Cultural Triangle
Sigiriya
A fifth-century palace on top of a granite rock, with frescoes, water gardens and a view across the forest.
Cultural Triangle
Dambulla Cave Temple
The Dambulla Cave Temple, also called the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a complex of cave shrines on a great rock outcrop. Its caves are filled with Buddha statues and covered in painted murals, and the site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an active place of worship.
Dambulla Cave Temple at a glance
- Where
- Cultural Triangle, Sri Lanka
- Best for
- Culture & history
- Time needed
- An hour or two is enough for most visitors.
- Best time
- It can be visited year-round.
- Nearby
- Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Minneriya National Park
- Visit with us
- Private tour with your own vehicle and driver
Why visit Dambulla Cave Temple?
The density of art is extraordinary: painted ceilings flow over the rock above long rows of seated and reclining Buddhas.
It sits close to Sigiriya, so the two are easily combined, and the climb to the caves gives a fine view over the surrounding plains.
Top attractions and things to do
The five caves
Each shrine differs in size and age, from a large reclining Buddha to a cave crowded with statues.
Ceiling murals
Painted rock surfaces show Buddhist imagery and patterns across the cave roofs.
View from the terrace
The approach path looks out over forest and towards Sigiriya on clear days.
History of the Dambulla caves
The Dambulla cave temple, also called the Golden Temple, has been a place of worship for more than two thousand years. According to tradition, King Valagamba sheltered in the caves while in exile in the first century BC, and turned them into a temple when he regained his throne.
Later kings added statues and paintings, and much of the painting you see today dates from the Kandyan period of the eighteenth century. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Inside the five caves
Five caves sit under a great overhanging rock, with a covered verandah running along the front. Inside are well over a hundred statues of the Buddha, as well as gods, kings and saints, including a long reclining Buddha cut from the rock.
The walls and ceilings are covered in paintings that cover large areas of the rock surface. The largest cave, the Cave of the Great Kings, is the most impressive, with drips of water collected in a pot that is never allowed to empty.
Visiting tips
The caves are reached by a stepped path up the rock, which takes most people fifteen to twenty minutes. Monkeys live around the path, so keep food out of sight.
Shoes are left near the entrance to the caves, and shoulders and knees must be covered. The large golden Buddha statue at the base sits above a modern museum and is a separate stop.
Combining Dambulla with Sigiriya
Dambulla is around half an hour's drive from Sigiriya, so many travellers visit both on the same day: Sigiriya first thing in the morning, and the caves in the late afternoon when the rock is cooler. Dambulla's large wholesale market is also interesting for anyone curious about Sri Lankan produce.
Planning your visit
- Suggested time
- An hour or two is enough for most visitors. (Guidance only.)
- Best time to visit
- It can be visited year-round. Early morning or late afternoon is cooler for the climb and the terrace.
- Getting there
- Dambulla is a road junction town in the Cultural Triangle, close to Sigiriya and on the main road between Kandy and the north.
Check current details before travelling: prices, opening hours, access and seasonal conditions change.
How to get to Dambulla Cave Temple
Compare private car, bus and train options in our route guides:
Visitor tips
- Cover shoulders and knees. Remove shoes and hats before entering the shrine area.
- The rock surface heats up in the sun; socks help.
- Photography rules can change; follow signs and don't pose with your back to Buddha images.
- Check current ticket arrangements on arrival.
Experiences around Dambulla Cave Temple
Plan with our guides
Dambulla Cave Temple: frequently asked questions
Can I visit Dambulla and Sigiriya on the same day?
Yes. They are close together and are often combined, with Sigiriya early in the day and Dambulla later.
Is the Dambulla Cave Temple an active temple?
Yes. It is a place of worship, so dress modestly and keep noise low.
How steep is the walk to the caves?
It is a moderate climb up a path and steps; take your time in the heat.
When is the best time to visit Dambulla Cave Temple?
It can be visited year-round. Early morning or late afternoon is cooler for the climb and the terrace.
How do I get to Dambulla Cave Temple?
Dambulla is a road junction town in the Cultural Triangle, close to Sigiriya and on the main road between Kandy and the north.
How much time do I need at Dambulla Cave Temple?
An hour or two is enough for most visitors. This is guidance only; we can adjust it to your pace.
Can you include Dambulla Cave Temple in a private tour?
Yes. We can add Dambulla Cave Temple to a private route planned around your dates, and drive you there in our own vehicle. Tell us what else you'd like to see and we'll suggest how it fits.
Nearby destinations
Cultural Triangle
Polonnaruwa
A compact medieval capital of palaces, shrines and the serene rock-cut Buddhas of Gal Vihara.
Hill Country
Kandy
The last royal capital, home to the Temple of the Tooth and a lakeside town ringed by hills.
Cultural Triangle
Minneriya National Park
Grassland around an ancient reservoir, famous for its seasonal gathering of wild elephants.
Plan a trip that includes Dambulla Cave Temple
Tell us when you'd like to travel and what you love, and we'll suggest a route that fits. There's no obligation.