Sri Lanka’s story spans ancient kingdoms, spice routes, and colonial forts framed by rainforest and reef. In one week, you can trace that arc from the sacred city of Kandy, last royal capital and guardian of the Buddha’s tooth relic, to Galle, whose ramparts once sheltered Dutch traders and now glow at sunset. Along the way: tea-scented hills, cave temples painted with a thousand Buddhas, and seas where blue whales cruise past palm-fringed shores.

Expect warm hospitality, cinnamon-tinged curries, and quick tuk-tuk hops between sights. Trains wind through paddy and jungle; cars on the expressway make coastal hops easier. Dress modestly for temples (shoulders/knees covered), carry small cash for offerings, and download PickMe (Sri Lanka’s ride-hailing app) for fair fares.

Weather shifts with the monsoons: the south and west coasts are best from November to April; the hills are cooler year-round. U.S., U.K., EU, and many other travelers can apply online for the ETA visa. Fly into Colombo (CMB); compare options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Kandy

Kandy sits in a bowl of forested hills around a serene lake, its streets punctuated by shrines, colonial verandas, and spice-perfumed bakeries. It’s the heartbeat of Buddhist tradition—home to the Temple of the Tooth—and a launchpad for tea estates and the famed Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya.

• Top sights: Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa), Kandy Lake promenade, Bahirawakanda Buddha statue, Udawatte Kele Sanctuary, Royal Botanical Gardens.
• Why base here: Easy day trip to Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla Caves; tea factory tours minutes away; cool evenings and Kandyan cuisine.
• Stays: Lakeside guesthouses and hilltop villas with views. Browse VRBO Kandy or compare hotels on Hotels.com Kandy.
• Getting there: From Colombo (CMB), the InterCity/express train to Kandy takes ~2.5–3.5 hours (2nd class ~US$2–5). Check regional rail options on Trip.com Trains. A private car via the expressway is ~3–3.5 hours (usually US$60–90).

Day 1 — Arrival, Train to the Hills, Lakeside Twilight

Afternoon: Land at Colombo (CMB) and connect to Kandy by train or pre-booked car. Snack for the ride: butter cake or fish buns from a station bakery; the views sharpen as you climb into the hills.

Evening: Check in and stretch your legs on the Kandy Lake walk. For dinner with a view, Slightly Chilled Lounge serves hot butter cuttlefish, Sri Lankan fried rice, and cold Lion beer on a breezy terrace. Prefer heritage vibes? The Empire Café (beside Queen’s Hotel) does fragrant rice-and-curry platters and treacle-drizzled curd in a tiled colonial arcade.

Day 2 — Temple of the Tooth, Gardens, Hilltop Sunset

Morning: Coffee and croissants at Buono (reliable espresso, light breakfasts), then visit the Temple of the Tooth. Dress modestly; you’ll file past the casket chamber during a drum-accompanied puja. Afterwards, circle Kandy Lake to watch cormorants dive under lotus leaves.

Afternoon: Head to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya (15–20 minutes by tuk-tuk). Don’t miss the cannonball tree, the orchid house, and the palm avenue famous from old Ceylon postcards. Lunch at the garden café (fresh juices) or return to town for lamprais and lumprais-style parcels at Devon Restaurant.

Evening: Ride a tuk-tuk up to the Bahirawakanda Buddha for sunset panoramas. Dinner at the 1860s Royal Bar & Hotel: order black pork curry, tempered dhal, and pol sambol; finish with arrack sours in the courtyard.

Day 3 — Day Trip: Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla Cave Temples

Leave at dawn (around 5:30–6:00 a.m.) for a full-day loop to the Cultural Triangle. It’s ~2.5–3 hours to Sigiriya; arrange a driver (~US$70–110 round-trip for the car) or a small-group tour. Climb Sigiriya’s 1,200 steps past mirror wall graffiti and frescoes to the lion’s paws and a wind-brushed summit palace. After lunch in Habarana (try Rithu Restaurant for rice-and-curry refills and wood-apple juice), continue 30 minutes to Dambulla Cave Temple, whose five grottos hold 150+ gilded Buddhas and celestial murals. Expect to return to Kandy by evening—treat yourself to gelato at Natural Coffee or a laid-back curry at Café Secret Alley.

Day 4 — Tea Tasting and Transfer to the Coast (Kandy → Galle)

Morning: If time allows before departure, tour a nearby tea factory such as Geragama or Hantana: watch leaf-to-cup processing and compare low-, mid-, and high-grown brews. Depart Kandy by 8:30–9:00 a.m.

Afternoon (Travel): Kandy → Galle by train via Colombo Fort takes ~6.5–8 hours total (2nd class ~US$3–6). Check options on Trip.com Trains. A private car is ~4.5–5.5 hours door-to-door (US$100–140). Whichever you choose, aim to reach Galle before sunset.

Evening: Drop bags, then stroll the Galle Fort ramparts from Lighthouse to Flag Rock as the sky goes sherbet-pink. Dine at A Minute by Tuk Tuk (Dutch Hospital complex): tuna steak with chili-lime butter, crab kottu, and sea breezes. Dessert at Isle of Gelato—try passionfruit sorbet.

Galle

Galle Fort is a living museum—the world’s best-preserved sea fort—where Portuguese bastions, Dutch gables, and mosques share narrow streets with cafés and art galleries. Step outside the walls, and you’re minutes from coves where turtles feed and surfers catch warm, forgiving breaks.

• Top sights: Galle Lighthouse, Flag Rock, Dutch Reformed Church, the National Museum of Galle, spice and gem boutiques, Unawatuna and Dalawella beaches nearby.
• Why base here: Walkable heritage quarter, day trips to Mirissa (whales) or Udawalawe (elephants), and a cluster of beach towns—Unawatuna, Thalpe, Ahangama—each with its own vibe.
• Stays: Boutique townhouses inside the fort or villas with pools near Unawatuna/Thalpe. Browse VRBO Galle or compare hotels on Hotels.com Galle.
• Local flavors: Crab curries, hoppers with lunu miris, cinnamon tea, kottu roti, fresh-caught tuna and seer, and curd with kithul treacle.

Day 5 — Fort Walks, Beach Time, and Coastal Dining

Morning: Breakfast at The Heritage Café (proper flat whites, shakshuka, and fruit bowls) then a guided stroll: peek into the Dutch Reformed Church’s tombstones, browse handloom shawls on Pedlar Street, and watch cliff-jumpers at Flag Rock (enjoy the spectacle, don’t attempt it).

Afternoon: Tuk-tuk 15 minutes to Dalawella/Wijaya Beach for swimming and turtle-spotting in the lagoon. Lunch at Wijaya Beach: thin-crust prawn pizza and lime sodas; or try SkinnyTom’s Deli in Unawatuna for salads and wraps. If you prefer waves, book a beginner surf lesson at Dewata Beach—soft sand bottom and forgiving swell.

Evening: Back in the Fort, sunset from the ramparts, then dinner in Fortaleza’s stone courtyard: grilled calamari, jackfruit curry, and tamarind margaritas. Nightcap at Church Street Social (Taru) for craft cocktails and cardamom panna cotta.

Day 6 — Wildlife Day (Choose One: Whale Watching or Udawalawe Safari)

Option A: Whale Watching in Mirissa (Nov–Apr best) — Early start (pickup ~5:30 a.m.) to Mirissa Harbour (45–60 minutes). Join a reputable operator focused on responsible distances and briefings. The 3–5 hour cruise may reveal blue whales, sperm whales, spinner dolphins, and flying fish. Brunch afterward at Dewmini Roti Shop (try the avocado roti and banana-honey roti), then laze at Mirissa Beach before returning to Galle mid-afternoon. Evening bites at Sugar Bistro (Dutch Hospital): grilled seer fish, coconut crème brûlée.

Option B: Udawalawe National Park Safari (Year-round) — Depart ~4:30 a.m. for a 3–3.5 hour drive. Morning game drive (3–4 hours) with herds of Asian elephants, buffalo, peafowl, bee-eaters, and occasional jackals. Typical jeep + guide is ~US$55–80 per person; park fees ~US$25–35 (foreign adult) plus vehicle. Early lunch near the park, return to Galle by late afternoon. Dinner back in the Fort at The Tuna & The Crab for Japanese-Sri Lankan fusion: crab nigiri, tuna tataki, and pepper crab.

Day 7 — Last Laps on the Ramparts, Airport Transfer

Morning: Sunrise walk past the lighthouse as the fort wakes up; pick up cinnamon sticks, handloom textiles, or teas from local boutiques. Quick breakfast at Poonie’s Kitchen (zesty salad bowls, passionfruit cordial) or black coffee at The Heritage Café.

Afternoon (Departure): Transfer to Colombo Airport via Southern Expressway (E01): ~2–2.5 hours by car from Galle (US$70–100). If you have time near the airport, lunch at MYNT (Vivanta Colombo, Airport Garden) for a reliable buffet and speedy service before check-in. Search homebound flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Where to Stay (Quick Picks)

• Kandy: Lakeside guesthouses for temple access; hilltop villas for views and breezes. Compare options on Hotels.com or find character stays on VRBO.
• Galle: Inside the fort for walkability and atmosphere; Unawatuna/Thalpe for beach villas and pools. Browse Hotels.com or VRBO.

Getting Around (At a Glance)

• Long hops: Trains are scenic and cheap; cars are faster between Kandy and the south coast. Check schedules on Trip.com Trains.
• Air travel: Fly into/out of Colombo; compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Local travel: Use PickMe or metered tuk-tuks; agree on fares before starting if no meter. Most city rides are US$1–3; intercity cars quote daily or point-to-point rates.

Good to know: Carry a light scarf for temple visits; ATMs are common in cities; filtered water is widely available; and Sri Lankan breakfasts (egg hoppers, seeni sambol) are worth waking up for.

In one compact week, you’ll touch Sri Lanka’s cultural soul and coastal rhythm—incense and drumbeats in Kandy, sea spray and cinnamon on Galle’s walls. With trains, tuk-tuks, and a couple of scenic drives, this itinerary blends heritage, nature, and flavor at an easy pace you’ll want to repeat.