Sigiriya

Revisiting after many years was an incredible experience; the location remains exceptionally well-maintained. The scenery was breathtaking, and while climbing the steep stairs felt daunting at times, the perfect view from the top made it all worthwhile. There's plenty to explore at the summit if you're keen to walk around.

Visited Sigiriya Rock Fortress and it was an amazing experience. The trek was steep but totally worth it. The views from the top were breathtaking, and the historic ruins along the way made the climb even more special. Seeing the frescoes, mirror wall, and ancient structures was truly fascinating. A must-visit spot in Sri Lanka for both nature and history lovers. Carry watter bottle 😉

Sigiriya is one of the most beautiful places you could visit in Sri Lanka. It will give you a jungle experience apart of the beach areas what Sri Lanka is famous for. From this city you can visit the Lion Rock and also the beautiful mountain in front of it. The local restaurant are so cute and the food is very tasty. Prices are slower than beach areas in the country. From Sigiriya you can travel directly by bus to Kandy. The bus experience is something I would also recommend.

Climbing Sigiriya Lion Rock was one of the highlights of our Sri Lanka trip. It’s a truly iconic and unforgettable experience. The climb is definitely a workout—challenging enough to make you feel accomplished, but completely manageable if you take your time and bring water. The path is well maintained, with stairs and railings where needed, and plenty of spots to pause, catch your breath, and take in the surroundings. We went early in the morning, which I’d highly recommend. It was cooler, less crowded, and the morning light made the views even more breathtaking. From the top, you get panoramic views of the lush countryside, and it really does feel like you’re standing on top of the world. Along the way, there’s a lot to see—from ancient frescoes and the mirrored wall to the massive lion paws carved into the rock about halfway up. The whole site is rich with history, and we came away learning so much about the ancient city that once thrived here. The signs are helpful, and there are guides available if you want more in-depth insights. We also spotted a fair few monkeys hanging around, which added a bit of character to the climb (just keep your snacks packed away!). All in all, we spent around 2–3 hours exploring, which felt like the perfect amount of time—not rushed, but not overextended either. Highly recommend adding Sigiriya to your itinerary. It’s a great mix of natural beauty, cultural history, and a bit of adventure.

My husband and his family took me to Sigiriya today and I am so pleased that we went. I wanted to go last time I visited Sri Lanka but was unable to, so it was even more special that we got to go this time. I highly recommend getting there and starting the climb as early as possible. We started around 9:30am and reached the top by 12pm. I had hopes to climb faster but despite my enthusiasm, I got sick from the heat in the very beginning and it took me much longer to go to the "halfway" point. (where the lions feet are) At the halfway point there is a place where you can refill your water bottles with filtered drinking water, so we sat up there for about twenty minutes. At that point I was feeling much better and able to continue on. The sights both on the way up as well as coming down are mesmerizing and breathtaking. I highly recommend going to Sigiriya if you're visiting Sri Lanka. Just be sure to be well rested, take it slow if necessary, and stay hydrated. Before starting the climb there are shops where you can purchase drinks, snacks, fruit, and hats. Bring a hat or purchase one! Today we got lucky and it was cloudy but the hat was still a life saver!

Sigiriya Lion Rock / Sigiriya Rock Fortress / or just "Sigiriya" (this place has so many names) is a beautiful historical place to visit if you're in Sri Lanka. The views at the top are especially spectacular and breathtaking (see my attached photos). I recommend visiting on a good weather! The climb itself is manageable; we saw many healthy elderly being able to climb up as well. Sigiriya was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning.

The rock is literally out of nowhere but rise up penetrating into the sky, definitely a must visit in Sri Lanka. However, really suggest to avoid public holidays for there are not only foreign tourists but also many many many local people visiting. We lined up and waited for around 1 hour to get up the stairs, almost got a heat stroke, and when I trying to get down, another line had been formed at the summit… Maybe an early morning hike for sunrise will be better option, but unfortunately we spent the sunrise time at the Pidurangala Rock instead. I have to deduct one star for the somewhat disorganization.

Beautiful place, definitely worth the trek. Guides are a bit forceful and will start to just follow you explaining stuff, then expect money at the end. I'd prefer to just enjoy at my own pace without a guide, which is why we turned them down at the start, only to have one start following us half way through.