Ancient Cities Luxury Holidays & Hotels 2024/25

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Holidays to Ancient Cities with If Only

Exquisitely carved stone structures, serene statues of Buddha and dazzlingly decorated temples built into rocky overhangs are just some of the treasures left by a proud civilisation stretching back more than 2,000 years. Glorious reminders of a resplendent past, the remains of Sri Lanka's ancient palaces, monasteries, shrines, water gardens and temples all bear witness to thriving kingdoms that are waiting to be explored in the Ancient Cities region.

Why the Ancient Cities?

Home to four of Sri Lanka's eight World Heritage Sites
Why the Ancient Cities?

Climb to the top of one of Sri Lanka's most famous landmarks - Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Why the Ancient Cities?

Explore the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura

We currently feature 3 luxury properties in Ancient Cities

Uga Ulagalla

Ancient Cities, Sri Lanka

A former chieftain’s abode, Ulagalla features a magnificent 150-year-old mansion, with 25 private ecologically-built pool villas set across 58 acres of lush greenery. Ulagalla offers the perfect blend of indulgence along with guilt free luxury in an incredible location.

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Water Garden Sigiriya

Ancient Cities, Sri Lanka

As the name implies, this stunning hotel is surrounded by water, sitting amidst a watery utopia of ponds and streams, a design inspired by the 2,00-year-old water garden of Sigiriya, and this indomitable rock fortress just so happens to be your backdrop too.

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Cinnamon Lodge Habarana

Ancient Cities, Sri Lanka

Lying on the shores of Habarana Lake, enveloped by lush forest, Cinnamon Lodge offers a very authentic and genuine place to stay in the heart of Sri Lanka’s renowned Cultural Triangle.

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Showing 3 out of 3 luxury properties

Highlights

Beautiful surroundings and cultural attractions are the perfect add-on to any beach holiday.

Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress

An exquisite example of ancient Sri Lankan art and architecture, built by an obsessed monarch in the 5th Century, Sigiriya Rock Fortress is an astonishing feat of engineering and construction that rises 200m above a forested plain. Arrive outside the outer moats, with a magnificent view of the rock rising above the trees in the distance, then follow paths through the complex of moats and gardens that lead to the foot of the slope. Wind through the remains of the lower parts of the palace before climbing to the top of the rock, via a modern iron stairway that reaches the rock face through the original brick gateway, and admire the breathtaking view.

Explore temples

The Golden Temple of Dambulla has been a centre of pilgrimage for both Buddhists and Hindus for 22 centuries and is both Sri Lanka's most popular historic site and one of its eight World Heritage sites. The Cave monastery, home to Buddhist monks, is covered with exquisite 2,000 year old murals depicting the life and times of Lord Buddha. Pilgrims and tourists must climb barefoot up the sloping ground and stairs to the summit, 100 metres above the plain. From here, the strikingly distinctive Sigiriya Rock Fortress is visible, but the five caves and shrine rooms of Dambulla lie just ahead, waiting to be discovered.

Discover ancient kingdoms

With a history expanding over 3,000 years, Sri Lanka has some of the world's most ancient cities - the most famed and exquisite is the Kingdom of Anuradhapura, another of Sri Lanka's World Heritage sites. In its heyday tens of thousands of people lived in this city of royal palaces, monasteries, glittering temples, shops and bathing pools. Today, the restored remains are dotted amidst peaceful parks. Among the many bell-shaped temples are Thuparama, which enshrines a relic of Lord Buddha, and Ruwanweli, rebuilt to its original 2nd Century BC bubble shape.

Climate

Average sun hours per day

Average monthly rainfall (mm)

Average daily temp (c)

January

February

March

144

April

226

May

June

213

July

131

August

104

September

152

October

339

November

309

December

114

Luxury Ancient Cities Holidays

Holidays to Ancient Cities with If Only

Why the Ancient Cities?

Why the Ancient Cities?

Why the Ancient Cities?

Uga Ulagalla

Water Garden Sigiriya

Cinnamon Lodge Habarana

Highlights

Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Explore temples

Discover ancient kingdoms

Climate