Dambulla in Sri Lanka is a small and quiet town about two hours from Kandy. It’s the perfect base for visiting the historical sites and national parks nearby. Additionally, Dambulla is much more affordable than the nearby town of Sigiriya, which is world-famous for the Lion Rock Fortress. Here are all our favorite things to do in Dambulla within an hour of driving.
6 Things To Do in Dambulla
Although Dambulla isn’t known as the best place to stay in Sri Lanka, it definitely has a lot of interesting things to offer. We spent two nights here and did trips to the following sites in this article.
1. Sigiriya Lion Rock
Sigiriyaโs Lion Rock is one of Sri Lanka’s iconic landmarks. It is an enormous 200-meter-high rock with a fortress at its summit. Peer out across the country’s green surroundings as you stand atop the massive orange boulder.
You’ll need about half a day to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site, as the climb to the top is challenging! Located only a 30-minute drive from Dambulla, it’s a must-do in the area. Travelers often choose to spend the night in Dambulla because accommodation is much more affordable here than closer to the Lion Rock.
Continue reading: Sigiriya Lion Rock, everything you need to know
2. Pidurangala Rock
Perhaps even better is the Pidurangala Rock that lies only a stone’s throw away. Climbing up this one instead offers the absolute best view of Sigiriya Lion Rock, perched just across. The views from up here are stunningโI loved peering across, seeing the rock pop out between the green trees.
However, Pidurangala is a tougher climb as there’s no staircase; you have to climb over boulders towards the top. Previously, this made it a quieter spot to climb up, with fewer tourists. But in recent years, it’s definitely gotten more interest, so expect to climb up in line.
Read more: how to climb Pidurangala Rock, Sigiriya
3. Dambulla Cave Temple & Museum
Dambulla is especially popular for its cave temple, an iconic religious site featuring over 100 Buddha statues within an enormous cave complex. Additionally, these caves are decorated with very detailed, colorful paintings and muralsโwow!
At the entrance of the caves stands a giant golden statue of Buddha, which marks the entrance to the Dambulla Museum. This museum features so much wall art that it’s definitely worth a visit. (Open 8:00 AM till 5:00 PM).
Tip: Do not forget to wear long pants and cover your shoulders inside the temple.
4. Avukana Buddha Statue
Avukana Buddha is a standing statue of the Buddha about an hour from Dambulla. Carved out of a huge granite rock, the statue is over 12 meters high! It’s mainly visited by local tourists, rather than international visitors, as it’s not as well-known. However, we highly recommend visiting it in combination with the Yapahuwa Rock Fortress (next point).
Getting there: Avukana is located about an hour north-west from Dambulla. Arrange a tuk-tuk driver oto take you there or drive your own motorbike for the day.
5. Yapahuwa Rock Fortress
An alternative to Sigiriya Lion Rock, with few to zero tourists, is Yapahuwa Rock Fortress. This 100-meter-high rock is known as one of the medieval capitals of Sri Lanka, a secure fortress with inner and outer sections. In fact, the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, which is now at Kandyโs Temple of the Tooth, was first found at Yapahuwa!
Getting there: Yapahuwa is located 1.5 hours from Dambulla. We combined our visit with the Avukana Buddha Statue which made it a fantastic day trip!
Read more: Yapahuwa Rock Fortress, all you need to know
6. Minneriya National Park
Sri Lanka has an incredible amount of wildlife in its national parks, and Minneriya National Park is no exception. Here, you’ll be able to spot herds of elephants, monkeys, and colorful birds. One of our favorite experiences near Dambulla is, therefore, going on a jeep safari to spot them in their natural habitat.
These safaris can be booked in Dambulla, at your hotel or guesthouse, or online in advance. Minneriya National Park is a 30-minute drive to the entrance of the park.
Also read: best places to see elephants in Sri Lanka
How to Get to Dambulla
The best way to get to Dambulla is by train, bus, or car from Kandy. A 2-hour direct train brings you to the city center.
If you decide to go by car, you have the flexibility to make up your own schedule. This way, you can also easily combine multiple things to do in one day (much faster). Alternatively, there are plenty of tour options that can take you on day trips to the region.
We recommend to rent a car in Sri Lanka through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Where to Stay
Due to its strategic location, there are very good accommodation options in and around Dambulla. From peaceful guesthouses to eco-lodges with views over lush jungle and rocky hills, there’s something for every traveler. Many places are just a short drive from both the cave temple and nearby Sigiriya, too, making it a convenient base for exploring the region. (Browse all the hotels here).
Best Time to Visit Dambulla
Dambulla has good weather year-round, with 30 degrees from April to October. However, the months of April and October (to December) have a higher chance of rainfall. Because of that, January to March is the best time to visit Dambulla.
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