Anuradhapura

Travel Guide

Photo by Koray Koymen
Photo by Koray Koymen
Photo by Eva Johnson
Photo by Eva Johnson
Photo by Ii Rosna
Photo by Ii Rosna
Photo by Botak Jon
Photo by Botak Jon
Photo by Koray Koymen
Photo by Koray Koymen

Where to stay in Anuradhapura

At the end of our day at Anuradhapura, we kept walking to our hotel. On the way, we saw this monkey was eating some fruits. This creature is endemic to Sri Lanka. Furthermore, it presents all over the Island. They live as groups and kind of the time they become too aggressive. So, if you capturing them when they are too close to you, keep it in your mind to switch off the flasher.

Wijayapura

While Wijayapura might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Nuwara Wewa and Sri Maha Bodhi.

Wijayapura
The Lake Forest Hotel
The Lake Forest Hotel
3 out of 5
103, Tissa Wewa Lane, Pothanegama, Anuradhapura, NC
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Anuradhapura. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Isurumuniya Vihara and Mirisawetiya Stupa are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (52 reviews)
"Stunning views from the hotel overlooking the lake and the temples. The staff from reception to room service are very courteous. Will definitely consider for next trip to Anuradhapura."

Reviewed on Apr 11, 2025

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The Lake Forest Hotel
The Ivy Lake
The Ivy Lake
3 out of 5
115 Dharmapala Mawatha, Anuradhapura
The price is ￥2,827 per night from May 3 to May 4
￥2,827
￥3,336 total
includes taxes & fees
May 3 - May 4
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Anuradhapura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Nuwara Wewa and Jetawanaramaya Museum ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
"Perfect for an overnight stay - property appears freshly renovated, quiet, clean and a spacious room. The staff member that we dealt with was excellent and was very friendly and helpful. Good value for money."

Reviewed on Sep 24, 2024

The Ivy Lake
Kutumbaya
Kutumbaya
3 out of 5
803 Freeman Mawatha, Anuradhapura
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Anuradhapura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Nuwara Wewa and Isurumuniya ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (27 reviews)
Great value stay
"I really enjoyed my stay at Kutumbaya. The staff were really friendly and helped organise a safari and tour of the ancient ruins for me. The food was great, particularly the Sri Lankan breakfasts. The WiFi and air con were good and I even found some Premiership football on the TV. I’d definitely ..."

Reviewed on Jan 20, 2025

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Kutumbaya
See all 162 properties in Anuradhapura
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Villa Tambaka Retreat
Villa Tambaka Retreat
3.5 out of 5
Saliya Mawatha, Anuradhapura, North Central
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly villa in Anuradhapura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Kuttam Pokuna and Samadhi ...
Villa Tambaka Retreat
A Tranquil Holiday Retreat on the Edge of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura
A Tranquil Holiday Retreat on the Edge of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura
Stay at this vacation home in Anuradhapura. Enjoy air conditioning. Popular attractions Isurumuniya Vihara and Sri Maha Bodhi are located nearby.
Good place.
"Everything is good. I don’t have saying any words for bad. Thanks"

Reviewed on Feb 16, 2025

A Tranquil Holiday Retreat on the Edge of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura
Family-Friendly, Quiet Apartments with Full Kitchen in Anuradhapura
Family-Friendly, Quiet Apartments with Full Kitchen in Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura
Stay at this apartment in Anuradhapura. Enjoy air conditioning. Popular attractions Nuwara Wewa and Jetavanaramaya are located nearby.
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
Great place for a peaceful stay
"We had a wonderful stay at Shanthi holiday apartment from June 25 to 30, 2024. The apartment was immaculately clean, well-appointed, and offered all the comforts of home. The modern amenities and tasteful decor made our stay very enjoyable. The location was perfect, with easy access to local attractions, ..."

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2024

Family-Friendly, Quiet Apartments with Full Kitchen in Anuradhapura
See all properties in Anuradhapura
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Thousands of people visit Ruwanweli Stupa a day. So, buckets full of lotus and many other flowers are collected in this way. Lotus seeds have become one of the most preferred food for the monkeys who live near the stupa. This monkey also ate lotus seeds for a long period and I took loads of photos.

Ruwanwelisaya

You can find out about the history of Anuradhapura with a trip to Ruwanwelisaya. You can seek out the biking trails while in the area.

Ruwanwelisaya
Offerings at the jaya sri maha bodhi or the temple of the sacred bodhi tree in anuradhapura, Sri Lanka #petersoeteweyphotography #wanderlust #srilanka #anuradhapura #jayasrimahabodi #sacredbodhithree

Sri Maha Bodhi

Find out about the history of Anuradhapura with a stop at Sri Maha Bodhi. You can seek out the biking trails while in the area.

Sri Maha Bodhi
Stupa with exposed red bricks. #stupa #dagoba #Abhayagiri #Anuradhapura #SriLanka

Abhayagiri Dagoba

Learn about the local history of Anuradhapura with a stop at Abhayagiri Dagoba. You can seek out the biking trails while in the area.

Abhayagiri Dagoba
Ancient palace ruins

Kuttam Pokuna

Learn about the local history of Anuradhapura when you take a trip to Kuttam Pokuna. You can seek out the biking trails while in the area.

Kuttam Pokuna
Thuparamaya is a dagoba in Anuradhapura. It is a Buddhist sacred place of veneration. Mahinda Thera, an envoy sent by King Ashoka himself introduced Theravada Buddhism and also chetiya worship to Sri Lanka. At his request King Devanampiyatissa built Thuparamaya in which was enshrined the collarbone of the Buddha. It is considered to be the first dagaba built in Sri Lanka following the introduction of Buddhism. This is considered the earliest monument, the construction of which was chronicled Sri Lanka. The name Thuparamaya comes from "stupa" and "aramaya" which is a residential complex for monks.

Thuparama Dagoba

Learn about the local history of Anuradhapura when you spend time at Thuparama Dagoba. You can seek out the biking trails while in the area.

Thuparama Dagoba

Nuwara Wewa

Learn about the local history of Anuradhapura with a stop at Nuwara Wewa. You can seek out the biking trails while in the area.

Nuwara Wewa

Things to do

Minneriya National Park Half day Jeep Safari with Hotel Pickup

Minneriya National Park Half day Jeep Safari with Hotel Pickup

￥6,612
per adult
Minneriya National Park Half day Jeep Safari with Hotel Pickup
Picture 6 for Activity Minneriya elephant gathering Safari

Minneriya National Park Private Jeep Safari Sri Lanka

￥5,697
per adult
Minneriya National Park Private Jeep Safari Sri Lanka
Kaudulla national park

Private half Day Minneriya National Park Safari tour from Habarana / Sigiriya

￥10,364
per adult
Private half Day Minneriya National Park Safari tour from Habarana / Sigiriya
Minneriya: Wild Safari and Polonnaruwa Sightseeing Day Tour

Minneriya: Wild Safari and Polonnaruwa Sightseeing Day Tour

￥17,339
per adult
Minneriya: Wild Safari and Polonnaruwa Sightseeing Day Tour
Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari with Hotel Pickup

Minneriya National Park Wild Elephant Safari Sri Lanka

￥4,408
per adult
Minneriya National Park Wild Elephant Safari Sri Lanka
Minneriya National Park Half Day Sri Lanka Jeep Safari

Minneriya National Park Half Day Sri Lanka Jeep Safari

￥13,822
per adult
Minneriya National Park Half Day Sri Lanka Jeep Safari
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Reviews of Anuradhapura

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
6
5 - Excellent 60%
4 - Good
3
4 - Good 30%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%