Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa was Sri Lanka's capital after Anuradhapura, and the ruins here are more compact and better preserved — the Royal Palace and Council Chamber, a run of temples and stupas, and the Gal Vihara, four Buddha figures cut directly into a single granite face. Like Anuradhapura, it's best seen by bicycle: the site is flat, mostly shaded, and spread out enough that walking it all is a slog. A half-day is usually enough to see the main groups of ruins.

Best time: Cycle it in the cooler morning hours

Ask about Polonnaruwa

What we can do here

Cycle between the royal palace, temples and stupas
The Gal Vihara rock-cut Buddha statues
The Parakrama Samudra reservoir nearby
Often paired with a Minneriya or Kaudulla safari

Packages that include Polonnaruwa

7 days · Most booked

Classic Ceylon

The one most people come for: Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, the Temple of the Tooth, the hill-country train to Ella, a Yala safari, and Galle Fort at the end.