3 Answers from travellers
Polonnaruwa is generally much more compact and visually impressive for tourists on a tight schedule. The ruins there are slightly younger, meaning the palaces and massive stone Buddha carvings at Gal Vihara are incredibly well preserved compared to the older brick ruins of Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura is vastly larger and holds deeper spiritual significance with its massive, towering stupas and the sacred Bodhi tree. It feels much more like an active religious site rather than just an archaeological park.
If you want to easily rent a bicycle and see a massive variety of highly detailed stone carvings in just three hours, Polonnaruwa is definitely the better, more accessible choice.
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