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 Mirisawetiya Stupa.

Wijayapura
See our Where To Stay guide
The Lake Forest Hotel

The Lake Forest Hotel

3 out of 5
103, Tissa Wewa Lane, Pothanegama Anuradhapura NC
$135 nightly
The price is $161 total per night from Jan 12 to Jan 13
$161 total
Jan 12 - Jan 13, 2026
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Anuradhapura. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Isurumuniya Vihara and Mirisawetiya Stupa are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (64 reviews)
Great hotel by a lake

Reviewed on Nov 3, 2025

The Lake Forest Hotel
The Ivy Lake

The Ivy Lake

3 out of 5
115 Dharmapala Mawatha Anuradhapura
$22 nightly
The price is $27 total per night from Dec 30 to Dec 31
$27 total
Dec 30 - Dec 31
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Anuradhapura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Nuwara Wewa and Jetawanaramaya Museum are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (20 reviews)
Lovely large clean rooms, great hotel 100% recommend. The breakfast was amazing string hoppers and fruit bowl is our recommendation.

Reviewed on Nov 3, 2025

The Ivy Lake
Heritage Hotel

Heritage Hotel

3 out of 5
Galwala Road, Pothanegama Anuradhapura
$103 nightly
The price is $124 total per night from Jan 1 to Jan 2
$124 total
Jan 1 - Jan 2, 2026
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Anuradhapura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Isurumuniya Vihara and Mirisawetiya Stupa ...
7/10 Good! (68 reviews)
The Heritage is set in a fabulous location, in magnificent grounds on the edge of a lake, peaceful and comfortable. Yet in easy reach of the Sacred City. The staff were helpful and breakfasts superb.

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2025

Heritage Hotel
See all 178 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
Book a stay at this family-friendly villa in Anuradhapura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Kuttam Pokuna and Samadhi ...
Villa Tambaka Retreat
Green Villa Homestay

Green Villa Homestay

2.5 out of 5
No K8 Nuwara Wewa Mawatha Anuradhapura North Central
Book a stay at this business-friendly vacation home in Anuradhapura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Nuwara Wewa and Isurumuniya ...
Green Villa Homestay
Green Haven – Peaceful Holiday Retreat in Anuradhapura

Green Haven – Peaceful Holiday Retreat in Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura NC
Stay at this vacation home in Anuradhapura. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and balconies. Popular attractions Isurumuniya Vihara and Sri Maha Bodhi are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Good place.
Everything is good. I don’t have saying any words for bad. Thanks

Reviewed on Feb 16, 2025

Green Haven – Peaceful Holiday Retreat 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

Sri Maha Bodhi is just one of the places to see in Anuradhapura, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? 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

Anuradhapura ancient city

Private City Day Tour in Anuradhapura

$30
per adult
Private City Day Tour in Anuradhapura
From Sigiriya: Minneriya National Park Private Jeep Safari

Minneriya: Minneriya National Park Private Evening Safari

$34
per adult
Minneriya: Minneriya National Park Private Evening Safari
Anuradhapura Private Ancient City Day Tour

Anuradhapura Private Ancient City Day Tour

$29
per adult
Anuradhapura Private Ancient City Day Tour
Kaudulla: Exclusive Wildlife Safari with Expert Guide

Kaudulla: Exclusive Wildlife Safari with Expert Guide

$34
per adult
Kaudulla: Exclusive Wildlife Safari with Expert Guide
Minneriya National Park Safari in a 4x4 Vehicle

Minneriya National Park Safari in a 4x4 Vehicle

$54
per adult
Minneriya National Park Safari in a 4x4 Vehicle
Day Tour Anuradhapura from Kandy by Lux Tours Lanka

Day Tour Anuradhapura from Kandy by Lux Tours Lanka

$107
per traveler
Day Tour Anuradhapura from Kandy by Lux Tours Lanka
See all activities in Anuradhapura

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%

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