For us, the Dambulla Cave Temple, which is over 2000 years old and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the most impressive temple in Sri Lanka. From the outside, the cave temples may seem rather plain. However, the caves are all the more impressive once you step inside. It's a sight to behold, with a total of 157 Buddha statues said to be housed within the temple. Particularly striking to us are the intricately detailed ceiling paintings. Simply beautiful!

However, visiting requires some effort. There are over 320 steps leading up to the temple, situated atop a granite rock. Entry tickets are sold directly at the bottom of the stairs. Beware: there are particularly cheeky and aggressive monkeys here, who know all too well that they can easily snatch snacks from women rather than men (True story!).

BEST TIME TO GO is at 7 AM. This is when the temple opens and we can only say that it's worth being there early. The atmosphere when you almost have the temple to yourself is truly beautiful.

DO remember to bring a pair of socks with you. Upon reaching the top, you'll need to leave your shoes in the designated area. The granite rock can become quite hot in the sun and it may burn your soles.

DON'T hire a guide at the temple to show you around. We tried this once and absolutely cannot recommend it. We felt like we knew more about Buddhism than what he could tell us in very broken English. It's a shame that the quality of guides isn't better considered it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.