Visit historic Kotte Ancient Ruins
Colombo, Sri Lanka • 
Underrated
Underrated
Best months to visit
Jan, Feb, Mar
23°C – 31°C, january in colombo features warm temperatures with minimal rainfall, making it the driest month of the year, high crowds, peak season
23°C – 31°C, january in colombo features warm temperatures with minimal rainfall, making it the driest month of the year, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Uneven terrain and stairs; not wheelchair accessible.
Uneven terrain and stairs; not wheelchair accessible.
Value for money
High
Free entry makes it an affordable and enriching experience.
Free entry makes it an affordable and enriching experience.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Hidden Gem
Couples loved the historical sites, perfect for a romantic, insightful day out.
Historical Journey
Travelers found the ruins fascinating, a great way to explore Sri Lanka's past together.
Peaceful Stroll
Couples enjoyed the tranquil atmosphere and the chance to explore at their own pace.
Poor Signage
Travelers felt the trail could use better signage for easier navigation of the sites.
Uneven Terrain
Visitors noted the uneven terrain made some areas challenging to navigate together.
Limited Amenities
Couples found a lack of seating and amenities, making it tiring in the heat.
How to book
ViatorRECOMMENDED
Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
2h - 3h
4.8
from
USD 45
per_person
BOOK
GetyourguidePremium Experience with Hotel Pickup
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
4h - 5h
4.9
from
USD 70
per_person
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KlookPrivate Full-Day Tour
Non-refundable
8h - 10h
5.0
from
USD 120
per_person
BOOK
Hours of operation
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
Travelers explore Kotte Ancient Ruins on a cycling tour.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
HIGH
24-30°C
December features a significant decrease in rainfall, averaging 148mm over the month. Temperatures are comfortable, with highs around 29.9°C and lows near 23.7°C.
December features a significant decrease in rainfall, averaging 148mm over the month. Temperatures are comfortable, with highs around 29.9°C and lows near 23.7°C.
Open
No specific restrictions, but increased demand may require advance booking for accommodations and tours.
No specific restrictions, but increased demand may require advance booking for accommodations and tours.
Recommended
December's pleasant weather and festive atmosphere make it an excellent time to visit the Kotte Ancient Ruins. However, visitors should anticipate larger crowds and higher prices due to the peak tourist season.
December's pleasant weather and festive atmosphere make it an excellent time to visit the Kotte Ancient Ruins. However, visitors should anticipate larger crowds and higher prices due to the peak tourist season.
January
HIGH
23-31°C
January in Colombo features warm temperatures with minimal rainfall, making it the driest month of the year.
January in Colombo features warm temperatures with minimal rainfall, making it the driest month of the year.
Open
High demand may lead to limited availability; advance booking is recommended.
High demand may lead to limited availability; advance booking is recommended.
Recommended
January offers favorable weather conditions for visiting the Kotte Ancient Ruins, but expect higher prices and larger crowds.
January offers favorable weather conditions for visiting the Kotte Ancient Ruins, but expect higher prices and larger crowds.
February
HIGH
24-31°C
February continues with warm temperatures and low rainfall, providing pleasant conditions for outdoor activities.
February continues with warm temperatures and low rainfall, providing pleasant conditions for outdoor activities.
Open
Due to high demand, early reservations are advisable to secure accommodations and tours.
Due to high demand, early reservations are advisable to secure accommodations and tours.
Recommended
Visiting the Kotte Ancient Ruins in February is ideal weather-wise, though expect increased tourist activity and costs.
Visiting the Kotte Ancient Ruins in February is ideal weather-wise, though expect increased tourist activity and costs.
March
MEDIUM
24-32°C
March experiences slightly warmer temperatures with a moderate increase in rainfall, yet remains suitable for tourism.
March experiences slightly warmer temperatures with a moderate increase in rainfall, yet remains suitable for tourism.
Open
While availability improves, booking in advance is still recommended to ensure preferred options.
While availability improves, booking in advance is still recommended to ensure preferred options.
Recommended
March offers a balance between favorable weather and manageable crowd levels, making it a good time to visit the Kotte Ancient Ruins.
March offers a balance between favorable weather and manageable crowd levels, making it a good time to visit the Kotte Ancient Ruins.
How to get there
Bus
Recommended
Take bus number 176 or 177 from Colombo Fort Bus Station towards Kotte, or other routes like 163, 168, and 153 to Pita Kotte Junction.
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis and ride-sharing services like PickMe and Kangaroo Cabs are readily available throughout Colombo to reach the Pita Kotte Junction.
Walking
Recommended
Walk to the ruins if you are staying in the immediate vicinity of Pita Kotte, as part of the 'Kingdom of Kotte Cultural Trail'.
Bike
Cycle to the Kotte Ancient Ruins from Colombo's city center. Guided cycling tours are also available.
Boat
Boat service is available along the western rampart as part of guided tours.
Car
Drive to the Kotte Ancient Ruins via Kotte Road. On-street parking may be available in the vicinity.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required