A vibrant, bustling city in Sri Lanka's Matale district, Dambulla forms part of the country's Cultural Triangle. Renowned for its Rock Temple — a two-thousand-year-old historic site housed within a complex of 80 caves containing 153 Buddha statues and numerous busts of kings, gods, and goddesses — Dambulla attracts visitors from around the world. The area's growing number of hotels and guesthouses range from impressive resorts to beautiful houseboats, fit for a range of tastes and budgets. Most of the best places to stay in Dambulla also boast stunning views of the Kandalama Reservoir.
Dambulla itself is also well worth a guided wander, with rickety street stalls and a bustling market selling everything from bicycles and household utensils to fresh fruit and spices. Rising above the chaos are the rose quartz mountains, part of the highest range in South Asia, offering spectacular panoramic views of the city and the wider area. The surrounding iron wood forest, a holy sanctuary created in the 10th century, will delight nature enthusiasts.
Beyond the famous Rock Temple, Dambulla boasts several other significant historical sites worth exploring. The Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a 5th-century fortress perched atop an enormous outcrop, is not to be missed, nor are the Menikdena Archaeological Reserve and Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs, dating back 2,500 years. Safaris at Minneriya and Kaudulla yield sightings of herds of elephants, deer and tropical birds galore, whilst boats trips on the Kandalama Reservoir are a real treat. This is a very popular part of Sri Lanka — book your room at one of the best places to stay in Dambulla well in advance!