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Attractions in The Ancient Cities

Sights, markets, museums and nights out in The Ancient Cities, with our top choices first and then the places readers open most.

107 places

Hetadage

Historic siteHetadage

Yapahuwa Rock Fortress

LandmarkYapahuwa Rock Fortress

Satmahal Prasada

Historic siteSatmahal Prasada

A row of white stupas with ornate golden spires against a clear blue sky

Historic siteDakkhina Stupa - Anuradhapura

a large stone building with columns and a doorway

TempleDambulla Cave Temple

Historic siteNalanda Gedige

Cobra Hood Cave

SightCobra Hood Cave

Historic siteGal Pota

SightThissa Wewa

SightVessagiriya

SightLatha-Mandapaya

SightMatale Heritage Centre

SightRankot Vihara

SightAradhana Gala

SightEth Vihara

SightCave IV (Pachima Viharaya)

SightShiva Devale No 5

SightPabulu Vihara

SightDambulla Produce Market

SightKaludiya Pokuna

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Collect places, give them days on a map, and let one button order each day. Free, no account, saved in your browser.Free, with no paid tierNo account or emailNothing to installYour trip stays on your devicePlan a trip

DestinationsWhere to go, when to go and how to get around in 221 countries. Every practical fact shows the date we checked it and who checked it.Where to stayNeighborhoods walked end to end: who each area suits, how far it is from the airport train, and the hotels we would book ourselves.PlanVisas and entry rules, travel insurance, eSIMs and rail passes, explained in plain words and rechecked when the rules change.EventsFestivals, concerts and tours with confirmed dates, rooms near the venue and the fastest way on to the next city.StoriesField reports and data stories from the road. We time the queues, count the costs and say what changed since last year.