Polonnaruwa Day Trip from Kandy

Overview

Our private Polonnaruwa day trip from Kandy takes you to Sri Lanka’s medieval royal capital and back in a single day. We pick you up from your hotel in Kandy and drive you north to the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Polonnaruwa, where you explore royal palaces, sacred temples and the famous rock-cut Buddhas of Gal Vihara, before bringing you back to Kandy in the evening.

This Polonnaruwa day tour from Kandy is completely private: just your group, your own air-conditioned car or van and an experienced English-speaking driver. Choose a 6:30 am or 7:00 am start. An early start means you explore the open ruins before the strongest midday sun.

Kandy to Polonnaruwa: how far is it?

Polonnaruwa is about 140 km north-east of Kandy, roughly 3 to 3.5 hours by road through Matale, Dambulla and Habarana. A day trip to Polonnaruwa from Kandy usually takes about 12 hours door to door, including 4 to 5 hours in the Polonnaruwa ancient city and a lunch stop.

More day trips from Kandy

Polonnaruwa is one of many Kandy day tours that we run with hotel pickup. If you have another free day, here are more private trips you can join from your hotel in Kandy.

Staying in Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana? Book our Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa tour, only an hour each way, with an optional Minneriya safari.

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Highlights

Explore Polonnaruwa, the medieval royal capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
See the ruins of the Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu I
Visit the Sacred Quadrangle with the circular Vatadage and the Gal Pota stone book
Stand before the giant rock-cut Buddhas of Gal Vihara
Private air-conditioned car or van with an experienced English-speaking driver
Hotel pickup in Kandy at 6:30 or 7:00 am

Pickup · 6:30 or 7:00 am :

Hotel pickup in Kandy

Your driver meets you at your hotel, guesthouse or homestay anywhere in Kandy. The drive north to Polonnaruwa takes about 3 to 3.5 hours through Matale, Dambulla and Habarana, with a stop for breakfast or tea on the way.

Around 10:00 am :

Archaeological Museum and tickets

Start at the Polonnaruwa Archaeological Museum, where you buy your entrance ticket for the ancient city. Its scale models and finds give you a clear picture of how the medieval capital looked at its height in the 12th century.

Late morning :

Royal Palace and Sacred Quadrangle

Walk through the ruins of the Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu I, his Council Chamber and the stepped Kumara Pokuna royal bath. Then visit the Sacred Quadrangle, the most important group of buildings in Polonnaruwa, with the circular Vatadage, the Hatadage, the giant stone book of Gal Pota and the stepped Satmahal Prasada.

Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu in Polonnaruwa

The Vatadage in the Sacred Quadrangle, Polonnaruwa

Around 12:30 pm :

Lunch break

Stop for a traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch at a local restaurant near the ancient city (at your own cost). Your driver can suggest places for every budget.

Afternoon :

Lankatilaka, Rankoth Vehera and Gal Vihara

Continue north through the ancient city to the huge brick stupa of Rankoth Vehera and the tall Lankatilaka image house. End at Gal Vihara, the highlight of Polonnaruwa: four Buddha statues carved from a single granite rock face, including a 14-metre reclining Buddha.

Gal Vihara rock-cut Buddha statues in Polonnaruwa

Ruins of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa

Around 3:30 pm :

Parakrama Samudra

Before leaving, stop at Parakrama Samudra, the vast reservoir built by King Parakramabahu I, sometimes called the “Sea of Parakrama”. It still waters the rice fields around Polonnaruwa today, and it is a peaceful place to watch birds and local life on the water.

Around 7:00 to 7:30 pm :

Back to your hotel in Kandy

Relax on the drive back south, and be dropped off at your hotel in Kandy in the evening.

FAQs

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How far is Polonnaruwa from Kandy?

Polonnaruwa is about 140 km from Kandy, which takes around 3 to 3.5 hours by car through Matale, Dambulla and Habarana.

Can I do a day trip from Kandy to Polonnaruwa?

Yes. A day trip from Kandy to Polonnaruwa takes about 12 hours, with 4 to 5 hours exploring the ancient city and a lunch stop, and you are back at your hotel in the evening.

What time does the tour start?

You can choose a 6:30 am or 7:00 am pickup from your hotel in Kandy. We recommend 6:30 am, so you have more time in the ruins before the midday heat.

Is the Polonnaruwa entrance ticket included?

No. The ticket for the Polonnaruwa ancient city is paid on the day at the Archaeological Museum, and your driver will help you buy it.

How long do you need in Polonnaruwa?

Most visitors spend 4 to 5 hours in the ancient city. That is enough to see the Royal Palace, the Sacred Quadrangle, Lankatilaka, Rankoth Vehera, Gal Vihara and Parakrama Samudra at a relaxed pace.

Is there a lot of walking?

The ruins are spread out, so your driver takes you between the main sites by car, with short walks at each one. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water, as there is little shade.

What should I wear?

Wear light, comfortable clothes and easy-to-remove shoes. At the temples and the Sacred Quadrangle, shoulders and knees must be covered and shoes and hats are removed.

How many people can join this private tour?

The tour is private for 1 to 7 people, with one price for 1 to 3 people in a car and another for 4 to 7 people in a larger van.

Overview

Kandy to Polonnaruwa: how far is it?

More day trips from Kandy

Highlights

Itinerary

What’s included

Included

Not included

FAQs

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