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Explore the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa remains one of Sri Lanka’s most revered historical kingdoms, second in antiquity to its peers. Once the capital city of King Vijayabahu I, who triumphed over invading forces and restored unity to the land in 1070, the ancient city of Polonnaruwa vouches for the ingenuity of its first rulers. With admirable planning, the archeological remains of this great kingdom are a depiction of its discipline and might, still captivating visitors to this day.

Polonnaruwa is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered, divided into four separate areas. Your journey begins at the palace and bath followed by a visit to the three grand temples housing sacred tooth relics. Next, you can gaze at the impressive stupas before your journey comes to an end at the far western end of the complex, where you will uncover one of the most stunning Buddha rock carvings in Sri Lanka. Whether you choose to wander on foot or pedal a bike or take a leisurely drive between each stop, exploring this ancient city steeped in history will be a captivating experience.

Highlights

  • Learn about the history of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom and its significance.
  • Captivating rural landscapesInsightful tales of lore and history

Includes

  • Water, your guide and entrance fees.

Kid-Friendly

  • More Suitable for children aged 6 and above

Difficulty & Accesibility

  • Easy
  • Polonaruwa is not completely wheelchair accessible but assistance can be arranged so that visiting parts of the site is possible.

Timings

  • Duration approximately 1 Hour + time taken to drive there and back.
  • Times to visit – Between 5.30 am & 8.00 pm to be discussed with your guide.

Things to Keep in Mind

  • Wear comfortable cool clothing. As with all religious sites in Sri Lanka everyone is expected to dress respectfully in modest light coloured clothing to cover up. For both women and men this means no bare shoulders and being covered to below the knees. No hats or footwear are allowed inside temples, so flip flops (which you would have to leave at the entrance), and a pair of white socks would come in handy, so you do not have to walk barefoot on the hot ground.
  • Sunscreen and a hat or umbrella will always come in handy.
Any of our experiences can be included in your travel itinerary when planning your trip with our travel specialists as we help you plan the best way to include Sri Lankas destinations and experiences into your trip.
To add this or any other experience to your itinerary please get in touch with our travel specialists.