Anuradhapura was the first great capital of Sri Lanka, the seat of its kings for well over a thousand years until the end of the 10th century — and the city Kashyapa abandoned when he moved his court to Sigiriya. It remains one of the holiest places in the Buddhist world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.
It is the longest of the usual day trips from Sigiriya, about 75 km each way, and rewards an early start.
Top things to do at Anuradhapura
The Sri Maha Bodhi
A sacred fig tree grown, by tradition, from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, brought to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE. It is tended continuously and surrounded by pilgrims in white.
The great stupas
The gleaming white Ruwanwelisaya, and the brick giants Jetavanaramaya and Abhayagiri, were among the tallest structures of the ancient world.
Monastery ruins and ponds
The Twin Ponds (Kuttam Pokuna), the serene Samadhi Buddha and the moonstones of the monastic complexes show the refinement of the city’s builders.
How to get to Anuradhapura
- From Sigiriya: about 1.5–2 hours by car. By public transport, take a bus to Dambulla or Habarana and change for Anuradhapura.
- Getting around: the sites are several kilometres apart. A tuk-tuk tour with a driver-guide or a bicycle is the practical way to see them.
Insider tips
- White or light, modest clothing is appreciated at the Sri Maha Bodhi and the stupas.
- You will walk barefoot on hot stone around the stupas — bring socks.
- Full-moon (Poya) days are crowded but wonderfully atmospheric.
Best tours & tickets for Anuradhapura
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Anuradhapura:
Private tuk-tuk tour from US$23 Anuradhapura: Tuk-Tuk Tour with Temples & Hidden Stories
Sri Lanka’s first capital is huge, hot and scattered over several kilometres. A tuk-tuk with a driver-guide who can explain what you are looking at is the smart way to see it. The tour starts in Anuradhapura, about an hour and a half from Sigiriya.
- The Sri Maha Bodhi and the giant stupas
- A local driver-guide who knows the quiet corners
- The easy way around a very spread-out site
