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Colombo: Independence Memorial Hall
Photo: Daibo Taku · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Destination template · 11 days

Colombo & Kandy in 11 days

5 sightseeing days in Colombo, a dedicated relocation day, then 5 days in Kandy. Includes The National Museum of Colombo and Temple of the Tooth, with guide-listed dining suggestions.

Adapted from community travel guides · Researched Sources & notes

The stops are drawn from the guides below; daily order, times and durations are our suggested adaptation. Available map pins are approximate, not provider-verified; missing coordinates remain unset. Prices are left unknown; check tickets, opening hours and transport before booking.

Route data adapted from Wikivoyage contributors, with our own selection and suggested timing; shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source pages link to contributor histories. This is an editorial multi-day schedule; the source community has not rated this itinerary.

  • Stay in Colombo for the first 5 sightseeing days; move to Kandy on day 6, then stay for 5 sightseeing days. Book accommodation in both bases rather than returning each night.
  • The 91 km figure is approximate straight-line separation, not transit distance. The relocation day reserves room for travel and check-in without promising a direct service or a same-day connection. Verify the journey before booking this two-base plan.
  • City visits and restaurants are adapted from the linked retained community-guide material, not newly verified opening hours, live menus or first-hand visits. Suggested times are editable planning blocks. Check closures, reservations, accessibility and dietary needs.
  • Cover photo shows the first city. Original source and photo credits remain attached. Adapted community route selections retain CC BY-SA 4.0 attribution; source research dates remain in the individual stop and dining notes.
6 local dining picks added to this itineraryDining sources

These picks have positive travel-guide coverage or a named professional recommendation; they are not live customer ratings. Suggested times are not reservations. Confirm service days, dietary needs and prices. Other days remain open for your own food discoveries.

  • Day 1 · New Yarl Eat House — Traditional. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 2 · The Ministry of Crab — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 3 · Arunthathee Vihaar Vegetarian Family Restaurant — Vegetarian. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 7 · Avanhala — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 8 · Flower Song Chinese Restaurant — Noodles. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 9 · Slightly Chilled Lounge Bar — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Wikivoyage contributors ↗

Sources checked 2026-10-30. Community-guide dining data is adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; source pages link to contributor histories.

Colombo & Kandy itinerary: 11 days at a glance

Review the original daily plan before editing below. Times and durations are suggested planning blocks; dining stops are not reservations. Your personal edits appear in the editor and downloads.

Day 1: Colombo: The National Museum of Colombo & Sri Bala Selva Vinayagar

  • · The National Museum of Colombo · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Sri Bala Selva Vinayagar · 30 min
  • · Sri Bala Selva Vinayagar · 75 min
  • · Dinner: New Yarl Eat House (Traditional) · 75 min

Day 2: Colombo: Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka & Kalani Raja Maha Viharaya.

  • · Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka · 90 min
  • · Transfer to Kalani Raja Maha Viharaya. · 45 min
  • · Kalani Raja Maha Viharaya. · 75 min
  • · Dinner: The Ministry of Crab (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 3: Colombo: St Lucia's Cathedral & The Dutch Period Museum

  • · St Lucia's Cathedral · 90 min
  • · Transfer to The Dutch Period Museum · 30 min
  • · The Dutch Period Museum · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Arunthathee Vihaar Vegetarian Family Restaurant (Vegetarian) · 75 min

Day 4: Colombo: Gangaramaya Temple & The Natural History Museum

  • · Gangaramaya Temple · 90 min
  • · Transfer to The Natural History Museum · 30 min
  • · The Natural History Museum · 120 min

Day 5: Colombo: Victoria Masonic Temple & Central Bank Currency Museum

  • · Victoria Masonic Temple · 90 min
  • · Transfer to Central Bank Currency Museum · 30 min
  • · Central Bank Currency Museum · 120 min

Day 6: Colombo → Kandy: travel and check-in

  • · Relocate: Colombo → Kandy · 600 min

Day 7: Kandy: Temple of the Tooth & National Museum of Kandy

  • · Temple of the Tooth · 90 min
  • · Transfer to National Museum of Kandy · 30 min
  • · National Museum of Kandy · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Avanhala (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 8: Kandy: Royal Palace of Kandy & World Buddhist Museum

  • · Royal Palace of Kandy · 120 min
  • · Transfer to World Buddhist Museum · 30 min
  • · World Buddhist Museum · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Flower Song Chinese Restaurant (Noodles) · 75 min

Day 9: Kandy: Raja Museum & Royal Palace Park

  • · Raja Museum · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Royal Palace Park · 30 min
  • · Royal Palace Park · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Slightly Chilled Lounge Bar (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 10: Kandy: Bahirawakanda temple & Sangaraja Temple

  • · Bahirawakanda temple · 90 min
  • · Transfer to Sangaraja Temple · 30 min
  • · Sangaraja Temple · 90 min

Day 11: Kandy: Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya & University of Peradeniya

  • · Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya · 120 min
  • · Transfer to University of Peradeniya · 30 min
  • · University of Peradeniya · 75 min

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Day 1
  • 09:30120m
    Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo 7

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Colombo (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Colombo

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (3.86 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    Colombo

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Colombo (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    Station Road, Wellawatte

    Traditional. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Service hours need confirmation. About 5 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Colombo (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5400342; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 2
  • 09:3090m
    Lankamatha Road, Ragama suburb of Colombo

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Colombo (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0045m
    Colombo

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (9.55 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    Colombo

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Colombo (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    Old Dutch Hospital, Colombo Fort

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Service hours need confirmation. About 8.6 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Colombo (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5400342; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 3
  • 09:3090m
    St Benedict's Street and St Lucia Street, Kotahena

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Colombo (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Colombo

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (1.93 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    95 Prince Street, Colombo 01

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Colombo (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    341 Main Street

    Vegetarian. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Every day 7:00-22:00. Recheck with the restaurant. About 0.4 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Colombo (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5400342; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 4
  • 09:3090m
    61, Sri Jinarathana Road, Colombo 2

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Colombo (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Colombo

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.79 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo 7

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Colombo (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 5
  • 09:3090m
    Galle Face, Colombo 03

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Colombo (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Colombo

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (1.4 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    58, Sri Jayawardhanapura Mawatha, Rajagiriya

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Colombo (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 6
  • 08:00600m
    Colombo → Kandy

    Dedicated relocation day from Colombo to Kandy; no transport is booked. The city centres are approximately 91 km apart in a straight line, not a measured road or rail route. Choose and book a suitable flight, train, bus or ferry; confirm operating days, total door-to-door time, luggage rules and arrival before making reservations. This full-day block is reserved time, not a timetable. Move the following day if your journey needs longer.

Day 7
  • 09:3090m
    Kandy

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kandy (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Kandy

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.11 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    Kandy

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kandy (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    Kandy, Sri Lanka

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Service hours need confirmation. Route distance is unknown; check travel time and the entrance. Map pin unavailable; use the address to locate the restaurant. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kandy (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5406237; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 8
  • 09:30120m
    Kandy

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kandy (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Kandy

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.04 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    Sri Dalada Maligawa

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kandy (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    Kandy, Sri Lanka

    Noodles. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Service hours need confirmation. Route distance is unknown; check travel time and the entrance. Map pin unavailable; use the address to locate the restaurant. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kandy (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5406237; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 9
  • 09:30120m
    Temple Square

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kandy (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Kandy

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.66 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    Kandy

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kandy (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    29a Anagarika

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Noon to midnight. Recheck with the restaurant. Route distance is unknown; check travel time and the entrance. Map pin unavailable; use the address to locate the restaurant. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kandy (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5406237; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 10
  • 09:3090m
    Bahirawakanda Lane, Mulgampola

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kandy (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Kandy

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (1.04 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0090m
    Kandy

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kandy (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 11
  • 09:30120m
    Peradeniya Rd

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kandy (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Kandy

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (2.07 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    Kandy

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kandy (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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