Matale Spice Gardens
Spice and herb gardens along the A9 road between Kandy and Dambulla, where guided tours introduce Ceylon's cinnamon, cardamom, and pepper. A near-mandatory stop on group tours.
Along the A9 road near Matale, more than a dozen spice and herb gardens line both sides of the road. About 25 km from Kandy, they are almost a must-stop on the Kandy, Dambulla, and Sigiriya circuit. The gardens offer free guided tours past cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, pepper, vanilla, nutmeg, and cacao plants, with live demonstrations of cinnamon bark peeling. A free herbal massage is often included. Afterward, you will be steered into a shop selling Ayurvedic oils and spices at noticeably high prices, but it is fine to skip buying. It is easy to combine with a visit to Aluvihare Rock Temple. Take a tuk-tuk or hire a car, and allow about 30 to 45 minutes for the visit.
Opening hours
About 08:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Aluvihare Rock Temple
- Knuckles Mountain Range
- Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Vihara
- Udawatta Kele Sanctuary
- Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue
- Kandy National Museum & Royal Palace
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- British Garrison Cemetery