Follow this easy one-day itinerary of Anuradhapura places to visit!
Anuradhapura is the capital city of North Central Province, & was also, the first capital of Sri Lanka. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site & also, is a popular pilgrimage destination for Buddhists, as it homes the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, which is a sacred fig tree from a sapling of the original Bodhi tree where Buddha became enlightened. Plus, other stupas that are believed to enshrine relics from Buddha.
The city of Anuradhapura is pretty flat & sprawling, so I recommend hiring bicycles to explore. You only really need a day to explore here! We organised our bikes from our hotel & conveniently, these only cost 1000LKR each for the day.
You will require a ‘Sacred Area Entrance’ ticket to explore the area, which you can obtain from the ticket counter here, & opens from 7.30am.
Once you have your ticket, you are free to explore Anuradhapura.
If you are planning a trip to Sri Lanka, then you can follow my full Sri Lanka itinerary here.
Anuradhapura places to visit:
I have listed the key sites to hit in the area, in an optimised order (without any doubling-back) to ensure a seamless day of exploring, so you don’t have to do the planning!
Starting at 7.30am, with a stop at Palhena (a very sweet restaurant with delicious, local food) for around 1pm, & further exploring in the afternoon. Also, I have prioritised the key sites to see in the morning, so the afternoon is optional if you are stupa-d out…
1. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Start at the sacred Bodhi tree, one of the holiest places in Sri Lanka & soak up the lively hustle & bustle as locals gather to give offerings to Buddha. The air is filled with the scent of incense & also, the hum of prayers, which creates an unforgettable atmosphere of devotion & tradition.
2. Ruwanwelisaya Stupa
Just a 2 minute ride from the Bodhi tree, this majestic white stupa is a stunning sight in the morning light. We were lucky enough to stumble upon the “Pirikara Valiga” ritual here, which is a symbolic & also, spiritual practice in Sri Lankan Buddhist culture, of wrapping a long ribbon around the stupa. It was an incredible experience to be a part of, & was a complete coincidence for us, so be sure to check whether there are any ceremonies happening.
3. Lovamahapaya
Visit the ruins of the Brazen Palace, located conveniently between the stupa and your next stop (around another 2 minute cycle).
4. Thuparamaya
A 4 minute cycle from Lovamahapaya, this is the oldest stupa (also known as a dagoba) in Sri Lanka. This serene site is said to enshrine Buddha’s collarbone relic. Although, like all stupas, you cannot see the relic, as the stupas are built to house & protect sacred relics…
5. Isurumuniya Temple
Around a 10 minute cycle brings you to this rock temple. The temple is, quite literally, built into the side of a rock. Here, you’ll find beautiful carvings, a fantastic view from the top, & maybe even spot some crocodiles & turtles in the water, like we did! You have to pay a separate fee to enter this temple, but it is only 500LKR & is worth it.
Take a pause from your Anuradhapura places tour
At around 1pm, stop for lunch at Palhena restaurant (around a 5 minute cycle from Isurumuniya Temple).
6. Sanda Hiru Seya
A massive stupa, worth cycling past on your way back in to the sacred area (10 mins from Palhena).
7. Archaeological Museum
If you have the time/energy, dive deeper into the history of Anuradhapura at this small but insightful museum. It features a collection of artifacts, tools, & relics that give life to the stories of the ancient city (10 mins from Sanda Hiru Seya).
8. Jethawanaramaya
Another stupa, once one of the tallest structures in the ancient world. It is surrounded by the ruins of what once was a grand monastery (5 mins from the museum).
9. Samadhi Buddha Statue
A meditating Buddha, which is a symbol of peace & enlightenment (5 mins from Jethawanaramaya).
10. Abhayagiriya Stupa
Another monumental stupa, this one is located within a sprawling monastic complex (5 mins from Samadhi).
11. Kuttam Pokuna (twin ponds)
End your day at these ancient bathing pools, a peaceful & photogenic spot showcasing incredible ancient engineering (5 mins from Abhayagiriya).
Anuradhapura places roundup
I hope that this one day itinerary for Anuradhapura places was helpful! To make moving around easier, I plotted each of the places on my Google Maps & had Google do the directions for me 🙂
Enjoy!
