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Experience the best of Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura, in Sri Lanka's dry north-central plain, is an ancient capital of vast white stupas, ruined palaces and a sacred fig tree.

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Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka's first great kingdom for well over a thousand years, from around the fourth century BC, and is now one of the island's most sacred cities. Its ruins, listed by UNESCO, spread across a wide plain of reservoirs and woodland. The Sri Maha Bodhi, a fig tree grown from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha is said to have found enlightenment, is the most venerated site, and pilgrims in white bring flowers.

Huge domed dagobas rise among the ruins: the gleaming white Ruwanwelisaya, the brick mass of Jetavanaramaya, once among the tallest structures in the ancient world, and the Abhayagiri. Carved stone moonstones, bathing ponds such as the Twin Ponds, and the serene Samadhi Buddha statue show the skill of the early builders. Mihintale, a rocky hill where Buddhism is said to have reached the island, lies a short drive to the east.

Rice and curry, with dhal, vegetables and a coconut sambol, is the daily meal, and curd with kithul treacle, buffalo-milk yoghurt with palm syrup, is the local sweet. King coconuts are sold in the streets. This is the dry zone, hot and sunny for most of the year, with rain from the north-east monsoon between October and January. Poya, the full-moon days, draw crowds of pilgrims.

  • 5 skip-the-line tickets
  • Free cancellation on 95% of experiences
  • Day trips to Negombo

Top 3 attractions in Anuradhapura

See all 3 attractions
  1. Number 1

    Ruwanwelisaya

    4.91k reviewsfrom $19
  2. Number 2

    Mihintale

    4.9478 reviewsfrom $31
  3. Number 3

    Ritigala Forest Monastery

    4.9226 reviewsfrom $38

Special offers in Anuradhapura

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Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.

Day trips from Anuradhapura

61

Landmarks and attractions in Anuradhapura

20

Guided tours in Anuradhapura

123

Walking and bike tours in Anuradhapura

11

Food and drink experiences in Anuradhapura

6

Outdoor and adventure activities in Anuradhapura

22

Nature and wildlife tours in Anuradhapura

96

Desert and safari experiences in Anuradhapura

60

Signature experiences in Anuradhapura

Go beyond Anuradhapura

  1. Sigiriya · 59 km

    Sigiriya Rock Fortress

    5 days4.910k reviewsfrom $5
  2. Sigiriya · 59 km

    Dambulla Cave Temple (Golden Temple of Dambulla)

    7 days4.96k reviewsfrom $5
  3. Kandy · 120 km

    Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa)

    7 days4.911k reviewsfrom $5
  4. Kandy · 120 km

    Alagalla Mountain Range

    2 daysfrom $275
  5. Negombo · 139 km

    Negombo Beach

    10 days4.92k reviewsfrom $25
  6. Negombo · 139 km

    Negombo Lagoon

    10 hr4.91k reviewsfrom $15
  7. Jaffna · 152 km

    Nallur Kandaswamy Temple (Nallur Kovil)

    9 days4.941 reviewsfrom $38
  8. Jaffna · 152 km

    Neduntheevu (Delft Island)

    8 hrfrom $133
  9. Nuwara Eliya · 161 km

    Gregory Lake

    7 days4.93k reviewsfrom $11
  10. Colombo · 170 km

    Gangaramaya Temple

    6 hr4.97k reviewsfrom $15
  11. Colombo · 170 km

    Galle Face Green

    5–6 hr4.95k reviewsfrom $14
  12. Bentota · 218 km

    Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project

    2 days4.91k reviewsfrom $5

Questions about Anuradhapura

What is there to do in Anuradhapura?
We list 351 experiences in Anuradhapura. The largest groups are day trips (80), attraction tickets (8), city tours (8).
What are the top attractions in Anuradhapura?
Ranked by the experiences that visit them, the top attractions in Anuradhapura are Ruwanwelisaya, Mihintale, Ritigala Forest Monastery.
What is the most popular experience in Anuradhapura?
By number of traveller reviews it is "Private City Day Tour in Anuradhapura", rated 5.0 out of 5 from 496 reviews.
How long do tours and tickets in Anuradhapura take?
The typical experience in Anuradhapura lasts about 5 hours; the middle half run between 3.5 hours and 9 hours.
Can I cancel a booking in Anuradhapura?
The operator lists free cancellation on 96% of the 351 experiences we hold for Anuradhapura. The cut-off differs by experience and is shown on each product page before you choose a date.

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