Mihintale
Points of Interest & LandmarksReligious Sites
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  • Maureen G
    Venice, Florida93 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Peaceful
    We hired a tuk-tuk in Anuradhapura to take us to Mihinthale one morning. There was a ceremony taking place when we arrived and it was really lovely to watch. Such a peaceful place. Fewer tourists than at Anuradhapura sites.
    Visited February 2023
    Written March 28, 2023
  • Samira d
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must do definitely when in Sri Lanka
    Great expectations, but wowww... must do if you visit Sri LANKA. Please we advice you do this with a guide, mister ATHULA he 's amazing. He's knowledge, kindness, tips for beautiful places to make extra ordinary pictures. You can find him at the ticket service. Or by what's app: + 94 72 406 7795 A friend for life...he's wisdom and frienship makes this trip an extra dimensional high level. Family Beerens from Belgium
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written August 13, 2023
  • Lonely Laowai
    37 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    *Not* touristy but worth it nonetheless
    Someone needs to remove the “not touristy at all” refrain from the first few hits this place brings up in google. While not crawling per southeast, it definitely has a good crowd going, for the sunset hike at least. I accepted the services of a guide named Ruan. Guy was a bit annoying at first but ended up giving me such a thorough history lesson and a terrific little hidden sunset spot (better than where the throngs headed), I ended up paying him $20 not just the $10 he’d originally asked.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written February 19, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,411 reviews
Excellent
945
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416
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40
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Rambling R
Melbourne, Australia124 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
After a wonderful experience at Sri Maha Bodhi, we arrived in Mihintale to walk around the stupa. We walked up to the second landing, where we were accosted by the rudest people we have ever come across. After accusing us of not paying the entrance fee, we walked over to a hidden demountable ticket office to pay the fee. However, when we were vilified for being white, we decided not to stay. There is no fee for non-white people at this place and the touts are extraordinarily rude. However, if our driver had warned us about the wannabe guides, we may not have had these problems.
Written January 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alan C
Hong Kong, China371 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021 • Couples
Important religious site in Sri Lanka. However, even if you are not religious well worth a visit to take in the spectacular views back to the ancient city of Anuradhapura and also to Ritigala. In fact you have 360 degree views from the Stupa and even better from the top of the rock. The latter is quiet tricky to climb even when there are no people around, but yourselves. Entrance fee LKR1000. Approximately 30-45 minute drive from Anuradhapura, but well worth it.
Written October 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fern T
12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Couples
We visited Mihintale with a really great tour guide, he was super friendly and showed us all over the mountain and had so much knowledge about the monks who occupied the area and how they lived. We arrived at 3ish and arrived at the top to watch the sunset. Highly recommend using O.V.Athulawansa, you can contact him via WhatsApp +94 72 406 7795
Written January 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wasantha dissanayake
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2020 • Family
Oldest sthupa in the world and it's just 5.2 kms away from waterfront home stay in anuradhapura. It has a large number of relics inside. Built in 242 BC by King dutu gamunu after defeating the then ruler "elara".first anuradhapura known as "anuradha grama "later became anuradha nagara, and now called as anuradhapura.
Written May 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joe91
Perth, Australia4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We have been to Mihintale in a evening around 4 pm, we believe it is the great time to climb the rock, not too hot and nice wind blowing through you. Absolutely amazing view from the top. Also the feeling you get around is so spiritual.
Mihintale is about 13Km far from the city. But do not miss this place if you are panning your trip to Anuradhapura.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kai Wah
Malaysia2,803 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
This cultural site holds significant Buddhism history in Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhism Pilgrimage site where is believed that Buddhist monks met up with the King as far back as 300BC and the Buddhism was inaugurated in Sri Lanka. Foreigners fee of LKR1,000 per person per entry. It took us about 30 mins to walk up the staircase to the site with some notable ruins. There are 3 other sites which include the access to the massive white stupa, a massive Buddha statue and clim-up to the top of the rock which provides stunning panoramic views. The climb up to the rock is not so straight forward for people afraid of height since it is not easy to climb up bare footed even most of the path is built with railing as some part are quite steep and much precaution is required. Proper dressing is necessary to cover shoulder and pants/ dress below knee with no shoes allowed at the site. It is easier to visit during morning or late afternoon when the ground is not too hot for the bare foot walking. Recommended for anyone into cultural/ historical sites in Anuradhapura.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dianedinky
Dunfermline, UK791 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
For the well travelled this was a little disappointing - you've seen one large white stupa before so not too impressed. The old city ruins are also very sparse and not much to see. Was a fairly easy climb up all the steps but wear socks if you can rather than going barefoot. The reclining Buddha inside is nice but not stunning. There is a mini stupa at the bottom to look at rather than do the steps. If you have time go, if pushed for time then there are more worthy things to go visit, I think.
Written February 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Albia-Newton
Evanton, UK3,991 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
Great experience. Lots of history to explore as well as climbing up to the temple area which is still a holy site for Buddhists today. Nice to see active pilgrims still enjoying this famous and historical site for family devotions and enjoyable days out

Make sure you explore the whole site and don’t just visit the top temple part

The ancient hospital is fascinating. Don’t miss the medication bath by the entrance
Written February 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sleepybexhill
Bexhill-on-Sea, UK1,555 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022 • Couples
It can get very crowded so you might not be able to stand on the small summit. Still, there are other places to go for a view. If you want to see the Buddha in sunlight go at sunset. For the stupa visit at sunrise. Tip - take a pair of socks since it’s no shoes for the upper part of the climb.
Written January 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alice S
Lund, Sweden602 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021 • Couples
Beautiful place, located on a little hill. For sunset you'll have a stunning view and a nice calm atmosphere. It is a bit pricey to go inside is you are a tourist. The stupa and Buddha Statue looks nice in the evening light. I really enjoyed our visit. It was quite empty except for a few monks, local devotees and some few tourist so maybe that added to the good experience.
Written December 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Mihintale, Anuradhapura

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