Sigiriya rock fortress: 7 tips for a visit

Sigiriya rock fortress: 7 tips for a visit

The Sigiriya rock fortress is Sri Lanka's most popular attraction. We'll show you how to avoid queues, crowds and touts to make the most of your morning there

It's not often that people say "visiting rock formations" when asked what they like to do on vacation - a strange fact considering so many of us spend time and money on them, be it Cappadocia, Turkey, Yosemite in the US, Guatape in Colombia, or even Machu Picchu, which wouldn't be half as dramatic without its rocky backdrop.

One of the world's lesser-known curiosities in this category is Sri Lanka's Sigiriya rock fortress, a gigantic rock column rising 200 m (660 feet) from the forested plains below. Located roughly in the center of the country, Sigiriya is a cornerstone of Sri Lanka's cultural triangle, alongside Anuradhapura to the north and Polonnaruwa to the east.

Sigiriya, also known as “Lion Rock,” is particularly notable for the fortress built into its walls and plateau. Colorful frescoes decorate the walls, while two giant lion paws guard the main gate.

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Atlas & Boots

It is said that the fort was built over 1,000 years ago by King Kasyapa, who buried his father alive in a wall before ascending the throne. Kasyapa died a violent death in 495 AD, after which the fort was used as a Buddhist monastery.

Today the rock fortress of Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can climb the 1,200 steps, many of which are bolted to the rock face, to explore one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning. Here are our tips for planning your trip.

Get your timing right

Sigiriya Rock Fortress is not as famous as Machu Picchu, but it is Sri Lanka's most popular tourist attraction, so don't assume it won't be crowded.

We made the 30 minute drive from Habarana Village by Cinnamon to arrive at 7:30am. The site opens at 7am and we recommend getting there soon after. It's early, but the single-tier stairwells become clogged later in the day and can extend the one-hour climb to three hours.

alt="View from the rock fortress of Sigiriya">Atlas & BootsVisit early for thinner crowds

It's also a good idea to avoid weekends, especially Sundays, as well as holidays. Keep in mind that unlike Machu Picchu, space on the plateau is limited. So if you visit at crowded times, you'll be waiting in line as people explore the top.

Pay the price tag

The entrance fee to Sigiriya Rock Fortress is 4,500 LKR per person (equivalent to 30 USD / 28 GBP). Some argue that the price of $60 for two people is overpriced - and they may be right - but consider what you've already spent all the way to Sri Lanka. It's worth spending a little more money to see the country's biggest attraction!

Take a guidebook with you – but not a travel guide

As you enter the Sigiriya complex, you will likely be offered the services of a guide. It is not necessary to use one. All signs and paths are clear and a good guide explains the significance of the sights (we use Lonely Planet).

alt=“The Lonely Planet guide to Sri Lanka will serve you well in the Sigiriya rock fortress”>Atlas & BootsThe Lonely Planet Sri Lanka travel guide will serve you well

If you are organizing the visit through your hotel, please note when booking that you do not need a guide, as one is usually offered as part of pre-booked packages.

Don't rush through

Hoping to avoid crowds, we headed straight to the summit, sacrificing a number of good photo opportunities along the way. In hindsight we could have taken more time to take a break as the crowds only started to gather on our way down.

alt="Early morning view of Sigiriya rock fortress">Atlas & BootsThe morning light makes for better photos

Don't feel pressure to charge to the top. Pause to enjoy further views of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress before making your way up. The early morning light combined with fewer people makes for better visibility and of course better photos.

Pay attention to the photography signs

Photography is not permitted at certain points along the trail, particularly at the frescoes that house a gallery of painted nymphs.

alt="Gallery in the rock fortress of Sigiriya">DreamtimeDo not take photos of the gallery

Please heed these signs, not only to preserve the property, but also to avoid having your camera confiscated. We have heard reports of expensive DLSRs being confiscated (without returns) as punishment for ignoring the signs. The warnings are clear, but if in doubt, ask a security guard. There is usually one posted in the restricted area.

Spend time in the gardens

The Sigiriya Rock Fortress is surrounded by an extensive network of gardens, lily-covered moats, ponds, canals, alleys and fountains. After visiting the rock, it's worth spending time exploring the grounds.

alt="The site of the Sigiriya rock fortress">Atlas & BootsThe extensive grounds of the Sigiriya rock fortress

We didn't visit the Sigiriya Museum as we were pressed for time. We were told it's pretty sparse, but it's included in the ticket price so you might still want to visit.

Visit the nearby Pidurangala Rock

Unfortunately, the Sigiriya complex lacks viewing points of the rock itself. Sigiriya Rock is the tallest thing in the area, so it is difficult to find a suitable spot to photograph it.

The nearby Pidurangala Rock offers an excellent solution. Located two kilometers north of Sigiriya, Pidurangala is a tougher climb (around an hour) but much cheaper (500LKR/3.5USD) and offers panoramic views of the area.

alt="The view of the Sigiriya rock fortress from Pidurangala">Atlas & BootsThe view of the Sigiriya rock fortress from Pidurangala

Those on a budget can climb Pidurangala instead of Sigiriya. This is a perfectly acceptable way to see Sri Lanka's most popular attraction, but our recommendation is to do both!

Sigiriya Rock Fortress: The Essentials

What: Visit the rock fortress of Sigiriya, also known as “Lion Rock”, in Sri Lanka.

Where: We stayed at Habarana Village by Cinnamon, a charming hotel 30 minutes drive from Sigiriya. Our room was modern and comfortable overlooking picturesque gardens criss-crossed by paths leading to Habarana Lake, as well as the odd tree house!

The staff at Cinnamon were typically Sri Lankan: always ready with a smile or amusing anecdotes, usually told with the genuine intimacy of a friend.

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Atlas & Boots

The pool, spa and amenities were all exemplary, but we have to give special mention to the food. We don't often focus on the cuisine, but we make an exception for Executive Chef Chandana Wijeratne, who prepared us the best meal we've had in all of Sri Lanka.

If you appreciate good food, we highly recommend booking the private cooking class with Chandana (ask at reception or book in advance at reservations@cinnamonhotels.com). The tempered dahl may be the best thing you will ever taste.

When: The weather in Sri Lanka is a bit complicated as there are two separate monsoon seasons that affect different parts of the country. Jan-April and mid-July-Sept offer the best odds for good weather nationwide.

How: The entrance fee to Sigiriya Rock Fortress is 4,500 LKR (30 USD / 28 GBP).

You can get to Sigiriya from Colombo via Habarana. There is a daily early morning train service from Colombo (see timetable here) – LKR 600 for reserved 2nd class tickets. From the train station you can take a tuk tuk to Habarana Village with Cinnamon.

Habarana to Sigiriya is a 30-minute drive (16 km). Your hotel can organize your own taxi and tickets to Sigiriya.

Many tourists choose to hire a driver for the entire trip. This costs approximately $45 per day (including days you don't use the driver). We used Ajaa (+94 777 284 178) and Sisi (+94 777 203 083) for shorter transfers and found them friendly and reliable.

Most international flights land at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Book via Skyscanner for the best prices.

Lonely Planet Sri Lanka is a comprehensive travel guide to Sri Lanka, ideal for those who want to both explore the top attractions and take the road less traveled.

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