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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Sri Lanka map · historical landmarks in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has 9 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 7 cultural and 2 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1982 and 2010. This map of UNESCO sites in Sri Lanka covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Sri Lankan World Heritage Sites range from Ancient City of Polonnaruwa onwards; Ancient City of Polonnaruwa was the country's first inscription, added in 1982; Central Highlands of Sri Lanka is the most recent, listed in 2010; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations and lost cities.
Start with Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, Ancient City of Sigiriya and Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 9
- Cultural
- 7
- Natural
- 2
- First inscribed
- 1982
Sites on the map
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- TRRTrincomalee5 sites
- KCTGalle2 sites
- HRIMattala1 site
- CMBColombo1 site
Keep exploring
All 9 sites in Sri Lanka
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient City of PolonnaruwaPolonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. | 1982 | Cultural | Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. It comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments. |
| Ancient City of SigiriyaThe ruins of the capital built by the parricidal King Kassapa I (477–95) lie on the steep slopes and at the… | 1982 | Cultural | The ruins of the capital built by the parricidal King Kassapa I (477–95) lie on the steep slopes and at the summit of a granite peak s. |
| Central Highlands of Sri LankaCentral Highlands of Sri Lanka — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2010 | Natural | Central Highlands of Sri Lanka — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Old Town of Galle and its FortificationsOld Town of Galle and its Fortifications — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1988 | Cultural | Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Rangiri Dambulla Cave TempleRangiri Dambulla Cave Temple — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1991 | Cultural | Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Sacred City of AnuradhapuraSacred City of Anuradhapura — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1982 | Cultural | Sacred City of Anuradhapura — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Sacred City of KandySacred City of Kandy — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1988 | Cultural | Sacred City of Kandy — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| SigiriyaLion rock fortress in the green plain. | 1982 | Cultural | Lion rock fortress in the green plain. |
| Sinharaja Forest ReserveSinharaja Forest Reserve — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1988 | Natural | Sinharaja Forest Reserve — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Sri Lanka
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Sri Lanka?
- Sri Lanka has 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 7 cultural and 2 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka?
- Ancient City of Polonnaruwa was inscribed in 1982. Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. It comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka?
- Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, inscribed in 2010. Central Highlands of Sri Lanka — UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Which sites in Sri Lanka are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 2 of the 9 listings are natural: Central Highlands of Sri Lanka and Sinharaja Forest Reserve.
- Which UNESCO sites in Sri Lanka are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Sri Lanka.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Sri Lanka?
- The 9 UNESCO-listed sites above are Sri Lanka's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (1982). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Sri Lankan World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 9 Sri Lankan UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.