7 days
Photo: Philip Nalangan, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsDambulla cave temple
The Cultural Triangle · UNESCO World Heritage
Monks have used these caves for more than two thousand years. Today five of them are shrines, their ceilings painted with Buddhas and scenes from his life and their floors lined with statues, including a 14 m reclining Buddha.
It is one of the easiest stops in the Cultural Triangle, on the main road between Sigiriya and Kandy.
Planning your visit
- Start at the right gate. Tickets are sold near the base of the path, not at the large golden Buddha by the road.
- Bring socks. The rock outside the caves gets very hot by midday and shoes stay at the entrance.
- Look up. Cave 2, the largest, has the most detailed ceiling paintings.
Where it is
Multi-day tours that visit Dambulla cave temple
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Dambulla cave temple: questions
How long do you need at Dambulla?
About an hour for the caves, plus 15 minutes each way on the path.
Can you visit Dambulla and Sigiriya on the same day?
Yes. They are about 30 minutes apart; do Sigiriya early and Dambulla in the afternoon.