Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the Dolomites, Italy 🇮🇹 on Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the Dolomites, Italy 🇮🇹 on a moody day in July 🙃 

Who has already been here? 🤗
This post was long due 😴 & no. 7 is certainly the This post was long due 😴 & no. 7 is certainly the best! Save it for your summer in the Alps and around Munich 📩

✨ My TOP day & weekend trips from Munich✨

1️⃣ Plansee, Austria 🇦🇹
Crystal-clear lake, peaceful vibes, and perfect for a swim! Distance: ~1.5 hrs from Munich.

2️⃣ Dalfazer Waterfall, Austria 🇦🇹
One of the most impressive waterfalls in Tirol, plus epic views over Achensee. Distance: ~1.5 hrs.

3️⃣ Schrecksee, Germany 🇩🇪
A tough hike, but that turquoise alpine lake at the top is so worth it — one of Germany’s most beautiful spots! Distance: ~2 hrs.

4️⃣ Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany 🇩🇪
A fairy-tale medieval town that feels like stepping into a storybook. Perfect for wandering around with a coffee. Distance: ~2.5 hrs.

5️⃣ Zittauer Hütte hike, Austria 🇦🇹
A glacier-fed lake surrounded by dramatic peaks — a must for mountain lovers. Distance: ~2.5 hrs.

6️⃣ Archenkanzel viewpoint, Germany 🇩🇪
The best view of Königssee from above, seriously breathtaking! Distance: ~2 hrs.

7️⃣ Dolomites, Italy 🇮🇹
Nothing beats the jagged peaks of the Dolomites — ultimate bucket-list vibes. Distance: ~3.5 hrs.

8️⃣ Stöhrhaus, Berchtesgaden, Germany 🇩🇪
A sunrise spot above the clouds with insane views of the Watzmann. Distance: ~2 hrs.

Hi! I’m Sophia, the face behind @thealwayswanderer — a vanlife girl at heart, outdoor enthusiast, and your go-to guide for finding hidden gems away from the crowds. I live in Munich and spend every free moment hiking, exploring alpine lakes, or chasing waterfalls🙃

💬 Let me know which one is already on your bucket list or which you’re adding right now!

✨ Want to plan these trips in detail? Check out my full blog guide where I share exact hiking routes, tips, parking, best times to visit, and hidden photo spots! Link in bio 🌲✨

📌 Save & share this post to inspire your next adventure. See you out there! 🚐💨
Staying overnight at the 📍Zittauer Hütte was one o Staying overnight at the 📍Zittauer Hütte was one of the highlights of the summer - it is at 2328m altitude and one of the few mountain huts where bringing a dog is allowed 🫶🙃
(In fact, with a dog you are guaranteed a room of your own so it’s even an advantage 😀)

Save it for your Alps bucketlist and hurry up because the summer is almost over 🤷‍♀️🥲

1. Unterer Gerlossee and the Zittauer Hütte
2. Fun transition as we reach the hut with @ashatravelss 
3. Late afternoon, as the day hikers leave, it gets empty around the hut 
4. The rooms are very cozy and spacious
5. From the hut, we continued the hike upwards and found a river at around 2600m
6. Boards games night at the Hütte :)
7. 30 minutes from the hut, there is another lake
8. My family 🙃

The hut is located in the Zillertal Alps, and anywhere you see around are waterfalls and lakes. We saw marmots too 🙃
Circular Hike around Plansee, Tirol 🇦🇹 Still can’t Circular Hike around Plansee, Tirol 🇦🇹
Still can’t believe it took me 7 years of living in Munich to finally do this hike… and it did not disappoint!

This route is perfect when you want to spend time in nature without tackling steep elevation—just stunning alpine views and crystal-clear water all the way.

🥾Hike Details:
• Starting Point: Parkplatz am Plansee (6€ day ticket)
• Distance: 14.5 km
• Duration: ~3.5 hrs (without breaks)
• Elevation Gain: Minimal
• Dog/Kid Friendly: Yes
• Water: One natural water spring along the way
• Extras: 9.5 km of lakeside trail = plenty of swimming opportunities on hot days!

Save this for your next sunny weekend adventure!

#plansee #tirol #austriahiking #hikingadventures #munichdaytrip #lakehike #dogfriendlyhike #alpineescape #planseewanderung
How can a frog be so cute? 🤍 📍Sri Lanka How can a frog be so cute? 🤍
📍Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka, Travel Guides · February 23, 2025

Best Hotels in Sigiriya with Views of the Sigiriya Rock

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Sigiriya is one of the most visited places in Sri Lanka, and it’s easy to see why. With so many attractions nearby – such as wild elephants, ancient cities – if you travel to Sri Lanka, you`ll want to spend a couple of nights in Sigiriya.

But where to stay in Sigiriya to make the most of your experience?

When we visited, we found accommodations with the best views of Sigiriya’s main attraction: Sigiriya Rock, also known as the Lion Rock or Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

In this travel guide, I help you find the accommodations in Sigiriya with the most stunning views of Sigiriya Rock! From budget to luxury accommodations, there are enough options where you could watch the Sigiriya Rock while drinking your morning coffee (or Sri Lankan tea)!

View from our Hotel in Sigiriya, facing the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, also known as the Lion Rock.
Our Hotel with the Best Sigiriya Rock Fortress Views

Disclosure: The Always Wanderer is supported by its readers. When you buy something using my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.


  • Sigiriya Hotels with a View of the Lion Rock
  • Best Hotels with a View of the Sigiriya Rock
  • Our Chosen Homestay: Sigiri Close-up View Guest

Sigiriya Hotels with a View of the Lion Rock

I want to share some practical insights with you before booking your hotel in Sigirya:

  • Most Hotels in Sigiriya have no views of the Sigiriya Rock
  • Only a few accommodations, which are located on the western side (including north-west, south-west) have panoramic views of the Sigiriya Rock.
  • The Map below shows you all the hotels with Sigiriya Rock Views:

Best Hotels with a View of the Sigiriya Rock

Choose any of the hotels below to enjoy panoramic views of the Lion Rock – they are the most popular hotels and all of them have the perfect views!

You can`t go wrong with any of the following accommodations:

HOMESTAYS / BUDGET

MID-RANGE

LUXURY

Sigiri Close-up View Guest
(our choice)

Lakmini Lodge
(terrace with a view)

Hotel Sigiriya
(pool with Lion Rock Views!)

Lion Wood Treehouse
(a treehouse? yes, please!)

Royal Rock Sigiriya
(pool included)

Roo Mansala Boutique Villas
(most romantic boutique stay)

Sigiriya Rock Gate Resort
(most amazing hosts)

Sigiriya King`s Resort
(5-Star Resort)

Don`t wait! Due to the limited number of hotels with a view, these hotels sell out quickly.


Our Chosen Homestay: Sigiri Close-up View Guest

We stayed at the Sigiri Close-up View Guest and we loved every second of it. It was a homestay, so the owner and his family were always there if we needed anything.

We stayed at Sigiri Close-up View Guest, and it quickly became one of our favorite places in Sri Lanka. This cozy homestay not only offers a warm and welcoming experience but also provides a stunning view of Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Unlike hotels on the main street, this homestay is tucked away in a quieter, more remote area. While you can walk here from Sigiriya Rock, the best way to get around is by taxi or, ideally, by renting a tuk-tuk. This gives you more flexibility to explore and truly appreciate the surroundings.

>>>Read more: Best Unique Things to do in Sigiriya (spoiler alert: my guide includes wild elephants and slow loris)

  • The Sigiri Close Up View Homestay is one of the Sigiriya Hotels with Views of the Lion Rock. From this bungalow, we could see the Sigiriya Rock.
    Our Bungalow at Sigiri Close-Up View Homestay
  • Peaceful tropical garden with a bench and the Sigiriya Rock in the background. Featuring a hotel with private Sigiriya Rock views.
    Lion Rock Views from our Room
  • View from our hotel in Sigiriya: the Lion Rock
    View from our Hotel`s Garden
  • Traditional Sri Lankan curry for Dinner in Sigiriya
    Sri Lankan Curry

Wildlife Encounters – Elephants at Your Doorstep

One of the most exciting (and slightly nerve-wracking) things about staying here? Wild elephants! The owner told us they sometimes roam just outside the property, so we were advised not to walk around at night. Unfortunately (or maybe luckily?), we didn’t see any elephants during our stay—but just knowing it was a possibility made the experience even more thrilling!

The Famous Bathroom Frog

While we missed out on elephants, we did have an unexpected guest in our room—a frog living in the bathroom! He had a routine: at night, he disappeared (probably hunting), but during the day, he was always there, chilling. This little guy even made it onto my Instagram in a now-famous video!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SOPHIA | She Finds the Best Places🤯 (@thealwayswanderer)

If you’re looking for an authentic and peaceful stay with a fantastic view of Sigiriya Rock, Sigiri Close-up View Guest is a great choice. The welcoming hosts, the unique location, and the chance for wildlife encounters make it a truly unforgettable experience.

If you want to stay at the same place, you can book the Sigiri Close-up View Hotel here.


Conclusion: My Experience in Sigiriya

My experience in Sigiriya was much better than we expected, and I´m glad we fit into our Sri Lanka Itinerary.

However, I`m glad we went there:
We managed to see wild elephants while we were driving around Sri Lanka in our tuk tuk, and we bought a beautiful wooden carved desk. We hiked to the Pidurangala Rock and took great photos of the Lion Rock. Sigiriya is also a great hub for taking day trips, from here we visited the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.

To travel around Sri Lanka, I highly recommend renting a tuk tuk. Use this link you get 5% Discount at TukTukRental.com.

After Sigiriya, based on the advice of local people, we went to Kalpitiya. However, I would not travel there again: it was very dirty, and the many street dogs were in very poor condition.

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In: Sri Lanka, Travel Guides

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— ABOUT ME —

I´m Sophia, a Hungarian traveler who is always looking for places off the beaten path.

Why off the beaten path? To witness wildlife and find authentic travel destinations.

My aim with this travel blog is to inspire you to visit places that are less visited, and to fall in love with nature and being outdoors.

 

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