Joanna James
Set in the heart of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is a remote historical city that is best known for its eponymous star attraction — Sigiriya Rock Fortress. However, the laid-back town has a whole lot more to offer that makes for a mellow and delightful getaway on the teardrop island.
Your Sigiriya experience wouldn't be right if Sigiriya didn't kick it off. The ancient rock fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a place of historical and archaeological significance in the Indian Ocean island nation. Just admiring the majestic rock from the ground alone will leave you in awe, but the real treat lies at the top of the rock, 180 metres high. The trek to the top of the rock involves a good, heart-pumping 1,000 steps, but your effort will be totally worth it once you are greeted by the mind-blowing views of the surrounding scenery.
Sigiriya is definitely all majestic and mind-blowing, but for those with a bit of adventure in mind, it isn't exactly a hike, trek or adventure in the classic sense. So, for the truly adventurous, Pidurangala, only a couple kilometres away from the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, is sure to sate your appetite. The crowds are much less, the trek is more exciting, and the views of Sigiriya itself are supposedly more beautiful from Pidurangala than admiring it up close.
Sri Lanka is home to an incredible 22 national parks, so no matter where you go in the minuscule island nation, there's almost always a national park just a few kilometres away. The closest to Sigiriya is the Minneriya National Park, a short 20-kilometre, 30-minute drive away from the city centre. The sprawling nature reserve is one of the most-visited in the South Asian nation and is home to a wide variety of wild and birdlife. Hop on a mighty safari jeep and head into the dense wilderness, where the fascinating local fauna awaits you.
About 17 kilometres northwest of Sigiriya is one of the major cities of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, the city of Dambulla. At the heart of the city is the Dambulla Royal Cave Temple, easily recognisable by the giant, golden Buddha sitting atop the temple. The ancient Buddhist temple is best known for its ornate caves, where a host of striking Buddha sculptures and wall paintings stay in the sanctum of the temple.
No matter where you go in the South Asian nation, your holidays wouldn't be complete without getting a taste of the country's authentic cuisine and Sigirya is no exception. Indulge in an assortment of traditional dishes and let your taste buds savour the finger-licking local tastes. Vacationing
tourists could embark on their exploration of local cuisine at one of the finest Sigiriya resorts the likes of Hotel Sigiriya
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
