The sacred city of Anuradhapura is a must-stop on your Sri Lanka itinerary if you want to get a taste of the country’s rich history. We absolutely loved this place and it just might have been one of our favorites from our 3-week backpacking trip. This Anuradhapura travel guide will take you through the best places to visit, where to stay, travel tips, and much more. Enjoy a 2 or 3-day stay, while biking your way through ancient ruins in this marvelous historical-filled city.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site was the first capital of Sri Lanka and holds major cultural, religious, and historical significance. Its religious significance makes the destination an important pilgrimage for devotees. Over an area of around 40 square kilometers, you will find many remnants of gigantic dagobas and temples scattered. Together with its neighboring sight Mihintale, Anuradhapura is the perfect destination to learn more about Sri Lanka’s culture & history.
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Quick Sri Lanka Trip Planning Essentials
VISA
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INTERNET
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ACCOMMODATION
Cozy Guesthouse ($) Water Front Home Stay; Green Oasis ($$) Hotel Heladiv; Boutique Hotel ($$) Aryana Boutique Hotel
TRANSPORT
Ready to travel to your next destination in Sri Lanka? Book your onward bus or train tickets via 12go.
CURRENCY
The local currency is Sri Lankan rupee (LKR), and the exchange rate is around 1 USD = 300 LKR. Check XE Currency Converter for updated exchange rates.
TOURS & ATTRACTIONS
Recommended day tour of Anuradhapura & Mihintale with English Guide. For more tours and day trip excursions, check out GetYourGuide or Viator.
Travel tips for visiting Anuradhapura
Is Anuradhapura worth visiting?
While planning our 3-week journey we were going back and forth on whether or not to add Anuradhapura to our Sri Lanka itinerary. Since we are more in favor of slow travel, we had to make some cuts on what to visit. When researching, we noticed it often doesn’t make traveler’s itineraries despite its impressive attractions. This ancient city seems to remain rather an off-the-beaten-path destination.
In the end, we decided to make a stop, and we sure didn’t regret it. Besides being an absolutely beautiful scenic place, the locals and its atmosphere just stole our hearts. Anuradhapura was the perfect place to get a better taste and feel of Sinhalese daily life. Since we encountered fewer tourists here compared to other popular places like Ella and Sigiriya, it was definitely a more serene experience. Here you can peacefully cruise between temples surrounded by rice fields without encountering another soul for a while. So yes, we think Anuradhapura is absolutely worth visiting!
How Many Days to Spend in Anuradhapura?
Anuradhapura is full of stunning historical sites worth exploring. To truly experience it, plan to spend at least 2 nights here. This way you have a full day to explore the ancient city of Anuradhapura as well as the beautiful temple site of Mihintale. However, if your schedule is tight, consider a day trip from Sigiriya or Dambulla instead.
We arrived at our guest house in Anuradhapura around noon, where we would stay for the coming 2 nights. Since we still had the full afternoon, we decided to already head out to explore the temple complex of Mihintale. This was probably one of our favorite sights in Sri Lanka and the perfect place to enjoy a beautiful sunset. The next day we spent the day discovering the ancient city of Anuradhapura.
It is perfectly possible to see both Mihintale and the old city of Anuradhapura in one day, but then you will be looking at one hectic full day. We personally like to take our time and would recommend staying 2 nights. This way you can also get to see more of local life and experience the place in another way. We definitely also advise joining a dinner at your local guesthouse if they offer it. A must if you want to experience authentic Sri Lankan food and learn more about their cuisine. More on that later in our Travel Guide Anuradhapura.
Planning a trip to Sri Lanka?
Our 3-week Sri Lanka itinerary has everything you need to plan your trip to the coconut island! This guide covers the top places to visit, travel tips, and must-do activities for each spot. We’ve also added our favorite accommodation and dining recommendations to give your adventure a local flavor.
Best Time to Visit Anuradhapura
Sri Lanka has two main monsoon seasons that affect different parts of the country. Anuradhapura, being further north, is best visited from March to September when the rain in the north begins to ease. We visited in March and had perfect weather.
Regarding the best time of the day to visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura, we suggest waking up early! We will admit, that we are not the biggest early birds ourselves, but we were able to adapt our rhythm in Sri Lanka naturally. We often woke up with the sunlight coming through the windows and the sound of the birds chirping. In the end, it really pays off to get the most out of your days here! So try to start your days around 7 am-8 am to start exploring. This way you will beat the heat as it starts to get hot around noon. Another wonderful thing about going early is there are practically no other tourists in sight, only locals who come for their morning prayer.
How to Get Around the Ancient City of Anuradhapura?
By Bike – Don’t underestimate the distances between the temples & ruins in the old city of Anuradhapura. If you want to get the most out of your day ticket, we advise against walking to the sights in the scorching sun. When researching our trip we saw people recommending to rent a bicycle, to go from temple to temple. This is a great way to soak up the atmosphere and get some movement in. Many guesthouses & hotels offer bicycle rental as a service. Alternatively, there are enough bicycle rentals along the road to the sacred city. Renting a bike will cost you around 500 LKR (~ $1,5) for the day. Definitely a good option if your stay isn’t too far from the ancient city. Don’t forget to drive on the left side of the road ;).
By Tuk-tuk – However, we personally decided against it, considering the heat (it’s typically above 30 degrees) and huge distances (the terrain is over 40 km²). To be able to see the most and not get a heat stroke we recommend renting a tuk-tuk with a driver that takes you around. This costs around 3500 LKR for the whole tour which takes about 5 hours. We found the best way is to ask your host or hotel for help (They usually have somebody reliable available). Make sure to specify if you want a guided driver or somebody who just drops you off at every place. Taking a guided tour is recommended if you want to learn more about the history, background stories, and culture. This really makes your visit to this ancient town complete.
What to wear & tips for visiting the ancient city of Anuradhapura
Since the major sites are considered sacred, it’s important to prepare yourself and dress modestly. Just like any other holy place in the world, this is out of respect for the culture and you might not be allowed to enter otherwise. Here are a few temple etiquette tips for your visit:
- When entering a temple site or a sacred place, remove your shoes and hat.
- Dress modestly when visiting temples, meaning cover your upper arms and knees. It’s always a good idea to bring a sarong or light scarf when you are wearing a top or shorts. This is both for men and women.
- You will notice that a lot of Sri Lankan pilgrims are wearing white in the temples. The color white is considered a holy color and stands for purity in Buddhism and openness to learning. So in case you are carrying something white with you, that’s a good option to go with. It also helps reflect strong sunlight, another tip ;).
- Photography – Of course, it’s allowed to take pictures, but there is one important rule: Never stand with your back to a Buddha statue or stupa.
- When you are visiting a dagoba or stupa, remember to walk around the dome clockwise.
TIP | It’s a good idea to bring a pair of socks (white works best) since you will be walking barefoot a lot and the grounds can get really hot and rocky. It might not look fashionable under a dress but you will thank me later! It’s of course allowed to wear your slippers/shoes outside the temple area. Often, the moment you have to take them off is indicated on a sign.
SUMMARY INFO FOR VISITING
- The sights are spread out over an area of 40 square kilometers so we advice to rent a bike or tuk-tuk with a guide to get around.
- Put on your alarm clock and set out in the early morning to start exploring. Temperatures tend to be very hot, so try to beat the heat.
- On average it will take you around 4 to 5 hours to cover the most important parts of the grounds.
- Most temples & ruins inside the ancient city of Anuradhapura are open daily from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.
- In order to access the ruins of the sacred city, you will need to buy a day pass. The entrance fee for the ancient city of Anuradhapura is around $25 and you can purchase tickets near the archeological museum.
- Some sights are free, only the Isurumuniya Viharaya temple is not included in the day ticket and costs an additional 1000 rupees (~$3).
- Also, don’t forget to hydrate often in that heat, for example with a delicious refreshing coconut from one of the food stands.
Where to stay in Anuradhapura?
The location of your stay might be an important thing to consider. If you are opting to see the archaeological complex by bike, you want to stay as close as possible to it. Also considering going for dinner or grabbing a snack, it is nice to have options within walking distance and not always have to rely on getting a tuk-tuk. So ideally you should look to book your accommodation downtown or in the surrounding area. As for most of our stays in Sri Lanka, we opted to go for a guesthouse stay with a local family in Anuradhapura. Not only is this type of accommodation more affordable, but it also gives you the chance to connect to locals and have a more authentic experience.
COZY GUESTHOUSE WITH FRIENDLY HOSTS – Water Front Home Stay
We stayed at the Water Front Home Stay, which is the best example of an excellent and heartwarming homestay. The owner, Wasantha was the friendliest and most helpful host we could have wished for in Sri Lanka. He and his family made us feel right at home. From a delicious welcome drink, and great conversations about Sri Lanka’s culture to an amazing authentic dinner. Every dish was carefully prepared and explained, we really recommend having dinner there! The room itself was absolutely clean and very quiet since its location is far enough from the busy roads, yet close enough to restaurants. It also comes with air conditioning and a fan, excellent WiFi and the bathroom is clean and spacious. These are generally points important to us when booking and the Waterfront Home Stay really ticked off all the boxes.
CHARMING GUESTHOUSE WITH RICE FIELDS VIEWS – Heaven Upon Rice Fields
Another option we were looking at was Heaven Upon Rice Fields, a charming guest house stay located right between the rice fields. This place has really good reviews too and the rooms look spacious and clean, with a wonderful view over the surroundings. However its location is a bit more north and away from the center with all its restaurants, so you might need to take a tuk-tuk every time.
GREEN OASIS WITH SWIMMING POOL – Hotel Heladiv
If you are looking for a hotel option right within nature with the option of having a refreshing swimming pool at the end of the day, then Hotel Heladiv is a great option. Guests can enjoy a beautiful garden, shared lounge as well as a dinner on site. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the friendly staff can arrange your visit to the ancient city.
MID-RANGE BOUTIQUE HOTEL | Aryana Boutique Hotel
In the heart of Anuradhapura, Aryana Boutique Hotel offers a pleasant stay with its outdoor pool, garden, and communal lounge. Some rooms even come with their own terrace. The on-site restaurant serves a varied menu featuring Chinese, French, and Indian cuisine. Additionally, the hotel is bike-friendly and provides rentals for those looking to discover the ancient city on two wheels.
History of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura
The first capital of Sri Lanka
Anuradhapura used to be one of the greatest monastic cities, dating back to the 5th Century BC. The city flourished as the first capital of Sri Lanka, serving as the royal seat from 380 BC to the 11th century AD. During the 1400 years as the capital of the country, more than 130 kings took reign. Buddhism found its way from India to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC when the king of Anuradhapura at the time encountered the Indian monk Mahinda. After this Buddhism rapidly spread around the whole island.
Anuradhapura, the old center of Theravada Buddhism, gives the perfect glimpse of pre-Christian times into the glorious Sinhalese Buddhist civilization. The marvelous stupas or dagobas, that tower along the sky, are the perfect example of ancient Sri Lankan engineering. The many ruins of former royal palaces and temples, together with some remarkable rock carvings, show the richness of its culture.
Unesco World Heritage Site
These archeological treasures make the destination most beloved among history buffs. The area covers around 40 square kilometers and is filled with excavated temples and remains of the old king’s city. Because of its historical significance dating back to the ancient Sinhalese civilization, the ancient town became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. Together with Kandy and Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura is part of the famous cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. A 1000 years ago this cultural triangle used to be the center of thriving commercial and religion.
Over the centuries though the whole country had to deal continually with incursions coming from India. These invasions made people start abandoning Anuradhapura, after which the city fell into oblivion. Nature started to take over, overgrowing the temples and dagobas with plants. It was only until the beginning of the 20th century under the British when Sri Lanka was better known as Ceylon, that Anuradhapura was excavated.
Places to visit in Anuradhapura Ancient City
The sacred city of Anuradhapura is located in the northern-central part of Sri Lanka. Next to Jaffna, it is probably the most visited destination towards the north of this island. For our 3-week Sri Lanka itinerary, we decided to follow the north-to-south loop. After our safari adventure in Wilpattu National Park, we found our way to Anuradhapura.
The old royal city of Anuradhapura is bursting with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, filled with stupas and temples. As one of the key places in the cultural triangle, it holds significant historical importance for Sri Lanka. Below you can find the main highlights of the ancient city. There are way more sights on the historic grounds, but we wanted to list the most interesting ones.
The whole area almost feels like one big park, with lakes and rice fields surrounding the sights. If you have been to Ayutthaya in Thailand, you could compare it to that. The archeological site is actually not a well-defined area, unlike the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, and they don’t check your ticket systematically. Some of the sights are for free and therefore not included in the ticket. However the main sights require a day ticket, and you don’t want to miss out on these.
1. Sri Maha Bodhi
The sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree is one of the holiest sites in Sri Lanka and is located in the spiritual center of Anuradhapura, Mahavihara. It’s the heart of the ancient city and home to the oldest, historically authenticated tree in the world (it’s believed to be 2000 years old). Rumors say it’s even the sacred fig tree where Buddha attained Enlightenment. Thus, making the holy Bodhi tree the center of Anuradhapura, spiritually but also physically (being literally in the center of the temple, which surrounds the sacred tree).
Originally this Bodhi tree is supposed to stem from a branch of the Bodhgaya tree from India. Hence why it’s one of the most popular attractions in Anuradhapura. People often tend to stand in line and come to recite mantras together. It’s very fascinating to observe the local traditions that take place within this serene place. The entrance is free.
2. Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba
This remarkable giant white stupa is considered one of the most sacred Buddhist places, as well as one of the world’s tallest ancient structures. The dagoba used to be the biggest in the world. Nowadays it stands tall at 55m, which is way less than its original height due to the much damage it had to endure. Regardless it was still an impressive sight to see and made us feel really small. Its beautiful dome shape and the wall of 344 elephant statues guarding the structure left us in total awe. The white limestone construction sticks out beautifully with the colorful Buddhist flags and ropes. The Ruvanvelisaya dagoba is known to be home to some sacred relics of Buddhism: As allegedly some of Buddha’s ashes are enshrined here.
Although a part of the stupa was under construction at the moment of our visit, it was really interesting to see how they actually freshen it up. The place itself can get very crowded on a Sunday and might be the busiest place in the holy city. Some recommend avoiding it during the weekend, but then you might miss Sri Lankans performing their traditions. Locals usually bring lotus flowers as an offering before walking clockwise around the stupa.
3. Isurumuniya Vihara
Another beautiful site is Isurumuni Viharaya, a Buddhist temple carved out of a rock dating back to the reign of Devanampiya Tissa (300 BC). The rock temple’s design is quite unique and is set around a lotus pond with carvings of playful elephants. It’s possible to climb around the back to the top, revealing a small viewing platform over the surrounding rice fields. Up here you can get a better look at the bell-shaped stupa which is located to the side. When descending you will pass a Buddha shrine underneath a gorgeous tree.
The small museum near the entrance showcases several beautiful stone carvings, amongst them the famous Isurumuniya lovers sculpture. It portrays a woman sitting on the lap of a man, which supposedly depicts Prince Saliya from the 5th century AD. It was said he gave up the right to the throne in order to marry a girl from a lower caste.
ENTRANCE FEE | 200 LKR (~ €1)
OPENING TIMES | 7:30 am to 6:30 pm
4. Abhayagiri Dagoba
The Abhayagiri dagoba used to serve as the ceremonial area of the Abhayagiri Monastery where thousands of Buddhist monks used to gather. This colossal dagoba dates back to the 1st century BC and was originally over 100m high. In ancient times it was regarded as one of the greatest structures next to the famous pyramids of Giza. Today the red brick dagoba ‘only’ measures around 75m after its reconstruction but is still breathtaking. The massive unplastered dome rises above the surrounding forest from far away. Contrary to its twin-looking brick dagoba, the Jetavanarama, the tip is still intact. Interesting to know: the name of the dagoba translates to ‘Hill of Protection’ or ‘Fearless Hill’.
5. Mirisavatiya dagoba
Another huge white stupa, but lesser visited than the Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba. It was built by King Dutugemunu and the story goes that the King went to bathe in the Tissa Wewa, leaving his scepter on the bank. The scepter supposedly contained a relic of Buddha. When he returned from his bath he couldn’t move the scepter anymore, which was anchored to the ground. The king took this as a sign, building a dagoba on the very spot.
6. Mahasena Temple (Moonstone)
More northwest of the Abhayagiri Dagoba you can find the ruins of an old monk residential complex. It’s mostly known for its well-preserved moonstone (or Sandakada Pahana). Moonstones were typical Sinhalese architectural elements usually found at the entrance of a temple. The design of these moonstones is usually a half-round stone with detailed carvings. In the center, you can see a lotus flower surrounded by intertwined leaves, followed by swans. Lastly, in the outer circle, you can see a row of animals. It typically shows elephants that represent growth, lions that symbolize energy, horses that stand for power, and bulls that represent patience.
7. The Ratnaprasada or ‘Jewel Palace’
Located just 100 meters further you can find the Ratnaprasada or ‘Jewel Palace’. Sadly today only ruins are left but originally the palace was seven stories high. You can still spot some well-preserved guard stones or Muragala at the entrances where the palace used to be. It depicts the Cobra King holding a flowering branch and a vase of abundance in his hands. At his feet, you can spot a little dwarf and his crown is framed by a cobra.
8. The Elephant Pond (Eth Pokuna)
Further south you come across a big pool of water, known as the Elephant Pond (Eth Pokuna). It used to serve as ancient water storage for the monastery. However, our guide told us it might have also been used as a pool for the elephants. Hence its name and size. Supposedly the tank can fit 6 Olympic-style swimming pools, so I would say big enough to bathe some elephants.
9. The Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds)
Another water construction is the Twin Ponds or Kuttam Pokuna from around the 8th century. Unfortunately, we missed these on the drive. It is basically two identical pools next to each other, fitting for its name. The ponds show some significant craftsmanship by the early Sinhalese in terms of hydrological and architectural engineering. Water found its way to the ponds through underground pipes where it even went through a water-filtering system. It finally entered the ponds through the mouth of a Makara, a mythical hybrid beast. The ponds were most likely used by monks from the Abayagiri dagoba, one for bathing and the other for drinking.
10. The Tessa Wewa Lake
Throughout the grounds of Anuradhapura, you can find three lakes, which are actually big artificial water reservoirs (or Wewa). They were provided by the king and meant for the irrigation of the land. It’s the perfect place to catch the sunset or drive by with the bike to catch a glimpse of the white stupa. You can easily get here coming from the Isurumuniya Vihara.
TOP TIP | View the sunset from Mihintale
In the afternoon upon arrival in Anuradhapura, we decided to head out to explore Mihintale and view the sunset from this temple complex. Little did we know that the views over the valley would be this impressive. We absolutely fell in love with this place and made our stop in Anuradhapura one of our favorites on our whole trip. If there is one place we can absolutely advise to put on your Sri Lanka itinerary it’s this one. You will not be disappointed!
Mihintale is considered to be the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, making it one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the country. So you will most likely see more locals here than tourists. The sacred area is located on a small mountain, accessible by a long stair path. The main temple site includes a white stupa in the middle surrounded by 3 higher platforms. On one, there’s a big white Buddha statue, reachable by small stairs, carved into the rock. On the other side thrones a rock, better known as the ‘meditation rock’ offering magnificent views. This one needs a bit more effort to get up, a little adventure! The last platform holds a colossal white dagoba, the perfect hangout spot to catch the sunset.
ENTRANCE FEE | 1000 LKR (~ $3,5)
OPENING TIMES | 9 am to 5 pm
Where & what to eat in Anuradhapura?
Although Anuradhapura is not like Ella with all its hipster and Instagramable places, it still offers good quality spots to eat out. The city is overall less touristic, so you will love it for its peacefulness and pleasant atmosphere. We really enjoyed going for some fresh juices and milkshakes near the Kumbichchan Kulama lake. Here you can find several juice bars & snack places lined up next to the water where a lot of families gather. After our day exploring the old town, we found ourselves having refreshments at Fresh Juice Bar. They offer a wide variety of juices to choose from, for only 180 rupees each (~ less than €1). You can imagine we let ourselves go a little.
Recommended restaurants in Anuradhapura
Downtown you can find most of the restaurants. We heard good things about Gemi Gedara Restaurant where they offer a lunch buffet and traditional Sri Lankan dishes. The setting is truly beautiful, with its open spaces and wooden tables in a treehouse-looking area. Another favorite is Ambula, north of the lake, which also offers an all-day buffet with all kinds of curries and rice platters. The setting of the restaurant is really cozy with its timber and palm leaves aesthetic.
On our first evening in Anuradhapura, we didn’t want to go too far from our stay and opted to have dinner at Bro Restaurant. It’s a rather new restaurant and they give a modern twist to traditional dishes. We had the chicken Kothu and devilish chicken, both Sri Lankan favorites, which were outstanding (be careful, the devilish chicken is super spicy!). We paid around 1700 rupees (~€7,5) for both of us, which is a bit more pricy by Sri Lankan standards but the portions were huge.
Dinner at your guesthouse
However, we genuinely recommend trying to have dinner at your guest house if they offer it! Like we did at the Water Front Homestay, which was an amazing authentic experience. They usually serve a traditional Sri Lankan curry, which differs totally from an Indian kind if that’s what you are visualizing. It consists of several small dishes, mostly vegetables as you can see in the picture. At our homestay, we had lentil curry (or Dal), cucumber curry, and coconut sambal with poppadoms.
They usually ask you if you want a fish or chicken curry with that. We noticed that the meat portions are on the smaller side in Sri Lanka since there is less going around and they tend to eat more vegetarian. But overall the served portions are more than enough, no worries! The owner explained all the dishes and even surprised us with a homemade dessert, buffalo custard with locally made syrup. Absolutely divine! After that, we almost ordered it every time when we saw it on the menu.
How to get to Anuradhapura?
How to get to Anuradhapura from Colombo?
If you have just arrived in Sri Lanka and you plan to travel the north-to-south loop, the best way to get from Colombo to Anuradhapura:
By Public Bus: 200 LKR (~$1), 5-6 hours
Overall public bus transportation is one of the cheapest ways to get around. It will probably cost you around 200 LKR. Keeping traffic & frequent stops in mind, you will be looking at around 6 hours of travel time, also depending on the bus line you take (15, 57, or 4). You can check Sri Lanka’s National Transport Website for bus lines and schedules. However, we suggest double-checking your bus at the bus station (Pettah bus stand near Fort Station).
By Train: 240-370 LKR (~$1-$2), 5-6 hours
This option is a bit more comfortable than the public bus to get to Anuradhapura. It will take you around 5,5 hours and costs roughly 240-370 LKR. For the train schedules, you can check Sri Lanka’s Railway Website. You can easily buy your tickets directly at Colombo Fort train station.
By Travel Bus: ~$15, 3-4 hours
As of lately, there are also travel buses doing the route from Colombo to Anuradhapura, which only takes 3-4 hours. If you are tight on schedule and you don’t mind paying a bit more, we can highly recommend this option. You can easily book your tickets online in advance via 12Go.Asia, which is our go-to website platform for booking transport in Asia.
Pick Me Taxi: 9,000 LKR (~$40), 4 hours
This is the most comfortable option, but it also comes with a price. The Pick Me app (the equivalent to Uber) is mostly available in bigger cities, so you can order one upon arrival through the app. The drive takes around 3 to 4 hours and will cost you around 9,000 LKR.
Tuktuk: 6,000 LKR (~$30), 5 hours
The most common way of transportation throughout Sri Lanka, however, may be less advisable for longer distances.
How to get to Anuradhapura from Sigirya & Dambulla?
There is no train line running between Anuradhapura and Dambulla. Also, the option of an Uber is less likely in these areas. Next to renting a private car or tuk-tuk, the bus will be your best option. Local buses between Dambulla and Anuradhapura run quite frequently, usually every 20 minutes. However, from personal experience, we can tell you this is not always the case. Public transport usually doesn’t show up on time and we had to wait an hour in the past as well due to the fact that the bus was overcrowded. Anyways, if you are coming from Sigiriya or Dambulla, head over to the main junction in Dambulla and get on bus number 42 or 43 (line Kandy – Vavuniya) heading north to Anuradhapura. We suggest taking the 43 since it’s the only one with AC ;). The drive only takes 1,5 hours and costs 400 LKR per person.
How travel to Anuradhapura from Kandy?
If you are traveling from Kandy you will have to travel the same way as from Dambulla, since it’s the same bus line 43 (line Kandy – Vavuniya) heading north to Anuradhapura.
Practical Travel Resources
TRANSPORTATION | For hassle-free bus, minivan, and train bookings across Sri Lanka, we recommend using the user-friendly platform 12go.Asia. Skip the queues and reserve your tickets in advance, especially during peak seasons.
ACCOMMODATION | Booking affordable accommodations in Sri Lanka is effortless with Booking.com. This platform is perfect for discovering budget-friendly hostels, guesthouses, and hotels tailored to your preferences.
FLIGHTS | Find the best flight deals to Sri Lanka on Skyscanner. Benefit from their feature highlighting the cheapest days to fly and the flexibility to search by month or region.
TRAVEL INSURANCE | Ensure comprehensive and reliable coverage for your backpacking journey in Sri Lanka with Heymondo. Prioritize peace of mind with their trustworthy travel insurance options. Get 5% OFF through our link.
STAY CONNECTED | Guarantee reliable internet access throughout your Sri Lanka trip by using Airalo. Install it on your eSIM-compatible smartphone before your journey for convenient connectivity.
TOURS & ATTRACTIONS | Explore the best city tours, day excursions, safari trips, and cooking classes in Sri Lanka with GetYourGuide or Viator.
VISA ORGANIZATION | Check visa requirements for your passport nationality before your Sri Lanka trip with iVisa.com.
We hope this Anuradhapura travel guide was helpful and inspires you to discover this ancient city in Sri Lanka! Let us know in the comments what you think! You can show some ❤ and support for the blog and help us share more adventures! Our travels are entirely self-funded, so any show of support is greatly appreciated. It allows us to keep writing helpful travel guides and gather information to make it easier for people to discover the world.
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