If you are someone who loves to travel to places are less crowded and rather off the track, then Kurunegala, Sri Lanka is the place for you. The place is not on the hot list of tourists but once you visit it, you will find a lot of things to do in Kurunegala. The town of Kurunegala does not buzz with the vibes of overcrowded tourists. The place is somewhat primeval and smoky, yet it has an aura that you offers you peace and helps you relax.
So if you are a travel enthusiast who loves to explore new places do visit Kurunegala. It will offer you peace of mind while giving you encounter breathtakingly beautiful architectures and natural sites. You can mix up with the locals to know more about their culture, cuisine, currencies and other facts. Given the fact that Kurunegala does not feature on the tourists’ hot list, you will never get an over jammed place where it will be difficult for you to breathe even when you are on your vacation. So, what are you waiting for? Get packed and Travel on!
10 Best Things To Do In Kurunegala
Kurunegala is an offbeat place, you can explore it on your own and come up with even more places to visit. You might just stumble onto another little and pretty monastery or a Buddhist shrine or an amazing bakery and café. You will then be able to add your own findings. If you had been looking for peaceful things to do, study the below-mentioned list carefully as it mentions some of the top 10 things to do in Kurunegala:
1. Samadhi Meditation Buddha – Meditate
2. Welagedara Cricket Stadium – Visit
3. Kurunegala Lake – Sunset Point
4. Animal Rocks – Explore
5. Kurunegala – Intercity Bus Ride
6. Ridi Viharaya – Visit
7. In And Out – Dine
8. Padeniya Raja Maha Vihara – Visit
9. Munneswaram Temple – Pray
10. Yapahuwa – Stop By
1. Samadhi Meditation Buddha – Meditate
This is one of the unmistakable beauties of Kurunegala. The huge statue of Buddha is situated on the entrance to the city and is bound to mesmerize you with its grandeur. The statue does not only possess great artistic value, but it also offers a grand view of the townscape. If you are an animal enthusiast then the good news is you will find monkeys here.
You can reach the way to the top by walking. However, it would be a tough trek and you might consider hiring a driver to take you to the top to enjoy the breathtaking view. At the top, you will find souvenirs to buy and you can also donate if you feel like it. It is very likely that this temple on a hilltop turns out to be your highlight of the tour to Kurunegala.
Location: Athugala, SLT
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2. Welagedara Cricket Stadium – Visit
Another one of the things to do in Kurunegala is that you can visit the Welagedara Cricket Stadium. This is not the biggest stadium of Sri Lanka but it will still remind you that Sri Lanka is a country that loves sports. If you turn up here you can encounter local boys playing cricket. However, if you visit the stadium on the day of a big match, then you would need a ticket to enter. The stadium is situated at the center of the town on Dambulla Road. Kurunegala has one main stadium and there are a host of other small stadiums as well.
Location: 107 Dambulla Road
Suggested Read: 10 Restaurants In Kurunegala For Making Some Sri Lankan Food Memories
3. Kurunegala Lake – Sunset Point
Kurunegala Lake is also known as Rantalia Lake or Kurunegala tank. It a marvelous water body, which is situated away from the city traffic and on the edge of the main town. Sitting near the lake of walking around it and enjoying the view is, of course, free of cost. Enjoying your time with the lake, you can head to a restaurant or bar to enjoy the sunset. It should also be kept in mind that the locals of Kurunegala love to hold their marriage ceremonies at this place because of the picturesque view it offers.
Location: Kurunegala
Suggested Read: 8 Things To Do In Negombo That A Traveler Must Experience On Their Sri Lankan Vacay
4. Animal Rocks – Explore
One of the things to do near Kurunegala is to examine various rocks which resemble animal shapes and have been named after those animals. There are not instantly identifiable similarities, but if you look up and close you will be able to form the outlines of different animals. It goes without saying that is not some typical tourist element but hence you love to go off the track it will give you pleasure and joy.
Location: Various Locations
Suggested Read: 6 Best Restaurants In Dambulla Where You Must Dine On Your Next Sri Lankan Trip!
5. Kurunegala – Intercity Bus Ride
Kurunegala is a city, which has a varied option of transports. You can have a bus or a jeep or a three-wheeler called tuk-tuk or taxi. However, one of the highlights of these available means of transportation is the intercity bus that goes between Kurunegala and Dambulla. Riding the bus with the locals will give you a nice cultural experience, However, you might consider putting some insect repellents on your body as in the buses you may get bit by the insects present on the seats of the buses.
Location: Various Locations
6. Ridi Viharaya – Visit
Ridi Viharaya is a very popular Buddhist Site and is located in the middle of a forest and caves. One can find many statues of the Lord Buddha, and all of them are very historical. The site itself bears the signs of ancient architecture. Make sure to stop by Ridi Viharaya to seek blessings from Lord Buddha for the rest of your journey and take in the vibes of this place. You will cherish these memories for a lifetime.
Location: Ridigama, Kurunegala
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7. In And Out – Dine
This is a bakery restaurant, which is unexpectedly modish. The restaurant is situated 30m away from the bus stop. It offers nice western and Sri Lankan dishes. Among the available items, there are rice and curry, omelets and cakes. If you’re in the mood to dine, gather your friends and family and treat them to the most amazing Sri Lankan cuisine in the world. They won’t know what hit them!
Location: Katugastota-Kurunegala-Puttalam Hwy
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8. Padeniya Raja Maha Vihara – Visit
The mentioned name is a Kandyan styles temple, which is worth a visit if you are passing by it. The temple is located about 25 km Northwest of Kurunegala and 85 km South of Anuradhapura, where the Anuradhapura and Puttalam roads have met. The temple is pretty and it is a medieval kind of a temple that has carved pillars, which are 28 in numbers. The temple further has an elaborate and stunning door, which is said to be the largest door of Sri Lanka. The door leads to the main temple. Apart from these, there is a house and a library of clay-image along with a preaching hall that has an unusually carved pulpit made of wood.
Location: Anuradhapura-Padeniya Highway, Galgamuwa, Sri Lanka
9. Munneswaram Temple – Pray
Munneswaram Temple is considered to be one of the most important sanctuaries in Sri Lanka which has been devoted to Shiva. It is believed that Durga is invincible, Shiva teaches wisdom and Vishnu is the protector. It is considered to be the home of the medieval sculpture of Hindu Pandya who reigned in Southern India. This temple is a pilgrimage during the time of full moon in the month of February and the ending of August.
Location: Maha Devalayam, Wariyapola Road, Chilaw
10. Yapahuwa – Stop By
There is a huge lion staircase which leads to the temple of Buddha with a sacred tooth relic. These stairs are half-way up to the hillside and they are considered to be a masterpiece of the citadel of Yapahuwa but unfortunately, now they are in ruins. The granite rock which emerges from thick vegetation against which the fortress of Bhuvanekabahu I has been built was earlier a lower town and a palace.
Location: Yapahuwa, Sri Lanka
Further Read: 9 Alluring Things To Do In Nuwara Eliya, The Heart Of Sri Lanka In 2019!
Wait no more and give Kurunegala a visit as soon as possible! Though this place is not so well known or thought of to be less famous one can realize how good a location it can be for the wonderful ambiance and the calm environment it has. It wont disappoint you for sure. This might not look as per your expectation and it is also not like your usual beaches. However, the overall experience of visiting this beach can be a great one for you. If you are tired of your boring life and badly need a break then take a trip around this beach for a few days. Get packed and book your trip to Sri Lanka right away and explore the adorable city!
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Exploring new places and trying out new food cuisines are two things that bring Seema all the happiness. Travel freak and a die-hard foodie are the synonyms that define her the best. Popular on social media by the name of ‘PandaReviewz’, lazing around the beaches, exploiting the sunset points, visiting the farthermost villages, exploring the renowned cities, trying out new food cuisines, and blogging about them are few things that keep Seema occupied, and happy!
