World by City

Temples & religious sites

Jetavanaramaya

Open in Maps
Jetavanaramaya

Jetavanaramaya

Jetavanaramaya is a massive brick stupa located within the ruins of the Jetavana Monastery in Anuradhapura. Visitors go here to see one of the largest ancient structures of its kind in the world, noting the scale of the brickwork and the surrounding monastic ruins.

Getting There

The site is located within the ancient city complex of Anuradhapura. From the city centre, it is accessible via tuk-tuk or bicycle. The trip typically takes 10 to 15 minutes depending on the starting point and mode of transport.

Duration of Visit

Allow approximately 1 to 2 hours to walk around the base of the stupa and explore the immediate monastery grounds.

When to Visit

Early morning or late afternoon is recommended to avoid the midday heat, as there is little shade around the structure. The dry season is generally preferred for easier walking. The site can become crowded during Buddhist religious holidays.

Nearby Attractions

Because of its location in the World Heritage city, this site can be combined with other nearby monuments:

  • Ruwanweli Maha Saya (0.8km)
  • Thuparamaya (0.9km)
  • Anuradhapura Museum (1.2km)
  • Dakkhina Stupa (1.5km)

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

GetYourGuide GetYourGuide 클룩 Klook Tiqets Tiqets KKday KKday WeGoTrip WeGoTrip

This place may not appear in the results — some sites are free to enter or sell tickets only at the gate.

Stays near Jetavanaramaya

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

Map and place data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Jetavanaramaya Nearby stays

Check prices and availability on the booking sites.

Pick your dates — we'll search Anuradhapura hotels for you

Choose dates and guests, and the buttons below will open search results with your criteria. Prices differ between sites, so compare before you book.

View on Compare sites 부킹닷컴 View on Booking.com 호텔스닷컴 View on Hotels.com

Hotel membership

Staying at Accor hotels often? ALL Accor+ Explorer

A paid annual membership. It includes two free nights a year across Asia-Pacific, 30% off dining and 15% off drinks, and 15% off stays at more than 4,500 hotels worldwide.

Explore the membership

Itineraries including this place

2 nights, 3 days

Anuradhapura 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)

A 3-day route through Anuradhapura grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Ruwanweli Maha Saya

Temples & religious sites

Ruwanweli Maha Saya

A stupa in Anuradhapura said to have been built around 140 BCE by King Dutugemunu. It's known to enshrine the largest quantity of the Buddha's relics.

0.8 km away
Thuparamaya

Temples & religious sites

Thuparamaya

Built when Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka, this is recorded as the island's oldest Buddhist temple. In Anuradhapura, it offers a glimpse into the very beginnings of Sri Lankan Buddhism.

0.9 km away
Anuradhapura Museum

Museums & galleries

Anuradhapura Museum

An archaeological museum in Anuradhapura, the oldest and largest run by Sri Lanka's Department of Archaeology. It's a great place to trace the city's history through its ancient artifacts.

1.2 km away
Dakkhina Stupa

Temples & religious sites

Dakkhina Stupa

A large 2nd-century BC brick stupa remaining in Anuradhapura. It was once believed to be a monument to a different king, but was later identified as the tower of an ancient temple.

1.5 km away
Mahamevnāwa Park in Anuradhapura

Parks & gardens

Mahamevnāwa Park in Anuradhapura

A historic royal garden in Anuradhapura, said to be linked to the king credited with creating Sri Lanka's first garden. It's a pleasant place to stroll and take in the atmosphere of the ancient city.

1.6 km away
Vessagiri

Heritage & monuments

Vessagiri

An ancient Buddhist forest monastery ruin set among the rocky outcrops south of Isurumuniya in Anuradhapura. Founded under King Devanampiya Tissa and greatly expanded under King Kashyapa, it once housed over 500 monks, and traces of meditation cells carved into the rocks can still be seen.

2.2 km away