3 Days3 Days — Ceylon Highlights
Colombo → Sigiriya → Kandy
A short, cinematic first taste of the island for travellers on a stopover.
from $390
Explore JourneyCultural Triangle
Ancient Ceylon
Rock fortresses, royal cities and frescoes older than most nations.
All destinations
Sigiriya rises straight out of the jungle, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura hold the ruins of a thousand-year civilisation, and Dambulla's cave temples glow with painted Buddhas. This is where Sri Lanka's story begins.
- collection
- culture
- heritage
- photography
Good to know
- Best time to visit
- January to September
- Recommended stay
- 3-4 days
Journeys
Tours that include Ancient Ceylon.
3 Days
7 Days7 Days — The Essential Sri Lanka
Colombo → Sigiriya → Kandy → Ella → South Coast
The classic island loop: ancient rock fortresses, hill country trains and the south's golden beaches.
from $890
Explore Journey
10 Days10 Days — The Complete Ceylon Experience
Culture + Mountains + Wildlife + Beaches
A balanced, unhurried journey through every landscape Sri Lanka is famous for.
from $1,290
Explore JourneyExperiences
Things to do nearby.
Ancient Fortress
SigiriyaSunrise, 3 hours
1,200 steps up a sheer rock to a sky palace built for a king who feared the ground.
Discover ExperienceSigiriya Rock Fortress Climb
SigiriyaHalf day (sunrise)
1,200 steps past the mirror wall and frescoes to a palace built on top of a rock.
Discover ExperienceAncient City Cycling
Anuradhapura & PolonnaruwaHalf day
Ride between stupas, palace ruins and monastery tanks under the shade of old trees.
Discover ExperienceGalle Fort Heritage Walk
Galle2-3 hours
Ramparts at sunset, Dutch churches, spice shops and lanes of old merchant houses.
Discover Experience