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
The Lake Forest Hotel

The Lake Forest Hotel

3 out of 5
103, Tissa Wewa Lane, Pothanegama Anuradhapura NC
The price is AED 397 per night from Dec 3 to Dec 4
AED 397
AED 468 total
3 Dec - 4 Dec
includes taxes & 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! (63 reviews)
Great hotel by a lake

Reviewed on 3 November 2025

The Lake Forest Hotel
Kutumbaya

Kutumbaya

3 out of 5
803 Freeman Mawatha Anuradhapura
The price is AED 68 per night from Nov 21 to Nov 22
AED 68
AED 93 total
21 Nov - 22 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Anuradhapura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Nuwara Wewa and Isurumuniya ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (29 reviews)
Great value stay
I really enjoyed my stay at Kutumbaya. The staff were really friendly and helped organise a safari and tour of the ancient ruins for me. The food was great, particularly the Sri Lankan breakfasts. The WiFi and air con were good and I even found some Premiership football on the TV. I’d definitely ...

Reviewed on 20 January 2025

Kutumbaya
The Ivy Lake

The Ivy Lake

3 out of 5
115 Dharmapala Mawatha, Anuradhapura
The price is AED 85 per night from Nov 20 to Nov 21
AED 85
AED 101 total
20 Nov - 21 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Anuradhapura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Nuwara Wewa and Jetawanaramaya Museum ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (19 reviews)
Lovely large clean rooms, great hotel 100% recommend. The breakfast was amazing string hoppers and fruit bowl is our recommendation.

Reviewed on 3 November 2025

The Ivy Lake
See all 175 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
Stay at this 3.5-star 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
Temco Holiday Bungalow

Temco Holiday Bungalow

Anuradhapura
Stay at this villa in Anuradhapura. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Isurumuniya Vihara and Sri Maha Bodhi are located ...
Temco Holiday Bungalow
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
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
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
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

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%