---
title: "Top 10 Things To Do in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka | Wimup"
description: "Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's first capital, ranked. Ten sights across the sacred city, from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to the brick dome of Jetavanaramaya."
url: https://wimup.com/city/anuradhapura
type: City guide
updated: 2026-10-17
publisher: Wimup (https://wimup.com)
---

# Top 10 Things To Do in Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka · Asia · By Wimup Editorial, 13 min read

The sacred city is a working pilgrimage site inside an archaeological park, which is why it reads differently from Sigiriya or Polonnaruwa. Monks walk the same paths as the tour vans, the tanks that watered the kingdom still irrigate rice, and the tree at the centre has been tended since 288 BC.

## Quick answer

Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka for over a thousand years, and the ruins still run for miles. Give it two days: one for the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanwelisaya and the brick dome of Jetavanaramaya, one for the Abhayagiri quarter north of it. Hire a bicycle, start at seven, and dress for a temple.

## Quick facts

- **Best months:** May to September, the dry stretch
- **Ideal length:** 2 to 3 days
- **Budget per day:** $35-80
- **Language:** Sinhala and Tamil, English widely spoken
- **Getting around:** Bicycle around the ruins, tuk-tuk beyond
- **Tourism board:** [Official site](https://www.srilanka.travel/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## The 10 best things to do in Anuradhapura

### 1. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

Sacred site · Mahamevnawa Gardens, Sacred City, Anuradhapura 50000

A cutting of the tree the Buddha sat under, carried from India by the nun Sanghamitta and planted here in 288 BC. It is the oldest human-planted tree with a recorded planting date, and it is still a working shrine: white clothes, bare feet, and no photographs taken with your back to it.

- **Time:** 1 hr
- **Cost:** LKR 500
- **Best at:** Early morning
- **Tip:** Wear white

Links: [Website](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/200/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 2. Ruwanwelisaya

Stupa · Sacred City, Anuradhapura 50000

The great white dome King Dutugemunu began in the 2nd century BC, ringed by a wall of 344 elephants standing shoulder to shoulder. Pilgrims circle it clockwise at dusk with lotus buds and oil lamps, and the whitewash holds the last of the light.

- **Time:** 45 min
- **Cost:** Zone ticket
- **Best at:** Dusk
- **Tip:** Circle clockwise

Links: [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 3. Jetavanaramaya

Stupa · Jetavana, Sacred City, Anuradhapura 50000

Raw brick, no whitewash, and about 122 metres tall when King Mahasena finished it around 301, which made it the tallest stupa ever built and the third tallest structure in the ancient world. Restoration has it near 71 metres today.

- **Time:** 45 min
- **Cost:** Zone ticket
- **Best at:** Late afternoon
- **Tip:** Pair with its museum

Links: [Website](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/200/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 4. Abhayagiri monastery

Monastic complex · Abhayagiri, northern Sacred City, Anuradhapura

The northern quarter, and the one to ride rather than drive: a 1st century BC monastery that housed some 5,000 monks, its dagoba, refectory, moonstone and guardstones spread through open forest. Budget half a day and carry water.

- **Time:** 3 hrs
- **Cost:** Zone ticket
- **Best at:** Morning
- **Tip:** Go by bicycle

Links: [Website](https://ccf.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 5. Thuparamaya

Stupa · Sacred City, Anuradhapura 50000

The island's first dagoba, raised by King Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century BC to hold the Buddha's right collarbone. Small beside its neighbours, and the ring of slender stone pillars standing around it is the reason to stop.

- **Time:** 30 min
- **Cost:** Zone ticket
- **Best at:** Morning
- **Tip:** Look up at the pillars

Links: [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 6. Isurumuniya

Rock temple · Isurumuniya Road, by Tissa Wewa, Anuradhapura

A temple cut into rock above a bathing pool, known for the Lovers, a fifth-century carving of a woman seated on a man's lap now kept in the small museum. The elephants carved into the boulder at the waterline are easy to walk past.

- **Time:** 45 min
- **Cost:** LKR 500
- **Best at:** Late afternoon
- **Tip:** Separate ticket

Links: [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 7. Kuttam Pokuna, the Twin Ponds

Ruin · Abhayagiri complex, Sacred City, Anuradhapura

Two granite bathing pools built for the Abhayagiri monks, dated to the reign of Aggabodhi I around 600. The steps, the filtration chambers and the makara balustrade survive almost intact, which is rare in a city this ruined.

- **Time:** 20 min
- **Cost:** Zone ticket
- **Best at:** Morning
- **Tip:** Walk from Abhayagiri

Links: [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 8. The Samadhi Statue

Sculpture · Mahamevnawa Park, Sacred City, Anuradhapura

A granite Buddha in meditation, about 2.5 metres tall, carved in the 3rd or 4th century and sitting alone under a bo tree. The half-closed eyes and the dhyana mudra are the Anuradhapura period at its best. Take the low wall and give it ten minutes.

- **Time:** 20 min
- **Cost:** Zone ticket
- **Best at:** Morning
- **Tip:** Sit rather than circle

Links: [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 9. Mihintale

Pilgrimage site · Mihintale, 13 km east of Anuradhapura

Where Buddhism reached the island in 247 BC, when the monk Mahinda met King Devanampiya Tissa on the Rock of Invitation. A granite stairway of 1,840 steps climbs the hill in four flights, past the Ambasthala dagoba to the summit.

- **Time:** 3 hrs
- **Cost:** LKR 1,000
- **Best at:** Sunrise
- **Tip:** Carry socks

Links: [Website](https://www.srilanka.travel/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 10. Tissa Wewa at dusk

Reservoir · Tissa Wewa bund, Anuradhapura

The reservoir King Devanampiya Tissa built in the 3rd century BC to water his capital, still full and still irrigating rice. Walk the bund in the last hour of light, when egrets work the shallows and the Ruwanwelisaya dome floats over the treeline.

- **Time:** 1 hr
- **Cost:** Free
- **Best at:** Sunset
- **Tip:** Start from Isurumuniya

Links: [Website](https://www.srilanka.travel/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Best sacred sites in Anuradhapura

Eight monuments across the sacred city, oldest first and all still in use.

1. **Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi** (Bo tree · LKR 500 · Mahamevnawa): The 288 BC sacred fig, and the reason pilgrims come at all. [Website](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/200/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Ruwanwelisaya** (Stupa · 2nd c BC · Sacred City): Dutugemunu's white dome, ringed by 344 stone elephants. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
3. **Jetavanaramaya** (Stupa · c.301 · Jetavana): Bare brick, and once the tallest stupa ever raised. [Website](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/200/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
4. **Abhayagiri Dagoba** (Stupa · 1st c BC · Abhayagiri): The ceremonial focus of a monastery of 5,000 monks. [Website](https://ccf.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
5. **Thuparamaya** (Stupa · 3rd c BC · Sacred City): The island's first dagoba, and its ring of stone pillars. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
6. **Mirisawetiya** (Stupa · 2nd c BC · Tissa Wewa): Dutugemunu's earlier stupa, rebuilt and quiet at the western edge. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
7. **Lankaramaya** (Stupa · 1st c BC · Abhayagiri): A small stupa of King Valagamba, still ringed by its pillar stumps. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
8. **Isurumuniya** (Temple · LKR 500 · Tissa Wewa): Rock temple above a pool, and the Lovers carving. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Best ancient ruins in Anuradhapura

What the monasteries left behind once the stupas are ticked off.

1. **Kuttam Pokuna** (Pools · c.600 · Abhayagiri): Twin granite bathing pools, steps and filter chambers intact. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **The Samadhi Statue** (Sculpture · 3rd-4th c · Mahamevnawa): A 2.5 m granite Buddha in meditation, alone under a bo tree. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
3. **Eth Pokuna** (Reservoir · Ancient · Abhayagiri): The Elephant Pond: 159 m long, 9.5 m deep, cut into rock. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
4. **Mahasen's Palace moonstone** (Carving · Abhayagiri · Abhayagiri): The most complete sandakada pahana in the country, roped off. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
5. **Ratna Prasada** (Ruin · 8th c · Abhayagiri): The Abhayagiri chapter house, and the naga-king guardstone at its steps. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
6. **Abhayagiri refectory** (Ruin · Ancient · Abhayagiri): A stone rice trough scaled for a monastery of thousands. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
7. **Vessagiriya** (Caves · 3rd c BC · Tissa Wewa): A cave monastery among boulders, south of Isurumuniya. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Best museums in Anuradhapura

Four collections, each holding what was lifted from the ruins outside.

1. **Anuradhapura Archaeological Museum** (Archaeology · Sacred City · Sacred City): The Department of Archaeology's oldest and largest, by Ruwanwelisaya. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Abhayagiri Museum** (Archaeology · Abhayagiri · Abhayagiri): Sculpture and small finds from the northern monastery, read as one story. [Website](https://ccf.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
3. **Jetavanarama Museum** (Archaeology · Jetavana · Jetavana): A 1937 colonial building holding ivory finials and Jetavana's small finds. [Website](https://ccf.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
4. **Folk Museum** (Folk life · Est. 1971 · Sacred City): Rural North Central life since 1971: farm tools, kitchenware, instruments. [Website](https://www.museum.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Best restaurants in Anuradhapura

The sacred city is a protected zone with no restaurants in it, so all five are in the new town.

1. **Casserole** (Sri Lankan · $ · Main Street): Rice and curry alongside Chinese and Western plates, on Main Street.
2. **Golden Mango** (Indian · $$ · New Town): North Indian cooking, and the old Mango Mango under a new name.
3. **Little Paradise** (Sri Lankan · $ · New Town): A guest house kitchen cooking local dishes from local produce.
4. **Milano Tourist Rest** (Sri Lankan · $ · New Town): A long-running tourist rest, and one of the few kitchens open late.
5. **Seedevi Family Restaurant** (Sri Lankan · $ · New Town): Plain, roomy and built for groups off the Mihintale road.

## Best lakes & reservoirs in Anuradhapura

Four reservoirs that made a capital possible in the dry zone, three of them older than the stupas.

1. **Nuwara Wewa** (Reservoir · 1st c BC · New Town): The largest of the three city tanks, credited to King Valagamba. [Website](https://www.srilanka.travel/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Tissa Wewa** (Reservoir · 3rd c BC · Tissa Wewa): Devanampiya Tissa's tank, and the best bund walk at sunset. [Website](https://www.srilanka.travel/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
3. **Basawakkulama** (Reservoir · 4th c BC · Sacred City): The oldest of them, cut for King Pandukabhaya around 380 BC. [Website](https://www.srilanka.travel/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
4. **Nachchaduwa Wewa** (Reservoir · Restored · Nachchaduwa): A working irrigation tank southeast of town, and birds at first light. [Website](https://www.srilanka.travel/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Best neighborhoods in Anuradhapura

Three parts of town, and only one of them has anywhere to sleep or eat.

1. **The Sacred City** (Ruins · Ticketed · West): The archaeological zone. Ruins, ticket counters and no commerce at all. [Website](https://ccf.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **New Town** (Town centre · Base here · East): Main Street, the market, the bus stand and most of the guest houses.
3. **The Nuwara Wewa shore** (Hotels · Lakeside · Southeast): Larger hotels facing the water, a short tuk-tuk from the ruins.

## Best day trips in Anuradhapura

Seven sites reachable and back in a day, the closest 13 km away.

1. **Mihintale** (13 km · Pilgrimage · East): Where Buddhism landed in 247 BC. 1,840 granite steps to the summit. [Website](https://www.srilanka.travel/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Sigiriya** (71 km · Rock fortress · Southeast): The rock citadel of King Kasyapa, about 71 km and an hour and a half. [Website](https://ccf.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
3. **Dambulla cave temples** (66 km · Cave temple · South): Five painted caves above the plain, roughly 66 km south. [Website](https://ccf.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
4. **Ritigala** (45 km · Forest ruins · Southeast): A forest monastery in ruins on a strict nature reserve, an hour out. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
5. **Aukana Buddha** (52 km · Rock statue · South): A 12 m standing Buddha cut from living rock, about 52 km south. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
6. **Wilpattu National Park** (35 km · Safari · West): Leopards and villus, roughly 35 km to the Hunuwilagama gate. [Website](https://www.dwc.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
7. **Yapahuwa** (74 km · Rock citadel · Southwest): A 13th century rock citadel with an ornamental stairway, 74 km away. [Website](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Festivals & annual events in Anuradhapura (2026)

- **Duruthu Poya and the new rice offering** (January): The first of the harvest is offered at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi on the January full moon.
- **Navam Poya** (February): A national full moon holiday. Pilgrims fill the sacred city and alcohol sales stop for the day.
- **Sinhala and Tamil New Year** (April): The island stops for two days in mid-April. Two of the Bodhi's four annual ceremonies fall here.
- **Vesak Poya** (May): Lanterns and free roadside dansal across the country on the May full moon.
- **Poson Poya** (June): The big one. Pilgrims in white walk from Anuradhapura to Mihintale, where Buddhism arrived.
- **Esala Poya** (July): Marks the Buddha's first sermon and opens the monks' three-month rains retreat.
- **Vap Poya** (October): The rains retreat ends and the Kathina robe offerings begin at monasteries across the district.
- **Unduvap Poya** (December): Marks Sanghamitta's arrival with the Bodhi sapling, which is why it lands hardest here.

## Must-try dishes in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

- **Rice and curry**: The full spread: rice, five or six curries, pol sambol and a papadam.
- **Kiribath**: Milk rice cut into diamonds, eaten on full moon days and new beginnings.
- **Hoppers**: Bowl-shaped rice-flour pancakes, crisp at the rim, an egg in the middle.
- **String hoppers**: Steamed rice-noodle nests, served with dhal and coconut sambol.
- **Kottu roti**: Godamba roti chopped on a hotplate with egg, vegetables and curry.
- **Curd and treacle**: Buffalo curd in a clay pot under kithul palm treacle. The North Central staple.
- **Wood apple juice**: Sour divul pulp beaten with water and jaggery, sold at roadside stalls.
- **Polos curry**: Young jackfruit stewed dark with roasted spice, the meatiest thing on a vegetarian table.

## Anuradhapura transport & airports

- **Bandaranaike International** (CMB): The country's main gateway, about 170 km south by road. Roughly three and a half hours by car, and there are direct buses. [Website](https://www.airport.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- **Rail** (Rail): Anuradhapura sits on the Northern Line, 165 km from Colombo Fort. Three services a day, close to four hours. [Website](https://www.railway.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- **Intercity buses** (Bus): The new town bus stand runs state and private services to Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna and Trincomalee.
- **Bicycles and tuk-tuks** (Tuk-tuk): The ruins are flat and far apart, which is why guest houses rent bicycles by the day. Tuk-tuks cover the longer hops and Mihintale. [Website](https://pickme.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Anuradhapura at a glance

- **Country:** Sri Lanka
- **Region:** Anuradhapura District, North Central Province
- **Population:** 50,595 in the municipal area (2012 census), about 860,000 across Anuradhapura District
- **Founded:** Capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th century BC until the 11th century AD
- **Nickname:** The sacred city, and the first capital
- **Language:** Sinhala and Tamil, English widely spoken
- **Currency:** Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)
- **Time zone:** UTC+5:30, no daylight saving
- **Calling code:** +94, area code 025
- **Airports:** Bandaranaike International (CMB), about 170 km south by road
- **Power:** 230V 50Hz, type D, G and M sockets
- **Emergency:** 119 police, 110 fire, 1990 ambulance

## Interesting facts

- The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is the oldest human-planted tree with a recorded planting date: 288 BC.
- Jetavanaramaya stood about 122 metres when finished, the third tallest structure in the ancient world.
- The wall around Ruwanwelisaya carries a frieze of 344 elephants standing shoulder to shoulder.
- Eth Pokuna holds 75,000 cubic metres, fed by underground conduits from the Periyamkulama tank.
- Three reservoirs cut between 380 BC and the 1st century BC still irrigate the fields around the city.

## Watch

[Anuradhapura Travel Guide](https://wimup.com/watch/anuradhapura.md), 6:23

## Anuradhapura travel FAQ

### How many days do you need in Anuradhapura?

Two. The first covers the central group: the Bodhi tree, Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya and Jetavanaramaya. The second takes the Abhayagiri quarter to the north, then Isurumuniya and Tissa Wewa to the south. Add a third day if you want Mihintale at sunrise.

### What does the Anuradhapura ticket cover?

The sacred city ticket, USD 30 for foreign visitors, covers the archaeological zone: Abhayagiri, Jetavanaramaya, the Twin Ponds and the site museums. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Isurumuniya and Mihintale charge separately, around LKR 500, 500 and 1,000. South Asian passports pay less.

### When is the best time to visit Anuradhapura?

May to September. The northeast monsoon brings the rain from October to December, with November the wettest month, and June to August is the driest stretch of the year. Poson Poya in June is the busiest week here, which is either the reason to come or the reason to stay away.

### How do you get around the sacred city?

By bicycle. The ruins spread over several kilometres of flat, shaded road and most guest houses rent bikes by the day. Tuk-tuks handle the longer hops and the 13 km run out to Mihintale. Walking the whole zone in the heat is not realistic.

### What should you wear at the temples?

White or light clothing covering shoulders and knees, and shoes you can take off quickly. Bare feet are required at the Bodhi tree, the stupas and every shrine terrace, and the granite gets painful by mid-morning, so carry a pair of socks.

## Nearby guides

- [Trincomalee](https://wimup.com/city/trincomalee.md): Day trip · 10 picks
- [Kandy](https://wimup.com/city/kandy.md): Day trip · 10 picks
- [Jaffna](https://wimup.com/city/jaffna.md): Sri Lanka · 10 picks
- [All of Asia →](https://wimup.com/asia): 109 cities

Part of the [Sri Lanka guide](https://wimup.com/country/sri-lanka.md) · [Asia](https://wimup.com/asia.md)

## Sources

- [Anuradhapura tourism board](https://www.srilanka.travel/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi (official site)](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/200/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Ruwanwelisaya (official site)](https://archaeology.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Abhayagiri monastery (official site)](https://ccf.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Folk Museum (official site)](https://www.museum.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Wilpattu National Park (official site)](https://www.dwc.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Bandaranaike International (official site)](https://www.airport.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Rail (official site)](https://www.railway.gov.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Bicycles and tuk-tuks (official site)](https://pickme.lk/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- Rankings are Wimup editorial picks. Prices, durations and budgets are editorial estimates, not live quotes; check the official site before you go.