The medieval capital of Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Features well-preserved ruins, stunning Buddha statues, and ancient irrigation systems.
Polonnaruwa is in Polonnaruwa District, in Sri Lanka's North Central Province. It is 232 km by road from Colombo Fort, about 4 hours 45 minutes by car without traffic. From Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) it is 200 km, about 4 hours 15 minutes.
Distances and drive times from Google Maps, checked 2 November 2026.Polonnaruwa 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 20 October 2026. Only open places with many reviews are listed.
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Gal Vihara
Royal Palace
Parakrama Samudra
Vatadage
Gal Vihara is a group of four magnificent Buddha statues carved from a single granite rock face in the 12th century. It includes a 14-meter reclining Buddha and is considered one of the finest examples of ancient Sri Lankan sculpture.
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