Things To Do In Sigiriya 2025: 17 Ultimate Highlights
Sigiriya in Sri Lanka – a sleepy, picturesque village in central Sri Lanka that is famed for its proximity to the iconic Lion Rock. But any stay here will show you there are far more things to do in Sigiriya than first meets the eye.
As the sun rises on this tiny Sri Lankan village, it is bathed in a misty pale light that reflects off the waterlogged rice paddies and serene lakes. Sigiriya’s diverse wildlife comes to life to greet the morning and the sounds of bicycle bells and bird songs drift down the backstreets.
Getting up early is a treat, not a chore here, and you will want to savour the cooler air while it lasts.
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Sigiriya is one of the most visited places in Sri Lanka due to the famous Sigiriya rock, but many people don’t know that there are a lot more things to do in Sigiriya than first meets the eye.
Sigiriya was the first destination we visited on our trip to Sri Lanka, and it remains one of our favourite places to stay for many reasons. We were lucky enough to spend a week here and experience some of the best things Sigiriya has to offer.
We don’t want you to miss out on some of the best experiences Sri Lanka has to offer, so we have put together the ultimate guide for things to do in Sigiriya below. Hopefully, you will be convinced that it deserves more than just a day visit!
Quick Guide
- Things To Do In Sigiriya
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Pidurangala Rock
- The Ancient City Of Polonnaruwa
- Dambulla Cave Temple
- Minneriya National Park
- Kaudulla National Park
- Hire A Bike And Explore The Rice Terraces
- Take A Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Take A Trip To Kandy
- Explore Rose Quartz Mountain
- Watch A Cricket Match
- Discover More At The Sigiriya Museum
- Dine Out
- Explore Kaludiya Pokuna
- Take a cookery course
- Go night watching for the Grey Slender Loris
- Visit Trincomalee Beach
- Where To Stay In Sigiriya
- How To Get To Sigiriya
- How Many Days Do You Need In Sigiriya?
- Where To Next?
Things To Do In Sigiriya
#1 Things To Do In Sigiriya: Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Otherwise known as Lion Rock)
Entrance fee: 4,600 rupees / £30
It’s the front page image of every travel guide and Sri Lanka blog post-Sigiriya rock fortress is iconic and one of the number one things to do in Sigiriya. If you’re already convinced you want to visit then check out our ultimate guide to lion rock!
Sigiriya rock is an ancient rock fortress near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is a site of huge historical and archaeological importance, built on and around a massive column of rock that is nearly 200 metres high. At the top of the rock are the ruins of an ancient palace. It’s one of the most visited places in Sri Lanka and we can see why!
When you see it for the first time it is pretty darn impressive. It rises imposingly out of the ground and looks equally as mysterious and dramatic from close up and from a distance.
In fact, I’d probably say I preferred the view from a distance, as the flat scenery all around only adds to it’s wonder.
We weren’t really sure what to expect from our visit to Sigiriya rock. We had of course seen the incredible pictures but knew nothing more about what we were paying such a steep entrance fee to see.
We debated for a long time whether it was worth paying, but our trip to Sri Lanka was a once in a lifetime kind of trip, and we didn’t want to leave with any regrets.
Tips For Visiting Sigiriya Rock
Throughout most of the year, Sigiriya Rock is open from 7am till 5:30pm.
If you’re staying in Sigiriya town then you can take a tuk-tuk to the entrance gates. Arrange one the night before from the tuk-tuk parking area in town.
For more information on what the climb to the top is like, where to stay and what to pack head to our ultimate guide on visiting Lion Rock in Sigiriya.
✅ You can book tickets in advance here
#2 best things to do in Sigiriya: Pidurangala Rock
Entrance fee: 500 rupees / £3.25
This is a popular hike and another one of the top things to do in Sigiriya for a reason. The rock itself isn’t that impressive compared to Sigiriya Rock, but the stunning views of Sigiriya that it provides make it a huge tourist attraction.
If you are on a tight budget then this is definitely a better option for you than Sigiriya Rock, as it only costs around £3.
Although this walk is mostly very easy, there is a small section of scrambling to reach the viewpoint that was a little tricky. It is worth bearing this in mind before you go if you are a little less sure on your feet, or you are climbing with young children.
I would probably say that I preferred the views from Pidurangala, so if you’re limited on time then maybe consider adding this to your list of things to do in Sigiriya rather than Sigiriya Rock itself. If you’re in it for the history though, then choose Sigiriya Rock!
What to expect from your visit
The ticket office is part of a temple, so you will walk through the shrine to get to the route. The path is well-trodden and quite easy to make out, but there are no real signs to follow.
It’s made a little trickier by the fact you’ll probably be itching to get up there for sunrise. Stick to the most obvious path and you should be able to find your way (it’s around and up the rock!) but if you come for sunrise you should see others heading the same way.
Once you near the top you will see the path blocked by huge boulders. This is the tricky bit of the trek because you have no choice but to scramble up them. It is possible though, and we even saw some more adventurous hikers manage it with a baby!
How long does the trek take?
It’s a short ‘trek’, taking around 20-30 minutes depending on how quickly you walk and how many stops you take along the way.
To be honest, there isn’t too much to see on the walk up, just a statue and a small pool, so you probably won’t need to stop and take too many photos. It isn’t the walk itself that’s the interesting bit, it’s the views when you get to the top that you’re climbing for!
When to go to Pidurangala Rock
A lot of people get up at the crack of dawn (or before!) and aim to get to the top for sunrise. We had planned to do the same but jet lag had other ideas, and we’re pretty pleased it did.
We got there just as sunrise was over, and as we walked up there were crowds of people coming down. When we reached the top there was only one couple left up there and we pretty much had the place to ourselves. We didn’t experience sunrise up there, but the solitude was lovely.
We have also heard that people go up there for sunset. We imagine this would be pretty special too, though make sure you have return transport waiting for you at the bottom as there are elephants that roam Sigiriya village at night and they aren’t too friendly if you accidentally get in their way.
In summary, I don’t think there would be a bad time to go, baring during the midday heat. Aim for sunrise or just after, or the cooler late afternoon.
What to take
The entrance to Pidurangala Rock is through a temple so you will need to take something to cover up your knees and shoulders for the first part of the trek. Make sure you also wear good walking shoes as a lot of the ground is uneven and you will need good shoes to climb the rocks at the top.
You will need sun protection for the way back down, even if you go early in the morning. The sun is strong here and you will feel it! Obviously you will also need water, and take something to eat if you’ve skipped breakfast!
How to get to Pidurangala Rock
Coming from Sigiriya the best option is tuk-tuk. You can walk to Pidurangala from the entrance of Sigiriya and it’s about a 30-40 minute walk.
If you prefer, you can take a tour of the rock that includes a delicious picnic at the top – this is a great idea for a date!
✅ Book your picnic tour here
#3 Of Things To Do In Sigiriya: The Ancient City Of Polonnaruwa
Entrance fee: 3,920 rupees or £25
Polonnaruwa was the capital city hundreds of years ago and is home to some pretty impressive ruins. We thought it was a little like a smaller Angkor Wat, with intricate carvings and crumbling temples.
The monkeys are the only residents there now, and it’s a show in itself to watch them swinging all over the temples like something out of The Jungle Book. It is definitely one of the top things to do in Sigiriya and should not be missed!
There are places to stay in Polonnaruwa itself, or if coming from Sigiriya, it’s about an hours drive. A driver for the day should cost you around 6,000 rupees / £40 from Sigiriya- you might even spot elephants on the way!
Some tips for your visit to Polonnaruwa:
The site itself is HUGE. You will not want to walk as the temples are so spread out, instead hire a bicycle or a tuk-tuk to take you around. A bicycle should cost you around 300 Rupees, haggle the price down as they will start higher!
Top Tip: Bare in mind that the entrance is not the same as the exit, so if you hire a bike you will need to ride back on yourself after you leave the temples to drop it back off.
Normally we would be all for cycling as we love an excuse to exercise and the chance to explore places on our own. However, because we were staying in Sigiriya we hired a tuk-tuk to take us there and all the way around, and we were so relieved we did.
The heat of the day is intense in this area of Sri Lanka, and the temples offer little to no shade. We were exhausted from the heat and always pleased to get back to the shade of the tuk-tuk.
The ticket counter and museum (small but worth a look) is actually a couple of blocks away from the main entrance, which makes it even more sensible to hire a tuk-tuk or taxi driver.
Don’t forget to pick up a map at the counter that will show you where all the temples are! Remember that there is one temple to the right as you enter. Make sure you visit that one first as all the others are to the left.
You’ll need about 3 hours to see the ancient city, but it’s so big that you could easily spend longer there if you wanted.
Keep your ticket handy. They’ll want to see it at the museum, the entrance to the city grounds, and to see the famous Buddha statues.
Make sure you bring water (lots of it), as there are very few places to get more inside the ancient ruins. We would recommend you also bring sun cream and something to cover up for going inside any of the temples and to help shield you from the sun.
Where To Stay
You can stay in Polonnaruwa town. It’s busy and bustling and there’s a lot going on there so it might be best to split your time between here and the much quieter Sigiriya. You can check out accommodation options here!
#4 Of Things To Do In Sigiriya: Dambulla Cave Temple
Entrance fee: 1,500 rupees / £10
Dambulla cave temple is one of the best-preserved temples in the country. It’s only an hour tuk-tuk ride from Sigiriya and is worth the trip if you have time.
The temple is covered with intricate murals and it has a total of five cave complexes, each one full of Buddha statues and paintings (over one hundred!).
Be prepared to take your shoes off as you enter and check them in at the shoe counter for a few rupees, and again, make sure you cover up as this is a religious site.
It’s worth hiring a guide to show you around. You can hire one at the caves themselves for around 1,000 rupees or take a tour from Sigiriya to save you the hassle of finding transport, queuing for tickets, etc. An English-speaking guide is included in the tour and will be able to teach you more about the spot’s incredible historical significance.
✅ Book your trip to Dambulla Cave Temple here
#5 Of Things To Do In Sigiriya: Minneriya National Park
Entrance fee: 2,300 rupees / £15
This national park in the north-central region of Sri Lanka is a feeding ground for elephants from all around during the dry season. It provides brilliant opportunities to see these incredible animals in the wild and is a little different to some of the other things to do in Sigiriya.
It’s not as large or popular as Yala National Park or Udawalawe but is a smaller alternative for those in the area interested in a safari and a less crowded option due to the fact that it is less well known.
You will need to book a jeep to drive you and pay entrance to the park (around £15) on top of that. Obviously the more people you can find to share a jeep with you, the cheaper it will be.
We ran out of time on our visit to Sigiriya, but we really wanted to do this well-reviewed full-day tour that was recommended to us. It includes a canoe ride and lunch in a local village and is something a little different to other trips you will find around Sri Lanka.
#6 Of Things To Do In Sigiriya: Kaudulla National Park
Entrance fee: 2,300 rupees / £15
Kaudulla National Park is another of the major places to see the gathering of elephants. The gathering takes place in August, so if you happen to be visiting during that time you won’t want to miss it!
As well as elephant spotting, it is also an important location for bird watching, and there are lots of national species here to look out for. The National Park has become an increasingly popular thing to do in Sigiriya because of this.
Just like Minneriya National Park, you’ll need to rent a jeep for the day. You can do this at the entrance of Kaudulla National Park – just explain to your driver what you are planning and he will help.
✅ Book a tour here
#7 Of Things To Do In Sigiriya: Hire A Bike And Explore The Rice Terraces
Sigiriya village is a beautiful spot, and not just for the views of Sigiriya Rock. Exploring the place by bicycle would make for a half day well spent, and if you’re feeling energetic you could use this mode of transport to get you around all the local attractions.
Much of the beauty of Sigiriya can be found in the surrounding countryside, where there are pretty rice terraces and lakes, and local farm houses adding to the feel.
We loved the sights in the early morning light when the world was waking up. Be careful not to ride around after dark, as elephants roam the area. The locals are very quick to warn you of the dangers.
You may well be able to hire bikes through your hotel or guest house, but if you can’t then take a walk down the main street and there are a few small shops offering bikes for rent. If you’d rather then there are several bike tours that run out of Sigiriya. Just check the brakes before you set off!
#8 Of Things To Do In Sigiriya: Go On A Hot Air Balloon Ride
The Sri Lankan hot air balloon season runs from November to April. It is certainly one of the most unique things to do in Sigiriya and would be a perfect activity for any kind of special occasion.
A few local companies operate throughout the area, each offering sunrise hot air balloon rides. Unfortunately, we visited out of season and so didn’t get the opportunity to try this, though it looks incredible if you manage to get a clear day.
Obviously, prices aren’t cheap, but it may be worth it for a special treat!
✅ Book your hot air balloon ride here
#9 Of Things To Do In Sigiriya: Take A Day Trip To Kandy!
If you are planning on staying in Sigiriya for your whole trip to Sri Lanka then we would highly recommend a day trip to Kandy, in the mountains of Sri Lanka. It will give you a taste of Sri Lanka’s diverse scenery and culture, and the chance to experience a vibrant and bustling Sri Lankan town.
Kandy is most famed for its Buddhist monuments (visit the Temple of the Tooth), but we were captivated by the incredible lake at the centre of the town, home to hundreds of bats that fly around at sunset (cover your head!!)
You can make your own way there by taxi, or it actually usually works out cheaper to book onto a day trip that will take you there.
#10 Best Things To Do In Sigiriya: Climb Rose Quartz Mountain
A visit to Rose Quartz Mountain is a really unique thing to do while you’re in Sigiriya. It costs £5 to enter, and is a 45 minute drive away in Jathika Namal Uyana Reserve.
The route takes you up a mountain made entirely of Rose Quartz – the largest of its kind in Asia. The mountain isn’t pink as such, but it does have a slight pink tone to it and you can see the quartz beneath your feet.
Other highlights of the trek include a walk through the forest below and the chance to explore some ancient ruins.
The hike isn’t too difficult, but wear walking shoes or trainers and don’t forget sun cream and water! The route takes about an hour or so to walk.
To get to Rose Quartz Mountain head to Jathika Namal Uyana on Google Maps. Jathika Nmal Uyana is the name of the forest and the mountain where you start the walk. Your tuk-tuk driver will be familiar with the destination and will be able to guide you to the entrance.
#11 Best Things To Do In Sigiriya: Go Watch A Cricket Match!
Sri Lankans are famous for their cricket, and will enjoy telling you how much they love it at any opportunity! Going to see a live cricket match in Sri Lanka is an incredible experience to have, even if you’re not a huge sports fan.
Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium is about half an hour from Sigiriya and is well worth a visit. You can find out if there are any upcoming matches here.
#12 Best Things To Do In Sigiriya: Discover More At The Sigiriya Museum
The Sigiriya Archeological Museum is in the same building as the Sigiriya Rock ticket office and is covered by the same entrance ticket, so you may as well take a little detour on your way to Sigiriya Rock to find out all about its historical and geographical importance.
It offers more in-depth history about the Sigiriya Citadel, as well as information about the Lion Rock Fortress and ruins they have unearthed nearby. It is probably a good idea to visit the museum first so that you are armed with all the information you need before you visit the site itself.
#13 Best Things To Do In Sigiriya: Dine Out In Relaxed Surroundings
Sigiriya has a few lovely little restaurants, ideally suited to backpackers and tourists. Out of all the places I have spent my first night in, after arriving from a long-haul flight, Sigiriya was definitely the most relaxed and welcoming.
Turning up for dinner in the main part of the village wasn’t stressful at all. There are only a few options to choose from, and all of them are great. They have pretty little balconies that are atmospheric and nicely lit, and they all serve a good range of western and Sri Lankan cuisine.
I wouldn’t come here expecting super high-quality food and service, but expect to feel relaxed and looked after!
Ahinsa Hotel is a good spot to meet other travellers, and seemed quite busy in the evenings. Chooty Hotel Restaurant and the New Sigiriya Cafe are on the opposite side of the street. Chooty is a great lunch spot as it has views of Sigiriya Rock from the balcony.
#14 Kaludiya Pokuna
This rarely visited ancient monastery ruin is hidden in thick jungle close to Sigiriya. You reach the site down a rough track through the forest and will find an ancient stupa, streams, and meditation caves all surrounded by natural beauty. This is really remote, so don’t surprised if you’re the only visitor.
Entry is free but there is usually a guide there to take you, and you’ll want to tip them. You will probably want around an hour to explore this pretty spot.
#15 Take A Cookery Course
Some of the best meals I know how to make have been taken from cookery courses I’ve done on my travels, and this one is no exception.
Learn how to prepare a traditional Sri Lankan meal in this private cooking course in Sigiriya. You’ll be learning in the home of a local family, who will help you gather ingredients from the garden and teach you about Sri Lankan spices. You’ll be making a multi-dish, traditional curry that you can then enjoy, and make for many years to come.
✅ Book your cooking course now
#16 Search For The Grey Slender Loris
The Grey Slender Loris is one of the most endangered nocturnal primates, and you can find them in the jungles around Sigiriya. Obviously these creatures aren’t easy to spot, and we wouldn’t recommend trekking around the forests here at night without an experienced guide, so it’s a good idea to go with an expert.
You can book a night watch tour with a guide who knows where and when to look for them and will also teach you about ways you can help protect these beautiful endangered animals.
#17 Visit Trincomalee Beach
This day trip will take you to one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka, along with some of the other beautiful sights along the way. You will get to see Koneswaram Temple, a Hindu religious pilgrimage centre and take a dip in the Kanniya Hot Springs
You’ll visit Trincomalee Harbour and learn about its important history and take a trip to Pigeon Island National Park. Finally, stop off at Nilaveli Beach for a sunset swim. This is the perfect day trip if you’re seeking some relief from the dusty heat of Sigiriya.
Where To Stay In Sigiriya
You won’t be short of somewhere to stay in Sigiriya. There is something for every budget, from the most simple homestays to luxury hotels. We have listed some options for you below, depending on your budget.
Budget Accommodation In Sigiriya
There are even cheaper camping options if you’re happy to get up close and personal with the local wildlife! Just search for the cheapest options on air bnb or booking.com to find them!
- Jaana Guest House, from £8 a night
- Nethmi Home Stay, from £8 a night
- Sigiri Tarushan Home Stay, from £9 a night
Mid-Range Hotels In Sigiriya
- Sigiri Aliya Tree House, from £16 a night
- Ali Kele Hotel, from £24 a night
- Castle Rock Sigiriya, from £20 a night
Luxury Resorts In Sigiriya
- Il Frangipane, from £39 a night
- Sat Nam Village Eco-hotel, from £44 a night
- Roo Mansala Boutique Villas, from £97 a night
How To Get To Sigiriya
Sigiriya is a popular tourist destination and so, as you would expect, it has good transport links. There are various options which we have listed below.
Bus
Buses run regularly from all major towns and cities in Sri Lanka. They are probably the cheapest option available to you, especially if you are travelling solo. They are sometimes an interesting experience, and not always the most pleasant, but they will get you where you need to be! We used Rome2Rio to work out routes.
Taxi
There are plenty of taxis that will drive you anywhere in Sri Lanka. Make sure you negotiate a price first and stick to it. If they won’t offer you a good price then the next taxi driver will happily snap you up.
Uber said it was available in Sri Lanka when we were there but we never had any luck finding a driver in the area. It may have become more common over the last year. If it does become more popular over there this would be the best option, as you will know exactly what the going rate is.
Tuk tuk
You can actually rent your own tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka, though the roads here are pretty terrifying so I’m not sure it would make for the most relaxing holiday!
Better would be to hire a tuk-tuk driver. They will drive you much longer distances than you would think possible in the little things, and they are cheaper (and obviously less comfortable) than a taxi.
The Best Option
If you’re flying into Sri Lanka and only planning on visiting Sigiriya, then it’s best just to grab some transport straight from the airport, rather than heading into a busy city like Colombo.
We got a taxi straight from the airport to Sigiriya which, at the time of writing, came in at around 5,000 to 7,000 Rupees (roughly £30-£40). Between 2 or more people, that is very affordable, especially for the distance you are travelling. The ride should take no more than 4 hours.
Sigiriya is still one of our favourite places to visit in Sri Lanka. It has culture, scenery and wildlife all in one, and if you stay here you certainly won’t find yourself short of things to do in Sigiriya! It should be a must-visit on anyone’s Sri Lanka bucket list, and it definitely deserves more than a day trip!
As you can see from our list, there are countless things to do in Sigiriya and many more that haven’t made the shortcut!
How Many Days Do You Need In Sigiriya?
You could spend weeks in Sigiriya and not get bored, but we would recommend you spend at least 3 days here to see the main highlights. Sigiriya was one of the highlights of our trip, and it is well worth a few days of your holiday if you can spare the time.
3 days gives you enough time to see Sigiriya Rock, Pidarangula Rock, and a few of the other highlights in this guide.
Where To Next?
After ticking off the best things to do in Sigiriya you might want to another of Sri Lanka’s highlights – the beautiful city of Kandy. We’ve put together the perfect itinerary for a two-week stay in Sri Lanka, or five days in Sri Lanka including some of the best places to visit.
If climbing Sigiriya rock has left you itching for more hikes then head to the Knuckles Mountain Range in Kandy, and for some awesome animal experiences, you can’t beat whale watching in Mirissa.
I hope you enjoyed this guide on the best things to do in Sigiriya. And for travel tips and inspiration, follow us on social media!
