Polonnaruwa is not to be missed. An ancient city spread over a huge area. It was hot when we visited, take a hat, sun cream and plenty of water. We stopped at Waandora Gedara for lunch. It’s on the Habarana road at the top of the big lake. A buffet of 22 curries including raw examples of the veg each one is made from. It’s set up for tourists but delivers a delicious authentic Sri Lankan feast.

You get tickets at the museum before you van enter any of the sites. Very rich history here and variety of different type of buildings to see: Old Palace ruins, stupas, budha statues, Old monastery with hospital. And a nice stroll as well at some of the sites. It does get hot between the stone buildings, so be prepared. On the other hand, to enter most you must take of hat, take if shoes and be covered to below the knee- so take that in mind.

The best way to visit is with a private guide and car. There are a few sites to visit. A fascinating historical site of immense architectural achievement. Layer this with other ancient sites across the world and you have an amazing cross cultural view of the way civilisations emerged.

Really great! Nice to ride the bike aorund the park, its very big! A little bit annoying with all the people trying to sell stuff everywhere, not accepting a no. But apart from that, its really amazing.

We spent the day vising the vast network of ruins in this park. It is quite expensive at $29 US/person but you get a lot for your money, starting with the museum. Be aware, many are classified as culturally sensitive, so shoes off and shoulders and knees covered before you enter. Best to wear attire that is easy to slip on and off or light clothing. Take an umbrella if it is raining as there is very little shelter. It is wise not to take food as the monkeys will cause you problems. To get a full understanding of the history, it is worth hiring a guide, which are readily available at the ticket office. Enjoy you day.

We had planned to hire bikes and cycle round the ruins as they're spead out over a large area. However, there was torrential rain so we travelled between sites by car. Definitely worth buying a guidebook or read about the site before going to get most out of your visit. The Buddist temples/holy sites require people to cover their legs (knees covered) and take off shoes so sandals are best (particularly when it's raining).

Awestruck by this ancient capital city ruins. Spread over a large area, it gives you an idea of the scale and grandeur it dispensed in it's heyday. Can spend an entire day walking around. It's a photographer's delight. If you are wearing shorts & intend to enter the interiors of temple ruins ( a couple of them), remember to carry a wraparound cloth. However, you are free to wear shorts and footwear if you are not entering the temple interiors and just catching glimpses from the outside (like I did, 'coz I was wearing shorts & didn't have a wrap).

Polonnaruwa, a mesmerizing step back in time! The ancient city's well-preserved ruins left me in awe. From the majestic Gal Vihara to the royal palace, every step felt like a journey through history. The ambiance is serene, and the guides share fascinating insights. USD 25 for entrance ticket per person. And 50% off for children. A must-visit for history enthusiasts and those seeking a unique cultural experience. Truly a gem in Sri Lanka! Highly recommended to travelers.

Our family had an enriching time exploring Polonnaruwa UNESCO site. The kids were captivated by the ancient marvels, and our guide made history come alive. The site's well-preserved ruins and insightful commentary provided a memorable educational experience for the whole family. Highly recommend this fascinating journey!

We visited the ancient city of Polonnaruwa as part of our tour of Sri Lanka. There is a small museum you can visit first, which gives an overview before you actually enter the complex, worth a visit but hot and stuffy. The complex itself is vast and would recommend the use of a guide if you want to get a good understanding of the ancient city. A visit here is an essential part of any visit to Sri Lanka