7 days
Photo: Balou46, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPolonnaruwa ancient city
The Cultural Triangle · UNESCO World Heritage
Polonnaruwa was Sri Lanka's capital from the 11th to the 13th century. Its ruins are compact and well preserved, spread through parkland beside a huge ancient reservoir, the Parakrama Samudra.
The highlight is Gal Vihara: four Buddha figures carved from a single granite wall, including a 14 m reclining Buddha.
Planning your visit
- Buy tickets at the museum. The ticket office is at the archaeological museum, a good first stop before the ruins.
- Go by bike. The ruins stretch for several kilometres on flat, shady roads. Hire a bicycle in town and start early.
- Combine it with Minneriya. An afternoon elephant safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla is about 30 minutes away.
Where it is
Multi-day tours that visit Polonnaruwa ancient city
Every tour here includes Polonnaruwa ancient city in its itinerary. Best rated first.
7 days
8 daysNegombo
8-Day Sri Lanka Private Tour |Sigiriya, Kandy' Ella, Yala |Hotels
5.0(169)Free cancellation
from$788
8 days
6 days
12 days
15 daysCombine it with
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Polonnaruwa ancient city: questions
Polonnaruwa or Anuradhapura?
Polonnaruwa if you only have time for one: it is more compact and closer to Sigiriya. Anuradhapura is older, larger and still a living pilgrimage site.