Sigiriya Rock And Archaeological Museum - සීගිරිය Sigiriya

Sigiriya Museum The museum in Sigiriya is well known to be the most attractive in South Asia, managed by the Central Cultural Fund. Sigiriya Museum represents its cultural, technological and archaeological value. Three decades of archaeological research on Sigiriya, the famous UNESCO world heritage site, can be explored at the Sigiriya Museum. The design of the museum was inspired by the sophisticated design of Sigiriya itself. It followed the concept of Green Building with the mastery use of water and the use of trees so that it stimulates a true experience. Furthermore, the floors are built so that visitors can feel the Sigiriya climb through the ascending terraces and the wide stairways. Established in 2009, the museum contains galleries depicting the excavation efforts carried out at Sigiriya. The way it was structured is an excellent example of green building technology, as it was expertly constructed around the massive and mighty trees that have reigned the area for eons, roots-deep, as well as natural water springs. The museum has three floors, designed to suit the pre-existing levels within the rock itself. Introductions to the exhibits and guides are available in the three main languages (Sinhala, Tamil and English) in the museum lobby. To enter the museum, you have to make your way through a tunnel, and once you reach the first level, you’ll be greeted by the protohistory section of the museum, which contains a bunch of artefacts, including age-old pots and implements made of iron. The next level is dedicated to the monastic era of Sigiriya, and thus includes many exhibits from that period. Glass panels provide you an overhead-view of the rock fortress’ attractions, including the water gardens at its entrance, the rusty mirror wall, and even the summit. Entrance fees are included in your tickets to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Sigiriya Museum is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. all week. Not permitted get the photography in the Sigiriya Museum.

The Lion's Rock is bigger than we expected, totally worth the visit, you can see other things besides the palace complex like mirror wall and frescoes. There is a vast and beautiful garden in the outter parts, we even spotted two deers. Perfect for birdwatchers. Also the Museum is very informative, not a lot of people go there so it's not crowded.

A truly unique place in Sri Lanka. Overall I had a fairly good time, however the cost felt quite high (the price was 11,000 Sri Lankan Rupees for 1x Foreign Adult). I'd recommend avoiding the guides, they seemed to slow people down, had different/incorrect information and will request big tips for their 'services'. I also visited the museum which was ok but mostly underwhelming. Thankfully the museum had a fairly decent toilet area, and entry to the museum was included in the main ticket price which is somewhat of a benefit. I'm not sure if I'd revisit this site in the future but for a one off experience of Sri Lankan history and culture I had a fairly good time. Try to bring a small bottle of water/snacks if you can as the walk and hike to the summit is quite energy intensive and hot/humid with little shade. A hat is also a good idea.

Stunning place to learn about the history of the region. I highly recommend hiring a guide, as it helps you understand what the landscapes, stones, and palace remnants were used for, as well as the lifestyle of the king. Without a guide, many of the structures may not make much sense. The climb to the top of the rock can be challenging, especially for those who are afraid of heights. One member of our group struggled with this. Unfortunately, our visit was on an overcast day, so we did not get to see the sunrise. That said, the views and the stories about how the king lived here, particularly during the cooler months, were still very impressive. I especially loved the paintings of the ladies and the famous Mirror Wall. Do take note that the trail ends at a cluster of tourist shops. I found the prices there to be extremely high, including drinks. Unless you are specifically looking for Sigiriya souvenirs, I found much better options at more reasonable prices elsewhere.

We visited again after 25 years. Sigiriya is getting too busy these to fully enjoy. There are constant queues on the stairs. The views from the top are still great and the frescoes impressive. Maybe for first time visitors its still a great experience but no need for repeat visits. A lot of people now seem to go very early so 8 am is probably the right sweet spot to go up: not too busy and not too hot?

A must visit in Sri Lanka.... breathtaking climb and descent... beautiful paintings inside rock cave ...once you reaxh the summit... you are left wonderstruck on the engineering marvel on how they built the Palace and the pond up there during BC ! more than 2000 years before...

Well preserved, peaceful and a place very rich in history, a great place to visit, huge appreciation for the staff and department of archeology of Ceylon (Now Sirilanka). People are so nice, if planning to visit 35USD is the fee for all, but for certain countries it's 20USD if they have their passport. Museum is also included in this ticket, go to their on your back from hiking Sigiriya Lions rock Mountain. Take a water bottle and wear hiking friendly shoes and a great camera because on every step you will feel like you need to take pic, it's a place that will give you a very beautiful experience.

I had some hesitations about visiting Sigiriya Rock - it’s a must-see, but I’d read reviews saying it was underwhelming, that it tends to get very busy, and I’m personally not a big fan of heights - but it’s so worth it. I went in the late afternoon, a few hours before sunset, and it wasn’t too crowded. Tickets are bought in the museum ticket office, and there wasn’t much of a wait. There can be some waiting time on the staircases as everyone makes their way up, so it helps to wear proper shoes and be in reasonably good shape to handle the many steps.