Peradeniya Botanical Gardens

Located just outside Kandy, the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens were once the private grounds of Sri Lankan royalty before becoming one of the most celebrated gardens in the British Empire.

Today, they remain the largest botanical gardens in Sri Lanka, covering 60 hectares and bordered by the Mahaweli River on three sides.

The gardens are home to over 4,000 species of flora, including more than 300 types of orchid. Walk among avenues of royal palms, stand beneath the sprawling Javan fig tree, and breathe in the scents of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves in the spice garden. With wide lawns and peaceful paths, it’s a tranquil break from the city and a paradise for plant lovers.

For those with a special interest in botany, a local specialist guide can be arranged to interpret the many rare and exotic species found throughout the grounds. Alternatively, you can wander at your own pace, discovering the landscape that once served as a location for The Bridge on the River Kwai.

Best visited in the drier months around April–June, August–September or December, the gardens thrive on the region’s rain—but offer plenty of beauty year-round.

What You’ll Do

• Stroll through Sri Lanka’s largest and most historic botanical gardens

• See rare orchids, giant bamboo, cannonball trees and the Javan fig tree

• Visit a fragrant spice garden featuring nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves

• Explore independently or with a specialist botanical guide

• Learn about the gardens’ royal and colonial history dating back to the 14th century