Dambulla Holidays

Everyone who comes on holiday to Dambulla wants to see the Royal Rock Temple Complex. Thought to date back over 2,000 years, it’s often simply called Dambulla Cave Temple and always tops the to-do list in Sri Lanka’s cultural heartland. The original cave was created by King Valagamba in the first century BC. But the entire complex contains five caves and around 150 statues of Buddha, as well as spectacularly intricate wall and ceiling paintings. The Temple of the King of the Gods is particularly stunning and where you’ll find the 15-metre-long reclining Buddha.

Sigiriya is another Sri Lanka icon and one more excellent reason to holiday in Dambulla. A World Heritage Site, this giant rock fortress looks imposing at ground level. But climb the steep staircase to the top and you can explore the ruins of Sri Lanka’s shortest-lived ancient capital and discover one of the country’s most incredible views at the same time.

Drive just over an hour east of Dambulla, and you’ll arrive at another point on Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, third-century Polonaruwa. Spread out over four kilometres, this ancient capital lies in ruins, but it’s likely to be one of the loveliest ruined cities you’ve ever seen. Earmark at least a day to explore and visit the gorgeous lake. Just remember to bring socks – Polonaruwa’s a sacred site, so no shoes allowed and the baking ground will definitely test your toes.

The cultural triangle apex is Anuradhapura, to the north of Dambulla. Less well preserved than Polonaruwa, it’s still a stunning sacred city and worth fitting in if you’ve time. Alternatively, spend a day in Kandy. Less than two hours south of Dambulla, this is Sri Lanka’s cultural capital. Kandy is home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, and it’s a good starting point for tea plantation tours or hill country hikes.

Don’t imagine a culture-rich holiday in Dambulla is low on activity. You have to climb hundreds of steps to reach the summit of Sigiriya alone. And, once you’re on top of the rock, you can look forward to some more strolling around. But, if you really want to stretch your legs, take a hike up Pidurangala Rock. This little-known treasure is almost directly opposite Sigiriya, has fewer visitors, and rewards your legwork with stunning views of its famous neighbour and the surrounding countryside. 

For more ground-level activity, watch the scientists at work on Menikdena Archaeological Reserve just south of Dambulla, then climb up Menikdena peak for a completely different perspective on the dig. Or, when you want low-exertion but maximum reward, book a hot air balloon tour between November and April to fly over Sigiriya and Dambulla as the sun comes up.

Dambulla is in the centre of Sri Lanka, so it experiences some of the country’s two annual monsoons. On the upside, the rain here is seldom as torrential as it is on the coast, thunderstorms are rare and both wet seasons tend to be short. The driest and sunniest time to go on holiday to Dambulla – and other parts of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle – is between January and March or June and September. These are also the busiest seasons, though, so you can expect some crowds at major attractions. Temperatures hover between 28°C and 32°C. So if you’re planning to be out and about, plan your day to fit activities in to the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat.

The two wet seasons in Dambulla are April to May, and then again between October and January. Cultural sites are less crowded at this time as year, but it’s still business as usual in town. So, if you do book your Dambulla holiday at this quieter time of year, you can expect shops, restaurants and resorts to still be open.