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The second Buddhist capital after Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa is more accessible and better preserved than its predecessor.
Ancient sites
The numerous sites are grouped in clusters outside the modern town and enable the visitor to easily imagine life in the ancient city.
Rock carvings
The palaces, royal buildings and Buddhist shrines boast some captivating examples of master craftsmanship, the most notable being the Gal Vihara’s beautiful images of the reclining and meditating Buddha carved into the rock face. The level of detail in the carvings and their well preserved condition makes it hard to believe they are almost a thousand years old.
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Suggested itineraries featuring Polonnaruwa
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Polonnaruwa, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Polonnaruwa
- Minneriya National Park 18 kilometers away
- Sigiriya 28 kilometers away
- Dambulla 40 kilometers away
- The Cultural Triangle 50 kilometers away
- Pallepola 57 kilometers away
- Passikudah 62 kilometers away
- Trincomalee 75 kilometers away
- Anuradhapura 80 kilometers away
- Kandy 83 kilometers away
- Nuwara Eliya 112 kilometers away
- Bandarawela 124 kilometers away
- Hatton 125 kilometers away
- Horton Plains 128 kilometers away
- Adam's Peak 138 kilometers away
- Negombo 153 kilometers away
- Udawalawe National Park 160 kilometers away
- Yala National Park 162 kilometers away
- Colombo 171 kilometers away
- Sinharaja Biosphere 183 kilometers away
- Wadduwa 185 kilometers away
- Bentota 203 kilometers away
- Tangalle 215 kilometers away
- Jaffna 222 kilometers away
- The Southern Coast 228 kilometers away
- Galle 230 kilometers away