Sigiriya

About Sigiriya

Rising 200 metres from the surrounding jungle, the Sigiriya Lion Rock is a 5th-century royal citadel and one of Asia's most extraordinary archaeological sites. Climb past mirror walls and apsara frescoes to a hilltop palace with sweeping views over the Cultural Triangle.

Top experiences

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  Sigiriya Rock Fortress summit

  Climb the 5th-century Lion Rock to ruined palaces 200 m above the jungle.

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  Royal water gardens

  Symmetrical 1,500-year-old water gardens with fountains that still function in monsoon.

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  Mirror Wall & frescoes

  Half-way up the rock, vivid 1,500-year-old apsara murals adorn a sheltered alcove.

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  Pidurangala sunrise hike

  A challenging dawn scramble onto a neighbouring rock with the best view of Sigiriya.

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  Dambulla Cave Temple nearby

  Five vast caves carved into a cliff, painted with murals and lined with 150 Buddhas.

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  Sunrise climb of Pidurangala

  Beat the crowds and watch dawn break over Sigiriya Rock.

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  Village bullock-cart & catamaran tour

  Rural life, lotus lakes and a home-cooked Sri Lankan lunch.

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  Guided cave-temple visit

  Explore Dambulla's painted caves with a cultural historian.

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  Cycling through paddy fields

  Easy back-road ride between tanks, temples and villages.

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  Sigiriya Rock Fortress

  5th-century UNESCO-listed sky palace atop a 200 m monolith.

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  Dambulla Cave Temple

  Five painted caves with 150+ Buddha statues, a UNESCO site.

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  Polonnaruwa ancient city

  12th-century royal capital of temples, palaces and colossal Buddhas.

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  Minneriya National Park

  Home to the annual 'Elephant Gathering' at the reservoir.