Built in the 5th century CE, this ancient palace sits atop a 200-meter granite hill in central Sri Lanka, with intricate gardens, stone walls, and preserved rock art.
A 180-meter rock formation rises above Sri Lanka's central plains, crowned by the ruins of a 5th-century palace. You can climb 1,200 stone steps to reach the summit of Sigiriya Rock, passing ancient frescoes painted directly onto the rock face. At ground level, you'll walk through a complex of working fountains and water gardens, while carved monasteries dot the surrounding boulder-filled landscape. Two massive stone lion paws mark the final ascent to the palace ruins.
Climbing Sigiriya Rock
The climb takes about 30 minutes without stops on well-maintained staircases attached to the rock face. Several platforms along the way let you catch your breath while looking out across the plains and forests below. The stairs become steeper as you approach the top, with some sections having sheer drops on one side. Begin your climb before 7:00 AM to avoid both the crowds and midday heat.
Ancient Water Gardens
Engineers in the 5th century built an intricate system of underground water pipes at the base of the rock, which still function today. During rainy season, these pipes activate fountains throughout the gardens. You can walk past deep geometric pools, limestone channels, and marble floors designed to hold shallow flowing water. The royal family used these pools for swimming to cool off from the tropical heat.
Getting to Sigiriya
From Colombo, take a bus to Dambulla (4 hours, 500 LKR for AC bus), then connect to Sigiriya via local bus (1 hour, 100 LKR) or tuk-tuk (2000 LKR). From Kandy, direct buses run to Dambulla (3 hours, 500 LKR), where you can make the same connection. The closest train stations are in Habarana and Kekirawa, both requiring a short tuk-tuk ride to reach Sigiriya.
Where to Stay and Eat
Small guesthouses and hotels line the forest paths around Sigiriya village. At Kenoli Restaurant, a local family cooks traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry dishes. Rooms cost between 2000 LKR for basic accommodation and 30,000+ LKR for high-end resorts. Book your stay in advance during peak season (December-April).
Nearby Sites
Pidurangala Rock sits 1 kilometer north of Sigiriya, with fewer visitors and different climbing routes. You'll find an old Buddhist temple on the rock, and from its top, you can see Sigiriya Rock clearly. The Dambulla Cave Temple, 15 kilometers away, contains five caves with Buddhist statues and ceiling paintings from the 1st century BCE.
