ancient ruins
Sigiriya Lion Rock
A 5th-century fortress atop a 200-meter rock column with ancient frescoes, mirror walls, and landscaped gardens below.
16 km · about 20 min drive
Central Province, Sri Lanka · Asia
Dambulla is worth a stop: 30 minutes from Sigiriya, 16km from Sigiriya Lion Rock.
Dambulla is a town located in Central Province, Sri Lanka. With a population of 66,716, it is an important destination in Asia.
On a road trip, Dambulla sits in Sri Lanka. It's in the Asia/Colombo time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Dambulla to your route.
Dambulla (Sinhala: දඹුල්ල Dam̆bulla, Tamil: தம்புள்ளை Tampuḷḷai) is a city situated in the north of Matale District, in Sri Lanka's Central Province. It is the second largest populated and urbanised centre after Matale in the Matale District. It is situated 148 km (92 mi) north-east of Colombo, 43 km (27 mi) north ofRead more
Matale and 72 km (45 mi) north of Kandy. Due to its location at a major junction, it is the centre of major vegetable distribution in the country.
Major attractions of the area include the largest and best preserved cave temple complex of Sri Lanka, sigiriya rock fortress located in the division and the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, famous for being built in just 167 days. The area also boasts the largest rose quartz mountain range in South Asia, and the Iron wood forest, or Na Uyana Aranya.
Ibbankatuwa prehistoric burial site near Dambulla cave temple complexes is the latest archaeological site of significant historical importance found in Dambulla, which is located within 3 km (1.9 mi) of the cave temples providing evidence of the presence of indigenous civilisations long before the arrival of Indian influence on the Island nation.
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Dambulla offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Dambulla is located in Central Province, Sri Lanka, Asia. The coordinates are 7.8600 latitude, 80.6517 longitude.
Dambulla has a population of approximately 66,716 people, making it a town in Sri Lanka.
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3 notable places within an hour's drive.
ancient ruins
A 5th-century fortress atop a 200-meter rock column with ancient frescoes, mirror walls, and landscaped gardens below.
16 km · about 20 min drive
photogenic
A granite outcrop with an ancient cave monastery and reclining Buddha, reached by a short scramble. It gives the one view Sigiriya itself cannot: the Lion Rock standing whole above the plain at sunrise.
17 km · about 20 min drive
ancient ruins
The well-preserved ruins of Sri Lanka's medieval capital with impressive stone Buddha carvings and royal palace remains.
39 km · about 45 min drive
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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