawn and riverside paths; maps at the entrance.
- Monkeys and giant squirrels are common; do not feed them and watch bags.
- Battery-cart tours suit visitors with limited mobility.
How to travel there
At Peradeniya ~5 km west of Kandy on the Colombo road; reach by tuk-tuk (~15 min), local bus from Kandy clock tower, or taxi. Colombo-Kandy trains stop at Peradeniya station nearby.
Where to stay
Stay in Kandy (all tiers) for a half-day visit, or Peradeniya guesthouses (budget-mid) next to the gates.
Nearby places
Kandy city and Temple of the Tooth, Hanthana mountain and Ceylon Tea Museum, Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, Kandy Lake
Scams to watch for
- Tuk-tuk drivers offering 'free' garden routing that ends at commission spice/gem shops; fix the destination and fare first.
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