Polonnaruwa Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
town in North Central Province, Sri Lanka
About Polonnaruwa
The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I in the 11th century CE and maintained its status until the 13th century. In 1982 the ancient city of Polonnaruwa was inscribed on theUNESCO World Heritage List. What's nice about Polonnaruwa is that the ruins are in one compact area so you can visit them quite easily. Just one three wheeler ride from where you're staying to the entrance and you can walk about them all day long. If you don't have a lot of time and have to make a choice, the ruins at Polonnaruwa are much better presented and more interesting than the often repetitious ruins ofAnuradhapura. There are only so many stupas you can see before you have "seen them all".
Top Attractions in Polonnaruwa
Explore the best things to see and do in Polonnaruwa:
- ★Atadage
- ★Demala Mahaseya (Stupa)
- ★Gal Pota
- ★Gal Vihara or Gal Viharaya (Temple)
- ★King Nissanka Malla's Palace
- ★King Parakramabahu I Statue
- ★Kiri Vihara
- ★Kumara Pokuna
Where to Eat in Polonnaruwa
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Gama
Where to Stay in Polonnaruwa
- 🏨Hotel Seruwa
- 🏨Lagassa Lodge
- 🏨Pharo Lake
- 🏨Polonnaruwa Resthouse
- 🏨The Royal Lotus Hotel
- 🏨The Village Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 12 sections including: