Sigiriya – Lion Rock and other activities

Juli 22, 2024

In the heart of Sri Lanka lies the small village of Sigiriya. The Lion Rock rises up here, shaping the landscape, surrounded by lush green nature. I’ll show you 5 activities to do in Sigiriya.

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The famous Lion Rock

Of course, Lion Rock is the main attraction in Sri Lanka. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, a huge rock on which an old rock fortress is located, attracts countless tourists. At the base of the rock, explore the beautifully landscaped gardens, which are among the oldest in the world. Then you can climb the rock via external stairs for 35 euros, explore the ruins and enjoy great 360-degree views. This was a little too expensive for us, which is why we decided not to climb it. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if it fits your budget.

Pidurangala Rock

For many, Pidurangala Rock is a good alternative to Lion Rock. From here you have a great view of Lions Rock in good weather. The entrance fee is only 1000 LKR (3 EUR) and the climb is relatively easy. Only at the end you have to climb a little through the rocks. We opted for the ascent at sunrise and took photos of the monkey families (including a tiny baby) and Lion Rock.

Explore the countryside of Sigiriya

Our real highlight was the surrounding nature in Sigiriya, especially early in the morning. This way, you can also take idyllic nature photos with Lion Rock in the background. Alternatively, you can explore the surrounding area by bike. If you’re lucky, you might even see wild elephants in Sigiriya. We walked to a small lake shortly after sunrise, where there were no tourists but hornbills, monkeys, peacocks and pelicans.

Go on safari

Go on an elephant safari in the nearby Minneriya National Park or Kaudulla National Park. These parks are known for their large elephant congregations, especially during the dry season. We decided against a safari in Sigiriya as we included Udawalawa National Park on our itinerary.

Trip to Dambulla

Dambulla is not far from Sigiriya and can be reached directly by bus. It’s home to the famous Cave Temple, a popular spot for both locals and tourists. For 7.5 EUR, you can explore countless Buddha statues and murals. Plus, since the caves are higher up, you’ll get a beautiful view of the surrounding area.

The bus runs every 20 minutes between Sigiriya and Dambulla, costing just a few cents. In Sigiriya, it stops along the main road and in Dambulla, it stops at the Dambulla bus stand. From there, you either take another bus or walk for 25 minutes along the road. Since the last bus back to Sigiriya leaves around 6 pm, I’d recommend planning this excursion for the daytime. In the evening we struggled finding a tuk tuk for the return trip.

As a bonus, just five minutes from the temple, we had one of the best rice and curry meals at UpRising.

Where to stay?

Sigiriya itself consists of just one street, through which the bus drives. Around it are a few small side streets with homestays and restaurants.We opted for a small homestay run by a great family just outside and can highly recommend it. The pool was also a real highlight given the temperatures.

How to get to Sigiriya?

If you want to travel to Sigiriya by bus, you must first travel to Dambulla. There are direct buses from both Kandy and Anuradhapura to Dambulla Main Bus Station. There are air-conditioned minibuses and normal buses that regularly make the journey to Dambulla. There you have to change to the bus to Sigiriya, which takes another 30 minutes or so. Alternatively, you can also take a tuk-tuk, which costs around €6.

Last words about Sigiriya

The small village was one of our highlights due to its idyllic nature and the fantastic panorama from Pidurangala Rock. The people and the homestays here are very authentic, despite the famous Lion Rock. So it’s definitely worth spending a few quiet days here. I would rather spend the night in Sigiriya than in Dambulla.