Sigiriya is roughly three hours from either Colombo or Negambo and is located in the middle of Sri Lanka. Sigiriya is a renowned tourist destination thanks to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as a Buddhist monastery until the early 14th century. The palace ruin at Sigiriya dates back about 1600 years and is often considered to be among the most luxurious and extensive building endeavors ever undertaken in Sri Lanka.
Located on top of a massive 200-meter rock and surrounded by the ruins of a complex network of reservoirs, gardens, and other buildings, the rock is actually the last remnant of a long-since extinct volcano. Sigiriya is a unique attraction due to its stunning scenery, which features a flight of practically vertical stairs leading through some beautiful murals to a mountain that has the remains of an ancient society.
Listed below are some of Sigiriya’s most popular attractions:
1. Rock of Sigiriya (Aka Lion Rock)
Simply put, this is the top activity in all of Sigiriya. After spending a whole day gazing at it from our hotel balcony, we were more than ready to make the ascent. The event was not at all disappointing.
The spectacular Sigiriya Rock may be visited on a day trip from Colombo. It’s the top-rated activity in Sigiriya for a reason: visiting the temple is an unforgettable experience.
As visiting Sigiriya is by far the most usual thing to do there, I thought I’d answer some of the questions you might have about it.
This is the most unexpected aspect of Sigiriya Rock. Its production dates back roughly 2 billion years! An enormous mass of solidified lava that once filled a volcano has sealed it.
Volcanoes previously dotted the landscape, but they have since vanished. We are down to simply Sigiriya and Pidurangala Rocks.
2. Pidurangala, or The Rock
You can’t overlook Pidurangala Rock because of its proximity to Sigiriya Rock. However, the structure itself is a remarkable sight.
It’s nearly as tall and has equally impressive vistas of the wooded landscape beyond.
A common itinerary includes an ascent of Sigiriya in the morning followed by a stroll up Pidurangala in time for sunset.
If you want to do them all in one day, that’s OK, but keep in mind that you’ll be wandering around in the heat of the day.
In comparison to Lion Rock, this is a more wallet-friendly option for watching the sunrise (although I do think you should visit both).
3. The Museum of Sigiriya
Both the Sigiriya Rock ticket office and the Sigiriya Archaeological Museum are located in the same building.
The cost of admission to the museum is $30, which includes museum admission.
You should check it out because it contains interesting details on the past of Sigiriya Citadel and the surrounding Lion Rock Fortress and ruins.
Before beginning your ascent, many people advise checking out the museum.
That way, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the sights along the trail and learn about the rock’s rich history.
4. Visit Minneriya National Park and See the Elephants!
A visit to Sri Lanka is guaranteed to yield many sightings of the island’s iconic elephants.
Day trips to Minneriya National Park are a must if seeing elephants is high on your list of things to do in Sigiriya.
During the dry season, large herds of elephants congregate there.
In addition to its famed avian population, it is home to a broad variety of other creatures.
The current entry fee per person is $15, and a day-long jeep safari is required to fully see the park.
The lower per-person costs are proportional to the number of attendees. And the hotel or hostel you stay at should be able to point you in the direction of a reliable local service.
5. Discover More About Kaudulla National Park
Kaudulla National Park is located close to Minneriya National Park.
It’s comparable to Sigiriya in that it’s one of the best places in the country to see birds and a popular tourist destination in its own right.
During the dry season, it is also a magnet for big herds of elephants.
Because you can never be sure of when or where these herds will be, going on two safaris instead of one is always a safe bet.
6. Explore Sigiriya on Your Own with a Bike Ride
Since there is so much to see in Sigiriya, many tourists rent bicycles and ride about the site at their own pace.
It is not necessary to visit the actual site of Sigiriya in order to have a good time because much of the beauty of the area can be discovered in the countryside outside of it.
Your hostel or hotel might have complimentary bicycles you can use, so it’s worth asking about.
7. Take a Ride in a Hot Air Balloon!
One of the most unusual things to do in Sigiriya, ballooning in Sri Lanka is possible between November and April.
There are a number of local businesses who start their days by providing hot air balloon rides at daybreak.
The sunrise over the jungle canopy is breathtaking if you time it right.
8. Try Out All That Polonnaruwa Has To Offer
The city of Polonnaruwa may be reached from Sigiriya in about an hour.
Guests staying in one location will likely make day trips to the other, as Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya are so interwoven.
The Parakrama Samudra, Gal Vihara, and Thivanka Image House are among the most well-known attractions in Polonnaruwa.
Assuming you get an early start, you can spend the day in Polonnaruwa and still make it back to Sigiriya in time for sunset.
9. The Temple in the Cave of Dambulla
Even if there isn’t much to see or do in Dambulla, it’s still worth the trip.
Our visit was for a full day and night, but a quick stopover is also an option.
The trip from Dambulla to Sigiriya shouldn’t take more than an hour.
How do you spend your time there? Of course, you should see the Dambulla Cave Temple.
Uniquely, it is home to a collection of cave temples that are themselves home to more than a hundred Buddha sculptures, each of which has been painstakingly sculpted and kept to look as though it were made yesterday.
In all, there are five caves, and each one is decorated in a different way.
Hiring a tour guide is an excellent idea.
They offer tours for roughly 1,000 LKR, during which they will enlighten you on the amazing historical significance of the location.
10. Visit Anuradhapura for the Day
If you plan on spending your entire trip in Sigiriya, you should see these three attractions in Sri Lanka.
Anuradhapura is one of the most beautiful cities in Sri Lanka and also one of the most historically significant. Particularly, Mihintale.
It is one of Sri Lanka’s former capitals and is home to some of the country’s oldest and best-preserved temples and other architectural marvels.
If you have your own transportation, a visit to the Old City and all of its attractions will only set you back $25.
Explore Sri Lanka to learn more:
- 10 Popular Sri Lanka Places to See in December
- 10 Places & Things To Do in Sri Lanka In August
- Sri Lanka’s 5 Most Famous Hill Stations to Visit
- 10 Most Famous Wildlife Places in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Yoga Retreats and Wellness Center
- Top 9 Festivals Celebrated in Sri Lanka
- 10 Popular Historical Attractions in Colombo
