Kandy LakeAbout Kandy Lake
Kandy Lake is an artificial urban lake in the centre of Kandy, Sri Lanka, created in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. It occupies a central position next to the city’s religious and administrative heart.
A continuous lakeside promenade and short parkland provide a peaceful circuit in the middle of the city, with views toward the Temple of the Tooth on the lake’s northern shore. The water attracts local birdlife and offers a simple, accessible urban green space used for walking and photography.
Constructed in the early 19th century by the Kandyan monarchy, the lake was formed by damming a stream and creating a landscaped water body beside the royal palace complex. It has remained a defining feature of Kandy’s urban layout since that time.
The lake sits in central Kandy in Sri Lanka’s Central Province, immediately south of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and within walking distance of the city’s main streets and government buildings.
- Lakeside walk: A paved path runs around most of the lake and provides one of the easiest short city walks in Kandy, linking major city sites on the lake’s shore.
- Historic setting: The lake was created in the early 19th century by the last Kandyan king and sits adjacent to the Temple of the Tooth complex, making it central to Kandy’s historic core.
Nearby Attractions to Kandy Lake
Best Time to Visit Kandy Lake
Best during the drier months (January-April) for easier sightseeing and lake walks; expect wetter, more humid conditions during the monsoon periods.
Weather & Climate near Kandy Lake
Kandy Lake's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 18°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2339 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 18° - 28° | 23° | 175 mm | overcast | 87% | 2.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.6h |
| February | Very Good | 18° - 30° | 24° | 116 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 1.7 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.8h |
| March | Very Good | 19° - 31° | 25° | 125 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 1.4 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Very Good | 21° - 31° | 26° | 156 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 1.6 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.2h |
| May | Good | 22° - 30° | 26° | 202 mm | overcast | 83% | 1.8 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.3h |
| June | Good | 22° - 28° | 25° | 161 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.5 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.4h |
| July | Good | 21° - 28° | 25° | 157 mm | overcast | 82% | 1.9 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.4h |
| August | Good | 21° - 28° | 25° | 147 mm | overcast | 81% | 2.0 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.2h |
| September | Good | 21° - 28° | 25° | 157 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.8 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Good | 20° - 28° | 24° | 322 mm | overcast | 83% | 1.3 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.8h |
| November | Good | 20° - 28° | 24° | 344 mm | overcast | 89% | 1.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.7h |
| December | Good | 19° - 28° | 23° | 277 mm | overcast | 90% | 1.9 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.6h |
How to Get to Kandy Lake
Kandy Lake sits in the heart of Kandy city. From Kandy Railway Station and the central bus terminal it’s an easy 5-10 minute walk to the lakefront along the city streets surrounding Temple of the Tooth and the lake promenade.
If driving from Colombo, follow the A1 (Colombo-Kandy road) inland - the distance is about 115 km and the trip typically takes around 3-4 hours by car depending on traffic.
Tips for Visiting Kandy Lake
- Visit Kandy Lake early in the morning to enjoy calm reflections and significantly fewer people than later in the day.
- Approach the lake from the Temple of the Tooth complex if you plan to combine visits-expect the area to be busiest around daily puja times and during the Esala Perahera festival.
- Walk the full lakeside circuit rather than just the section in front of the temple to find quieter viewpoints and local birdlife that many visitors overlook.