• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-130511103950
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "sri-lanka/sigiriya",
      "destination": "Sigiriya",
      "title": "sigiriya",
      "type": "City",
      "city": "Sigiriya",
      "region": "The-Ancient-Cities",
      "country": "Sri-Lanka",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }

Sigiriya

Rising dramatically from the central plains, the enigmatic rocky outcrop of Sigiriya is perhaps Sri Lanka's single most dramatic sight. Near-vertical walls soar to a flat-topped summit that contains the ruins of an ancient civilization, thought to once have been the epicenter of the short-lived kingdom of Kassapa, and there are spellbinding vistas across mist-wrapped forests in the early morning.

Sri Lanka, Sigiriya Lion Rock fortress

Getty Images

Book
Sri Lanka Travel Guide
Book

Sri Lanka

Shop $26.99 USD
App
Lonely Planet App on a phone
Brand New!

Get the Lonely Planet App

World Nomads travel insurance
Trusted Partner

Dreaming of Sigiriya? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your Sri Lanka trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Time to book that trip to Sri Lanka

Lonely Planet Journeys takes you there with fully customizable trips to top destinations – all crafted by our local experts.

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-670320110349
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "sri-lanka/sigiriya",
      "destination": "Sigiriya",
      "title": "sigiriya",
      "type": "City",
      "city": "Sigiriya",
      "region": "The-Ancient-Cities",
      "country": "Sri-Lanka",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Sigiriya

Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-151773532928
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "sri-lanka/sigiriya",
      "destination": "Sigiriya",
      "title": "sigiriya",
      "type": "City",
      "city": "Sigiriya",
      "region": "The-Ancient-Cities",
      "country": "Sri-Lanka",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }