Matale Spice Town

Matale, 26 km north of Kandy, is the spice capital of the hill country. The market district around the bus stand sells cinnamon bark, pepper, cardamom, cloves, and dried chillies in quantities that perfume several streets around it. It is a genuine working market rather than a tourist attraction, though visitors are welcome and prices are good.

The Sri Muthumariamman Thevasthaanam Hindu temple in central Matale is one of the most ornate in the hill country, with a dramatic gopuram (gateway tower) covered in painted deities. Matale makes an easy half-day from Kandy by bus or tuk-tuk and can be combined with a visit to the Aluviharaya rock temple, 3 km further north.

things to do sight market
A story
Matale's market street has been a spice trading centre since at least the seventeenth century, when it supplied cinnamon, pepper, and cardamom to the Kandyan court. The Dutch and British both recognized Matale's position on the trade routes north and built forts here. The old Dutch fort at Matale is mostly ruined but the trading character of the town has persisted across three colonial administrations and independence.