7 Places You Have to Visit in the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka

The Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka is home to some of the most incredible heritage sites in the country. Here are a few that you can’t miss, helpful tips for visiting Sri Lanka and where to go after the Cultural Triangle.

Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle is an area spanning across several cities in the centre of the teardrop-shaped island and includes 6 out of 8 of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the ancient capital of Anuradhapura, the ruins of Polonnaruwa, the rock citadel of Sigiriya and the sacred city of Kandy.

This region shouldn’t be skipped, especially if it’s your first time to Sri Lanka. The culture and heritage has been preserved fairly impeccably, and it is an amazing exhibit of the rich history of Sri Lanka.

You can reach the Cultural Triangle from Colombo by traveling inland for 3 hours or so by car, or there are trains and buses from Colombo to Anuradhapura if you’re on a budget. Read on for how to spend an amazing few days in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle!

Looking for even more Sri Lanka insider tips and guides? Click here for everything you need to plan your dream trip to Sri Lanka!

Helpful things to know before you go to Sri Lanka

✈️ To get into Sri Lanka by air you will fly into Bandaranaike International Airport (airport code: CMB).

🛂 Most visitors will need to apply for a Sri Lanka e-visa (except for nationals of Singapore, Maldives and Seychelles) but this is easily done online. It usually takes 24-48 hours for the visa approval to come through via e-mail. You can also submit your arrival form ahead of time here to save you the hassle of filling out a paper form at the airport.

💱 The currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (different from the Indian Rupee), and the official exchange rate varies from approximately 300-330 LKR: 1 USD/Euro or 200 LKR: 1 AUD. There are plenty of places to exchange money in Sri Lanka, and there are also ATMs in cities like Colombo and Galle where you can withdraw money.

📱 Local SIM cards and data packages can be picked up at the airport so you can stay connected or use Google Maps. You can buy a 30-day Sri Lanka SIM card from Mobitel here (the booth is located in the arrivals hall after you pick up your luggage) and top it up during your stay at any Food City supermarket or local Mobitel shop.

🚗  There is a lot of ground to cover in Sri Lanka! For such a small country there is tons to do. The best and quickest way to travel around Sri Lanka is by car. Most hotels can help you to book a private car and driver to your next destination, a one-way 3-4 hour car ride can cost anywhere from US$100 to $140, but may be worthwhile if you have a large group of people. Hiring a car and self-driving in Sri Lanka is uncommon due to the road conditions and additional accreditation is required (an international driving permit is not sufficient). You can also travel around Sri Lanka by train or bus if you are on a budget.

👚 Sri Lanka is unlike some other Asian countries in the sense that it is still relatively modest. I recommend that you observe the cultural norms and dress on the more conservative side. You will also need to cover your knees and shoulders if you visit any temples and religious shrines (which many locations in the Cultural Triangle are).

Visiting Sri Lanka? Click here for the full list of 12 things you should know before your trip to Sri Lanka as well as 15 things you should NOT do if you’re visiting the island!

Best time to visit the Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle

The Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka tends to be extremely dry and hot – temperatures can reach upwards of 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit). Though it may experience some rainfall towards the end of the year, the conditions are fairly stable and manageable. This means that you can visit the Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle any time during the year as long as you come prepared – bring lots of sun screen and a hat!

This region is home to the incredible Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks, where the biggest annual gathering of Asian elephants takes place during the dry season from June/July to September. If witnessing “The Gathering” of hundreds of elephants is on your bucket list, time your visit to Sri Lanka during these summer months.

Though Sri Lanka is becoming an increasingly popular destination, the crowds are nothing compared to tourist-heavy places in Japan, Italy or India. You can easily avoid the hordes of people if you visit these sites in the early morning or late afternoon.

How long to spend in the Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka

One of the biggest travel mistakes you can make in Sri Lanka is to underestimate the amount of time that it takes to travel between places. Sri Lanka is only about 430 KM tall and 220 KM wide, but it can take you hours and hours to travel from place to place as the roads can be extremely busy.

Expect to wait for cows to cross the road, the occasional monkey appearing out of nowhere, crazy bus drivers and sometimes even a stubborn elephant or massive water monitor in the middle of the road.

You should aim to spend a minimum of 3-4 days in the Central and North Central provinces of Sri Lanka if you want to explore the majority of the UNESCO heritage sites. Here is a 2 week Sri Lanka itinerary and 1 week Sri Lanka itinerary to help you plan your travels.

7 places to visit in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle

Ready to explore Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle? You’ll be amazed by the wealth of history and humbled by the devotion at many of these living religious sites. Here are the top places to visit in the Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka.

1. Anuradhapura

The sacred city of Anuradhapura is an ancient capital in Sri Lanka. This city is a living heritage site and still a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists around the world as it was established around a branch of the Buddha’s fig tree.

Anuradhapura was a capital city that flourished for more than 13 centuries, but was abandoned after an invasion, after which the capital was shifted to Polonnaruwa.

Like the Angkor complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia, today the site’s ruins comprising palaces, monasteries and temples can be explored over the course of a day. Read my full guide on what to see and do in Anuradhapura here.

Where to stay in Anuradhapura: Beyond the Anuradhapura complex itself, there isn’t a ton to see or do in this city. As a result, the majority of the hotels are smaller guesthouses and villas, though the majority are reasonably priced and extremely clean. Click here to see highly rated hotels in Anuradhapura! Instead, I recommend that you stay in Dambulla/Sigiriya where there are more options – read on.

2. Sigiriya

Sigiriya Rock Fortress is an amazing ancient palace that has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sigiriya (AKA “Lion Rock”) is approximately 3 hours from Colombo, and consists of the ancient Sky Palace that sits atop of a massive 200-metre-tall rock, a mid-level terrace that features the Lion Gate (sadly, the head is no longer) and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and moats on the lower levels.

Click here for the full guide to climbing Sigiriya Rock Fortress in Central Sri Lanka

I would recommend doing the climb in the afternoon as the temperature cools, and staying for the sunset once you’re at the top. The entrance fee costs approximately US$30 for adults, so many budget travelers opt to climb up the neighboring Pidurangala Rock instead.

Sigiriya is a fantastic place to stay for 2 nights as you can easily use the town as a base to venture out for day trips to Polonnaruwa (1 hour away), Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks (30 minutes to 1 hour away), as well as the Dambulla Cave temples (20 minutes away).

Where to stay in Sigiriya: EKHO Sigiriya is a fantastic low-key hotel right next to Sigiriya Rock and offers beautiful, spacious rooms and excellent service. You can actually see the rock fortress from the hotel! Click here to check current rates and room availability at EKHO Sigiriya.

Looking for more options? Based on positive reviews, here are some other popular and highly-rated hotels in Sigiriya, or you can also click here to explore more accommodation options.

Hotel Sigiriya: one of the best hotels in Sigiriya, this luxury property has a pool with the ultimate view – the Lion Rock itself. Click here to check rates and availability at Hotel Sigiriya.

Jetwing Lake: operated by homegrown Jetwing Hotels, this luxury hotel in Dambulla is a 30-minute drive from Sigiriya. Rooms are spacious, modern and some even offer a balcony. The pool offers mountain views. Click here to check rates and availability at Jetwing Lake.

3. Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa is another ancient city in Sri Lanka and served as the capital city for nearly 2 centuries between the 11th and 13th centuries AD and is an incredible day trip destination in Sri Lanka.

During its time as a capital, Polonnaruwa was ruled by the Kings Vijayabahu I, Parakramabahu the Great and Nissanka Malla – all 3 of these rulers devoted themselves to fostering agriculture, religion and social development and the kingdom prospered under their reign during this era.

The city of Polonnaruwa comprised a citadel (inner city) and an outer city. The citadel had 2 types of buildings – the king’s palace/royal court as well as administration buildings. The outer city contains religious shrines, with the main shrine being the Sacred Quadrangle. Read my full guide on what to see and do in Polonnaruwa here.

The ruins are incredibly well preserved and can be easily explored by car or bicycle in a day. Polonnaruwa is a 1 hour drive from Sigiriya, so I would recommend that you stay in Sigiriya where there are more options for hotels and venture out for a day trip.

Still prefer to stay overnight in Polonnaruwa? Based on positive reviews, check out EKHO Lake House, located a mere 10-minute drive from the Polonnaruwa Ancient City entrance. It is the best luxury hotel in the area with rooms overlooking the lake. Click here to check rates and availability at EKHO Lake House, or you can also click here to explore more accommodation options in Polonnaruwa.

4. Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park

Once a year, the Asian elephants of Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks congregate for what is known as “The Gathering”. The two parks, though separate, are next to each other and divided by the “elephant corridor” jungle that stands between them. This is precisely why I have chosen to write about the two parks together, because the elephant population in this region frequently travels between the two.

The Gathering is believed to be the largest gathering of Asian elephants in the world and takes place during the dry season from June/July to September when the rivers dry up and the elephants are forced to travel to large reservoirs in Minneriya and Kaudulla to bathe, find drinking water and graze on fresh grass.

Like Polonnaruwa, Minneriya and Kaudulla can easily be visited as a day trip from Sigiriya. From Sigiriya, the drive to Minneriya National Park will take approximately 30 minutes, and the drive to Kaudulla National Park will take just under an hour. Click here for my full guide to a wildlife safari drive in Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park!

Where to stay in Sigiriya: EKHO Sigiriya is a 20-25 minute drive away from Minneriya National Park. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the staff are very helpful. You can also see Sigiriya Rock from the hotel. Click here to check current rates and room availability at EKHO Sigiriya.

Based on positive reviews, here are some other popular and highly-rated hotels in Sigiriya, or you can also click here to explore more accommodation options.

Hotel Sigiriya: one of the best luxury hotels in Sigiriya with a pool overlooking the Lion Rock itself. Click here to check rates and availability at Hotel Sigiriya.

Jetwing Lake: this modern luxury hotel in Dambulla is a 45-minute drive from Minneriya National Park or a 5-minute drive from the Dambulla Cave Temples. Click here to check rates and availability at Jetwing Lake.

Want to visit Yala National Park or Udawalawe National Park in southern Sri Lanka instead? Click here for my Yala safari guide or click here for my Udawalawe safari guide. You can also check out the best places to see wild elephants in Sri Lanka here.

5. Dambulla Cave Temple

A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave temple complex consists of 5 caves covered from top to bottom in Buddhist mural paintings and more than 150 statues.

The site, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a living temple, which means that Buddhists from Sri Lanka and beyond travel to worship and pray at this complex.

Spend a few hours exploring the various caves and appreciating the rich details in the wall paintings. The temple is located just 20-30 minutes away from Sigiriya Rock.

Where to stay in Dambulla: You can stay in Sigiriya which is only about 30 minutes away by car, or check out Diyabubula, a 5 bedroom eco-luxury jungle hideaway. Read my full hotel review here, or check out the various room types (bamboo grove, water villa, tree house) at their website. Jetwing Lake is another popular option if you prefer to be based near the Dambulla Cave temples – it is just a 5 minute drive away. Click here to check rates and availability at Jetwing Lake.

6. Temple of the Sacred Tooth in Kandy

In steep contrast to the arid landscape of Sigiriya and Anuradhapura, Kandy is located in hill country and features a large lake and lush mountain ranges. Kandy is most well known as the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and for the golden-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth, home to Buddha’s Tooth that was brought to Sri Lanka in the 16th century.

The temple is a spiritual hub of activity for daily rituals and worship, so it’s important to make sure that you’re dressed appropriately when you visit – that means covered shoulders and knees, no exposed midriff and shoes off inside the temple. Click here to read more about visiting Kandy and the must-visit places in the city.

Where to stay in Kandy: Instead of staying in Kandy city which can sometimes feel frenetic and overwhelming, I recommend staying at Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge for easy access to Knuckles. The property is only 45 minutes away from Kandy in the heart of tea country, and you can sleep in luxury glamping tents surrounded by lush tea plantations. Click here to see availability and current rates at Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge.

Alternatively, Yoga lovers should head to Rukgala Retreat in Digana, also about 45 minutes away from Kandy. The beautiful retreat venue has 10 bedrooms overlooking the mountains and Victoria Lake, and Yoga classes are held twice daily in their beautiful open-air shala. Click here to check current rates and room availability at Rukgala Retreat or click here to see more highly rated hotel options in and around Kandy!

7. Knuckles Mountain Range

Named after the ridges along the mountain range that resemble knuckles of a closed fist, Knuckles is a UNESCO Heritage Site within the Sri Lanka cultural triangle that features stunning flora and fauna, waterfalls and hiking trails; the entire region is considered a super biodiversity hotspot.

There are dozens of trails and entry points, so I recommend going with an experienced guide – here is a 1-day itinerary for the Knuckles Range to get you started!

Stay at Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge for easy access to Knuckles and a view to die for. The eco-luxury property sits high up in the hills and is surrounded by lush tea plantations. We loved the stylish and comfortable glamping tents, and the on-site restaurant serves up absolutely delicious food. Click here to check rates and availability for Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge.

Where to go after the Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka

You have several options depending on which direction you are traveling in (north to south) or whether you are just starting your trip in Sri Lanka or ending your journey.

If you are just starting your trip to Sri Lanka, head to Nuwara Eliya or Ella to spend some time in tea country. Nuwara Eliya is a good starting point if you want to hike to Horton Plains, World’s End or Adam’s Peak.

Alternatively, if you are not a hiker then head straight to Ella where you can check out the beautiful Nine Arch Bridge, Ravana Falls and Mini Adam’s Peak. Afterwards, head to the beautiful beaches along the south coast of Sri Lanka and explore Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Click here for my full 2 week Sri Lanka itinerary or head on over here for my express 1 week Sri Lanka itinerary if you’re short on time.

If you are winding down and ending your Sri Lanka trip, head to Colombo or Negombo if you need a place to stay before your flight out of the country.

Good hotel options include Radisson Colombo (which has a great rooftop bar facing the ocean and comfortable rooms), or Granbell Hotel, a new luxury hotel featuring Japanese-meets-Sri Lanka-inspired decor.

Alternatively, head to Kalutara which is located about an hour and a half away from the airport in a lakeside down called Kalutara for a splash of luxury. Anantara Kalutara is a stunning sun-filled property that offers fantastic food, a beautiful pool and amazing spa services. Read my full review here or click here to check current rates and room availability at Anantara Kalutara!

Planning a trip to Sri Lanka? You might also enjoy these reads:

• Read my detailed guide to exploring the ruins of Polonnaruwa in 1 day
• Click here for my guide to Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress just an hour away from Polonnaruwa
• You might also want to head to Sri Lanka’s first capital – here is my guide to Anuradhapura
• Traveling to Sri Lanka? Read this article first for important things you should know before visiting Sri Lanka
• Not sure where to start? Don’t miss my 2 week itinerary for the Pearl of the Indian Ocean or head on over here for my express 7 day itinerary for Sri Lanka
• You can also see the full collection of Sri Lanka travel tips and destination guides here

Have you visited any of these beautiful heritage sites in Sri Lanka? Tell me about it in the comments section below!

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