Kurunegala: A One-Day Itinerary

  • 9:00 AM: Athagala Rock Cave Temple
    20 minutes (7.3 km) from Kurunegala

    Start your day with a visit to the Athagala Rock Cave Temple, a famous ancient monastery that was built during the Anuradhapura period. This temple complex has many attractions, such as inscriptions, statues, and paintings of the Buddha, which are ideal for history and art lovers.

  • 11:00 AM: Kurunegala Lake
    15 minutes (5 km) from Athagala Rock Cave Temple

    Take a relaxing stroll around the Kurunegala Lake, a beautiful artificial lake that was created by King Buwanekabahu IV in the 14th century. The lake's serene atmosphere, greenery, and fresh air make it a perfect place to unwind and relax.

  • 12:00 PM: Ridi Viharaya Temple
    10 minutes (3.5 km) from Kurunegala Lake

    Visit the Ridi Viharaya Temple, a popular historic Buddhist temple characterized by its nine-storied building, situated on a rocky plateau. This temple houses various Buddha statues, historical artifacts, and a stunning view of the surrounding landscape.

  • 1:30 PM: Royal Mall Shopping Complex
    20 minutes (7.2 km) from Ridi Viharaya Temple

    Satiate your inner shopaholic at the Royal Mall Shopping Complex, located in the heart of Kurunegala. This modern mall features local and international brands, restaurants, and entertainment centers.

  • 4:00 PM: Kurunegala National Museum
    10 minutes (3.7 km) from Royal Mall Shopping Complex

    Wrap up your day by immortalizing your trip's memories with a visit to the Kurunegala National Museum. Founded in 1971, this museum is home to various displays and exhibitions of Sri Lankan history and culture, including coins, sculptures, arts, and crafts.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Athagala Rock Cave Temple (2 hours, Free)
  • Kurunegala Lake (1 hour, Free)
  • Ridi Viharaya Temple (2 hours, Free)
  • Royal Mall Shopping Complex (2 hours, Personal expense)
  • Kurunegala National Museum (2 hours, LKR 300 entrance fee)
  • Total Estimated Costs: LKR 300

Transportation

Traveling around Kurunegala is possible via buses, taxis, and three-wheelers. Taxis and three-wheelers are perfect for short distances around the city, and buses are frequent and economical for traveling between cities.

Travel Costs: Taxis and three-wheelers cost around LKR 50 to LKR 100 per kilometer. Buses cost LKR 20 to LKR 40.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can visit other major attractions in the city, such as the Kurunegala Elephant Rock, Ethagala, and the Panduwasnuwara Kingdom. Suppose you have less time, and want to shorten your itinerary, consider visiting only one or two main attractions, such as the Athagala Rock Cave Temple and the Ridi Viharaya Temple.

Airports

The nearest airport to Kurunegala is the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) located in Katunayake, which is approximately 75 kilometers away from Kurunegala.

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