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Explore Sri Lanka— Sri Lanka, thoughtfully planned.
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Culture & heritage

Ancient capitals, cave temples, colonial forts and living traditions — with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Culture loversCouplesFamilies
The rock-cut Buddha statues of Gal Vihara with visitors, Polonnaruwa

© Balou46 · CC BY-SA 3.0

From the ruined cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to the rock of Sigiriya, the cave temple of Dambulla and the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Sri Lanka's history is remarkably close at hand.

Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian traditions live side by side, and festivals, ceremonies and daily rituals are part of the experience.

Who it suits

For everyone curious about history and people. Many sites involve walking and steps in the heat.

Good to know

Temples are places of worship: dress modestly, remove shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue. Opening times and ticket rules change; we check them when planning.

Where to experience it

  • Sigiriya rock fortress rising above green forest, with mountains on the horizonCultural Triangle

    Sigiriya

    The lion rock above the forest

    A fifth-century royal citadel on top of a 200-metre rock, with water gardens below and wide views from the summit.

    2–3 nights

  • The white entrance buildings of the Dambulla cave temple under the overhanging rockCultural Triangle

    Dambulla

    Painted caves in the rock

    A cave temple complex filled with Buddha statues and painted ceilings, used as a place of worship for over two thousand years.

    Day visit – 1 night

  • The great brick Jetavanaramaya stupa in Anuradhapura under a blue skyCultural Triangle

    Anuradhapura

    The first great capital

    Vast brick stupas, sacred trees and ancient reservoirs spread across one of South Asia's oldest cities.

    1–2 nights

  • Seated Buddha carved into granite at Gal Vihara, PolonnaruwaCultural Triangle

    Polonnaruwa

    A medieval royal city

    Compact, well-preserved ruins of palaces, temples and the rock-carved Buddhas of Gal Vihara beside a large ancient reservoir.

    Day visit – 1 night

  • The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic beside Kandy Lake, surrounded by forested hillsHill Country

    Kandy

    The last royal capital

    A green lakeside city in the hills, home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the starting point for the scenic railway.

    1–2 nights

  • The pointed summit of Adam's Peak (Sri Pada) rising above the forestHill Country

    Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)

    A night climb to a sacred sunrise

    A pilgrimage mountain climbed by night on thousands of steps, to watch the sunrise and the peak's shadow from the summit.

    1 night

  • The Colombo skyline lit up at night, reflected in the waterColombo & West Coast

    Colombo

    The lively capital by the sea

    Sri Lanka's commercial capital, with colonial architecture, busy markets, a seafront promenade and an exciting food scene.

    Day visit – 1 night

  • A traveller sitting on the ramparts of Galle Fort, looking out over the oceanSouth Coast

    Galle Fort

    A walled town by the ocean

    A UNESCO-listed fortified town with ramparts, a lighthouse, cobbled lanes, boutiques and cafés.

    1–2 nights

  • Pigeon Island near Trincomalee, with white sand and clear waterEast Coast

    Trincomalee

    Clear water on the east coast

    A natural harbour town with the clifftop Koneswaram temple, white beaches at Nilaveli and snorkelling at Pigeon Island.

    2–4 nights

  • The ornate golden entrance of Nallur Kandaswamy temple in JaffnaThe North

    Jaffna

    Tamil culture in the far north

    The cultural capital of Sri Lanka's Tamil north, with grand Hindu temples, distinctive cuisine and quiet islands.

    2–3 nights

All experiences