Matale
Gateway to the spice country and the ancient Aluvihara rock cave temple where the Buddhist canon was first written down.
About Matale
Halfway between Kandy and Dambulla, Matale is famous for its spice gardens and for Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple, where the Buddhist Tripitaka scriptures were first committed to writing on ola-leaf manuscripts in the 1st century BC.
Top experiences
- Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple
The 2,000-year-old cave temple where the Pali Buddhist canon was first written on ola leaves.
Matale spice gardensGuided walks through working gardens of cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, nutmeg and clove.
Sri Muthumariamman TempleA dazzling five-tiered Hindu gopuram in the centre of Matale town.
Things to do
Sunrise climb of Pidurangala
Beat the crowds and watch dawn break over Sigiriya Rock.
Village bullock-cart & catamaran tour
Rural life, lotus lakes and a home-cooked Sri Lankan lunch.
Guided cave-temple visit
Explore Dambulla's painted caves with a cultural historian.
Cycling through paddy fields
Easy back-road ride between tanks, temples and villages.
Attractions nearby
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
5th-century UNESCO-listed sky palace atop a 200 m monolith.
Dambulla Cave Temple
Five painted caves with 150+ Buddha statues, a UNESCO site.
Polonnaruwa ancient city
12th-century royal capital of temples, palaces and colossal Buddhas.
Minneriya National Park
Home to the annual 'Elephant Gathering' at the reservoir.
Matale in pictures
