Explore the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa: A Cultural Treasure in Central Sri Lanka
Roam freely among UNESCO heritage ruins, temples and shrines. Read on for what to see in Polonnaruwa, how to get there, top tips for visiting and where to stay.
Polonnaruwa is an ancient city in Sri Lanka and forms part of the “Cultural Triangle” along with Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Kandy and Dambulla. It 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.
Much like the ancient city of Angkor in Cambodia, being able to walk relatively freely through the ruins, temples and shrines is an incredible way to take in the history of the country and imagine what it must have been like in its heyday. The ruins of Polonnaruwa were officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982.
If you are planning a visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress, then you must venture over to Polonnaruwa to explore the ancient ruins. Wondering what to know before visiting Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka? Read on for important visiting tips and the top things to see in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa!
How to get to Polonnaruwa
To get to Polonnaruwa I would recommend that you base yourself and stay overnight in Sigiriya: this way, you can climb the giant rock fortress, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple and go on a safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla National Parks. Sigiriya is a 3-hour drive away from Colombo, and Polonnaruwa is only an hour away from Sigiriya by car.
Looking for an excellent Sigiriya hotel option? Check out EKHO Sigiriya (formerly named Zinc Journey Sigiriya) – it offers beautifully decorated rooms, incredible service and is right next to Sigiriya Rock.
How to get around Polonnaruwa
It gets really, really hot in this part of Sri Lanka, so I would not recommend walking if you want to cover the top places to visit in Polonnaruwa. The best way to see the ancient city, especially if you only have 1 day to see it all, is by (air conditioned) car.
If you are on a budget, you can rent bicycles to get from site to site. Google Maps is fairly accurate when it comes to the individual sights, or you can grab a map from the ticket office.
How much time to spend at Polonnaruwa
The ancient 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.
The monuments within the ancient city are concentrated in one area, and it is fairly easy to see the main sights within 1 day, especially if you have a car. The main sights are scattered along a one-way road. We arrived at the ticket office at approximately 10 AM and were done by 3 PM. Polonnaruwa opens from 9 AM to 6 PM every day.
There aren’t any restaurants within the complex so I would recommend eating a hearty breakfast and bringing a light snack or water with you.
Entry fees for Polonnaruwa
An adult ticket costs 25 USD, and tickets for children cost exactly half of that.
What to wear when visiting Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa contains religious shrines and monuments, so it’s important to dress appropriately. Shoulders and knees should be covered (for both men and women), and you will have to take your shoes off to enter the shrines so bring shoes that are easy to slip on and off. Because of the weather in the area, the ground gets steaming hot, so bring some socks along so you don’t burn your feet.
It should also be noted that taking photos with your back facing the Buddha images or statues are prohibited at all of the monuments.
Incredible places to visit in Polonnaruwa
Wondering what to see in Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka? There are an incredible number of historical monuments all situated close to one another. This is the order in which I would recommend you visiting them in to make the most of your time in the ancient city.
I’ve listed the monuments as they are named on the official map from the Central Cultural Fund, but if you are using Google Maps some monuments may be spelled slightly differently: for example, Rankot Vehera is “Rankoth Vihara” on Google Maps – but don’t worry, they’re the same place.
Here is a Google Map of the different monuments, or you can click here for a photo of the official Polonnaruwa map from the Central Cultural Fund. Read on for places to visit in Polonnaruwa that you can’t miss!
Start at the Archaeological Museum/Ticket Office
Before you enter the archaeological site you will need to purchase your ticket from the ticket office. In the same building you will also find the Archaeological Museum where you can learn about the history and excavation of Polonnaruwa. While you’re here, use the bathroom as they’re not that easy to find within the complex itself.
Outside the ticket office there are many guides that you can hire if you’d like someone to show you around the ancient city and talk you through the history, but when we were approached by the guides they were all extremely pushy, so we decided against it and read up on the history ourselves instead.
Ready to plan your Polonnaruwa day trip? Check out EKHO Sigiriya (formerly named Zinc Journey Sigiriya) – it offers beautifully decorated rooms, incredible service and is right next to Sigiriya Rock.
Alternatively, here are some highly-rated hotel options near Polonnaruwa: EKHO Lake House (a 10-minute drive from the Polonnaruwa Ancient City entrance, the best luxury hotel in the area); Hotel Sigiriya (one of the best hotels in Sigiriya, this luxury property has a pool with the ultimate view); Jetwing Lake (luxury hotel in Dambulla, a 90-minute drive from Polonnaruwa). You can also click here to explore more Polonnaruwa accommodation options.
Royal Palace, Citadel and Kumara Pokuna
Believed to once have been a very large building (seven-storeys high), only the foundations remain of the Royal Palace. The red brick walls of the palace are still standing and when you walk in you see what is thought to be the audience hall.
In its prime it is thought to have comprise queen chambers, official quarters, parks and baths. The Kumara Pokuna is an example of a royal bath made entirely of stone.
Siva Devale #1 and #2
Due to the Chola invasion there is a high influence of the Hindu culture and religion within Polonnaruwa. At least 14 Hindu shrines have been found, including Siva Devale No. 1 and No. 2. Both were built according to South Indian architectural traditions using stone around the 13th century and are shrines to the Hindu god Shiva.
Siva Devale #1 and #2 are located in separate parts of the city.
Sacred Quadrangle
The Sacred Quadrangle is a group of monuments including the Vatadage (AKA Watadage), Hatadage, Sathmahal Prasada, Nishshanka Latha Mandapaya, Gal Potha and more. The Vatadage is thought to be where the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was enshrined, and is surrounded by four well preserved seated Buddha statues.
At the entrance you will see a perfect moonstone that depicts the Polonnaruwa era. The Hatadage is named as it is thought to have been built within 60 days – once you walk through the main gates you will find standing statues of Buddha.
Next to the Hatadage is a stone slab known as Gal Potha: it measures about 8 metres in length and 1.2 metres in width and shows inscriptions describing the work of King Nissankamalla.
Ready to plan your sightseeing trip to Polonnaruwa? We have stayed at EKHO Sigiriya several times – it offers spacious rooms right next to Sigiriya Rock.
Alternatively, here are some highly-rated hotel options near Polonnaruwa: EKHO Lake House (a 10-minute drive from the Polonnaruwa Ancient City entrance, the best luxury hotel in the area); Hotel Sigiriya (one of the best hotels in Sigiriya, this luxury property has a pool with the ultimate view); Jetwing Lake (luxury hotel in Dambulla, a 90-minute drive from Polonnaruwa). You can also click here to explore more accommodation options.
Rankot Vehara
Rankot Vehara is a massive brown-coloured stupa and follows the architectural style of the city of Anuradhapura. There is a stone pathway that leads to the stupa and gateways that open at the cardinal points. It is 1 of 2 main stupas within the Polonnaruwa complex.
Alahana Parivena complex
The Alahana Parivena complex was founded by King Parakramabahu.
The monastic complex includes the Baddhasima Prasada chapter house, statue and frescoes at Lankathilaka and the gleaming white stupa Kiri Vehera.
Gal-vihara
To enter Gal-vihara you need to produce your ticket again, so make sure you haven’t misplaced it.
This rock shrine consists of a group of rock sculptures showing Buddha seated, standing and lying down.
The standing Buddha statue is especially rare as it shows Buddha’s arms across the chest which is not seen often.
Lotus Pond
Venture a little further north and you’ll find the lotus pond, named that way after its unique shape. It was once used by monks for bathing and its tiers provided seating for them.
Where to stay if you’re visiting Polonnaruwa
I generally recommend staying in Sigiriya or Dambulla if you are visiting Polonnaruwa, as there are more hotel options. Check out EKHO Sigiriya (formerly named Zinc Journey Sigiriya) – it offers beautifully decorated rooms, incredible service and is right next to Sigiriya Rock.
The rooms are spacious and some even open up to the front garden – you can even see the rock from the hotel. The hotel staff can also arrange safaris to Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks to spot wild elephants. Click here to book your stay at EKHO Sigiriya!
Another option for nature lovers is Diyabubula, a 5 bedroom eco-luxury jungle hideaway that was built with sustainability at the forefront. Diyabubula is the perfect retreat if you want to be immersed in nature. Read my full hotel review here, or check out the various room types (bamboo grove, water villa, tree house) at their website!
Want to stay overnight in Polonnaruwa and looking for more choices? Based on positive reviews, here are some other popular and highly-rated hotels near Polonnaruwa, or you can also click here to explore more accommodation options.
EKHO Lake House: a mere 10-minute drive from the Polonnaruwa Ancient City entrance, EKHO Lake is the best luxury hotel in the area. If you prefer staying in Polonnaruwa instead of Sigiriya then this would be my recommendation. Click here to check rates and availability at EKHO Lake House.
Hotel Sigiriya: one of the best hotels in Sigiriya, this luxury property has a pool with the ultimate view – the Lion Rock itself. This property is an hour’s drive away from Polonnaruwa. Click here to check rates and availability at Hotel Sigiriya.
Jetwing Lake: operated by homegrown Jetwing Hotels, this luxury hotel in Dambulla is a 90-minute drive from Polonnaruwa. 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.
Polonnaruwa or Anuradhapura?
I’m often asked whether it’s worth visiting both Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. From a logistics standpoint, Polonnaruwa is in a more convenient location as you can also visit Sigiriya, the Dambulla Caves and Minneriya or Kaudulla National Parks, while Anuradhapura is located a little out of the way. The landmarks and sites in Polonnaruwa are also located more closely together, which makes them easier to visit; in contrast, Anuradhapura is a sprawling ancient city and it requires more effort and time to get around.
Both Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura are rich in history, but Polonnaruwa, in my opinion, offers more signage with information about what you’re looking at. Most of the places in Anuradhapura do not offer much by way of information, and the majority of the signs are written in Sinhalese. It also appears that the ruins of Polonnaruwa are in slightly better condition than those in Anuradhapura. You can read more about Anuradhapura by clicking here.
That being said, there is a certain electricity in the air at Anuradhapura that you might not find in Polonnaruwa. There are thousands of Buddhist devotees who worship at the various temples in Anuradhapura, and it offers a glimpse into the significance and importance of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. If you have more than 2 weeks in Sri Lanka, you might want to check out both of these ancient cities; however, if you are short on time and only have 1 week in Sri Lanka then I would recommend sticking to Polonnaruwa.
The ruins of Polonnaruwa are in excellent condition, and the Sri Lankan government’s Central Cultural Fund has done a wonderful job of preserving the architecture and heritage. In my opinion it is just as incredible as Sigiriya, and is a must-visit destination if you are spending time in Sri Lanka’s Central Province. Have you visited Polonnaruwa? What did you think of the ancient city?
Planning a trip to Sri Lanka? You might also enjoy these reads:
- Wondering what to see apart from Polonnaruwa in Central Sri Lanka? 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
- Culture vultures should check out this list of 7 places you can’t miss in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
- Planning a trip 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
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Thanks for the info.. I am visiting this on 18th April and read your post today.. Thankful to you
Hi Nikhil, enjoy! It’s very hot this time of year so make sure you bring a hat, wear breathable clothing and slather on the sunscreen! Bring a fan if you have it as well, and socks to protect your feet.
Wow, this looks great, we visited Sri Lanka but didn’t have time to visit Polonnaruwa. We’ll need to make sure to add this to the list. Thanks Flo!
I hope you guys get a chance to go back one day, Rob! Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Polonnaruwa seems so charming and rich in history, Flo. I love ancient sites, and this place goes to my bucket list right away. Is a day trip enough to explore Polonnaruwa?
Hi Agness! Thanks for checking this out – as I mentioned in the post, it can easily be done within a day. The main sights are scattered along a one-way road – we arrived at the ticket office at approximately 10 am and were done by 3 pm 🙂
This is an incredibly detailed and helpful guide with awesome pictures, too! I have yet to visit Sri Lanka. Would you also recommend this place to a first-timer to Sri Lanka or should I prefer other places when visiting Sri Lanka for the first time (let’s say, with a week’s time)?
Cheers,
Dennis
Thanks for taking the time to read this, Dennis. Yes – I’d absolutely recommend Polonnaruwa for a first timer to Sri Lanka (along with Sigiriya and Dambulla Caves which are all within an hour from Polonnaruwa).
Polonnaruwa sounds like an excellent place to visit. I enjoyed reading all the cultural and hitten treasure of Polonnaruwa and Sir Lanka. Loved the Photos 🙂
Thanks for reading, Yogita.
i really thought this place is in cambodia. never thought there is some amazing place like this in sri lanka. i plan to visit the country in 2018 and will re visit this article soon! how much did you spend per day?
It really depends on where you stay and how to plan on getting around (bus/train/private car). This article may be of help: https://www.yogawinetravel.com/12-things-you-should-know-before-visiting-sri-lanka/
The timing on this post is perfect! I’ve been thinking about going to Sri Lanka in the latter half of the year, along with some bumming around the Maldives. How far is Polonnaruwa from Kandy?
Pretty far! At least 4-5 hours by car. Hope you get to check it out!
This is why I read travelblogs. I have never heard of this place and now I want to go there really badly!
The images are stunning and the freedom to walk through the grounds is awesome.
The image of the lotus pond is especially cool.
Touring through the Sacred Quadrangle alone would be enough to make the trip worthwhile.
Thanks for sharing. Keep traveling blogging. Adventure is better when shared with friends!
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, Anthony! The Lotus Pond is small but extremely unique – plus, there weren’t any other tourists when we were there!
This post is amazing! I want to visit Sri Lanka so much! This is so helpful, I’ve saved it for future.
Hope you get to check out Sri Lanka soon, David.
I teach ancient history which includes ancient religions so this is right up my alley. I can’t believe all of these amazing structures are so close to each other. Good advice about bringing socks so your feet don’t burn. I would have never thought about that!
My friend and I had to learn the hard way! We had to sprint across burning hot sand and it was so hectic!
I haven’t been to Sri Lanka but I am a fan of heritage sites. Truly amazing structures those temples and shrines are. You can’t help but wonder how they built it during those times.
There are a number of UNESCO sites in Sri Lanka – I hope you get to visit!