1 out of 13
Places To Visit in Tissamaharama

Built by the very King Devanampiyatissa, who introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka, Tissa Wewa is an artificial reservoir with architecture ahead of its time. During the 3rd century BC, it was used to increase the water supply to the flourishing capital of Anuradhapura. Today, the 652-acre-large lake is flanked by dedicated walkways and swaying trees along the banks. Visitors can enjoy boating, sighting aquatic, migratory, wild birds and fruit bat colonies, and watching sunsets.

22 km
from city center 2 out of 13
Places To Visit in Tissamaharama

With a history of over 2,300 years, Sithulpawwa Rock Temple is an ancient Buddhist monastery built by King Mahanaga. Sat deep in the mountains of Yala National Park, it straddles hundreds of caves sheltering monks for centuries. Paintings of the Anuradhapura era, the stone Buddha, Bodhisattva images, and circular Relic Houses are spread throughout the premises. Inside the stupa is a traditional moonstone fenced by a sculptured wall of elephant heads.

0 km
from city center 3 out of 13
Places To Visit in Tissamaharama

Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara is Southern Sri Lanka’s largest ancient Buddhist monastery, with a height of 156 feet. The bubble-shaped granite stupa enshrines Buddha’s tooth and forehead bone relic and is mounted with a red gem imported from Bohemia. Over 2,000 years ago, the site was consecrated by Lord Buddha, who spent time in meditation here with 500 pupils. Two prominent stupas, Tissa Dagoba and Sandagiri Vehera Dagoba, sit within the monastery complex.

0 km
from city center 4 out of 13
Places To Visit in Tissamaharama

Overlooking its own large lake or wewa in the centre of town, Tissa Dagoba is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in Sri Lanka. Allegedly built by Kavantissa in 200 BC, the dagoba stands 55.8 metres tall and is enshrined with Lord Buddha’s holy tooth relic and frontal bone relic. Next to the dagoba is a statue of Queen Viharamahadevi. The complex is attractively lit up at night.

12 km
from city center 5 out of 13
Places To Visit in Tissamaharama

Harbouring nearly 200 species of birds, Bundala Birds Paradise sits on verdant marshes, lagoons and sand dunes along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline. The UNESCO-listed national park is famous worldwide for its thousands of endemic and exotic migratory birds and adventurous safaris. A few noteworthy creatures to spot include painted storks, oriental skylarks, sandpipers, greater flamingos, ibis, hornbills, eagles, crocodiles, elephants, and endangered turtles.

1 km
from city center 6 out of 13
Places To Visit in Tissamaharama

Located in Debarawewa, Yatala Wehera is an ancient Buddhist stupa from the 3rd century BC. Mounted on a stage, the stupa is built with large flat granite stones and is encircled by a wall with sculpted elephant heads, a moonstone, and a moat. Many relic caskets have been discovered here, and the image house contains two larger-than-life-sized Buddha statues. In addition, Lotus ponds and Mahayana Buddhist sculptures surround Yatala Wehera.

0 km
from city center 7 out of 13
Places To Visit in Tissamaharama

Encompassing landscaped marshes, rainforests, and Sri Lanka’s southern coastline, the town of Tissamaharama protects over 350 animal and bird species across three nature reserves. Yala National Park and Bundala Birds Paradise here are two of the country’s top destinations for jeep safaris. Travellers can spend hours during the daytime discovering thrilling locations for viewing Sri Lankan wildlife like leopards and elephants, reptiles, and exotic migratory birds.

131 km
from city center 8 out of 13
Places To Visit in Tissamaharama

Nestled within the Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara Monastery complex, Sandagiri Vehera Dagoba is a beautiful, smaller Buddhist dagoba situated 300 metres away from the main stupa. This 2,000-year-old red brick structure was first built by King Mahanaga to provide residence to monks and later repaired and restored by King Kavantissa. It is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest stupas, enshrining relics sent by the Indian king Asoka and a rare conch shell.

4 km
from city center 9 out of 13
Places To Visit in Tissamaharama

Perfect for birdwatching and capturing beautiful migratory species, Wirawila Bird Sanctuary is considered among the country’s most picturesque locations. Several vast lakes like Askongaha Lake, Mutiara Lake, Tissa Lake and Debarawewa Lake within the park attract over 400 species of birds. In addition, there are stunning hiking trails across 35 acres, where you can see Asian and migratory birds like bee-eaters, spoonbills, storks, kingfishers, sandpipers, and crested eagles.

3 km
from city center 10 out of 13
Places To Visit in Tissamaharama

Tucked into Wirawila Wildlife Sanctuary, Debarawewa Lake is home to charming migratory and native birds. Restored in 1871, the man-made reservoir is lined with old Indian rain trees and is perfect for spotting sandpipers, kingfishers, several eagle species, and fruit bat colonies. A relaxing boat ride on the lake among the lotus plants offers excellent sunset and village views.

3 km
from city center 11 out of 13
Places To Visit in Tissamaharama

Known as the most popular glamping spot in Tissamaharama, Yodakandiya Lake offers a glimpse of Sri Lanka’s serene countryside. The tank was built by King Mahanaga in the late 3rd century BC and has a diameter of 2,400 feet. Canoeing on this extensive lake is an exciting way to see small islands, tropical forests, lake fishermen, and exotic birds and reptiles.

12 km
from city center 12 out of 13
Places To Visit in Tissamaharama

Sprawling 970 square kilometres, Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s second largest national park, comprising bountiful jungles, lagoons, grasslands and marshes bordering the Indian Ocean. There are over 300 different species of mammals, reptiles and birds here and the world’s highest leopard concentration. Staying in Tissamaharama is ideal for going on early morning safaris when leopards idle about on rocks and tusked elephants head for baths.

127 km
from city center 13 out of 13
Places To Visit in Tissamaharama

Situated on the southern coast of Tissa, Kirinda is a small fishing village with a pristine beach, a local market, and a temple dedicated to Queen Viharamahadevi. Visitors can experience firsthand how local fishermen bring their day’s catch to the island and sell them to fish traders. Off the harbour are magnificent diving spots, including the Little and Great Basses shipwrecks.