Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

Polonnaruwa is the easiest of the ancient cities to visit, because everything sits inside a compact archaeological park that is perfect for a bicycle. The Royal Palace, the Quadrangle with its cluster of shrines, the circular Vatadage and the vast Parakrama Samudra reservoir are all within a few kilometres.

The highlight is Gal Vihara: four colossal Buddha figures carved from a single granite face, including a fourteen-metre reclining one, widely considered the finest stone sculpture in Sri Lanka. Troops of macaques have the run of the place.

Getting there and when to go: Polonnaruwa is about 230 km from Colombo, around five hours by road, and an hour and a half from Sigiriya and Dambulla, so it is usually visited as part of a cultural triangle loop. The ruins are compact and flat, which makes a bicycle the ideal way to see them; start early, as the site is hot by late morning. The dry months from May to September are the easiest for exploring on foot or by bike.

Highlights of Polonnaruwa

Gal Vihara
Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu
Parakrama Samudraya
Vatadage
Ancient Temples & Ruins

Things to do

One of the most famous attractions in Polonnaruwa featuring beautiful rock-carved Buddha statues created from a single granite rock
Explore the ruins of the ancient royal palace and discover the impressive architecture of Sri Lanka’s ancient kingdom
A massive ancient reservoir built by King Parakramabahu, known for its scenic beauty and historical importance
A circular relic house with stunning stone carvings and ancient architecture, considered one of the finest structures in Polonnaruwa
Discover ancient monasteries, stupas, shrines, and archaeological ruins spread throughout the sacred city

Plan your visit

Build a trip around Polonnaruwa

Tell us roughly when you are coming and how long you have. We will put Polonnaruwa into a private itinerary with your own vehicle and chauffeur guide, and send back a firm price.