A brief history
Sigiriya was built by King Kasyapa in the 5th century AD as a fortified royal citadel, following a succession dispute that saw him take the throne from his father. The site combines a summit palace, elaborate water gardens at the base, and frescoes painted onto a sheltered rock face partway up the climb. It was abandoned as a royal residence after Kasyapa's death and later used as a Buddhist monastery.
The climb
It's around 1,200 steps to the summit, including a section of spiral metal staircase that leads up to the frescoes and a narrower final ascent past the Lion's Paw terrace, the last remnant of what was once a giant lion sculpture forming the entrance to the summit palace.
Budget 2 to 3 hours round trip if you're stopping to look around, longer if you're visiting the water gardens at the base as well.
When to go
Arrive at or near the 7 AM opening. It's noticeably cooler, considerably less crowded, and the light for photography from the summit is better than midday.
What to bring
Good footwear with grip, water, a hat, and sun protection. There's very little shade on the upper sections, and the metal staircase can be busy at peak times, so patience helps if you're visiting during high season (December to April).
