Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka: travel guide
Ancient capital of huge dagobas, sacred bodhi tree and ruined monasteries
Sri Lanka's ancient first capital and a UNESCO sacred city — vast dagobas, the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree and ruins spanning over a millennium.
About Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura served as Sri Lanka's first great capital, and its ruins are spread across a wide, green plain. Giant brick stupas, called dagobas, rise above the trees, and the site is still an active place of Buddhist pilgrimage.
Key sights include the Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred tree revered for centuries, the white Ruwanwelisaya, the enormous Jetavanaramaya and the Abhayagiri Dagoba. Nearby Mihintale, a rocky hill with temples and steps, is associated with the arrival of Buddhism on the island. Renting a bicycle is a good way to cover the grounds.
It suits history lovers and pilgrims. It is hot and dry for much of the year, so mornings and late afternoons are best. Poya days draw large crowds of worshippers.
- Country
- Sri Lanka
- Currency
- LKR
- Time zone
- Asia/Colombo
- Typical trip
- 1-2 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Anuradhapura
Sri Maha Bodhi
sacred-tree · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The sacred fig grown from a cutting of the very tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, planted in 288 BCE — the oldest documented living human-planted tree on Earth.
Ruwanwelisaya
stupa · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A vast, gleaming white stupa from the 2nd century BCE, one of the world's tallest ancient monuments and the spiritual centrepiece of the sacred city.
Mihintale
sacred-mountain · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The "cradle of Sri Lankan Buddhism", where the monk Mahinda converted the king in 247 BCE — a sacred mountain of 1,840 granite steps, stupas and an Aradhana Gala summit.
Jetavanaramaya
stupa · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Once the third-tallest structure in the ancient world (122 m), this colossal red-brick stupa used an estimated 93 million bricks; a museum sits alongside.
Abhayagiri Dagoba
monastery-stupa · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The heart of a great monastic city that once housed 5,000 monks — a massive restored stupa surrounded by the moonstone, guardstones and ruins of Abhayagiri vihara.
Isurumuniya Temple
rock-temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A rock temple beside a lotus pond, celebrated for its exquisite carvings, including the famous "Isurumuniya Lovers" sculpture.
Thuparamaya
stupa · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The earliest stupa built in Sri Lanka (3rd century BCE), enshrining the Buddha's right collarbone, ringed by the slender stone pillars of a vatadage.
Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds)
ancient-pond · 4.4 rating · about 0.4 h · check the fee at the gate
A pair of elegantly proportioned 8th-century bathing tanks for monks, showcasing the ancient hydraulic engineering of Anuradhapura.
Samadhi Buddha Statue
buddha-statue · 4.5 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A serene 4th-century seated Buddha in deep meditation (samadhi), regarded as one of the finest examples of ancient Sinhalese sculpture.
Lovamahapaya (Brazen Palace)
ruins · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A monastic assembly hall between Ruwanwelisaya and Sri Maha Bodhi, once a nine-storey structure roofed with bronze tiles (hence Brazen Palace). About 1,600 stone pillars remain today.
Lankarama
stupa · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A small stupa built by King Valagamba (1st century BC) on a circular platform ringed by rows of stone pillars that once supported a vatadage (circular relic-house).
Et Pokuna (Elephant Pond)
ancient pond · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A vast man-made bathing tank (about 159 m long, 52.7 m wide, 9.5 m deep) that supplied the monks of Abhayagiri, showcasing ancient Sri Lankan hydraulic engineering.
Things to do
- Sacred City Bicycle Tour Cultural · 4 h · from LKR 17,600 per person
- Mihintale Sunrise Climb Adventure · 2.5 h · from LKR 10,600 per person
Day trips and tours
- Anuradhapura Sacred City & Mihintale Day Tour 8 h · from LKR 38,700
Where to stay in Anuradhapura
- New Town about LKR 11,000 per night
Modern Anuradhapura with hotels, restaurants and bicycle hire for exploring the sacred ruins.
Hotels
- Ulagalla by Uga Escapes 5-star · LKR 55,000 to LKR 120,000 per night
- Avasta Resort & Spa 3-star · LKR 15,000 to LKR 28,000 per night
- Palm Garden Village Hotel 4-star · LKR 22,000 to LKR 40,000 per night
- Boutique Sky Hostel Anuradhapura 2-star · LKR 4,000 to LKR 9,000 per night
- The Lake Front Resort 3-star · LKR 14,000 to LKR 25,000 per night
Where to eat
- Mango Mango Italian, Sri Lankan · about LKR 2,500 per person
- Casserole Restaurant Sri Lankan, Chinese · about LKR 1,500 per person
- Radika Restaurant Sri Lankan · about LKR 1,200 per person
- The Lakeside at Nuwarawewa Sri Lankan, International · about LKR 2,000 per person
Getting to Anuradhapura
Nearest airport: Colombo (CMB), about 138 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Anuradhapura
- Northern line train from Colombo Fort By train from Colombo · common
The northern line runs from Colombo through Kurunegala to Anuradhapura, continuing to Vavuniya and Jaffna. Source: roughguides.com
- Long-distance bus from Colombo By road from Colombo · possible · unconfirmed
Buses are described as the standard means of transport across Sri Lanka, with services from Colombo's main bus stations. Source: roughguides.com
Getting around
- Bicycle
- Tuktuk
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Fake "donation" guides at the ruins
Sacred City, Anuradhapura
Self-appointed guides offer to show you around then pressure you for a large "temple donation" that goes to them.
How to avoid it: Hire a licensed guide through your hotel or take the official audio/printed guide; give donations only at temple boxes.
Best time to visit Anuradhapura
- Jan 30°C
- Feb 32°C
- Mar 35°C
- Apr 35°C
- May 34°C
- Jun 33°C
- Jul 34°C
- Aug 34°C
- Sep 34°C
- Oct 33°C
- Nov 31°C
- Dec 30°C
More in Sri Lanka
Frequently asked questions about Anuradhapura
- How many days do you need in Anuradhapura?
- A typical trip to Anuradhapura is 1-2 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Anuradhapura?
- The highest-rated places in our Anuradhapura guide are Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanwelisaya, Mihintale, Jetavanaramaya, Abhayagiri Dagoba.
- Where should I stay in Anuradhapura?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Anuradhapura: New Town.
- How do I get around Anuradhapura?
- Ways to get around Anuradhapura covered in our guide: Bicycle, Tuk-tuk, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Anuradhapura?
- Scams reported to us for Anuradhapura include Fake "donation" guides at the ruins. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Anuradhapura?
- Average daytime highs in Anuradhapura run from 30°C in Dec to 35°C in Mar.