Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress
Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress
4.5
Admission tickets
from AU$100.79
All you need to step foot in the door.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
125 within 5 kms
Attractions
18 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Janka KBrno, Czech Republic6,340 contributionsEspecially enjoyable on a rainy dayI and my boyfriend are a living proof that this place is manageable even on a rainy day. Actually, the experience is amazing! There were almost no people, shorter or none queues. Just bring a raincoat or an umbrella, and open sandals, and you will be fine. The complex consists from the rock that you will climb using the famous stairs. In the second half of this journey, there is something called Mirror Wall and then frescoes, which is a small cave with very old pictures with still vivid colors. The place is full of self-employed tour guides - locals that will follow you around, saying that they are tour guides and that you definitely need one. Then they will walk with you, talk with you, and expect money at the end. We were warned that there is no need for a tour guide and that the place is mostly about walking the stairs and the view afterwards. Lion's Paws is the stairway where are normally those long lines of people that are trying to get to the top of the rock. At t the base of the stairs, there are statues in a form of lion's paws, so hence the name. This place is what you want to experience when someone talks about Sigiriya Rock. And form my experience, it's the biggest fun! The Mirror Wall itself is not that wow, I would say. It's not shiny anymore, you can't touch it, it's just therein its not shiny form. Frescoes that are waiting for you at the end of the line are much more interesting, since it's something to look at. The line leading to the frescoes is heading among the Mirror Wall. It's not possible to take pictures of frescoes, thought, there is a lot of staff watching everyone so nobody does it. I didn't see any toilets on the way, just those at the ticket office. So count with that, if you want to spend few hours of wondering at the place, or if the queues on the particular day are too long.Visited December 2022Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 March 2023
- malcolm79London, United Kingdom374 contributionsExceptional and integral but very expensiveThis is a mind blowing experience, almost an 8th wonder of the world but I just can’t help but feel taken advantage of by the astronomical expense of entry - where does this money go? The upkeep of the site? Paying of guides to help you (no it can’t be as you have to pay extra for them)? It just feels like a bit of a low blow to be ripped off like this. Pidurangula was much cheaper and tbh more mind blowing of a view though with less historical importanceVisited April 2023Travelled with familyWritten 3 April 2023
- DavidDubai, United Arab Emirates6 contributionsAmazing experienceOne of the highlights of our holiday in Sri Lanka. This is an amazing experience. This must have looked fantastic when it was first completed. You can still see some of the Lion’s claws and there are still some of the original fresco paintings.you need to visit this place definitly.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 May 2023
- Helen WWagga Wagga, Australia115 contributionsAMAZINGSpectacular!!!! I didn't go right to the top but got to 3/4 way up. Tough climbing but now wish I'd done the last part as apparently it was easier going. Loved the trip to Sri Lanka and plan to go back and see more.Visited May 2023Written 4 June 2023
- Kevin TAuckland, New Zealand1,117 contributionsOMG……..It’s a tough climb but worth it just for the views. There are different stages as you ascend so plenty of time to catch your breath and take on water. We got up and down in around 2 hours but did it tough, my advice is to go early and take all the time you want as you will unlikely never do this again. Enjoy…….Visited June 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 June 2023
- SuharaPereraColombo, Sri Lanka94 contributionsSigiriya is a feeling of powerOnce you reach the top of the rock, there's no turning back. You are a Royal. You feel indescribably powerful. The pool, the ruins, the view points and everything makes you feel Royal. You suddenly start wondering how King Kashyapa was looking out from the top, how the services were taken up the rock, how the bricks and other supplies were transported and many more things. You run of feelings at the top. Don't forget to feed the little pups guarding the top and who are following you to make sure your journey is safe and smooth. But, never leave any biscuit covers or plastic bottles at the top. It's a heritage site and when we take care of it only it will last.Visited July 2023Travelled soloWritten 5 July 2023
- HHessDubai, United Arab Emirates141 contributionsSigiriya is a must see place!Sigiriya is such a beautiful and wonderful place. The hike is not bad at all, just many steps that are deffinitely worth to climb. For foreigners the entrace fee is quite high (10000LRK per person). We went wround 4.30 pm to see the sunset later on. This is a place you should not miss. So much of history, amazing views and peace in one spot.Visited June 2023Written 8 July 2023
- Wendy FAmsterdam, The Netherlands64 contributionsA must do for your Trip to Sri LankaA must do for your Trip to Sri Lanka, the buxom celestial nymph frescos are wonderfully preserved. There are lots of steps ,even before you get to the Lions feet- so take it easy and you will reach the top, lots of families of monkeys along your way and I have no idea how there was a dog at the top. The views are amazing, the ancient city was much smaller than It looks on the photos.I took around 15 minutes to walk around and I was expecting it it to take much longer.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 July 2023
- Traveller20175Arizona527 contributionsAbsolutely a must do in Sri LankaAbsolutely the highlight of our trip to Sri Lanka. It is 1200 steps climb to the top of the rock fortress. We started earlier in the day as in July it can get very hot and humid during the latter part of the day. You do not need a great fitness level to be able to climb it. Anyone can climb it. If you are not used to climbing then you can take breaks at different intervals of the climb, where you have sitting areas and view points, when you take the breaks. I think it took me about 45 minutes to do the climb with the photographs in between and I am not in any great shape. Even if you have a fear of heights, it is not at all difficult to do the climb. Though looking at the steps clinging to the rock may seem challenging, it really is not, once you start climbing it. To see the frescos, you need to walk a very small path hugging the rock, which again looks like a vertigo inducing one, but once you walk, it is easily doable. The spiral staircase to the frescos also has barriers on all sides, so just take it step by step and you will be fine. Just make sure that you have water with you and a hat or a cap against the sun. You can do the climb to the top and back in less than 3 hours but it is nice to take the time to do the climb and stop at each section of the climb, which has interesting things while going up and down ( different paths if you go to the frescos ). You can easily spend an hour at the top, admiring the sweeping views and taking loads of pictures and giving your legs a rest for the climb down. You do not need a guide to take you to the top. Going up or down or to the frescos is pretty straight forward and you will not be rushed if you do it on your own.Visited July 2023Written 27 July 2023
- Neil SLudlow, United Kingdom155 contributionsDid not disappointHas been on my bucket list for years and it did not disappoint. Early start and started climbing at 5.30 making it to the top for sunrise. Although dark to climb was not as tough as I thought it would be and avoided the crowds and bottlenecks on the stairs that can happen later in the day. Stunning sunrise and amazing frescoes. Walked through the gardens on way down as many more people walking in for the climb Would advise an early start. Wish I had had some dog biscuits for the 2 dogs that followed me up to the topVisited August 2023Travelled soloWritten 4 August 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Reviews may contain information about traveller safety at this business.
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
11,633 reviews
Excellent
8,118
Very good
2,632
Average
592
Poor
158
Terrible
134
Akshay Sharma
New Delhi, India10,630 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
While in Sri Lanka this is a must visit place. It has lots of history ranging from King Kashyapa to King Ravana. It is worth the visit. The climb is steep but one must go on. The entry fees is quite high and one needs to have a passport for entry ticket purchase. There are paintings, mirror wall, water tank on the top which are unique to this place.
Written 17 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Birgit P
Tallinn, Estonia41 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
If you go with your car, approch from the western gate, which is the main gate. As the tickets for forigners are sold in the museum, go take a look there as well. It was very informative. Take water with you, lesser people when uv index is high, many started to climb after 16 o'clock when we came down. There are pleanty of places in the shadow you can rest. Still, there is a bit climb. Upstairs the view is a blast. Definitaly recommend.
Written 14 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca W
6 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
Not for the faint hearted or anyone afraid of heights, the staircase is a bit DIY and you can see the drop through the steps. Would strongly recommend going before dawn. We went at 7am which was a bit late, by the time we were coming back (9:30/10) it was already too hot. Don’t massively recommend the museum, but if you do it, go after the climb so that you’ve gone up in the cooler weather. The hike was hard at times and there’s no where to buy snacks or water once you’re in, so bring enough water for the whole two hours.
Written 14 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fotourista
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam133 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Sri Lanka was a good surprise as it has the views, landscape, and history as well especially the Sigiriya story that we appreciated even more after climbing the top and seeing the ruins of the empire that once was there. It's probably one of my favorite historical stories to date. But the climb is not for the faint-hearted and requires a certain level of strength and stamina to get to the top.
Written 13 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jet Lanka Tours
Kandy, Sri Lanka3 contributions
Mar 2024 • Business
Venturing to Sigiriya Lion Rock was an awe-inspiring journey into Sri Lanka's rich history and culture. At $30 per ticket with a generous 50% discount for kids, it offers fantastic value for the experience it delivers. Our ascent to the top took around two to three hours, which was both exhilarating and rewarding.
I highly recommend timing your visit to catch either the mesmerizing sunset or the enchanting sunrise. The play of light on the ancient rock formations and the surrounding landscapes is simply breathtaking. The views from the summit are unparalleled, offering a glimpse into the historical significance and natural beauty of the area.
The ascent itself is an adventure, with well-preserved staircases, ancient frescoes, and awe-inspiring rock formations along the way. It's a testament to the ingenuity and architectural prowess of ancient civilizations.
For families, this is an educational and immersive experience that will captivate both children and adults alike. The site's accessibility and well-maintained facilities make it suitable for visitors of all ages.
In conclusion, a visit to Sigiriya Lion Rock is a must-do for anyone traveling to Sri Lanka. It's not just a climb; it's a journey through time and culture that leaves a lasting impression.
I highly recommend timing your visit to catch either the mesmerizing sunset or the enchanting sunrise. The play of light on the ancient rock formations and the surrounding landscapes is simply breathtaking. The views from the summit are unparalleled, offering a glimpse into the historical significance and natural beauty of the area.
The ascent itself is an adventure, with well-preserved staircases, ancient frescoes, and awe-inspiring rock formations along the way. It's a testament to the ingenuity and architectural prowess of ancient civilizations.
For families, this is an educational and immersive experience that will captivate both children and adults alike. The site's accessibility and well-maintained facilities make it suitable for visitors of all ages.
In conclusion, a visit to Sigiriya Lion Rock is a must-do for anyone traveling to Sri Lanka. It's not just a climb; it's a journey through time and culture that leaves a lasting impression.
Written 11 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sri lanka Tours by prabath
Colombo, Sri Lanka1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Family
"Discover the ancient marvel of Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. Ascend the iconic rock fortress to witness breathtaking views. Immerse in rich history, vibrant frescoes, and the mystical Lion's Paw entrance. Explore lush gardens, water gardens, and archaeological wonders. A must-visit for history enthusiasts and nature lovers. #Sigiriya #HistoricalWonders #NatureExploration"
Written 8 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elke
5 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
A Must-See if you are interested in history, art or nature! The ancient fortress is really impressive with unique art and awsome viewpoints 😃
(good footgear recommended)
Sigiriya was part of my wonderful tour in January 2024, tailored perfectly to my needs and wishes. Temples, rock temples, archaelogical sites, jungle & elephants, culture, cooking, ...
My driver, Rohan, realised instantly what I liked most and showed me, in addition to the well known places, also some hidden strong sites. He is not only a very good and safe driver but also a skilled and flexible guide, sometimes a guard and, fortunately, a good pal.
He also gave veritable insider hints, trained my bargaining skills and found the hotels and restaurants most suitable for me. I am very happy about that rich tour! If you are looking for a good tour guide, just talk to Rohan about your time, your budget and your ideas and he will develop a plan together with you.
WhattsApp Rohan: +94775610246
NS TOURS, nishantha3me@gmail.com
Negombo, Sri Lanka
(good footgear recommended)
Sigiriya was part of my wonderful tour in January 2024, tailored perfectly to my needs and wishes. Temples, rock temples, archaelogical sites, jungle & elephants, culture, cooking, ...
My driver, Rohan, realised instantly what I liked most and showed me, in addition to the well known places, also some hidden strong sites. He is not only a very good and safe driver but also a skilled and flexible guide, sometimes a guard and, fortunately, a good pal.
He also gave veritable insider hints, trained my bargaining skills and found the hotels and restaurants most suitable for me. I am very happy about that rich tour! If you are looking for a good tour guide, just talk to Rohan about your time, your budget and your ideas and he will develop a plan together with you.
WhattsApp Rohan: +94775610246
NS TOURS, nishantha3me@gmail.com
Negombo, Sri Lanka
Written 7 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carabat
Melbourne, Australia11 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
My god I thought I would die! But I did it!! I actually thought it would be worse but surprisingly we took our time and rested at every viewpoint.
It was quite challenging for someone as unfit as I am, although there’s no competition and the garden grounds were also beautiful and worth strolling around.
It was quite challenging for someone as unfit as I am, although there’s no competition and the garden grounds were also beautiful and worth strolling around.
Written 7 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JR_Essex
Chelmsford, UK549 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
A visit to Sigiriya is on most people’s itinerary when touring Sri Lanka. Our visit was on a Saturday and we arrived about 8-30am, it was busy but not uncomfortably so. Having already read up on the site, we skipped to the museum, which is by the ticket office, to get the rock climbed before it got too hot.
The climb itself was not too bad, my wife does not like heights but was determined to get to the top, so whilst we were on the metal step section, just didn’t look down! Once at the top it is interesting to walk round and see the remains of the various developments, note you get a helpful leaflet with your ticket, which provides some useful information. The views from the top are also spectacular. Although there are some monkeys around, they did not seem to trouble the tourists.
It may seem obvious but there are no facilities within the complex, so take plenty of water and any other refreshments that you may need.
The climb itself was not too bad, my wife does not like heights but was determined to get to the top, so whilst we were on the metal step section, just didn’t look down! Once at the top it is interesting to walk round and see the remains of the various developments, note you get a helpful leaflet with your ticket, which provides some useful information. The views from the top are also spectacular. Although there are some monkeys around, they did not seem to trouble the tourists.
It may seem obvious but there are no facilities within the complex, so take plenty of water and any other refreshments that you may need.
Written 5 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ilMatte
Italy139 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Don't be scared by hundred steps or weather changes. At the top your soul and body will be weakened by the view and the story.
A guide is more than suggested to fully enjoy your visit.
A guide is more than suggested to fully enjoy your visit.
Written 4 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Prosiddha
12 contributions
Hi , how difficult is the climb ? I have a 9 month old baby , do you think it's doable or would be very difficult to climb the stairs with the baby .
Also if anyone has an itinerary can you please share . I am planning to visit in August end with my wife and 9 month old kid
Leslie Nicholas... R
Birmingham, UK73 contributions
It’s not a hard climb but the heat is the difficult element. Going early morning to avoid the heat and crowds is my best advice so you can walk up at your own pace. It’s stairs all the way to the top well worth the effort. Having a 9 month baby in a back or front carrier will be possible. Take water to drink and a spare dry t-shirt to change into.
Can we go to toilet up in Sigiriya
Nigel C
33 contributions
In a nutshell, NO!! There are no facilities, except a few trinket and drinks sellers when you come down, so go before. Beware of the "Helpers". They are really aggressive and demand money for doing nothing. They wear the official T shirts
KennyRoss
Leidschendam22 contributions
Has anyone had any problems with the online booking system for Sigiriya ?
I booked 2 tickets online a few days ago and have received no confirmation or receipt. I've e-mailed CCF to ask them to supply a confirmation, but had no reply (so far).
I just wondered if anyone else had problems with this system.
Nigel C
33 contributions
There is a ticket office at the entrance
Welshgirl
South Wales534 contributions
Is there anything to do if you don’t want to climb the rock?
MalcolmM1947
Richmond-upon-Thames, UK440 contributions
If you physically can’t climb the rock (take your time not too bad when you do it), the surrounding gardens are OK to rest etc.while the others do the climb. About an hour max.
Chamod l
Sri Lanka10 contributions
What are the basic wekknesess in sigiriya tourism? I told about what tourist are facing in visiting sigiriya
Nigel C
33 contributions
1. NO toilets
2. Only one or rest areas you can stop once you start climbing.
3. The official "Helpers" are like parasites. They do nothing and aggressively and I mean aggressively demand money
Yehudit P
Kiryat Ono, Israel
Hi I'm who is Israel how to get to the Sigiriya
How to get to the bus or taxi area from the airport area
IntrepidGal
New York City, NY30 contributions
Hi - I wear a permanent ankle brace so I cannot climb up the monument. Is it still worthwhile to wander the grounds given the $30 entrance fee for foreigners?
I appreciate whatever guidance you may have
Nigel C
33 contributions
In my opinion, the rest is ruins, so it is not worth the cost if you cant make the climb
רימונה ל
Jerusalem, Israel14 contributions
In the gardens leading to the rock, we saw a crocodile. An argument ensuded between us: whether the crocodile is real or not. Have you seen the crocodile with an open mouth on a rock in the middle of one of the pools?
J11R
Wokingham, UK58 contributions
Hi there - I am planning to visit SL next week and Sigiriya Rock is on the agenda to do. What type of footwear would be suitable for the climb? Trainers? or would soft canvas shoes also be ok?
2015ECL05
Singapore934 contributions
Flip Flops not advisable. Comfortable walking shoes with a good sole is good enough. There are 1200 steps all the way up.
Y D
Lucknow, India
1200 steps seems a hard climb for senior citizens. Any ropeway, elevator or road access to the top
Penny P
Grand Cayman54 contributions
It certainly is not easy, but if you decide to go be there when it opens,I think at 7am so to avoid the crowds.
The last part with the steps does have a handrail.Also take water with you as it's a hot business!! The view from the top is worth the effort.
Good luck!!
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingSigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress
- Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost AU$98.49, while a popular guided tour starts around AU$8.09 per person.
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress:
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress Entrance Ticket (From AU$98.49)
- Day tour to Sigiriya & Dambulla from Kandy by Aaliya Tours (From AU$130.31)
- Private Dambulla Sigiriya Tour from Kandy with Lunch (From AU$89.40)
- Full Day Tour to Sigiriya and Dambulla from Colombo (From AU$106.07)
- Private Sigiriya & Dambulla Day Tour From Colombo (From AU$118.19)
- Hotels near Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress:
- (0.00 km) Sigiri Uyana
- (0.00 km) Ayurvie Sigiriya - Ayurvedic Retreat by Thema Collection
- (0.03 km) Prana Ayurveda Chalet - Sigiriya
- (0.03 km) Naturaliza
- (0.03 km) Mango Villa Sigiriya
- Restaurants near Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress:
- (0.03 km) Seafood Restaurant
- (0.03 km) Mr.Monkey Restauran and Bar
- (0.06 km) Nalin's Village Food & Hand Wowen
- (0.10 km) Anu's Mom Kitchen
- (0.50 km) S.L.Kafé