Sri Lanka
Destinations
From ancient cities and sacred temples to tea-covered mountains, national parks and tropical beaches, Sri Lanka offers a remarkable variety of experiences within one island. Explore the places our guests ask for most and where every great itinerary begins.
Things to Do in Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa preserves an important chapter of Sri Lankan history through its ancient urban remains and archaeological sites. Use this destination guide to discover its key attractions and plan the time needed for a heritage visit.
Polonnaruwa succeeded Anuradhapura as capital in the 11th century, and its ruins are more compact and easier to explore – ideally by bicycle. The Royal Palace, the sculpted Quadrangle and the great stupas lead to Gal Vihara, where four Buddhas carved from a single granite face rank among the finest in Asia.
The city sits beside the Parakrama Samudra, the vast 12th-century reservoir that still irrigates the region.
Why VisitPolonnaruwa
- Gal Vihara rock Buddhas
- The Quadrangle and Vatadage
- Cycle-friendly ruins
- Parakrama Samudra reservoir
Best time to visit
January to April and June to September.
Suggested length of stay
1 night
Getting there
About 1 hour from Sigiriya; 4.5 hours from Colombo.
ExploreNearby
Sigiriya
The 5th-century Lion Rock – a sheer 200-metre fortress rising from the plains, crowned by the ruins of a royal citadel and ringed by ancient gardens.
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Minneriya
Home of 'The Gathering' – hundreds of wild elephants converging on the shrinking reservoir each dry season, minutes from Sigiriya.
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Trincomalee
The east coast's natural harbour town – Koneswaram Temple on its clifftop, the white sands of Nilaveli and Uppuveli, and Pigeon Island's reef.
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