Anuradhapura trip planner — free day-by-day itinerary
Ancient capital — Ruwanwelisaya, the sacred Bo tree, 2000 years of ruins.
Province
North Central
Best time
February to April
Budget
$25–80/day
Places
7
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About Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka's capital for 1,400 years and still holds the country's most-venerated Buddhist sites — the Sacred Bo Tree grown from a cutting brought from India in 288 BC, plus enormous white stupas and a vast monastery complex. Two days minimum.
Top places in Anuradhapura
All 7 places in our Anuradhapura database — the planner picks from these based on your interests and arranges them by proximity into days.
Ruwanwelisaya
temple · 1.5 hours
Vast 2nd-century BC white stupa — over 100m tall when built; one of the great religious monuments of the world.
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
temple · 45 min
Sacred Bo Tree, grown from a cutting of the original tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. Oldest documented tree in the world.
Jetavanaramaya
historical · 1 hour
World's third-tallest brick structure when built (3rd century). The brick mountain still rises 70m.
Abhayagiri Vihara
historical · 1.5 hours
Sprawling monastic city with stupa, bathing tanks and the moonstone-decorated entrance steps. Quieter than the centre.
Mihintale
temple · 2-3 hours
Where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in 247 BC. 1840 stone steps up, panoramic dagoba and meditation cells.
Isurumuniya Vihara
temple · 45 min
Small rock temple with the famous 'lovers' carving — cooling pool, big-rock interior.
Thuparamaya
temple · 30 min
Oldest stupa in Sri Lanka (3rd century BC) — contains a collarbone of the Buddha. Smaller than Ruwanwelisaya.
Local tips for Anuradhapura
- →Buy the 'Cultural Triangle' ticket if also visiting Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya — cheaper than separate.
- →Bicycle is the perfect way to see Anuradhapura — flat, 5-7 km between sites.
- →Cover shoulders + knees at every site; remove hats and shoes at stupas.
Other North Central Province districts
Spotted a missing place or out-of-date info?
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