Explore North Central Province, Sri Lanka

Top places and hidden gems in North Central Province, ready to drop into your itinerary.

Places to visit

The medieval royal capital of Sri Lanka, known for preserved monuments, statues and ancient irrigation works.

A colossal 3rd-century brick stupa in Anuradhapura, once one of the tallest structures in the ancient world.

A massive ancient brick dome at the heart of the Abhayagiri ruins in Anuradhapura.

An ancient capital and UNESCO World Heritage site containing extensive ruins, monuments, palaces and reservoirs.

A large standing statue carved from rock near Kekirawa, dating to Sri Lanka's ancient period.

A celebrated group of rock-cut statues within the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.

An ancient rock-cut complex in Anuradhapura known for its historic sculpture.

A protected area known for ironwood forest and a prominent pink quartz mountain formation.

An ancient fig tree in Anuradhapura planted in 288 BC, the oldest documented living tree in the world.

A dry-zone national park around the Kaudulla reservoir with elephants and wetland and forest habitats.

A pair of elegant ancient stone bathing pools in Anuradhapura.

A large medieval image house in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.

A national park centred on the Minneriya reservoir and known for elephants and other dry-zone wildlife.

A circular ancient structure within the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.

A large brick stupa in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.

An ancient forest complex on a mountain, with stone structures, reservoirs and paved paths.

A major ancient stupa within the ancient city of Anuradhapura.

Sri Lanka's first stupa, a small bell-shaped dagoba ringed by ancient stone pillars in Anuradhapura.