When traveling through Sri Lanka, a visit to Sigiriya is definitely on your itinerary. Here you’ll find the world-famous Lion Rock. This mountain is situated right in the middle of the jungle and has a fascinating history. Below, I’ll tell you how to visit Lion Rock, but also other ways to enjoy this beautiful environment. You can explore ancient cave temples, spend a night in a treehouse, and learn authentic Sri Lankan cooking from a hospitable family.
What to Do in Sigiriya?
Sigiriya is a small town, but there’s quite a lot of fun things to do secretly. Here are 8 tips for Sigiriya!
Climb Lion Rock
Lion Rock is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a remarkably beautiful natural phenomenon to behold. This unique rock juts straight up from the flat landscape. Between 477 and 495 AD, the palace of the then-king Kassapa stood atop this 200-meter-high rock (660 feet). According to many researchers, King Kassapa had quite a lot of adventures with women here. This boss even had a swimming pool made on top of the lion’s rock. This theory is reinforced by the restored murals of half-naked women.
If you find it interesting to see the remains of the palace, a visit to Lion Rock is a good choice. A guide can tell you the whole story and lead you past the murals and the lion’s paws at the bottom of the rock. You’ll also visit the surrounding gardens and moats from where you have a beautiful view of Sigiriya. On top of the rock, you can see the swimming pool and the remains of the old walls. The climb up with its 1225 steps is 100% safe, but if you have a fear of heights, it can still be a small challenge. The downside of climbing Lion Rock is that you don’t see the rock itself because you’re standing on top of it. Additionally, it can sometimes be very crowded, and the entrance fee is quite pricey.
Climb Pidurangala Rock at Sunrise
If you’re slightly less interested in the remnants on Lion Rock and mainly want to enjoy a beautiful view, then it’s actually an even better idea to climb Pidurangala Rock and enjoy a magnificent sunrise here. In addition to the considerably lower entrance fee, you also get to overlook the famous Lion Rock, which rises beautifully from the jungle from a distance. It’s a climb of about 20 to 30 minutes, where the last part involves climbing over a few huge rocks. It’s not dangerous or very difficult if you have a good basic fitness level. If you don’t want to get up early, the sunset from here is also beautiful. Just make sure to take a tuk-tuk to the hiking trail or be picked up. This road is in the middle of the jungle, and it’s not safe to walk here in the dark because there are elephants.
Conclusion: Is Lion Rock or Pidurangala Rock more enjoyable? If you have the time, you can easily visit both rocks, and this is definitely recommended since you’re already there. We have climbed both Pidurangala Rock and Lion Rock, but if we had to choose, we would go for Pidurangala Rock. This is because we found the remains less impressive than the view from Pidurangala Rock.
Learn Sri Lankan Cooking with the Most Hospitable Family
Would you like to have an authentic experience while supporting a local family? Then book Kumara and his wife Thanuja’s Sri Lankan cooking class. They welcome you into their home where they’ll teach you how to cook a delicious Sri Lankan meal. Kumara and Thanuja are incredibly hospitable and will make you feel right at home. They’ll joyfully teach you all about Sri Lankan cuisine and culture. This way, you’ll learn to prepare the tastiest curries, enjoy a feast, and support a family who could really use your help. Please give Kumara our regards!
Another request from Kumara: If you make a reservation with Kumara and his family, don’t let your hotel owner or tuk-tuk driver talk you into another tour in Sigiriya. They receive a commission for other tours, so they may advise you not to go for this activity but to book a (supposedly) better tour where they earn something. This causes Kumara to have many last-minute cancellations even though they rely on guests for groceries.
Stay in a Treehouse at Back of Beyond
Waking up in the middle of the jungle, with the sound of birds around you and monkeys jumping through the trees. That sounds like paradise, doesn’t it? At Back of Beyond, you can stay in beautiful treehouses that give you this experience. The treehouses have no doors or walls, just a roof and a mosquito net. It’s a true adventure to sleep almost outdoors. During the day, you can hike through the jungle from here, where you can spot many exotic birds. Pidurangala Rock is also within walking distance of your accommodation. In our opinion, this is a hidden gem where you can completely connect with nature.
Visit the Golden Temple of Dambulla
Half an hour’s drive from Sigiriya, you’ll find the town of Dambulla. Here, you’ll find the best-preserved cave temple complex in all of Sri Lanka, built around a large granite mountain. The large golden Buddha statue of the Golden Temple marks the entrance to this complex, but even more impressive is the Cave Temple located slightly higher up. From the outside, it’s already a remarkable sight to see the white gates in the dark gray mountain. But when you step inside, you’ll be amazed by the size of these natural spaces and the large number of Buddha statues and murals. At the entrance of the Golden Temple, you’ll also find a small museum. It’s not as impressive as the temples themselves, but it’s nice to stop by here if you want to learn about the ancient remnants.
Tip: Please ensure your shoulders and knees are covered when entering this temple complex, and remember to remove your shoes.
Have Kumara Create a Personal Bookmark for You
If you find yourself with some spare time in Sigiriya, drop by the always friendly Kumara. This is not the same Kumara as the one we recommended for the cooking class above. This is the location of his workshop, where he crafts souvenirs as a proud artisan. He’s been doing this for over 40 years and is currently teaching his son the trade. Kumara makes decorated pots, bowls, and bookmarks out of copper. For just a few dollars, he’ll create a beautiful personalized bookmark for you or as a gift right on the spot. Plus, from here, you have a view over Sigiriya Lake with Lion Rock in the background. So, don’t forget to bring your camera along.
Unique Overnight Stay on the Route from Sigiriya to Kandy
Want to experience authentic rural life in Sri Lanka? Stay overnight at the farm of the hospitable family of Pradeep. Pradeep is a teacher at a primary school, and together with his parents, they run Blue Mountains View. This organic farm is located in a farming village an hour’s drive from Sigiriya. You’ll almost pass it on your way from Sigiriya to Kandy. The farm covers four hectares of land, and from the accommodation, you have a beautiful view. As part of the authentic Sri Lankan homestay experience, you can pick vegetables from their own garden and enjoy their delicious organic rice, vegetables, and curry for dinner. All prepared by Pradeep’s mother. A visit to this homestay feels like a warm bath, leaving you with fond memories of hospitable Sri Lanka.
Spot Elephants at Hurulu Eco Park
In the vicinity of Sigiriya, several national parks are home to many elephants. I went on a safari to Hurulu Eco Park and spotted a lot of elephants there. We left Sigiriya for the park at the end of the morning. Despite this being the hottest time of the day, the park is quite peaceful then. We spotted a mother elephant playing with her son just five minutes into the drive. In the hours that followed, we saw a total of 20 elephants.
Tip: Most visitors go on safari at the end of the afternoon when it’s not so hot. However, it can get incredibly crowded then. Many jeeps drive through the park, all wanting a good view of the elephants. As a result, jeeps may get too close, making the elephants feel stressed. This isn’t good for animal welfare. For this reason, it’s advisable to plan your safari through Hurulu Eco Park at the end of the morning.
Tips for Great Restaurants in Sigiriya
Soul Food – Don’t miss this restaurant in Sigiriya. Here, you’ll find avocado toasts, smoothie bowls, vegetable bowls, burgers, and wraps on the menu. As a bonus, you also have a fantastic view of Lion Rock!
Little Hut – This is a small cozy place with delicious Sri Lankan food.
Cappuccino Bistro – Here, you can enjoy Western and Sri Lankan breakfast and lunch dishes.
Rastarant Sigiriya – Cozy restaurant with reggae music in the background. You can come here for lunch and dinner. It’s also a great place for drinks.
Sigiriya Wew Thawulla Restaurant – This is a simple restaurant where you can enjoy tasty local food. It’s cozy sitting in the garden.
Our Favorite Spots in Sigiriya
Staying at Nelu Villa Sigiriya is absolutely fantastic. Everything about this accommodation is delightful, but the beautiful pool is the real highlight. Here, you’ll swim amidst the rice fields! With the expansive rice fields, numerous palm trees, and Lion Rock in the distance, the view is priceless. At Sigiri Rock Side Home Stay, you’re in the right place if you’re looking for a pleasant and peaceful stay at a very friendly price. The accommodation has a perfect location relative to attractions in Sigiriya and many restaurants. Additionally, it’s surrounded by greenery, and the owners make a tremendous effort to make your stay as pleasant as possible. Roy’s Villa is a very cozy and social hostel where they organize daily activities. It’s a bit pricey – by Sri Lankan standards – but you’ll stay in a really fun place. Every morning, you can join a yoga class with a view over the rice fields, and every evening, there’s a family dinner. You’re guaranteed to meet new people here, making it a very nice place to stay in Sigiriya.
  Nelu Villa Sigiriya |
  Sigiri Rock Side Home Stay |
  Roy’s Villa |
