Home to the magnificent Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 150 Buddha statues and ancient cave paintings spanning 22 centuries.
Dambulla is in Matale District, in Sri Lanka's Central Province. It is 161 km by road from Colombo Fort, about 3 hours 30 minutes by car without traffic. From Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) it is 129 km, about 2 hours 45 minutes.
Distances and drive times from Google Maps, checked 2 November 2026.Dambulla is in the dry zone, so it can be visited most of the year. February to September is mostly dry, with March and April the hottest months. Most rain falls from October to January, during the October and November inter-monsoon and the northeast monsoon. Go early in the morning in any season, before the heat.
Seasons as set by the Department of Meteorology, Sri Lanka. What the weather is like right nowRatings and review counts from Google Maps, checked 26 October 2026. Only open places with many reviews are listed.
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Dambulla Cave Temple
Golden Temple
Dambulla Wholesale Market
Ibbankatuwa Tombs
Yes! Dambulla and Sigiriya are 19 km apart by road, about a 30-minute drive. Visit Sigiriya early morning, then Dambulla Cave Temple in the afternoon. Many travelers base themselves in Dambulla for both sites.
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