{"id":1305076,"date":"2026-10-01T15:32:32","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T15:32:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1305076"},"modified":"2026-10-02T10:10:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T10:10:08","slug":"anuradhapura","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/asia\/sri-lanka\/anuradhapura\/","title":{"rendered":"Anuradhapura"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1302972,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-city","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_count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city guide","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"Things To Do In Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"Sri Lanka's first great capital: vast brick dagobas, ruined monasteries and a sacred fig tree grown from the tree under which the Buddha found enlightenment, explored by bicycle.","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"1302980","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"light","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"Where to stay | #areas\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_city_stats":"4th c. BCE | Capital founded\r\n2,000+ years | The sacred fig\r\n1982 | Joins UNESCO","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"The sacred city","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka for over a thousand years, from the fourth century BCE, and one of the great cities of the ancient world. Its ruins, spread across the dry northern plain, include some of the largest brick structures ever built. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.\r\n\r\nAt its heart is the Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig grown from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha found enlightenment, planted over two thousand years ago.\r\n\r\nTwo days is right.","hw_hub_city_facts":"Getting there | Bus from Colombo, about 5 hours, while the northern rail line is repaired\r\nGetting around | Bicycle\r\nLanguages | Sinhala and English\r\nTipping | 10% in restaurants\r\nTap water | Not drinkable\r\nHow long to stay | Two days","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"Guesthouses are in the new town, south and east of the sacred city, and around Nuwara Wewa, the big reservoir to the east. Anywhere in town is a short cycle from the ruins.","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"13","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"1","hw_hub_city_areas":"New town | First-timers | Guesthouses and restaurants, a short cycle from the ruins. | 8.3114 | 80.4037 |  | \nNuwara Wewa | Quiet | Guesthouses by the ancient reservoir, east of town. | 8.3290 | 80.4240 |  | ","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"How long have you got?","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"The routes we would take, in the order we would take them.","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"Things to do in Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_do_body":"Start at the Sri Maha Bodhi, the sacred fig grown from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha found enlightenment, planted in the third century BCE and the oldest historically documented tree in the world. Pilgrims in white bring flowers and chant here from dawn.\r\n\r\nThe sacred city is too big to walk; hire a bicycle and spend a day riding between the great dagobas. Ruwanwelisaya, gleaming white and surrounded by a wall of carved elephants, is still an active place of worship. Jetavanaramaya, built in the third century, was one of the tallest structures in the ancient world and is still among the largest brick buildings ever made. Abhayagiri, in the forest to the north, was a monastery for thousands of monks. Look out for the carved moonstones at the foot of temple steps, the Samadhi Buddha in meditation, and the Kuttam Pokuna, a pair of stone bathing pools.\r\n\r\nIsurumuniya, a rock temple by a pond, has the famous carving of the Lovers.\r\n\r\nMihintale, about thirty minutes away, is the hill where Buddhism arrived in Sri Lanka in the third century BCE. Climb its stone stairway early, before the rock gets too hot for bare feet.","hw_hub_city_do_points":"Sri Maha Bodhi | The sacred fig, planted in the 3rd century BCE\r\nBy bicycle | The only way to see the sacred city\r\nJetavanaramaya | Among the largest brick buildings ever made\r\nMihintale | Where Buddhism arrived. Go early","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_city_do_more":"All things to do in Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_free_title":"Free things to do in Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_free_body":"The Sri Maha Bodhi and the surrounding temple area are free to visit, and the town around them is free to explore.\r\n\r\nThe embankment of Nuwara Wewa, the ancient reservoir to the east, is a good free sunset walk. Some smaller temples outside the ticketed zone are also free; give a small donation where there is a box.","hw_hub_city_free_points":"Sri Maha Bodhi | Free, among pilgrims\r\nNuwara Wewa | Sunset on the reservoir bank\r\nThe town | Free to explore\r\nSmall temples | Free; leave a donation","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"free-things-to-do","hw_hub_city_free_more":"All free things to do in Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_food_title":"Eating and drinking in Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_food_body":"Anuradhapura eats simply. Rice and curry in local restaurants in the new town, kottu at night and fresh fruit from the market are the staples. Buffalo curd with kithul palm treacle, a sweet, sharp dessert, is sold at roadside stalls in the region.\r\n\r\nThere are few tourist restaurants, and many guesthouses cook dinner if you ask.\r\n\r\nA meal is \u20ac2 to \u20ac5.","hw_hub_city_food_points":"Rice and curry | Simple and cheap\r\nCurd and treacle | The regional dessert\r\nGuesthouse dinner | Ask in the morning\r\nA meal | \u20ac2\u20135","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_city_food_more":"All food guides for Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"Going out in Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"Anuradhapura has no nightlife; it is a sacred city and very quiet after dark. A few hotel restaurants serve beer.\r\n\r\nOn full-moon days, the sacred city fills with pilgrims in white, which is the most atmospheric time to be here, but alcohol is not sold.\r\n\r\nA beer is \u20ac2.50 to \u20ac4. Every full-moon day is a Poya holiday, when alcohol sales are banned and most bars close or serve only quietly; check the calendar before planning a night out.","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"Quiet | A sacred city\r\nFull moon | Pilgrims in white, no alcohol\r\nHotel bars | A few serve beer\r\nA beer | \u20ac2.50\u20134","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"Getting around Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"Trains from Colombo currently stop at Maho, short of Anuradhapura, while cyclone damage on the northern line is repaired; buses reach Colombo in about five hours.\r\n\r\nBuses run to Dambulla and Sigiriya (about two hours), Kandy (about three and a half) and Trincomalee.\r\n\r\nIn the sacred city, rent a bicycle from your guesthouse, or hire a tuk-tuk for the day; distances between the dagobas are several kilometres.","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"To Colombo | About 5 hours by bus for now\r\nTrains | Stopping at Maho during repairs\r\nTo Sigiriya | About 2 hours by bus\r\nSacred city | Bicycle or tuk-tuk","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"All transport guides for Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_money_title":"What Anuradhapura costs","hw_hub_city_money_body":"Anuradhapura is cheap, apart from the site ticket. A careful day is \u20ac15 to \u20ac25.\r\n\r\nThe Sacred City ticket is USD 30 for foreign adults and covers the main monastery zones, including Jetavanaramaya and Abhayagiri; the Sri Maha Bodhi is free. Mihintale and Isurumuniya charge small separate fees. A bicycle is a few euros a day.\r\n\r\nThe currency is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR); prices here are euro equivalents. Dollar prices are paid in rupees at the day's rate.","hw_hub_city_money_points":"Sacred City | USD 30\r\nSri Maha Bodhi | Free\r\nBicycle | A few euros a day\r\nA day | \u20ac15\u201325","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_city_money_more":"All budget guides for Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"Staying safe in Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"Anuradhapura is safe. The heat is the main hazard: start early, carry water, and take a break at midday.\r\n\r\nThe ruins are active places of worship. Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes and hats at every temple and dagoba, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue. Stone paving gets very hot by midday, so carry socks.\r\n\r\nEmergency: 119 police, 1990 ambulance (Suwa Seriya, free). Tourist Police: 1912.","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"Heat | Start early, carry water\r\nTemple dress | Cover shoulders and knees\r\nHot paving | Carry socks\r\nEmergency | 119 police, 1990 ambulance","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"All safety guides for Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"Day trips from Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"Where Buddhism arrived, the rock fortress and a quieter leopard park.","hw_hub_city_trips":"Mihintale | About 30 minutes | Bus or tuk-tuk | The hill where Buddhism came to Sri Lanka, up a long stone stairway. |  | 1305088\nSigiriya | About 2 hours | Bus via Dambulla | The rock fortress and the Cultural Triangle. |  | 1305089\nWilpattu | About 1 hour | Jeep safari | Sri Lanka's largest national park: leopards and sloth bears, with far fewer jeeps than Yala. |  | 1305090","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"day-trips","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"All day trips from Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"January to September.","hw_hub_city_season_note":"Average highs.","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"January | 30 | 4 | Good\r\nFebruary | 31 | 4 | Dry\r\nMarch | 33 | 3 | Hot\r\nApril | 34 | 3 | Hot\r\nMay | 34 | 3 | Good\r\nJune | 33 | 4 | Poson\r\nJuly | 33 | 4 | Good\r\nAugust | 33 | 5 | Elephant gathering\r\nSeptember | 33 | 4 | Gathering\r\nOctober | 32 | 2 | Rainy\r\nNovember | 30 | 2 | Rainy\r\nDecember | 29 | 3 | Rainy","hw_hub_city_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"Poson, in June, brings pilgrims to Mihintale.","hw_hub_city_events_source":"api","hw_hub_city_events_count":"8","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"All events in Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/asia\/sri-lanka\/anuradhapura\/","hw_hub_city_events":"Poson Poya | June | Mihintale | Pilgrims celebrate the arrival of Buddhism. |  | \nFull moon days | Monthly | Sacred city | Pilgrims in white. |  | ","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"Prices are in rupees locally; these are euro equivalents. Excludes the site ticket.","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 7 | 5 | 3 | 25\r\nMiddle of the road | 15 | 10 | 5 | 30\r\nComfortable | 30 | 18 | 10 | 40","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"\u20ac","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"Where to stay in Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"The top-rated places to stay in Anuradhapura right now, live from Hostelworld.","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Anuradhapura","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/asia\/sri-lanka\/anuradhapura\/","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_city_picks":"Best for solo travellers |  |  | \nBest for a party |  |  | \nQuietest |  |  | ","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"Anuradhapura travel questions","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_city_faqs":"What is the Sri Maha Bodhi? | A sacred fig grown from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha found enlightenment in India, planted here in the third century BCE. It is the oldest historically documented tree in the world, and free to visit.\r\nHow do I get around? | By bicycle, which most guesthouses rent for a few euros a day, or by tuk-tuk hired for the day. The ruins are spread over several kilometres.\r\nHow far is Colombo? | About five hours by bus. Trains currently stop short at Maho while the northern line is repaired.\r\nWhat is Mihintale? | The hill about thirty minutes away where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the third century BCE. A long stone stairway leads to temples and a summit with wide views; go early before the rock heats up.\r\nHow many days do you need? | Two: one for the sacred city by bicycle, one for Mihintale and Isurumuniya.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit? | January to September. The north-central dry zone is driest then; October to December brings heavy rain.\r\nWhat should I wear? | White or modest clothing covering shoulders and knees. You will remove shoes and hats many times, so wear easy shoes and carry socks for the hot stone.","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"Compare Anuradhapura hostels \u2014 live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in Anuradhapura | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/asia\/sri-lanka\/anuradhapura\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. 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