6+ Unique Things to Do in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Sigiriya is one of the most scenic yet uncrowded towns in Sri Lanka—and has rightfully become a symbol of the country. Here, culture meets wildlife and ancient history in a way that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Of course, the iconic Lion Rock is the most popular attraction in Sigiriya. But there’s so much more to explore beyond it. If you’re looking for unique experiences in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya won’t disappoint.

Here, you can see wild elephants crossing the road, witness rare lorises on a night walk, hike to breathtaking viewpoints, stay in hotels with private Lion Rock views, and you can buy the finest wooden crafts from local artisans.

Curious to know more? This Sigiriya Travel Guide covers some of the most unique and unforgettable things to do in Sigiriya—experiences you won’t find in the average itinerary.

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>>> Read more: Sigiriya is one of the main stops of my 10 Days in Sri Lanka Itinerary.

Where to Stay in Sigiriya

As you travel to Sigiriya to see the 8th Wonder of the World — the Sigiriya Rock Fortress — why not stay somewhere with a view of it too?

Good to know: only a few hotels offer direct views of the Lion Rock, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead!

All these hotels have great views of Sigiriya Rock, but they book out fast — so it’s best to book early.

>>> Read More: Hotels in Sigiriya with Lion Rock Views

Best Unique Things To Do in Sigiriya

1. See Elephants in the Wild

Before traveling to Sri Lanka, I could only imagine in my wildest dreams what it would be like to see Sri Lankan Elephants in the wild. And by in the wild, I mean on our own – without joining a safari or any organized excursion.

Yes, it’s possible around Sigiriya! We saw many wild elephants near Hurulu Eco Park (that’s the location where we spotted them).

Good to know: The elephants wander year-round, so it’s best to ask locals where they’ve been seen recently.

We rented a tuk tuk in Sri Lanka, so we were flexible to move around and that`s how we could see the elephants. Without it, we wouldn’t have experienced even half of what we did.

Join a safari: If you don’t rent a tuk tuk, you can still book this day trip to see wild elephants. We also joined this exact tour, too, and it was great. We had our private jeep safari and we saw at least 20 elephants.

⚠️ Important: In Sigiriya village, you might come across elephants kept on chains, sometimes offered for bathing or other close-up tourist activities. Any program where you can directly interact with elephants is not ethical and causes harm to the animals. Please don`t support it.

2. Join A Night Walk to See the Loris

Since a few months, there’s an organized night walk in Sigiriya to see the rare slow loris! Sadly, I found it too late and didn’t get the chance to join.

The tour is run with eco-conservation in mind, and the slow loris are not disturbed in any way.

I saw lorises once while traveling in Borneo, and the memory still feels vivid — they’re such unique, fascinating creatures. They actually the smallest primates in Sri Lanka, active at night, moving slowly from branch to branch.

On this evening walk, you might also spot sleeping birds (e.g., colorful kingfishers) along the way. If you have the time, join the slow loris night walk for an unforgettable wildlife experience.

>>> Book your Slow Loris Evening Walk here.
It could be the single best activity in Sigiriya for wildlife lovers — don’t miss it!

3. Enjoy your Private Sigiriya Rock View

One of the best things you can do in Sigiriya is choose a hotel with views of Lion Rock.

We stayed at Sigiri Close-up View, and we loved it so much that we even decided to extend our stay. The bungalows were simple, but the views made up for it. Although we didn’t see them, the owner mentioned that elephants often come close to the property.

Sigiri Close-up View Guesthouse is located a bit outside Sigiriya Centre, in a peaceful forest area. We were even advised never to go for a walk after dark — as elephants (and other wild animals) roam around the area and they can be dangerous.

4. Support the Talented Woodwork Artisans

Around Sigiriya, you’ll find many art shops where local craftsmen sell stunning woodwork. We bought the most beautiful handmade little table there. (It fit into my backpack – I was surprised, too!)

Each piece is crafted with incredible care and attention to detail. For example, it takes around 15 days to finish a single, small table. They use high-quality woods like mahogany, ebony, teakwood and rosewood.

At this woodwork shop, the kind craftsmen even showed us how they use the Rainbow Wood to create different colors in their pieces. It was fascinating to see how they extract natural colors from this tree, all naturally.

Please support the locals: Having a wooden piece from Sigiriya will be a lasting and meaningful memory to keep in your home.

5. Pidurangala Rock Hike

For the best panoramic views of Sigiriya Rock, head to Pidurangala Rock. The short hike takes around 20–25 minutes and is relatively easy, though it gets a bit adventurous near the top.

Pidurangala is a sacred site, so modest clothing is required—shoulders and knees must be covered. Free sarongs are provided at midway through the hike.

While the official entrance fee is 1,000 LKR per person, it was free when we visited—so it may depend on timing or enforcement.

Most travelers hike Pidurangala for sunrise, but we opted for sunset, with golden lights perfect for photography. The rock was moderately crowded.

How to Hike to Pidurangala Rock:

• Starting Point: Visitor Car Park
• Entrance Fee: 1,000 LKR per person
• Hike Duration: 25 minutes one way
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate – some climbing at the top
• Why Visit?: Best photo spot of Sigiriya Rock
• Best Time to Visit: Sunset
• Dress Code: Modest clothing required (free sarongs available)

Good to know: if you’re arriving on foot, tuk-tuk drivers will be waiting at the base to offer a ride back to your hotel.

My Experience in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

First of all, I travelled to Sri Lanka for the wildlife. In Sri Lanka, we explored the southern parts first, and then I moved north to Ella, Kandy, and finally to Sigiriya.

During my Sri Lanka trip, I visited Sigiriya and the surrounding area mainly because of the wild elephants.

Sigiriya, in general, has a very laid-back vibe, and the surrounding areas are covered with forests and grasslands, ideal for the elephants.

Besides seeing elephants in the wild, I found the area around Sigiriya beautiful and historically important. We also visited Polonnaruwa, the ancient city, as a day trip.

The areas around Sigiriya differ quite a lot from the south. Around Sigiriya, there are bigger animals present, while in the south, being closer to the equator, you’ll see many smaller animals, such as unique birds.

Location and Getting to Sigiriya

In Sri Lanka, getting to different places is easy; you can travel everywhere by public transportation, by hiring a driver or even by renting your own tuk tuk.

We travelled to Sigiriya from Kandy, as one of our last destinations during our Sri Lanka Itinerary. From Kandy, it took us around 2 hours to reach Sigiriya. Along the way, we stopped a few times to drink a coconut and admire the hills.

FAQ-s about Visiting Sigiriya