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Historical Sites

8 destinations to explore

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy at dusk Religious Sites

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Kandy, Central Province

The most sacred Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, housing the relic of the tooth of the Buddha in the heart of Kandy.

UNESCO World Heritage Buddhist temple sacred relic
Galle Fort lighthouse and ramparts at golden hour Historical Sites

Galle Fort

Galle, Southern Province

A beautifully preserved 16th-century Dutch colonial fortress on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, blending European architecture with South Asian traditions.

UNESCO World Heritage Dutch colonial fortress
Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress rising above the jungle canopy at sunrise Historical Sites

Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress

Matale, Central Province

An ancient rock fortress and palace ruin atop a 200-metre granite column, Sigiriya is Sri Lanka's most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site.

UNESCO World Heritage ancient ruins panoramic views
The white dome of Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba gleaming under a clear blue sky in Anuradhapura Historical Sites

Sacred City of Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura, North central Province

The sacred city of Anuradhapura served as the first capital of ancient Sri Lanka for over a millennium, housing some of the oldest and most revered Buddhist monuments in the world.

UNESCO World Heritage ancient ruins Buddhist
The ornate entrance to the Dambulla Cave Temple complex perched high on a rocky outcrop Religious Sites

Dambulla Cave Temple

Matale, Central Province

The Dambulla Cave Temple is a magnificent complex of five caves containing 153 Buddha statues and over 2,100 square metres of ancient paintings, making it the largest and best-preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka.

UNESCO World Heritage cave temple Buddhist art
The colourful gopuram tower of Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil rising against a blue sky in Jaffna Cultural

Jaffna

Jaffna, Northern Province

The vibrant capital of Sri Lanka's Northern Province, Jaffna is a treasure trove of Tamil culture, ornate Hindu temples, Dutch colonial heritage, and unique cuisine.

Tamil culture Nallur Kandaswamy Temple Jaffna Fort
The reclining Buddha statue at Gal Vihara in Polonnaruwa bathed in warm afternoon light Historical Sites

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa, North central Province

The splendid medieval capital of Polonnaruwa showcases remarkably well-preserved ruins from the 11th to 13th centuries, including the magnificent Gal Vihara Buddha statues carved from living granite.

UNESCO World Heritage ancient ruins stone carvings
Turquoise waters and white sand of Nilaveli Beach stretching into the distance with Pigeon Island visible offshore Beaches

Trincomalee

Trincomalee, Eastern Province

Trincomalee is a historic port city on Sri Lanka's northeast coast, blessed with one of the world's finest natural harbours, pristine beaches, sacred Hindu temples, and superb whale watching opportunities.

beach whale watching Koneswaram Temple