Sigiriya Sri LankaComplete Guide to Sigiriya
Welcome to Sigiriya, the majestic ancient rock fortress nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka. Standing at an impressive height of 660 feet, this awe-inspiring rock fortress was built by King Kasyapa in the 5th century AD. Climbing Sigiriya's sheer rock face, visitors are rewarded with exquisite frescoes, panoramic views, extensive gardens, and the remnants of a once-spectacular sky palace. Whether you are an adventure seeker, a history enthusiast, or simply seeking a unique cultural experience, are an adventure seeker, a history enthusiast, or simply seeking a unique cultural experience, Sigiriya promises to leave an indelible impression on you.
Sigiriya History
The Sigiriya Rock Fortress was built in the 5th century by King Kasyapa I. Accused of murdering his father and vilified by the religious elite, he abandoned the ancient capital and constructed a new city at Sigiriya resplendent with lush gardens, palaces, and pavilions and a stunning sky palace.
Read MoreClimbing Sigiriya
Climbing to the top of Sigiriya Rock is an experience you will never forget. There are about 1200 steps to the summit. The climb is strenuous but not hard. The best times to climb are early morning and late afternoon. The ruins and the view from the top are breathtaking.
Read MoreSigiriya Frescoes
Painted 100 meters above ground, the Sigiriya Frescoes float effortlessly among the clouds. These richly adorned ladies of the king's court are depicted as Apsaras—celestial nymphs. They were to be admired but not touched.
Read MoreSIGIRIYA - Novel
Palace intrigue, passion, deceit, betrayal and tragedy. Set fifteen hundred years ago, this compelling novel weaves historical facts into a remarkably entertaining story of fate, dangerous alliances, enduring friendships, and forbidden love. Available in Ebook and Paperback.
Read MoreSky Palace
The Sky Palace shone magnificently atop Sigiriya Rock and was visible for miles around. It is hard to comprehend the sheer splendor of the place or the human effort needed to create it nearly 1600 years ago. Ancient chronicles described it as being a palace fit for the Gods.
Read MoreLion Staircase
The Lion Staircase, situated halfway up Sigiriya Rock, was the entryway to the Sky Palace. It resembled a brightly colored crouching lion with an open mouth. It may have been illuminated internally to make its eyes glow at night, making it visible for miles around.
Read MoreMirror Wall
The Mirror Wall, built over fifty meters up the vertical side of Sigiriya Rock, once gleamed lustrous white, its surface polished to such a fine shine that you could see your reflection in it. Even today, in some places, you can see your reflection.
Read MoreSigiriya Graffiti
Scribbled by ancient tourists over a period of 1500 years, the Sigiriya graffiti is a living record of the evolution of language. Some verses are very poetic and demonstrate a high level of literacy amongst the people at that time.
Read MoreSigiriya Harem
The harem played an important role in society. Entrants were chosen for their youth, beauty or social connections. Women from all walks of life were selected. It was considered a privilege to serve in the harem. There is no evidence of cohesion or kidnapping.
Read MoreRamparts & Moats
The Sigiriya was surrounded by three massive ramparts and three moats. The main moat was stocked with dangerous crocodiles. The citadel had four entrances, of which western entrance had an ornate multi-storied gatehouse.
Read MoreSigiriya Gardens & Ponds
Meant to represent an earthly paradise, Sigiriya had lavish ponds, fountains, gardens. Every large rock had a pavilion on it. You can still see grooves carved into many rocks and provided the footings for these buildings.
Read MoreHow Sigiriya was Formed
Sigiriya Rock is a towering 590 feet (180 meters) tall granite monolith. It is the remains of a hardened magma plug of an extinct volcano formed over two billion years ago. The rock was formed by molten lava that erupted from the volcano and cooled over time.
Read MoreTaking Photographs
There are no restrictions in taking photographs. Most people don't mind you photographing them. If you are visiting temples, remember it is very rude to take pictures posing next to religious statues and objects. It is especially rude to do so with your back towards them or leaning on them. Some museums charge extra fees to take photographs of their exhibits.
Tour Guides
The Sigiriya site is well sign-posted, but tour guides can still be helpful. They know the place well. Negotiate the duration of the tour and its price (between $15-25) before you start. A good tour should take approximately 3-4 hours. Anything less than that will probably be a direct trip to the summit and back. It is a common courtesy to tip the guide.
Sigiriya Museum
The Sigiriya Museum is near the main entrance. The audio-visual show gives a good background of Sigiriya. The model of the site, as it is today, provides a good orientation of the area and its vastness. The displays are mediocre, being predominately from times after the reign of King Kasyapa who built Sigiriya.
Sigiriya Location
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.
Sigiriya Weather
Sigiriya weather is hot and humid tropical climate, and is general unpredictable. The best time of the year to visit Sigiriya is January to March (February is the best month). The best time to climb Sigiriya is early in the morning or the late afternoon. The maximum daytime temperature range is 28 - 32°C (82 -90°F).
What to Wear
Dress in loose cotton, linen or breathable fabrics. Sunglasses are an excellent idea to protect your eyes. Closed footwear or at least firmly fastened footwear is strongly recommended. Don't forget a broad-brimmed hat and sunscreen. If you plan to visit the Pidurangala temple, your clothing must cover the shoulders and extend below your knees.
Your Safety at Sigiriya
Sigiriya, more than other historical sites in Sri Lanka, has several thrills and spills that a visitor should be aware of. These include the strenuousness to the top, dehydration, hornets, elephants and crocodiles. Use common sense and you will be assured an incident-free visit. Visit our Sigiriya Safety and Comfort page for more information.
Read MoreTipping
Hotels/Restaurants: A tip of 10% or more is customary.
Sigiriya Site: Other than your tour guide, if you use one, there is no one else you need to tip while visiting the Sigiriya site.
Amenities
Refreshments: Refreshments stands are near the main entrance and exit. There are no facilities while climbing. Take your own supply of non-alcoholic drinks with you and dispose of your rubbish responsibly.
Toilets: There are clean toilets at the main entrance and exit. There are no toilets within the site or while climbing.
Sigiriya Hotels
Most of the best hotels in central Sri Lanka are located within a 30 km Sigiriya Rock Fortress. These accommodations range from 5-star Eco-resorts offering five-course dinners to the more mundane basic accommodations.
Read MoreElephant Ride
Ride a lumbering giant bareback or in the safety of a sedan chair. A detour through the lake is fun, especially when the elephant spouts water out of its trunk.
Shopping
Shop for trinkets, woodwork, textiles, jewelery, quirky knick-knacks and your supply of genuine Ceylon tea.
Read MoreAirport Transfers
Most hotels will arrange airport pick-up and drop-off. There are also local hire car operators who will provide transfer services.
Transportation
Car: Sigiriya is 181 kms from Colombo,153 kms from Negombo and 98 kms from Kandy. Several 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 interesting, friendly, 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.
Pidurangala Rock
Pidurangala, just 2 km from Sigiriya, is often overlooked. Pidurangala was probably refurbished by Kasyapa when he moved the monks and hermits who lived around Sigiriya Rock. Some say that Kasyapa was cremated at the location of the present stupa.
Read MoreAll Rights Reserved. (Last Updated: Feb 05, 2024)