Where to shop in Kandy – Came for history, stayed for shopping.

Sri Lanka is famous for its Batik industry which is rather small-scale and usually employs individual designer talent – thus making it unique. Jayamali Batik Studio, founded in 1979, is one of the most famous batik studios in Kandy and features very high quality, contemporary and uncommon designs. The owner is more than happy to teach customers the batik making process as well! The store is located on the 1st floor of the Kandy Central Market and is open from 9.00am to 6.00pm every day. If the store happens to be closed on the day of your arrival, feel free to contact the owner who will be glad to open the shop just for you. Note that many guides and tuk tuks often refuse to take customers to Jayamali, claiming that it is closed on the day, this is most often not the case, the shop is very easy to find and is usually always open!

Kandy City Centre is a grand shopping mall located across the street from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the Kandy Lake. The mall is designed with both traditional Sri Lankan and modern glass stylings and is easily distinguishable from other shops and precincts around the city. Kandy City Centre has a wide variety of shops from branded clothing to luxury items such as wrist watches, jewellery and gifts. The mall, however, is most famous for its fantastic, state-of-the-art food court, which offers everything from international fast food chains like Burger King to delicious Indian, Italian and Chinese fine dining cuisine. The centre is within close proximity of many a hotel, Kandy has to offer, including luxury boutiques like Kings Pavilion Kandy.

Selyn is the place to go to find gorgeous 100% cotton handlooms woven by the exceptionally talented Sri Lankan weavers. The only fair trade guaranteed handloom company in Sri Lanka, Selyn, has a wide selection of charming, brightly-coloured clothing, fabrics, accessories and toys. The store is located directly across from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and the city has numerous billboards that point to its location.

Waruna Antiques is one of the city's foremost antique stores and features everything from antique jewellery and textiles to coins, statues, wood carvings, masks, contemporary and antique paintings, and countless other beautiful objects. The owner of the store, Waruna, is a passionate and genuine man, who knows the history and story behind each object in the store and will help guide you with your purchases!

Gamage Stores is the place to go for all your souvenir shopping! The store is located mere five minutes from the Kandy train station and the shop is very well known so it's quite easy to get a tuk tuk there or ask for directions. Gamage Stores is a warehouse full of treasures from high-quality souvenir elephants carved from a variety of wood types, statues of the Lord Buddha, wall hangings, costume jewellery including bangles, bracelets and necklaces, as well as, bags, puzzles and fridge magnets.

Tiesh is both a not-to-be-missed jewellery store and an educational experience. The jewellery store provides a mini tour that educates guests on the gem mining industry of Sri Lanka. The tour includes a documentary screening followed by a stop at a mock gem mine well where guests can try their hand at the mining themselves! The jewellery store is located on the first floor and contains a massive collection of precious gemstone rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets and much more.