Sigiriya: History, Attractions and Guide

Climbing Sigiriya Rock

Climbing Sigiriya Rock is strenuous but not difficult. It will take it will take 45-60 minutes to reach the top. There are about 1200 steps. That's equivalent to 60 flights of stairs. Once there, you will be rewarded with the sight of the ruins of the Sky Palace and a stunning 360-degree view of the surrounding countryside.

Immerse yourself in this beautifully illustrated book. In Part 1 the author bringing to life the rise, fall, and rediscovery of this ancient wonder. Part 2 contains a comprehensive Site Guide of the ruins today. This must-read book is perfect for history lovers, travelers, and curious minds—an elegant addition to any collection.

Sigiriya Frescoes

Painted in the 5th century, the Sigiriya Frescoes once numbered over 500 paintings and were the highlight of the Sigiriya palace. Some say they represented celestial nymphs, while others suggest that they portray the ladies of King Kashyapa's harem. Today, only a handful survive in tiny alcove about 100m above ground.

Mirror Wall

The Mirror Wall was once a highly polished parapet wall that inched precariously along the western surface of Sigiriya Rock. Its gleaming white surface provided an irresistible tablet to ancient travelers who inscribed their thoughts upon it. The inscriptions include poems, verses, and even comments about the frescoes.

This compelling novel weaves historical facts into a remarkably entertaining tale of fate, palace intrigue, dangerous alliances, enduring friendships, forbidden love, deceit and tragedy.

Sigiriya Graffiti

The Sigiriya Graffiti consists of over 1800 pieces of prose and poetry written by ancient tourists in various languages. The majority of the graffiti refers to the beautiful paintings of semi-nude females of the Sigiriya Frescoes, and suggest that they are the ladies of the king's royal court and harem.

Lion Staircase

The Lion Staircase is situated about halfway up the northern side of Sigiriya Rock. Shaped like a crouching lion, it was originally 35 meters high, 21 meters wide, and stuck out 11 meters from the rock face. It was brightly colored, had blazing eyes and an open mouth, and guarded the entrance to the Sky Palace.

Sky Palace

Perched 180 meters above the above the jungle, the Sigiriya Sky Palace appears to float effortlessly above the lush treetops, a true marvel of ancient engineering. Divided into three distinct sections—the grand Upper Palace to the high north-west, the Lower Palace nestled in the northeast, and the serene Gardens below.

Ramparts & Moats

Three massive ramparts and two moats protected the complex. The outer moat was 52 meters wide. The inner moat was 23 meters wide. Four gates protected the inner citadel. The ceremonial entrance (the one you will enter through) is reached by crossing the inner moat via a small bridge and marble staircase.

Gardens & Ponds

The gardens were designed to represent an earthly paradise. They include the Miniature Gardens at the entrance, the Pavilion Gardens with four large ponds, the Fountain Gardens with streams and fountains, the Palace Gardens surrounded by moats, the Boulder Gardens with rock caves, and the Terraced Gardens.

Sigiriya Safety

Sigiriya, more than other historic site in Sri Lanka, has a number of minor thrills and spills that a visitor should be aware of. These include the climb 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.

Sigiriya Weather

Sigiriya has a hot, humid, tropical climate. The best time to visit Sigiriya is from January to March . The best time to climb Sigiriya is early morning or late afternoon. The maximum daytime temperature ranges are 28 - 32 degrees Celsius (82 -90°F). The maximum UV index through the year is 11.

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 after the reign of King Kashyapa who built Sigiriya.

Sigiriya Hotels

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.

Getting to Sri Lanka

Many international airlines fly regularly to Sri Lanka and offer very competitive prices. Please read our Sri Lanka page for useful information on visa, travel, health, safety advise and other information.

Go Shopping

Shop for curios, woodwork, textiles, jewelry, quirky knick-knacks, and genuine Ceylon tea.

Ride an Elephant

Ride a lumbering giant through Sigiriya lake and watch the elephant spout water out of its trunk. You might get wet.

Visit Dambulla Temple

The Dambulla Cave Temple is 24 km (30 min) from Sigiriya. Built in about 80 BC, It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka. The ceiling and walls have been repainted over the centuries and contain a mixture of imagery, including scenes of royal life. The climb to the temple is strenuous.

Watch Elephant Gathering

Hop into an open-topped jeep and set off on a safari to "The Gathering". This incredible congregation of up to three hundred wild elephants occurs at Minneriya National Park, which is a 45-minute drive from Sigiriya.

Climb Pidurangala Rock

Pidurangala, just 2 km from Sigiriya is is often overlooked. It has been inhabited by monks who lived in the caves for over 2000 years. The monastery was original set up by King Kashyapa of Sigiriya.