Stunning cave temples filled with Buddha statues and paintings.
Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Five caves under a huge overhanging rock hold more than a hundred Buddha statues and ceilings covered with colourful murals that tell stories from the life of the Buddha and the history of the island. People have worshipped here for over two thousand years, and the site is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage listing.
Highlights
- The Cave of the Divine King, with a reclining Buddha around 14 metres long
- Hundreds of years of painted ceilings across the five caves
- The golden Buddha statue at the entrance and the views from the hillside
Travel tips
The temple is reached by a climb of several minutes up stone steps. Shoes must be removed before the caves, so go early before the stone gets hot. Dress modestly and keep voices low. Dambulla is easy to combine with Sigiriya on the same day.