Kandy doesn’t get nearly the same amount of hype as the south coast, which is why it feels like a breath of fresh air more often than not. Sri Lanka’s cultural capital sits in the hill country at an altitude that won’t have you in a sweat, ringed by tea plantations, temples, and is home to some of the holiest and most breathtaking Buddhist sites in all of Sri Lanka.
The hostels here are small and unassuming affairs, letting the city itself do the talking. You’ve got hilltop spots with views that belong on a postcard, community-driven places run by people who actually know the city, and at least one owner who will personally reroute your entire trip for the better.
So, where to book? I’ve compiled the best hostels in Kandy for you to sink your teeth into. You’re sure to find a spot to call your Kandy base in no time so you can get to experiencing the jungle and a modern city living side by side. It’s what Kandy is all about, after all.
Need the short version? Start with these Kandy hostels
The 5 Best Hostels in Kandy
Ready to get into it? Here are my top picks for backpacker digs in Kandy.
1. Bunkalow: Best Overall Hostel
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- Price: $$
- Best for: Backpackers who want a social scene without sacrificing peace and quiet
- Highlights: River-view social deck, tours offered, super cosy chill out spaces
- Dorms from: $12
- Private rooms from: N/A
- Location: Along the Mahaweli River
Spotlessly clean, gorgeous to look at, and criminally good value, Bunkalow is a corker of a spot in Kandy. The staff, led by the wonderful Janiya, have an almost suspicious talent for making you feel looked after without hovering. The vibe hits a sweet spot that most places completely fumble: chilled enough that you can decompress, social enough that you’ll actually meet people. The deck overlooking the river helps a lot with both. Grab a coffee, watch the water, lose track of time. You’ll do it every morning.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- On-site cold plunges
- The cutest resident dog
- Staff that actually give a damn
Breakfast is available at the hostel and worth every penny. Tours run to a solid spread of nearby spots, and the ice bath experience is genuinely refreshing rather than a gimmick. And then there’s Tashi, the hostel dog, who you will absolutely be thinking about on the way to the bus station. Definitely do the food tour and city tour. The food tour takes you to the most local places you never would’ve found on your own. The city tour is a bit of a chose your own adventure and he goes above and beyond to make sure you get the most out of it.
2. Nature Lovers’ Hostel: Best for Community Feel
- Price: $
- Best for: Curious, independent travelers who want substance over scene
- Highlights: Homemade kottu, working spice and fruit garden, 500-book library on Sri Lankan history
- Dorms from: $6
- Private rooms from: $15
- Location: Peradeniya, about 10 minutes from Kandy city center by bus or tuk-tuk
Most hostels give you a bed. Nature Lovers’ gives you Asanka. The owner, guide, and unofficial custodian of everything interesting within a 10km radius of Peradeniya, Asanka runs a place that operates more like a very well-read friend’s house than a hostel. The property is surrounded by a working garden packed with cinnamon, coffee, vanilla, mango, ginger, and about 500 books on Sri Lankan history if you feel like going deep.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- The owner is the headline act and the reason you’ll keeo extending
- Asanka’s off-the-beaten-track Kandy tour
- Surrounded by picturesque vistas!
It’s quiet out here, deliberately so. About 10 minutes from Kandy city by bus or tuk-tuk, which is far enough to escape the noise but close enough that you won’t feel stranded. The trade-off is access to Asanka’s off-the-beaten-track city tour, his homemade kottu, and the kind of conversations that make you miss your bus on purpose.
Come with an open mind. Leave knowing considerably more than you arrived with.
3. Kandy Backpacker’s Hostel: Best for Social Vibes
- Price: $
- Best for: Social backpackers who want a community vibe with solid amenities
- Highlights: CUTEST resident Rottweiler, outdoor pool, rooftop terrace
- Dorms from: $6
- Private rooms from: $12
- Location: Ampitiya Road, about 2km from Kandy city centre
Kandy Backpacker’s is everything a proper hostel should be. Social, cheap, and with everything you need to kick back and relax while hanging out around the hostel. It’s not just the lounges and the rooftop terrace where you will find yourself chilling in while staying at this backpackers hostel, but the pool is the place to be when the humidity gets too much.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free cooking class every night
- Free brekky
- Super social vibes
Looking for something to do doing the evening? Kandy Backpackers even off their very own Sri Lankan cooking classes where you can learn to cook some scrumptious vegetarian dishes! After dinner, the vibes get pretty raucous in here. The Lion beers pile up and it was the perfect breeding ground to mix and mingle. The dorms weren’t my favourite that I ever stayed in, but did the job for a night or two. Keep fuelled with a free brekky in the morning before hitting the town for some exploration.
4. Kandy Krush Hostel: Best for Epic Views
- Price: $$
- Best for: Social backpackers after wicked views and a genuine community atmosphere
- Highlights: Super kind staff, chill but social vibes, tours offered
- Dorms from: $14
- Private rooms from: $37
- Location: Bogambara, about 1.5km from Kandy city centre
The name is funny, sure. But Kandy Krush is more than a comical name on this list. Perched up in the hills above the city, the views from the common area are the kind that make you cancel your afternoon plans and just… sit there. Lush greenery in every direction, a sick ass pool, and rooms that feel closer to a budget hotel than a hostel. White sheets, proper beds, the works.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free brekky
- Perched up on a hill with insane views
- Free cooking classes
Jay and the team run a tight ship without making it feel like one. Train tickets sorted, questions answered, general competence maintained. The free cooking class is where you’ll meet most of your new travel mates, which is a more dignified way to make friends than hovering around the bar.
Breakfast is solid, and the kottu is worth waking up for. One thing to know before you book: the hill to get here is steep enough to humble a four-wheel drive. Factor that in if you’re arriving with heavy bags or a low-clearance tuk-tuk. Your calves will either thank you or file a formal complaint.
5. Deck on the Hills: Best for Chill Vibes
- Price: $
- Best for: Backpackers who want a peaceful hillside base
- Highlights: Friendly staff, on-site restaurant and bar, unreal views
- Dorms from: $8
- Private rooms from: $23
- Location: Anniewatta, about 1.9km from Kandy city center
Some hostels nail the view. Some nail the vibe. Deck on the Hills, perched up in Anniewatta above the city, manages to do both. The outdoor social area looks out over Kandy and the surrounding hills, and it hits differently at night when the valley lights up below you. You’ll find yourself out there longer than planned, which is a night well spent if you ask me
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Super chill vibes
- Barbecues, beer games and movie night
- 10/10 rooftop terrace
Rooms are clean, the food is good, and the staff are kind, helpful and easy to chat to. Solo travellers tend to do well here. The outdoor space does the social heavy lifting naturally, making it an easy social space to get involved in. It’s a bit of a climb from the main street, but given what’s waiting at the top, it’s definitely worth sweating for.
As much as Kandy is great, shit can go wrong anywhere…
Safety comes first. Helmets, lockers and good insurance are important, especially when staying in hostels!
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
What Kandy hostel should you choose?
Wherever you end up sleeping, you’re in good hands. The hostels here are run by people who care, which in a country as easy to love as Sri Lanka, goes a long way. Book early if you’re travelling during the Esala Perahera festival in July or August. The whole city fills up fast and the good beds go first.
One thing worth knowing before you book: a lot of the best hostels here are up in the hills above the city, which means stunning views and a steeper tuk-tuk fare than you’d expect. Factor that into your daily budget, or just accept it as the tax you pay for waking up to that view. The calf burn is worth the serenity!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Sri Lanka for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Sri Lanka covered.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Southeast Asia backpacking guide.
