The relics of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa are considered one of the best preserved archeological sites of Sri Lanka and the city is considered the 2nd largest Kingdom as well. The splendor and tranquility that’s quite evident from the music video ‘Save a prayer’ from Duran Duran’s album in 1982, Polonnaruwa is one of the cleanest and most beautiful cities in the Island and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
By Air: Since Polonnaruwa doesn’t have an airport, the closest airport is Bandaranaike International Airport and from their you can choose a taxi with a English speaking driver.
By Train: It is best to catch a train and then travel by bus or hail a taxi for a convenient form of travel to Polonnaruwa. A 2-hour journey from Colombo Fort Station to Habarana, the train ride will cost you LKR 270 at the max. The frequency of trains leaving the Colombo station is 3 times in a day, and the journey from Habarana to Polonnaruwa can be made via cab.
By Road: Renting out a car is the easiest way to travel to Polonnaruwa, with a distance of 216 km to cross. A 3.4 hours journey by road, boarding a bus is another alternative. You can also board an inter-city bus at the Colombo Central Bastian Terminal and be dropped off at the Polonnaruwa terminal.
Getting Around:
Polonnaruwa is best covered on a bicycle, since most tourist spots are located very close to each other and can really be covered in a day
The best time to visit Polonnaruwa is July, August and then January, with less or no tourist traffic in March. The dry period in Polonnaruwa being May-September is often overcast from June-August, and with maximum rainfall between October & December.
The historic site of Polonnaruwa is located north east of Colombo, and is a part of the famous Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka, encompassing Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Dambulla caves. An ancient city of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa dates back to the 11th century. The ruins of erstwhile palaces, temples, baths and audience halls in Polonnaruwa indicate the sophisticated lifestyle followed in the region in ancient times. The museum here stores a good collection of antique statues and pottery. Nearby are the five magnificent statues of Lord Buddha, carved from bed rock in standing, sitting and sleeping positions.
Tourism in Polonnaruwa has a huge appeal on account of its greenery, gorgeous historical archeology, a huge lake built in 1200 called the Parakrama Samudra, the lovely accommodations and warm hospitality by the populace of the ancient city. Close to the old city is a small town that houses multiple tourist hotels with some glitzy shops and stores to cater to everyday essentials, government institutes in the new part of the city, schools etc.