A 5th-century royal citadel on top of a 200-metre rock, with frescoes, a mirror wall and the giant lion paws that guard the final climb.
Rising almost vertically out of the jungle of the Cultural Triangle, Sigiriya is the most recognisable sight in Sri Lanka. King Kashyapa built his palace on the summit in the late 5th century, turning a volcanic plug into a fortress, a pleasure garden and a work of art. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.
What you'll see on the way up
The climb starts in the water gardens, one of the oldest landscaped gardens in Asia, with symmetrical pools and fountains that still flow after heavy rain. Past the boulder gardens, a spiral staircase leads to the Sigiriya frescoes: painted women, often called the Sigiriya maidens, who have kept their colour for 1,500 years.
Just beyond is the Mirror Wall. Its polished plaster once reflected the king as he walked; today it is covered in poems scratched by visitors between the 8th and 10th centuries, some of the oldest Sinhala writing anywhere.
Halfway up you reach the Lion's Terrace. Only the two enormous paws remain of the lion that once framed the final staircase, but they make the most photographed spot on the rock. The last stretch is steep metal stairs bolted to the cliff, ending at the ruins of the palace, its pools and a view over the forest in every direction.
Tips for your visit
- Allow two to three hours for the round trip; there are about 1,200 steps.
- Carry water and wear shoes with grip. There is little shade on the upper sections.
- Hornets nest on the rock. Keep noise down near the signposted areas.
- For the classic photo of Sigiriya itself, climb neighbouring Pidurangala Rock at sunrise or sunset.
Getting there
Sigiriya village is about 4 hours by road from Colombo and 30 minutes from Dambulla, making it easy to combine with the cave temples on the same day.
