Overview
Sigiriya, the Lion Rock, is a granite column about 180 m high. In the 5th century King Kashyapa built a palace on its summit, with gardens and water features below. The Ancient City of Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The climb to the top is steep, with stairs and walkways, and takes roughly 1–2 hours up and down.
Best time to visit
Roughly January to April is driest in this part of the island. Start early to avoid the midday heat.
Highlights
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1
Lion's Paw
The giant carved paws at the last stage of the climb.
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2
Frescoes
Paintings of women on a sheltered rock face.
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3
Mirror Wall
A polished wall with ancient graffiti.
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4
Water gardens
Symmetrical pools and fountains at the base.
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5
Pidurangala Rock
A nearby rock with a view of Sigiriya.
Getting there
Sigiriya is about 4 hours by road from Colombo, and about 2.5 hours from Kandy. Dambulla, with its cave temple, is about 30 minutes away.
Practical tips
- Opening & tickets
- Opening times, ticket rules and any visitor limits change, so check the official information before you go.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Official information: UNESCO: Ancient City of Sigiriya. Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.
Map
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