Kandy Market Hall
Kandy Market Hall
4
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
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Top ways to experience Kandy Market Hall
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
313 within 3 miles
Attractions
81 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Nicholas BSitges, Spain48 contributionsPerfect place to buy souvenirsWe stumbled over the market hall and after traveling all of Sri Lanka we can now confidentially say that this is the place to buy your souvenirs. We bought up big but wished we had bought more! They are cheaper than anywhere else in Sri Lanka and they do bargain. Definitely stay a night or take a few hours to buy your souvenirs!!!Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 4, 2024
- OllossmBrundall, United Kingdom1,325 contributionsPricey in hereGreat to see the fruit, veg and meat side of the market. That was interesting with riots of colour and smells not too mention the traders shouting out their wares. The upper floors had clothing and spices and these seemed expensive in comparison to street traders and other shops. Spices were pre packed in sausage shaped bags.....this means you couldn't guage the freshness. Glad we popped in for a visit thoughVisited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 19, 2024
- TaniaEast London, South Africa40 contributionsMarket is a.collection of shopsThe market is worth a visit for unique souvenirs. The usual souvenirs and beautiful leather goods. It was a lot smaller than I expected. The fruit/snacks and spices are on the ground level, with 1 jewellery, a few clothes and tri kets shops on level 2. Beautiful pashminas and linen clothing. The prices are OK until you haggle down to about half. Then they are really reasonable. The building is situated on a very busy corner and was very smelly outside. There is a toilet where they ask 2 Rupees to use. Take coins as your 100 note disappears like lightning and he doesn't understand when you ask for change haha. Most shops take cards and the owners are lovely and accomodating. Overall worth a visit, but I read the reviews here and didn't buy any spices.Visited September 2024Traveled with familyWritten September 14, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
271 reviews
Excellent
82
Very good
117
Average
52
Poor
12
Terrible
8
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Simona S
Pescara, Italy2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Magnificent acquaintance with Mr. Marzook!
His shop exceeds all expectations, he pays attention to the smallest details, he knows how to best advise you and the prices are more than honest..
Marzook is not only an excellent seller, but also a friend, we asked him for various advice and he took us to heart and gave us the best advice. He even gave us some nutmegs because we took a liking to them!
We also took: curry leaves, vanilla and coconut oil for the body/hair, we can't wait to bring everything with us to Italy and use them to the fullest.
We will think of you dear Marzook! A kiss
His shop exceeds all expectations, he pays attention to the smallest details, he knows how to best advise you and the prices are more than honest..
Marzook is not only an excellent seller, but also a friend, we asked him for various advice and he took us to heart and gave us the best advice. He even gave us some nutmegs because we took a liking to them!
We also took: curry leaves, vanilla and coconut oil for the body/hair, we can't wait to bring everything with us to Italy and use them to the fullest.
We will think of you dear Marzook! A kiss
Written August 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tomislav G
Zagreb, Croatia145 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Kandy market is a must-see when visiting Kandy.
The market is offering the best Sri Lanka has to offer: beautiful fruits and vegetables, tea, spices, herbal oils, silk, everything you can imagine, and all at fair prices. The colours and sounds will blow your socks off, so get your camera ready.
We have visited the market in March 2023 and have done extensive shopping at the shop number 28, named Authentic Sri Lankan Ayurveda, owned by T.H.M. Rishard, where we got an excellent deal for a selection of souvenirs, tea, oils and cream (of course, negotiation is required). Please note that the prices were much, much better than in Prince Herbal and Spice Garden in Sigiriya, where we basically got ripped off.
Before shopping, make sure you spend some time just roaming around and taking in the atmosphere. The same like other open markets across the globe, this is the place where you can feel the real beat of local life.
The market is offering the best Sri Lanka has to offer: beautiful fruits and vegetables, tea, spices, herbal oils, silk, everything you can imagine, and all at fair prices. The colours and sounds will blow your socks off, so get your camera ready.
We have visited the market in March 2023 and have done extensive shopping at the shop number 28, named Authentic Sri Lankan Ayurveda, owned by T.H.M. Rishard, where we got an excellent deal for a selection of souvenirs, tea, oils and cream (of course, negotiation is required). Please note that the prices were much, much better than in Prince Herbal and Spice Garden in Sigiriya, where we basically got ripped off.
Before shopping, make sure you spend some time just roaming around and taking in the atmosphere. The same like other open markets across the globe, this is the place where you can feel the real beat of local life.
Written April 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
otis d
77 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
I got all the gifts I wanted to bring back and a lot more stuff on top of that. It felt like everything had a price tag on it, so it wasn’t necessary to haggle too
Much, although you clearly can if you’d like to. Quite a few shops sell similar items but overall there is a great diversity at the market. Fun to see the fishmongers and butchers in back and small retailers up front as well.
Someone else had mentioned stall 42 on here. I stopped by there, and felt like I was well taken care of. Those guys are super friendly and I can recommend them as well.
Much, although you clearly can if you’d like to. Quite a few shops sell similar items but overall there is a great diversity at the market. Fun to see the fishmongers and butchers in back and small retailers up front as well.
Someone else had mentioned stall 42 on here. I stopped by there, and felt like I was well taken care of. Those guys are super friendly and I can recommend them as well.
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tania
East London, South Africa40 contributions
Sep 2024 • Family
The market is worth a visit for unique souvenirs. The usual souvenirs and beautiful leather goods. It was a lot smaller than I expected. The fruit/snacks and spices are on the ground level, with 1 jewellery, a few clothes and tri kets shops on level 2. Beautiful pashminas and linen clothing. The prices are OK until you haggle down to about half. Then they are really reasonable. The building is situated on a very busy corner and was very smelly outside. There is a toilet where they ask 2 Rupees to use. Take coins as your 100 note disappears like lightning and he doesn't understand when you ask for change haha. Most shops take cards and the owners are lovely and accomodating. Overall worth a visit, but I read the reviews here and didn't buy any spices.
Written September 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily
O'Fallon, IL41 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
This is a fun place to see all the trinkets but you will get ripped off—the salesman are VERY good at haggling. If you REALLY want good tea and spices and the local rate, walk Colombo street between Kotugodella Veediya and Yatinuwara Veediya. That’s where you’ll find the good stuff.
Written March 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ollossm
Brundall, UK1,325 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Great to see the fruit, veg and meat side of the market. That was interesting with riots of colour and smells not too mention the traders shouting out their wares.
The upper floors had clothing and spices and these seemed expensive in comparison to street traders and other shops.
Spices were pre packed in sausage shaped bags.....this means you couldn't guage the freshness.
Glad we popped in for a visit though
The upper floors had clothing and spices and these seemed expensive in comparison to street traders and other shops.
Spices were pre packed in sausage shaped bags.....this means you couldn't guage the freshness.
Glad we popped in for a visit though
Written January 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RobinMichael
Aberdeen, UK12 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
Buy in a supermarket!
You can see the prices. Inspect the goods.
I am very annoyed that I allowed myself to be cheated at the Spice Stall.
Unfortunately, the worker started talking in 1000s (thousands) when up go that point I had been used to thinking in 100s (hundreds) of rupees.
I paid much more than I should have.
12500 rupees for goods worth 2400 rupees or less. When I later translated the cost into English pounds £30, I realised the extent to which I had been ripped off.
You can see the prices. Inspect the goods.
I am very annoyed that I allowed myself to be cheated at the Spice Stall.
Unfortunately, the worker started talking in 1000s (thousands) when up go that point I had been used to thinking in 100s (hundreds) of rupees.
I paid much more than I should have.
12500 rupees for goods worth 2400 rupees or less. When I later translated the cost into English pounds £30, I realised the extent to which I had been ripped off.
Written October 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrícia S
Coimbra, Portugal22 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Going to the market hall was one of the most genuine experience that we had. Moreover, there you can buy fruit, spices and souvenirs for the best price! It’s full of locals and tells you are on the right spot.
We had an amazing experience in shop 28 with Rishard who explained to us all the different types of spices and teas. He extremely welcoming.
Overall if you are looking for a genuine experience and to buy souvenirs or food for a good price this is the place to come!
We had an amazing experience in shop 28 with Rishard who explained to us all the different types of spices and teas. He extremely welcoming.
Overall if you are looking for a genuine experience and to buy souvenirs or food for a good price this is the place to come!
Written June 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janka K
Brno, Czech Republic8,722 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
I heard from locals that the place is very nice to look at, but that the prices are a scam and that it's better to just buy whatever in a supermarket. Because of that, I didn't buy anything at the market. But to experience its atmosphere and to see what everything can be bought at the market in Kandy, the place works wonderfully and you can freely roam around.
Written April 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alette
58 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
Lots of great shopping options for souvenirs of all kinds: tea, spices, fruit, handicrafts. Some grocery shopping as well. Things may be pricier than elsewhere but it was so convenient to find everything in one spot we didn't look anywhere else. I highly recommend shop #22, who had a great variety of teas and sold them to us at a good price.
We did all our souvenir shopping here, super convenient. At the back is a fish market so can be a bit smelly.
We did all our souvenir shopping here, super convenient. At the back is a fish market so can be a bit smelly.
Written November 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You can refer to Google before you go. It will be mentioned whether it is closed or open on that particular day.Kandy city central market is open today and closes at 9 pm.
Written April 12, 2019
Bonjour 3600 roupies pour 500 gr de thé vert certifié organic c’est cher ?
Written August 18, 2018
anizina
Mumbai, India
Hi Kasi,
Nice meeting you on Trip Advisor, hope to see your exotic country mid december. I look forward to soak into the culture,food, tranquility,serene and panaromic land scapes with all the LOVE AND WARMTH OF SRILANKA.
WHILE IN kandy for a few hours,I NEED YOU to recommend me, a genuine gem stone store where in I can get a good bargain and my next is a genuine spice vendor where by I can buy some Vanilla beans, Cinnamon, pepper,Cardamom.
I will sincerely appreciate your kind information.
Kind regards,
Nizel
anizina at y a h o oooooo com
Written November 19, 2017
I am looking for suppliers in the Kandy Municipal central market who have silk shawls on offer. We would like to buy some souvenirs.
Paul
Written September 1, 2017
I would like to find the adress of silk scarves sellers in the Market Hall of Kandy.
We hope to come by soon to buy these scarves for our friends at home.
Paul
Written July 29, 2017
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