Best Places to Visit in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

From ancient sacred trees and enormous stupas, to advanced hydraulic systems and intricate religious carvings, Anuradhapura is the type of destination that would appeal to anyone interested in the history of Sri Lanka. So here is a travel guide with my recommendations for some the best places to visit in Anuradhapura.

Whenever I visit a country, I enjoy learning about both its ancient and recent history. In fact, visiting ancient sites helps me get a better understanding of the local culture and customs. And Sri Lanka was not an exception.

Located in the North Central Province, Anuradhapura was one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka. 

Thought to have been founded in the 5th century, Anuradhapura was the centre of Theravada Buddhism, the majority religion in Sri Lanka, for hundreds of years.

This ancient city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must visit in anyone’s itinerary of Sri Lanka, particularly on Poya Days (more on this below).

Here are the best places to visit in Anuradhapura.

How to get to Anuradhapura

But before we look at what to do in Anuradhapura, let’s look at some practicalities. 

If you are planning to visit Jaffna while you’re in Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura is the ideal place to stop and break up the long journey to or from Colombo or Sigiriya.

From Colombo to Anuradhapura

If you are on a budget, the bus is the most cost effective way to get to Anuradhapura from Colombo. Buses leave from either Galleface and Wellawatte in Colombo and costs 3,793 LKR (~£10/$13US).

You can also catch the train from Colombo Fort station. Train is a very popular mode of transport in Sri Lanka, and if you’d like to travel first class make sure you book well in advance. The price for a one way ticket is 2,600 LKR (~£7/$9US).

How many days should I spend in Anuradhapura?

Exploring Anuradhapura historical places can easily take a couple of days, but you may also feel like one day is enough. In fact you can easily visit the most important Anuradhapura attractions in one day.

However, if you are a history buff, then you might want to spend an extra day to get a more in-depth experience.

Anuradhapura Accommodation

I didn’t actually stay in Anuradhapura overnight as I stopped on my way from Jaffna to Sigiriya. However, I did stop for lunch at the Heritage Hotel Anuradhapura, and if the food and the pool are to go by, it looks like a fantastic place to stay.

Here are some other highly rated places to stay in Anuradhapura:

• Luxury: Uga Ulagalla by Uga Escapes
• Mid-Range: Hotel Heladiv
• Budget: Sunhill Lake Tourist Rest

Best Places to Visit in Anuradhapura 

Jetavanaramaya Stupa (or Dagaba)

Jetavanaramaya Stupa (or Dagaba) is one of the tallest stupas in Sri Lanka and is said to hold the relic of Buddha’s sash.

This enormous stupa was once a monastery and is considered to be one of the sixteen places that devoted Buddhists should visit in their lifetime. Admiring its magnificence is one of the top things to do in Anuradhapura for every visitor.

It was built between the years 273 and 301 and it is said to have been constructed with 90 million bricks!

Lovamahapaya

Lovamahapaya, also known as the Brazen Palace, was built by the first Buddhist king in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century and it was once the tallest building in Sri Lanka at 9 stories high.

Sadly the building was completely destroyed in a fire and the only remains are the 1,600 stone pillars that held the building. It’s still very impressive to imagine what the original building would have looked like sitting on top of so many pillars.

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred bodhi tree said to come from a branch of the Bodhi tree under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment.

It is also the oldest human planted tree in the world that’s been recorded. It was planted in 288 BC and it’s one of the most sacred relics of Sri Lankan Buddhists, and highly respected by Buddhists all over the world. 

The ancient city was built around this tree and it was thanks to it that the city became sacred. It’s one of the most fascinating places to see in Anuradhapura.

Ruwanwelisaya Stupa

This monumental stupa is said to have the largest collection of Buddha relics enshrined within it and it’s considered a sacred site for Buddhists all over the world.

It is another of the sixteen sites, together with Jetavanaramaya Stupa, that believers should visit in their lifetime, which are places believed to have been visited by Gautama Buddha during his three visits to Sri Lanka.

The stupa was rediscovered in the 19th century as a ruin and it was renovated in the early 20th century, with the final crown taking place in 1940.

Thuparamaya

Thuparamaya stupa was the first Buddhist temple to be built in Sri Lanka.

It’s surrounded by a number of stone pillars that used to hold a vatadage, a type of Buddhist round structure only found in Sri Lanka. The stupa is said to enshrine the right collar bone of the Buddha.

Lankarama and Elephant Pond

Another ancient stupa in Anuradhapura, it is also surrounded by pillars, which indicates that it was surrounded by a vadatage.

Near the stupa you will find Elephant Pond, an ancient man-made pond with water supplied from underground canals that still work today 

Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds)

Part of the Abhayagiriya Monastery and Residential Complex, Kuttam Pokuna or Twin Ponds are a hydraulic engineering marvel of ancient Sri Lanka.

They are also worth visiting from an architectural point of view, with flights of steps leading down into the water. They are supplied with water through underground ducts with four levels of filtering, and they are both connected to each other. 

Samadhi Buddha Statue

The Samadhi Buddha Statue depicts the Buddha in the posture of meditation. It’s dated to around 4th to 6th century and it is considered one of the finest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka.

It is believed that once the eyes were inlaid with precious gems. One curiosity about this statue is that if you look at its right profile, the Buddha looks like he’s happy and smiling, however if you look at its left profile, he looks sad. This can not be perceived when looking at the statue face to face. 

Abhayagiri Dagaba

Another of Anuradhapura ancient places, this stupa was the focal point of the Abhayagirya Monastery complex that had over 5,000 resident monks in the 5th century, and it is said that it was built over a footprint of Bhudda.

The Twin Ponds, the Samadhi Buddha statues and the famous Anuradhapura Moonstone are part of what was the Monastery. 

Anuradhapura Moonstone

The famous Anuradhapura Moonstone is the best example of a moonstone found anywhere.

A Moonstone is a unique feature of Sinhalese architecture typical of ancient Sri Lanka. It’s an elaborately carved semi circular stone slab and can be found at the foot of staircases and entrances.

This particular Moonstone depicts a half lotus flour in the middle with several concentric bands, each with swans, foliage, elephants, lions, horses and bulls. These last four represent the four stages in life – growth, energy, power and forbearance.

Rathna Prasadaya and the Guard Stone

Rathna Prasadaya was a seven storey palace of which only ruins remain. However, these ruins count the most beautiful and intricately decorated Muragala or Guard Stone in the whole of Anuradhapura.

A Muragala is a set of twin oblong slabs of stone that sit at the bottom of a set of stairs that lead to a place of worship. 

The carving depicts a mythical dragon, a seven headed cobra and dwarf servants.

Archaeological Museum

Located in the recently renovated colonial administration building, the Archaeological Museum is one of the top Anuradhapura places to visit if you are a history buff.

It is one of the oldest museums in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. It has exhibits of items found in various regions of the country such as Buddha statues, coins, jewellery, as well as a model of the Thuparamaya Vatadage, so you can visualise what it used to look like.

The Museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Isurumuniya

Isurumuniya is a temple located near the Tisa Wewa pond.

There is a monastery connected to a cave and on top of the cliff there is a stupa. Isurumuniya is famous for its stone carvings, and in particular for the ‘Isurumuniya Lovers’, a 6th century Gupta style carving which has become world famous. 

The Monastery has an entrance fee of 200LKR (~£0.50/$1US).

Mihintale

Mihintale is a mountain peak outside the Anuradhapura archaeological area and worth a visit.

It is believed to have been where the Buddhist Monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa met and the place where Buddhism started in Sri Lanka.

It is now a pilgrimage site and it’s away from the tourist crowds. It takes about 20 minutes to climb to the top and it’s a great place to enjoy the sunset. 

How to get around 

The Anuradhapura Archaeological Site is enormous, so the best way to move around from one site to another is to either have your own guide with a car or join a bike tour.

Alternatively, you can go local and hire a guide with a tuk tuk that will take you around all the sites.

Visiting Anuradhapura on Poya Days

Poya Days are holy days that mark different historical events in Buddhism. Poya days tend to be once a month, at the same as Full Moon.

As it is a traditional sacred place, if you happen to be in the country on Full Moon, I’d advise you to arrange your Sri Lanka itinerary so you can visit Anuradhapura during a Poya Day, when prayers and many offerings are carried out.

I was lucky to witness the ceremonies and worshippers on a Poya Day, and the whole city was so spiritually charged that you couldn’t help but be drawn in. Thousands of pilgrims walk around barefoot dressed in white, going from one sacred site to another offering lotus flowers and praying. 

One of the things to witness while in Anuradhapura on a Poya Day is the flag wrapping ceremony.

Huge bright orange ribbons of cloth are marched down the street to the foot of the Ruwanwelisaya Stupa accompanied by the sound of trumpets and drums. Monks then gather the cloth and wrap it around the stupa.

This, of course, takes a little while but you can enjoy the jovial atmosphere around the stupa while this happens.

Do you have any questions about the best places to visit in Anuradhapura?
Let me know in the comments!

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Disclosure: A big thank you to Sri Lanka Tourism, who hosted me on this trip. As always, all views are my own.