Anuradhapura sits within driving distance of Mihintale, Ritigala and the Polonnaruwa ruins, making it a workable base for a multi-site ancient-cities itinerary. Best for: multi-day visitors, ancient cities route travellers, history enthusiasts.
What to Expect
Difficulty ranges from moderate to easy. Group sizes are typically 2-10. Tours available in English, Sinhala, German, French.
Our Top Picks
3 hand-picked activities for this trip
Polonnaruwa Full-Day Trip
Best for travellers comparing Sri Lanka's two ancient capitals in one trip
- Three UNESCO-inscribed rock-cut Buddha statues at Gal Vihara, carved from single granite boulders
- Medieval royal palace ruins with intact stone pillars and foundations
Sigiriya & Dambulla Combined Day Trip
Best for travellers with only one spare day for the wider region
- Sigiriya rock fortress: UNESCO World Heritage site with 5th-century palace foundations and frescoes
- Climb Sigiriya via 1,200 iron steps with panoramic views of the surrounding plain from the summit
Wilpattu National Park Safari
Best for travellers wanting wildlife alongside heritage sites
- Largest national park in Sri Lanka with 131,600 hectares of relatively untouched wilderness
- High likelihood of spotting leopards, wild elephants, and sloth bears compared to other parks
Booking Advice
More on Anuradhapura
For sights rather than tours, see the things to do in Anuradhapura. The Anuradhapura guide covers where to stay and how to get around.
We arrange all of these for our guests. Tell us which one and when you are in Anuradhapura.