Dambulla Cave Temple at a glance
The Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple is a Buddhist shrine in the hills above the town of Dambulla. It has been a World Heritage Site since 1991. Inside are five cave shrines with 157 statues and roughly 2,100 square meters of painted walls and ceilings. Not all statues show the Buddha, so do not expect 157 Buddhas.
This is a living place of worship, not only a sight. It is a Buddhist holy place, and visitors are guests. That shapes how you dress, how you behave and how you take photos.
From Sigiriya it is about 20 km by road, roughly 30 to 40 minutes by car or tuk-tuk. Most visitors pair it with the Lion Rock on the same day, which works well if you start early. This site is an independent guide and is not run by the temple or any government body.
Dambulla Cave Temple tickets and hours
Prices and times as listed for 2026. Rates for the temple vary, so confirm them at the office.
| Item | Listed for 2026 | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Cave temple entry, foreign adult | About $10, or LKR 1,500 to LKR 2,500 | Quoted rates differ, so carry rupees and ask for the current price |
| Opening hours | 07:00–17:00, single entry | Go well before closing, as the last sale time can vary |
| Dambulla Museum | $3 full, $1.50 half | A separate ticket that does not cover the caves |
| Where to buy | Ticket office near the Golden Temple | Foreign visitors buy here before the climb |
| Children and concessions | – | Ask at the office. The rules for Sigiriya do not automatically apply here |
The Sigiriya ticket ($35 in 2026) is a different product and does not include the cave temple. Its prices and concessions are on the Sigiriya tickets page.
Our picks: Dambulla tours
Day trips that include the cave temple, from Colombo, from Kandy or by tuk-tuk.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sigiriya and Dambulla day trip from Colombo
Hotel pick-up, air-conditioned transport, an English-speaking driver and guide help at the rock, plus a coconut and water. Entry and the optional jeep safari are included only in the all-inclusive option.
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Sigiriya and Dambulla by tuk-tuk
Private transport with a driver-guide and water, with stops at Sigiriya, Pidurangala, a village, a spice centre and the cave temple. Entry to the sights is extra.
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Sigiriya and Dambulla day trip from Kandy
Hotel pick-up in Kandy, an English-speaking driver and parking fees; the vehicle is a tuk-tuk, minivan or car depending on the option. There is no guide on the rock, and entry is extra apart from option-dependent exceptions.
Check availability →Sigiriya and Dambulla tours
Day trips that combine the Lion Rock and the cave temple, from Colombo, Kandy or Sigiriya itself, with live prices and availability. Check whether entry tickets are included.
Visiting the caves
The steps, the dress code and the etiquette.
The climb
The way up is a long run of granite steps. Morning or evening is the best time for the ascent, as the steps are hard going in midday heat. Buy your ticket at the office near the Golden Temple before you start.
What to wear
Cover your shoulders and knees. Shoes and headwear come off before you enter a shrine. Bring socks if the stone is hot, and keep a light cover-up in your bag. Wear clothes you can slip on and off easily, because you will remove your shoes more than once.
Behavior and photos
Speak quietly and keep your back away from the statues. Do not pose for photos in front of Buddha statues, and do not touch the paintings. Ask a staff member before using a camera inside, as rules on flash, tripods and commercial shooting are not the same everywhere.
The five caves
The shrines are crowded with seated and reclining Buddhas, painted ceilings and smaller figures of gods and kings. Give the caves time, because the paintings reward a slow look.
Pairing it with Sigiriya
Do Sigiriya first while it is cool, then drive to Dambulla for late morning or afternoon. The reverse order also works if you plan the temple for the evening. Keep in mind that the rock itself is a long climb, covered on the climbing guide.
Getting there
A driver or tuk-tuk is the simplest way from Sigiriya. Buses run from Colombo to Dambulla, with local buses onward to Sigiriya, and Dambulla has links on to Kandy. See getting to Sigiriya for routes.
Dambulla as a base
Staying in town instead of near the rock.
Dambulla has more urban services than the villages around Sigiriya and sits close to the temple, with bus links onward to Kandy. The trade-off is that you add a drive for the early Lion Rock start. Weigh that against your plans on the where to stay page.
Around Sigiriya, dangerous elephant encounters are most likely in the morning and evening. Avoid walking along unlit country roads before sunrise, and arrange transport for any early start.
More to plan around Sigiriya
Places and tickets that go with a Dambulla visit.
Dambulla Cave Temple: frequently asked questions
How much does Dambulla Cave Temple cost?
Entry for foreign visitors is listed at about $10 in 2026, while rupee rates of LKR 1,500 to LKR 2,500 are also quoted. Ask at the ticket office near the Golden Temple for the current price. The $3 museum ticket is separate.
What are the opening hours?
The temple is listed as open daily from 07:00 to 17:00 with single entry. Aim to arrive well before closing, since the last sale time can vary.
What should I wear?
Cover your shoulders and knees. You remove shoes and headwear before entering the shrines.
How far is Dambulla from Sigiriya?
About 20 km, which is roughly 30 to 40 minutes by road depending on where you start and end.
How long should I plan for the visit?
Allow enough time for the long climb, the tickets, the five caves and taking your shoes on and off. Do not rush it between other stops.
Can I take photos inside?
Do not pose in front of the Buddha statues, and ask staff before using a camera. Permission for flash, tripods and commercial shooting is not something to assume.