Sigiriya Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat, Drink and What to Do

At the center of it all stands Lion Rock, an ancient rock fortress that gives the town its name and purpose. The homestays, cafés, and family‑run eateries all exist because travelers come to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In this guide, I’ll cover where to stay in Sigiriya town, where to eat and drink, what to expect of Lion Rock, top things to do around town, practical tips on how to get here and how to get around once you’ve arrived.

Where to Stay in Sigiriya Town

Sigiriya town has plenty of hotels, guesthouses and hostels for every budget. If you want even cheaper options, consider staying in the nearby village called Habarana, about 30 minutes away on a tuk-tuk from Sigiriya. It’s a quieter, more affordable option, and it’s better connected to public transport such as buses and trains.

But, I recommend to stay close to the sites, especially if you’re planning to see the sunrise from Pidurangala. Because elephants often roam the roads at night. I even met one on the road while driving my tuk‑tuk after sunset in Sigiriya — which, in hindsight, wasn’t my brightest move.

Where I stayed

I stayed at Cozy Cottage in Habarana, and paid just $10 USD per night during low-season for a private room with an ensuite bathroom and air‑conditioning. I paid cash, so price online might be higher. An amazing deal — though it did mean driving in the dark to catch the sunrise from Pidurangala.

The recommended accommodations below have all been thoroughly checked. They all have robust and stable reviews on their Google Business Accounts. Those reviews are harder to manipulate than on bookings platforms.

Budget-friendly Guesthouses in Sigiriya

• Tree house Hostel Sigiriya: Popular social hostel with a pool, and is located just next to Pidurangala. Perfect for the sunrise hike. Great solid reviews. Bunkbed from $23 USD (breakfast included)
• Lathika Homes: Lathika Homes is centrally located in Sigiriya and offer private rooms from ~$14 with breakfast included. A bargain in my option.

Mid-range Hotels in Sigiriya

• Goddess Garden Guest House: A calm little escape surrounded by greenery, perfect if you want to get away from the noise and just relax. Lush garden, spacious rooms, and an infinity pool that’s great for cooling off after a hot day out. The staff can help arrange tuk‑tuk rides, so getting around is simple. Private rooms usually start from around $50 USD, making it a comfortable and peaceful base near Sigiriya.

• Lotus Eco Villa: If you’re after a quiet, nature‑heavy place to stay near Sigiriya, Lotus Eco Villa is a solid option. The cabins sit right by the forest, and some guests mention monkeys wandering through the garden, which gives the place a fun, wild feel. The vibe is relaxed, there’s a pool to cool off in, and private rooms start around $40 USD.

Luxury Hotels in Sigirya

• The Cottage Sigiriya: A great option if you want a bit more comfort without losing that peaceful, nature‑rich vibe. Private cottages start at around $84 USD and come with breakfast included, which is a nice bonus. There’s a large pool for cooling off after sightseeing, and guests mention that the staff are super helpful—they can arrange tuk‑tuk rides or even book a taxi for your next destination. Large pool. Breakfast included.

• Sigiriya Kings Resort: If you’re looking for the top‑end option in Sigiriya, this is probably it—and the price tag reflects that. Private luxury rooms start around $220 USD, and some even come with views of Lion Rock right from your window. There’s a pool for cooling off, and the place is known to book out early thanks to its popularity. A solid pick if you want comfort, views, and a bit of indulgence during your stay.

Where to Eat and Drink in Sigiriya

There’s no lack of options for restaurants, and many of them function as bars, as well. Most popular ones ones are located near the Lion Rock. Here are some of my favorites.

Barista Sigiriya: If you’ve been traveling for a while in Sri Lanka, you’ve probably noticed that the coffee isn’t usually great. This coffee chain, however, served genuinely good coffee. And as a bonus, they have a guitar — a nice little touch for anyone who likes to play.

View Location on Google Maps

Wihara Restaurant: I arrived absolutely famished after skipping lunch, and I told the host as much. The meal they served blew me away: a luxurious rice‑and‑curry spread with nine fantastic dishes arranged around a mound of rice. I’m not sure it was meant for one person, but I still ended up scraping the last bits from the bowl. Super delicious.

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Sigiriya Rock View Point – the Restaurant: If you want to eat or grab a drink with a clear view of Lion Rock, this is the spot to check out. It’s simple, relaxed, and all about that unbeatable panorama.

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Rastarant Sigiriya: As you might guess from the name, Rastafari is the theme here. Expect reggae tunes, a laid‑back vibe, and delicious food. It sits right next to the river, which makes it surprisingly cozy.

View Location on Google Maps

Things to Do in Sigirya

Climb Lion Rock and Visit the Museum

Lion Rock is a remarkable ancient fortress perched atop a 180‑meter (590 ft) granite rock, centuries ahead of its time and today it holds UNESCO World Heritage status. The complex includes water gardens with an advanced hydraulic system, beautifully preserved frescoes, and the iconic lion‑shaped gateway. Most of the buildings are ruins now, so manage your expectations, what remains are the foundations, terraces, and the stories that bring the place to life.

From the summit, the views are incredible. You get a full 360‑degree panorama over jungle, lakes, and distant mountains, making the sweaty climb feel instantly worth it.

Entrance fee: $35 for an adult

Admire Lion Rock from Pidurangala at Sunrise

If you are traveling with a lower budget, consider hiking up Pidurangala instead. From the top, you’ll get a stunning view of Lion Rock for only $6 USD, compared with the $35 USD entrance fee to climb Lion Rock itself.

Start the hike before sunrise to catch that warm golden-hour light hitting the Lion Rock just right—just be warned that it might tempt you to visit Lion Rock afterwards, the same way it did for me. It takes about 20-30 minutes to get to the top and wear sneakers because there’s a short section where you’ll be climbing and hopping between large stones.

If you plan to climb both Pidurangala and Lion Rock, start with Pidurangala to see it from a distance first before conquering it.

Entrance fee: $6 USD

Visit Dambulla Cave Temple

This is Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist site. The complex consists of five caves filled with more than 150 buddha statues and has over 2,000 years of history. The walls and ceilings are covered with colorful frescoes, and it’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It’s sits a bit further out, about 17 km from Sigirya, and the easiest way of getting here is with an organized tour or flagging down a tuk-tuk. I had my own tuk-tuk, so getting there was no problem.

During my visit, a primary school class happened to be there on a field trip. While they were taking group photos, the teacher waved me over and asked if I wanted to join—so of course I did. It was such a random, wholesome moment, especially coming from a country where people usually ask strangers not to be in their photos.

Entrance fee: $10 USD for foreign adults / 5 USD for foreign children (6-12 years) / SAARC nationals pay $5 USD.

Etiquette Guide: Both men and women should cover both their shoulders and knees. Scarves and sarongs can be rented at the entrance. Remove your shoes, hat and sunglasses before entering.

Visit the Ancient Ritigala Monastery

The road from Sigirya to Ritigala was the worst I drove in all Sri Lanka. There are more potholes than actual road, and at one point I was genuinely worried I might break my tuk-tuk because I somehow kept hitting every single one. Somehow it survived, and I eventually reached this ancient monastery with my tuk-tuk in one piece. The 36 km from Sigirya took me about an hour. It’s seriously tucked away in the mountains.

Ritigala is an ancient monastery dating back to the 1^st century BCE, and is one of those places where a guide makes all the difference. Without one, it’s hard to understand what you’re looking at — the ruins are subtle, and context is everything. You can hire a guide right at the entrance.

This ancient forest monastery once included meditation halls, a library, a hospital, and living quarters for monks. Today, only fragments remain, but the atmosphere is incredible.

I remember hiking through the forest, imagining how the meditation center, hospital, and library must have looked in their prime. Cicadas buzzed in the background, birds chirped overhead, and a gentle breeze made the walk surprisingly pleasant. The ruins themselves don’t look like much at first glance, but with the right stories they come alive again.

Beautiful stone stairways connect the different sections, winding through the trees and moss‑covered foundations. With a guide, everything suddenly makes sense; without one, you’ll mostly be staring at piles of rocks.

View Location on Google Maps

Entrance fee: $6 USD

When to Visit: This is perfect to visit after lunch, when the heat peaks, because the trail is mostly shaded.

Visit Minneriya National Park for Elephant Gatherings

Minneriya is the closest and most popular park near Sigiriya. It’s home to “The Gathering,” a seasonal event where hundreds of wild elephants come together around the Minneriya Tank during the dry period from May to September.

It’s the biggest gathering of elephants in whole Asia, but the downside is that there are no leopards.

Join a Cooking Class

A great souvenir to bring home is learning one or two simple Sri Lankan dishes. They’re easy to repeat in your own kitchen and a fun way to keep the flavours of your trip alive. If you enjoy Sri Lankan food, consider joining a cooking class — you’ll pick up a few delicious recipes and some local cooking tips along the way.

How to Get to Sigiriya

Public Transport

Public transport is by far the cheapest way to get around in Sri Lanka, and it’s almost guaranteed to give you a few memorable stories—buses and trains tend to be crowded, and air‑conditioning isn’t exactly standard.

You can reach Sigiriya or the from any major city by bus. Just head to local bus station and look for a bus bound for Sigiriya or Habarana (a nearby town where many routes pass). From Colombo, you can take the bus from the central bus station, or hop on a train to Habarana and continue the last 20 km by taxi or tuk-tuk.

Private Car / Minivan

Taking a taxi from Colombo to Sigirya is absolute doable, but booking the trip through PickMe or Uber can be a hit-or-miss because many drivers decline due to not being able to find passengers for the return trip. The most reliable option is to book a private car or minivan through service like 12Asia.go, where drivers are confirmed and prices are fixed.

Personal Tuk-Tuk

I drove to Sigiriya on my own private tuk-tuk, which I rented for almost three weeks while traveling in Sri Lanka. It gave me complete freedom to explore on my own pace, and honestly, it was probably the coolest way to get around. It also saved me from the constant negotiation of fares with tuk-tuk drivers. If you can, I highly recommend having your own set of wheels, whether that’s a tuk-tuk, a car or a scooter.

How to Get Around in Sigiriya

In small touristy towns in Sri Lanka, tuk-tuk drivers tend to overcharge tourists quite a lot. And Apps like Uber, and Pickme often don’t work well in these places. So unfortunately you’ll be in the mercy of the tuk-tuk drivers, but still you have a couple of options:

• Rent a bicycle or scooter from your accommodation and explore on your own terms.
• Rent a tuk-tuk like I did, and have it with you during your whole visit in Sri Lanka. Your own set of wheels makes everything much easier and flexible.
• Travel in a tour group where all the transports are included.
• Or, simply negotiate with the drivers—just start low. The average monthly salary in Sri Lanka is around $200 USD, which works out to about $10 USD per working day, so use that reference point when bargaining. Just keep in mind that you still end up paying more than a local, and that’s completely fair.

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