All 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka

For an island of its size, Sri Lanka punches remarkably far above its weight with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites: six cultural and two natural. Five of the cultural sites trace the arc of Sinhalese civilisation, from the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa through the rock fortress of Sigiriya and the painted caves of Dambulla to the royal city of Kandy, while Galle preserves the finest Dutch colonial fort in Asia. The natural listings protect the rainforest of Sinharaja and the misty montane forests of the Central Highlands. Remarkably, most travellers can visit six of the eight on a standard two-week loop.

1. 01

   Sacred City of Anuradhapura

2. 02

   Ancient City of Polonnaruwa

3. 03

   Ancient City of Sigiriya

4. 04

   Golden Temple of Dambulla

5. 05

   Sacred City of Kandy

6. 06

   Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications

7. 07

   Sinharaja Forest Reserve

   Sri Lanka's last major tract of primary lowland rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site teeming with endemic birds, plants and wildlife.

   Ratnapura · LKR 2700 · UNESCO

8. 08

   Central Highlands of Sri Lanka

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