Sigiriya

A 180 m granite rock fortress in Sri Lanka's Central Province, with palace ruins on its summit, frescoes and landscaped gardens at its base.

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Sigiriya, also called Lion Rock, is a fortress built on a single granite outcrop in Matale District, close to Dambulla, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The rock climbs roughly 180 m (590 ft) above the surrounding plain and can be seen from many kilometers away. King Kashyapa, who ruled from 477 to 495 CE, made it his capital and raised a palace on the summit. The name Lion Rock comes from a giant lion gateway he built partway up. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning.

The summit holds palace ruins on a flat top, but the site has more than that. Parts of the painted frescoes survive on the western rock face, and the mirror wall, a polished plaster wall, carries verses scribbled by visitors from as early as the 8th century. Writing on it is now banned, so visitors can only read. The gardens at the base are among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. Pidurangala Rock, about 1 km north, is a nearby viewpoint.

Sigiriya in five

Buy the Sigiriya ticket from the official sourceThe Central Cultural Fund lists USD 35 for a full foreign-visitor ticket and USD 20 for ages 6 to 12, VAT included. Order on its eTicket site or at the counter, and compare any reseller's extra fee first.Official site or reseller
Climb at opening or in the last hoursThe CCF puts the ascent at 1.5 to 2 hours and about 1,200 steps, and says early morning or late afternoon brings cooler air and better light. The Department of Archaeology lists 6:30 to 17:30.How to climb Sigiriya
Decide whether Pidurangala is your second climbThe CCF describes Pidurangala as a challenging rock-temple climb with the best views of Sigiriya at sunrise. It is not on the CCF price list, so confirm its entry rules at the gate.Sigiriya or Pidurangala
Choose a base before you plan the dawnSigiriya village is closest to the rock, Dambulla has the cave temples and more transport, and Habarana sits between Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa. Pick by whether first light or town services matter more.Where to stay near Sigiriya
Check fuel and rain before a driver dayThe FCDO notes a weekly fuel quota per vehicle, with special arrangements for tour operators and hotels, and flood and landslide risk after heavy rain. Confirm your driver's plan the day before.UK travel advice

Things to do in Sigiriya

See all attractions in Sigiriya

Landmark · SigiriyaSarath Safari Sigiriya

Historic site · SigiriyaLion's Paw

Sight · SigiriyaSummit of Sigiriya Rock Mountain

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to SigiriyaPut the places you like in Sigiriya on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Bandaranaike (CMB) is the main gateway; the rest is a road transfer
Getting there: By road from Dambulla, Habarana, Kandy or Colombo, usually with a driver
Getting around: Tuk-tuks and drivers link the village, the rock and Pidurangala
Best base: Sigiriya village, or Dambulla for more shops and transport
Time needed: 1 day for the rock, 2 days with Pidurangala and a museum visit

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Mostly dry
FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh29°Low20°Dry
MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh32°Low22°Dry, hot
AprilRain18 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°Hot, showers
MayRain15 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Hot, showers
JunePartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Dry, windy
JulyPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Dry, windy
AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Dry, windy
SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Hot, dry
OctoberRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Rains begin
NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Wet
DecemberRain22 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Wet

Average daily high and low in Sigiriya (Polonnaruwa), 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Sigiriya

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 28°
Humidity: 93%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 94%

The Ancient Cities

02:11 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today29°23°94%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 94%.
Wed30°23°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu29°23°100%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Fri29°23°98%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
Sat30°23°100%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun29°22°100%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 10:45 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 332.4 LKR

Amount

Converted to

LKR · Sri Lankan Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Sigiriya

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Kandy, Sri LankaKandy Esala PeraheraAug 7 – 17, 2027 · Read the event guide

Day trips by train

Day trips from Sigiriya, the full guide

Before you go to Sigiriya

Sigiriya and Dambulla day toursDriver, guide and timing in one planCompare day trips

Stays near SigiriyaVillage, Dambulla or HabaranaCheck availability

eSIM for SigiriyaMaps and ticket orders on the roadRead the guide

Insurance for a steep climbHeat, steps and rain delaysRead the guide

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Rules for Sigiriya, checked

Foreign-visitor ticket: USD 35 full, USD 20 for ages 6 to 12, VAT included (LKR 11,690 at the listed rate). The site museum is a separate USD 6 ticket.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
eTicket orders stay valid 90 days; the ticket is single-entry on the day and counters open 7:00 to 17:00. Filming and drones need written CCF approval.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
The Department of Archaeology lists Sigiriya as open daily from 6:30 to 17:30.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source

All Sigiriya guides

Head to headSigiriya or Pidurangala: which rock to climb, or bothChecked Oct 6, 2026

How toHow to climb Sigiriya: tickets, hours, steps and timingChecked Oct 6, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay near Sigiriya: village, Dambulla or HabaranaChecked Oct 6, 2026

Plan around Sigiriya

Polonnaruwa travel guide

The medieval capital for a second day

Read the guide Anuradhapura travel guide

The sacred city of stupas and the Bodhi tree

Read the guide Negombo travel guide

An airport night before the drive north

Read the guide All of Sri Lanka

Routes, seasons and entry rules

Read the guide

Sigiriya FAQ

Is Sigiriya worth visiting?

Yes, if you want one site that combines history, art and a climb. UNESCO inscribed it in 1982, and the route passes water gardens, surviving frescoes and the lion's paws before the summit ruins. Skip the summit if heat or steps are a problem and walk the gardens instead.

How long does it take to climb Sigiriya?

The CCF puts the ascent at 1.5 to 2 hours, with about 1,200 steps and steep staircases. Add time for the gardens and the museum. Early morning or late afternoon is cooler, and the Department of Archaeology lists opening from 6:30 to 17:30.

How much is the Sigiriya ticket for foreigners?

The CCF price page, last updated 24 September 2026, lists USD 35 for a full ticket and USD 20 for ages 6 to 12, VAT included, shown as LKR 11,690 and LKR 6,680 at its listed rate. Check the page again before you go, because prices and the rate can change.

Can you visit Sigiriya as a day trip from Colombo or Kandy?

It is possible but long, and most of the day goes on the road. Kandy is the more realistic start, and Sigiriya also fits a move between Kandy and the ancient cities. For an early climb, sleep near the rock the night before.

Can you fly a drone at Sigiriya?

Not without permission. The CCF eTicket terms say filming, including with drone cameras, needs prior written approval from the Central Cultural Fund. The FCDO also warns against flying drones near military sites and government buildings and points to the Civil Aviation Authority rules.