7 Best Things to Do in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Are you looking for the best things to do in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka? Sigiriya is a popular destination in Sri Lanka, so you can’t miss it on your Sri Lanka Itinerary.
Most people only take a day trip from Kandy or Colombo to Sigiriya, but if you can, spend a few days there.
Wondering what to do in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka?
Climb the Sigiriya Lion Rock, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, enjoy a 360-degree view from Pidurangala Rock, join a jeep safari tour, and see Polonnaruwa Ancient City.
This ultimate guide to visiting Sigiriya includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.
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- 7 Best Things to Do in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
- Where is Sigiriya, Sri Lanka?
- Is Sigiriya, Sri Lanka Worth Visiting?
- Best Time to Visit Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
- How to Get to Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
- How to Get Around Sigiriya
- Is it Safe to Travel to Sigiriya, Sri Lanka?
- Best things to do in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
- 1. Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock
- 2. Sunrise Hike to Pidurangala Rock
- 3. Take a Jeep Safari Tour of Minneriya National Park
- 4. Visit Dambulla Cave Temple & Golden Temple
- 5. Explore Polonnaruwa
- 6. Visit Kaudulla National Park
- 7. See the Avukana Buddha Statue
- Where to Eat in Sigiriya
- Where to Stay in Sigiriya
- How many Days do you Need in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka?
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Where is Sigiriya, Sri Lanka?
Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress located just 30 minutes from the town of Dambulla in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.
Is Sigiriya, Sri Lanka Worth Visiting?
Absolutely!
The ancient city of Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts visitors from all over the world. It is considered by locals to be the “Eighth Wonder of the World”.
Best Time to Visit Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a popular destination all year round! But the best time to visit Sigiriya is during the dry season, from December to April.
The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for hiking and exploring the Sigiriya & Dambulla areas.
Sigiriya has a tropical rainforest climate with high humidity, and the average temperature is 28°C all year round.
The rainy season runs from May to September. During the rainy season or after heavy rainfall, Pidurangala Rock hiking is not recommended, as the trail can be slippery and dangerous. We suggest you check the weather before your visit!
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In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!
How to Get to Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Most people come to Sigiriya from Colombo or Kandy.
Book a day trip from Colombo to Sigiriya and Dambulla via GetYourGuide.
The distance between Colombo and Sigiriya is about 175 km, which is 4-6 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.
We have a detailed post on how to get from Colombo to Sigiriya with all the information you need.
Although there are several ways to get to Sigiriya, you will need a mode of transport on arrival to discover the best attractions.
Therefore, one of the most exciting and best ways to get from Colombo to Sigiriya is to rent a tuk tuk and drive there yourself. The journey time by tuk tuk is approximately 4-5 hours. We rented a tuk tuk for 2 weeks in Sri Lanka for only 22 USD/day.
Read the full post → Tuk Tuk Rental in Sri Lanka
How to Get Around Sigiriya
Wondering how to visit Sigiriya, Sri Lanka? It’s easy to get around Sigiriya.
The best ways to get around Sigiriya are to join a private or group tour or hire a private driver. We arrived from Colombo to Sigiriya by tuk tuk and easily explored the attractions in the area.
If you have limited time in Sri Lanka, take a day trip from Kandy or Colombo to Sigiriya.
Recommended post → How to Get from Kandy to Sigiriya
Is it Safe to Travel to Sigiriya, Sri Lanka?
Yes, it is generally safe. But small thefts and pickpockets can happen everywhere. So always take care of your valuables!
There are monkeys, so always keep an eye on your bag and don’t leave anything in the tuk tuk.
Many people can get injured while hiking, so we recommend wearing closed hiking shoes, using a headlamp for dawn hiking, and being careful on slippery rocks.
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
Best things to do in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
1. Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock
Visiting the Lion Rock Fortress is one of the best things to do in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka. The Sigiriya Rock Fortress was built during the 5th century by King Kasyapa (477-495 AD).
Sigiriya Lion Rock was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
Sigiriya Lion Rock is an ancient stone fortress 200 meters high with 1200 steps to climb. The climb to the top of Sigiriya Lion Rock takes about 45-60 minutes. It attracts visitors from all over the world with its incredible paintings, the Mirror Wall, the Lion’s Paws, the water gardens, and the royal swimming pool.
The entrance fee to Sigiriya Lion Rock is 30 USD for foreign adults and 15 USD for children (just 15 USD for SAARC countries). Includes admission fee to Sigiriya Museum.
The entrance fee is 100 LKR (0.30 USD) for local adults and 50 LKR (0.15 USD) for children.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress is open every day from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Spend at least 2-3 hours exploring Lion Rock, and visit the Sigiriya Museum.
For the best experience, we recommend visiting Pidurangala Rock at sunrise and Lion Rock at sunset.
Book your day trip from Colombo.
2. Sunrise Hike to Pidurangala Rock
Pidurangala Rock is a massive rock formation located opposite Lion Rock in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka. The Sigiriya Rock Fortress is more popular than the Pidurangala Rock. But if you have limited time in Sri Lanka or are looking for the most incredible viewpoint in Sigiriya, we recommend Pidurangala.
The entrance fee to Pidurangala Rock is just 1000 LKR (3 USD) per person.
The hike is challenging at dawn, with many stairs (more than 200 steps) and climbing over the rocks to reach the summit. But it was a magical experience when the first rays of light came, and we enjoyed a spectacular 360-degree view of the Sigiriya Lion Rock and the surrounding landscape.
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Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours at Pidurangala Rock.
Read the full post → How to Hike Pidurangala Rock
3. Take a Jeep Safari Tour of Minneriya National Park
Are you looking for more top things to do in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka? You can’t leave Sri Lanka without visiting at least one national park!
The national park is located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa, so it is the perfect choice for those staying in Sigiriya. Join a morning or afternoon safari tour and see Sri Lanka’s stunning wildlife.
Minneriya National Park, which is part of the elephant corridor that connects Kaudulla and Wasgamuwa National Parks, is a great place to see herds of elephants throughout the year.
The Minneriya National Park is open from 6 AM to 6:30 PM.
The best time to visit Minneriya National Park is from May to October. Get a wonderful experience in Sri Lanka and visit in August/September to see the famous Elephant Gathering of the Asian wild elephants.
The entrance fee to Minneriya National Park is 15 USD. No self-guided or unaccompanied tours are available. Therefore, a jeep with a driver/guide must be hired to enter the park.
Book your jeep safari tour HERE.
4. Visit Dambulla Cave Temple & Golden Temple
One of the best Sigiriya things to do is to visit Dambulla Royal Cave Temple. It is located in Dambulla, about a 30-minute drive from Sigiriya.
The Dambulla Cave Temple is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. It is a sacred Buddhist site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Book a day trip from Colombo to Sigiriya and Dambulla via GetYourGuide.
The entrance fee to Dambulla Cave Temple is 2000 LKR (6 USD) per person. Plan to spend at least 1-2 hours at the cave temple and see the beautiful paintings and Buddha statues.
Read the full post → How to Visit Dambulla Cave Temple
5. Explore Polonnaruwa
Are you looking for more places to visit in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka? Then, visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, just a 1-hour drive from Sigiriya.
Sri Lanka’s second oldest kingdom, Polonnaruwa, became the capital of Sri Lanka following the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993 AD. Polonnaruwa is one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Polonnaruwa is open daily from 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM.
Polonnaruwa’s most popular attractions are the Gal Vihara, the Sacred Quadrangle, Lankatilaka Vihara, Rankoth Vehera, the Palace of King Parakramabahu, and Thivanka Image House.
The entrance fee to Polonnaruwa is 25 USD for foreign adults and 12.5 USD for children (50% discount for SAARC countries). There is no entrance fee for locals.
The best way to explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa is to hire a bicycle or tuk tuk driver. Renting a bike costs around 500 LKR (1.5 USD).
See also → How to Visit Ambuluwawa Tower
6. Visit Kaudulla National Park
The Kaudulla is one of the best national parks near Sigiriya, so if you spend enough time in Sri Lanka, we recommend you take a jeep safari tour.
Although the park can be visited all year round, the best time to visit Kaudulla National Park is between July and December, especially in October. You can join a morning or afternoon safari tour, which takes about 3 hours.
Kaudulla National Park opened in 2002 and is one of the best places to see elephants and birds in Sri Lanka. The Kaudulla National Park is home to Asian elephants, water buffalos, monkeys, crocodiles, spotted deer, and more than 160 species of birds.
The entrance fee to Kaudulla National Park is 18 USD.
The safari tour price includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, transport, a jeep, a professional guide, and the entrance fee.
Book your jeep safari tour HERE.
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The afternoon safaris are less popular, but there are more chances to see elephants.
7. See the Avukana Buddha Statue
The Avukana Buddha Statue is one of the best places to visit in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka. But as it is a 1-1.5 hour drive away, many people skip it. You can easily get there by tuk tuk and reach the statue from the parking lot in just 10-15 minutes.
The Avukana Buddha Statue was built in the 5th century and was carved out of a large granite rock.
You can visit between 7:00 AM and 5:30 PM. The entrance fee to the Avukana Buddha Statue is 1500 LKR (5 USD) per person.
You can also combine your visit with the Yapahuwa Rock Fortress, just a 1-hour drive away.
Although it was unexpectedly raining during our visit, it was still a fantastic experience to see the impressive 12-meter-high Buddha statue.
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It’s a popular place with locals, so we recommend avoiding weekends.
Keep reading → Kandy to Ella Train
Where to Eat in Sigiriya
In Sigiriya, you can find many local restaurants, vegetarian options, and the best places to eat with all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best restaurants in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
- Wijesiri Family Restaurant (Delicious local food)
- Kenoli Restaurant (A perfect place for lunch or dinner)
- Chooti Restaurant Sigiriya (Delicious Sri Lankan Kottu Roti)
- Rastarant Sigiriya (Good food and drinks, great atmosphere)
- Rithu Restaurant (Best rice curry dishes)
- Pradeep Restaurant (Delicious food, near Sigiriya Rock Fortress)
Join a cooking class in Sigiriya.
Where to Stay in Sigiriya
If you plan to visit Lion Rock and Pidurangala Rock, Sigiriya is the best base. But we suggest booking accommodation with a private pool. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
- Luxury: Water Garden Sigiriya
- Mid-Range: Hotel Sigiriya or Sigiriya Village
- Budget: The Nature Park Villa
We stayed at the Nivadoo Resort for 2 nights, and it was the perfect base for exploring the Sigiriya attractions.
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Alternatively, stay in Dambulla, where accommodation is cheaper and about a 30-minute drive from Sigiriya.
How many Days do you Need in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka?
Most people only take a day trip from Colombo or Kandy to Sigiriya, but if you can, spend a few days there.
We love Sigiriya, so we recommend you spend at least 2-3 days and enjoy the best things to do in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.
We hope our list of the best things to do in Sigiriya will help you plan your next trip to Sri Lanka. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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