City or town
Things to see in Anuradhapura (Sri Lanka): 6 places and when to go
Anuradhapura is a city in Sri Lanka with around 118,000 inhabitants, and this site lists 6 places in and around it, mainly Temples (3), Museums and art (2), History (1). The best known are Anuradhapura, Abhayagiri Vihāra and Jetavanaramaya. The best time to come is January to March and July to August; also possible: April to June, September and December. There are about 12 h 29 of daylight all year round: this close to the equator the days barely change. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.
In a nutshell
- Where
- Sri Lanka · 8.35, 80.3833
- Population
- About 118,000
- Places
- 6 places on this site, in the town and around it.
- What people come for
- Temples (3) · Museums and art (2) · History (1)
- Best time
- January to March and July to August.
- Also possible
- April to June, September and December.
- Nearest airport
- CMB Colombo, 141 km as the crow flies
What to see in Anuradhapura
The places in and around Anuradhapura, best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.
- AnuradhapuraHistory1.8 km
- Abhayagiri VihāraHistorical Buddhist monastery site in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka2.7 km
- JetavanaramayaTemple in Sri Lanka2.2 km
- RuwanwelisayaTemple in Sri Lanka1.4 km
- Anuradhapura MuseumArchaeological Museum, Historical Museum in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka1.2 km
- Folk MuseumMuseum1.2 km
When to go to Anuradhapura
The best time to visit Anuradhapura is January to March and July to August; also possible: April to June, September and December. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.
- JanBest time11:34
- FebBest time11:44
- MarBest time11:57
- AprPossible12:11
- MayPossible12:23
- JunPossible12:29
- JulBest time12:27
- AugBest time12:17
- SepPossible12:03
- OctBetter not11:49
- NovBetter not11:37
- DecPossible11:31
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
There are about 12 h 29 of daylight all year round: this close to the equator the days barely change. In January, 6 of the 6 places are at their best.
When to go to Sri Lanka in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Getting to Anuradhapura
The nearest main airport is Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB, Colombo), 141 km as the crow flies. How to get around Sri Lanka (train, car, bus) is in its country guide, and what to sort out before you leave is in its checklist.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
Other towns nearby
- Manampitiya6 places92 km
- Trincomalee8 places97 km
- Kandy18 places123 km
- Jaffna9 places153 km
- Nuwara Eliya13 places160 km
- Colombo30 places168 km
And all of Sri Lanka, in its country guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Anuradhapura?
The best known: Anuradhapura, Abhayagiri Vihāra, Jetavanaramaya, Ruwanwelisaya, Anuradhapura Museum. In all, 6 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.
When is the best time to visit Anuradhapura?
January to March and July to August; also possible: April to June, September and December. There are about 12 h 29 of daylight all year round: this close to the equator the days barely change.
How do you get to Anuradhapura?
The nearest main airport is Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB), 141 km away. From there, directions opens the route on the map.
How do I add it to my trip?
Create a trip with Anuradhapura as the destination and these 6 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.
Keep reading
- Sri LankaBefore travelling to Sri Lanka: 9 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. You need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), applied for before you fly on the…
- Temples55 places for temples in Sri Lanka, from Temple of the Tooth to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: January to March and July to August. Each with its own season by a
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, from Wikidata, CC0, cities from Natural Earth and airports from OurAirports. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.