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People climbing Sigiriya Rock from a bird's eye view, cover for a Lion Rock guide.

Climbing Sigiriya Rock: The Guide

Never has a hill of hard volcanic rock been this epic! Sigiriya Rock, also known as Lion Rock, was not only home to a monastery, a royal palace, and a citadel, but also to the ultimate Shakespeare-worthy drama – the tea in the 5th century Sri Lanka was piping hot! No wonder climbing Sigiriya Rock has become a must-do when visiting Sri Lanka.

This UNESCO World Heritage site attracts around 1 million visitors a year – we were two of them. After learning a thing or two about the Sigiriya climb the hard way, it's time to make your life easier by sharing all the intel we wish we had known, including cost, duration, difficulty, and more. Get ready to climb Sigiriya Rock!

Sigiriya Rock Climb 101

We have broken down the most useful information on climbing Sigiriya Rock into five sections, so you can decide if this is the right experience for you and make the most of it:

Sigiriya Opening Time

Sigiriya’s opening time is from 5am to 6.30pm every day (tickets are only issued until 5pm), making it perfect for those who want to see the sunrise from the top.

We arrived at 5:30am and, to our surprise, the main ticket office was closed. Don’t panic! Walk inside the small building to the right, where there is a counter open from 5am. While it is labeled as an “E-Ticket Counter”, you can buy tickets on the spot as well.

Closed ticket counter with Sigiriya opening time information.

When to Climb Sigiriya Rock

Climbing Sigiriya Rock for sunrise is by far the best option. Not only will you avoid crowds, but you will also skip the excruciating noon heat – there is no shade at the top of Sigiriya Rock. If you decide to be part of the sunrise crew, bring a lantern and stay on the main path to the rock. You will have plenty of time to explore after sunrise, and you don’t want to risk messing up the sleep cycle of the crocodiles and monkeys living in Sigiriya’s gardens.

Doctor illustration promoting the importance of travel insurance when climbing Sigiriya Rock at sunrise

Most people think Sigiriya’s opening time is at 7:30am (like the Sigiriya Museum), so expect crowds and tours to arrive between 8 and 9am.

Sitting black and white monkey, common along the Sigiriya Rock climb.
Woman sitting on a swing facing Lions Rock, Sri Lanka.

The only downside to climbing Sigiriya Rock at sunrise is that you won't know how cloudy the day will be until you reach the top. We ended up with a super cloudy morning but waited it out until it cleared. If you are short on time, consider visiting just after sunrise or embrace the risk, knowing the views might not appear at all.

Binoculars illustration indicating a cool activity, a hot air balloon ride at sunrise in Sigiriya.

Sigiriya Entrance Fee

Truth be told, the Sigiriya Rock climb is not the most budget-friendly activity in Sri Lanka for international travelers. Sigiriya’s entrance fee is US$35 (34€) for foreigners and LKR 120 (0.40€) for locals. Children under 6 years old can enter for free.

Piggy bank illustration pointing out the importance of using a fee free card to withdraw money in Sri Lanka.

You can purchase tickets in person at the ticket counter or online. Unless you are visiting during peak hours and want to avoid queues, there is no real advantage to buying them online – the price is the same, and there is no formal limit on the number of people climbing Sigiriya Rock at any given time.

Two tickets to climb Sigiriya Rock, purchased in person at the ticket counter.

The Sigiriya Rock hike is more about the history surrounding it than the view itself – which is similar to those from Pidurangala. If you want to make the most of your experience, hiring a guide will ensure you don’t miss anything.

Thumbs up illustration promoting the best-rated guided walking tour of Lion Rock.

Sigiriya Climb Duration

The time it takes to climb Sigiriya Rock will depend not only on your fitness level but also on the time of your visit. If, like us, you decide to go for sunrise, the climb from the ticket office to the top of Sigiriya Rock will take about 30–40 minutes because:

  • The Sigiriya Rock steps are not crowded, allowing you to move as quickly as your recently awakened body permits.​

  • The gardens are pitch black, so you won’t stop to do sightseeing – you will have time for that on your way down.

If you visit at any other time, you are likely to take around 1 hour to 1h 30min to the top, from the moment you purchase your Sigiriya Rock ticket. This includes time to admire the crocodiles by the water, explore the boulder gardens, and snap a cool photo by the Lion’s Gate.

Plus illustration directing readers to a complete Sri Lanka itinerary guide.
Drone photo of Sigiriya Rock, a must visit in any Sri Lanka itinerary.

Difficulty of Climbing Sigiriya Rock

The difficulty of climbing Sigiriya Rock will vary depending on an individual's fitness level, but overall, we believe it is an experience suitable for most travelers – as long as stairs are not your long-standing nemesis.

Make stops along the way, wear comfortable footwear, and stay hydrated – bring water with you, there are no vendors inside the premises.

The gardens leading to the rock are on flat terrain, making it a leisurely walk. However, there is only one way to climb Sigiriya Rock: ascending its 1270 stairs. Thankfully, these stairs are divided into groups, allowing you to rest in between. The most challenging stretch is from the lion paws to the top – where there is no shade or pit stops, and you will realize the altitude for the first time. Sigiriya Rock rises approximately 185 meters above the surrounding terrain.

People going up the Sigiriya Rock steps, namely the last stretch which is made of metal against the side of the rock.

Climbing Sigiriya Rock to the top is not the ideal plan for those with a fear of heights. Up to the lion paws, you should have no issues, but from that point onward, the knees tend to get into jelly jiggle mode. Many people choose to stop here.

The Climb

Climbing Sigiriya Rock is a unique experience we had been drawn to for years. How could we not be? It is a fortress on top of a giant boulder that looks impossible to climb – there is something fascinating about ancient structures built in such remote and challenging locations!

But there is plenty to explore before you reach the top of Sigiriya Rock. Here is a quick breakdown of the main areas you will visit while climbing Sigiriya Rock:

The Gardens at the Base

Water Gardens: Sigiriya’s gardens are among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world, featuring fountains and ponds where people used to bathe. They offer a fascinating glimpse into the past.

Boulder Gardens: Characterized by large rocks scattered across grassy areas, these gardens served as the foundation of an ancient monastery dating back to the third century BC.

Sigiriya gardens early in the morning.
Woman exploring the Lion Rock ruins during Sigiriya climb.
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On Sigiriya Rock

Sigiriya Frescoes: Painted on the walls of Sigiriya Rock, these unique frescoes were believed to once cover the entire rock face – an impressive 140 meters by 40 meters.

Mirror Wall: It is said that this wall used to be so polished the king could admire his reflection in it. Nowadays, it is covered with names and notes scribbled by visitors over the centuries, some dating back to the 8th century.

Lion Gate: A grand staircase with two giant stone lion paws. Long ago, visitors would enter through the lion's mouth to go up the Sigiriya Rock steps, but sadly, the lion’s head has been lost to erosion.

This place is where the name Sigiriya originates from. “Sigiriya” translates to “Lion’s Rock”.

Sigiriya Rock steps with two giant lion paws made of rock, the last remaining of the iconic Lion Rock statue.
Scribbled mirror wall in Sigiriya Rock, Sri Lanka.

Palace Gardens: At the summit, these terraced gardens hint at what life was like in the royal residence.

Ancient Walls and Fortifications: These remnants showcase the fortress's defensive structures.

Woman in a cloudy morning at the summit overlooking ruins, after climbing Sigiriya Rock.

If you are not into centuries-old gossip told as if by your noisy neighbour, keep scrolling for more detail on the Sigiriya climb. Here is a brief summary of the…

Sigiriya Rock History

Back in the 5th century, Sri Lanka had a bit of a royal drama. King Dhatusena had a daughter and two sons: Moggallana (the rightful heir) and Kashyapa (the first born, whose turn would be skipped as his mother was, let’s say, “crown adjacent”). Kashyapa, egged on by some bad advice and convinced his dad was hiding royal treasure, ended up walling up his father alive in a small chamber, and took over the throne. His brother, Moggallana, fled to India to save his skin – who wouldn’t?

Feeling the heat for his less-than-noble act, Kashyapa left the capital, Anuradhapura, and set up shop at Sigiriya – a giant rock that doubled as a fortress. Fast forward 18 years, and Moggallana came back with an army, defeated Kashyapa, and reclaimed the throne. Kashyapa didn’t stick around for the fallout, and Moggallana moved the capital back to Anuradhapura.

UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya Rock seen from a bird’s eye view.

Sigiriya’s story didn’t end there. It became a monastery in the 14th century, was reused by the kingdom in the 17th century, and caught the British’s eye in the 19th century. By the 20th century, it was restored and became one of Sri Lanka’s top tourist attractions.

How to get to Sigiriya

The easiest way to get to Sigiriya is by car/van, tuk tuk or plane* – there is a small domestic airport in Sigiriya. There is no train station in Sigiriya (the closest one is Habarana), and all public buses from across the country stop in Dambulla. From these locations you will need to catch a bus, tuk tuk, or transfer to reach Sigiriya.

We hired a tuk tuk and drove it ourselves around Sri Lanka for a full month, making all these logistic aspects super easy. Not to mention, it was the BEST experience ever! Learn all about renting a tuk tuk in Sri Lanka here or jump straight into action with our discount code “Gambozinos” on TukTukrental.com.

Woman in Sri Lanka, looking at Lions Rock from a red tuk tuk parked near green fields.

If you are coming from the airport, Colombo, or Kandy, there are also direct transfers you might want to consider:

Sigiriya Tours

If you don’t plan on staying overnight and just want to squeeze in your Sigiriya Rock climb as a day trip from Colombo or Kandy, joining a tour is the best way to go about it. They handle all the transportation and keep you entertained with stories, myths, and legends while climbing Sigiriya Rock. Here are some of the most popular Sigiriya tours:

Button for a popular Sigiriya Day tour from Kandy
Button for a popular Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Trip from Colombo

Attention: not all tours to Sigiriya have the entrance fees included – check the details before booking.

Where to stay in Sigiriya

We absolutely love Sigiriya, so we are team “stay the night” if your Sri Lanka itinerary allows it! If you think climbing Sigiriya Rock is magical, you won’t believe how amazing it is to wake up to its view.

Depending on where you stay in Sigiriya, it is possible to walk to the Lion Rock, however, we suggest you avoid doing so if you plan to climb Sigiriya at sunrise. There are many wild animals in the area (which you won’t see coming, as it is pitch black), and dogs that get extremely angry when woken up that early. Play it safe and go by tuk tuk.

Here are our absolute favorite accommodations where to stay in Sigiriya:

The pool at Lankapura Heritage, the best budget hotel with a view to Sigiriya Rock.
Pool area at Hotel Sigiriya, the best mid-range hotel with a view to Lion Rock, Sri Lanka
Entrance of Water Garden Sigiriya, the best hotel with a view to Sigiriya Rock.

Sigiriya or Pidurangala

The eternal question of those visiting Sri Lanka is, “should I climb Sigiriya or Pidurangala?”. We climbed both, and we can tell you the experiences are quite different.

Climbing Sigiriya Rock is an experience the history buffs won’t want to miss – every corner has a story or legend. However, we understand the price might not be the most inviting for all travelers.

Climbing Pidurangala Rock is so affordable that it is hard to resist – just LKR 1000 (3.30€). The climb can be slightly more challenging at times, but the view of Sigiriya Rock from the top makes it all worth it.

Plus illustration directing readers to a Pidurangala guide, where to debunk the question, what is the best experience to climb Sigiriya or Pidurangala.
Man smiling on top of Pidurangala Rock, with Sigiriya in the distance.

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Planning Time

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