Sigiriya, soaring 600 feet above the emerald jungles of central Sri Lanka, is a spectacular 5th-century marvel of ancient engineering and art. Commissioned by King Kashyapa in the late 4th century, this awe-inspiring fortress was a true wonder of its time. Its terraced gardens, shimmering ponds, and intricate fountains led to the legendary Sky Palace, a 1.6 hectare (16,000 square meter or about 4 acres) complex perched atop this colossal monolithic rock, painted white to resemble a floating cloud. Its walls were adorned with hundreds of exquisite frescoes of celestial nymphs. Visitors made the final accent to the royal Sky Palace through the gaping jaws of a colossal lion, a symbol of royal power and majesty. But alas, Sigiriya’s grandeur was brief. It was soon abandoned and faded in obscurity, until rediscovered in 1831 by a British army officer on an elephant hunt.
Sigiriya is located in north-central Sri Lanka. It is 181 kilometers from Colombo; a drive of 3.5 hours. The tourist resort of Negombo is 153 kilometers (3 hours) away. It is 98 kilometers (2 hours) from the hill capital of Kandy.
$30 - Foreigners (Rs. 5,500)
Rs50 - locals
7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
(Last entry 5:00 PM)
3-4 hours for site tour
1-2 hours to the top
Dress in loose breathable fabrics. Closed footwear or at firmly fastened footwear is recommended. Don't forget your sunglasses, a broad-brimmed hat and sunscreen. If you intend to visit the Pidurangala temple (the actual temple only), your clothing should cover your shoulders and extend below your knees. A sarong can be a convenient option to ensure proper coverage.
Sigiriya is an ideal home base from which to visit other attractions in north-central Sri Lanka. These hotels are well-placed for visiting Sigiriya, Pidurangala, Minneriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, and Polonnaruwa.
Most hotels will arrange airport pick-up and drop-off. There are also local hire car operators at the airport who will provide transfer services.
CAR: Sigiriya is 181 kms from Colombo,153 kms from Negombo and 98 kms from Kandy. A number of hire car operators can provide you with a vehicle and driver.
BUS:Intercity bus services run from major cities to Dambulla and Habarana both of which are 24 kms from Sigiriya. There are local bus services from there to the site. The ride is safe but rough.
TRAIN: There is a train service to Habarana 24 kms away. You will need to take road transport from there.
PLANE: Cinnamon Air offers a flight from Colombo International Airport to Sigiriya. The flight takes approximately 30 minutes.
Photographing the Sigiriya Frescoes is prohibited. This is the protect these painting from flash photography. There are no restrictions in taking photographs elsewhere.
If you are visiting any temples, remember it is very rude to take photographs posing next to religious statues and objects. Be respectful of other peoples cultures and sensitivities.
A number of reputable local operators offer all-inclusive tours of Sri Lanka including a visit to Sigiriya. Some also offer very reasonable airport pick-up and drop-off services.
Guides on site can provide interesting insights about the site. If you are not interested, politely say "no thank you". You may need to do so a few times before they take notice and give up on you.
Don't accept assistance from young males when climbing the stairs. They will expect a tip from you for their service.
WHEEL CHAIR ACCESS: This site is not suitable for disabled persons.
REFRESHMENTS: There are no refreshment facilities within the site. Take your own supply.
TOILETS: There are clean toilets at the main entrance and exit of the site. There are no toilet facilities within the site. (As a common courtesy, remember to tip the toilet attendant. This is how they earn a living).
Tipping is appreciated but is not compulsory. In Sri Lanka tipping serves two purposes. Firstly is a token of your appreciation of the service someone has provided you. Not tipping can be hurtful to them because it will be interpreted that you were not happy with their service. Secondly, a more obvious reason is that, it is a financial reward. Remember that a couple of Dollars or Euros on a tip is less than the cost of a candy bar in your home country. Be nice. Make someone happy. A tip of 10% or more is the accepted standard, rounded up in to rupees.
Sri Lankan people are naturally happy, friendly and courteous. It is in their culture. They are always willing to help. Unfortunately modern tourism has corrupted this lovely natural characteristic of the people and some may take advantage of you. Good manners are always appreciated. Never be rude. They may not be as well-off as you but they are cheerful, helpful and courteous people.
If you visit any temples, remember it is very rude to take photographs posing next to religious statues and objects. It is insulting to do so with your back towards them or leaning on them. This is the only time you are likely to get a comment from a local.
